Chapter Thirty-One

Recovery was slow going for Nick but Aiden remained at his side, never leaving town or going out to the ranch as he helped nurse Nick back to health.

Finally, nearly a month after the bullet had come close to taking his life, Nick was fit enough to make the nearly two hour ride on horseback to the ranch. He had refused to go by wagon which would have been easier on his healing ribs and the thin tender skin sealing his wound.

Aiden's hand was scarred permanently, it was still sensitive to heat and it wasn't quite as easy to bend his fingers as it had been before but other than that he was healed. The townsfolk had kept their distance from the two men for the most part. Aiden supposed he should be happy with that since it meant there was no one harassing them but it still hurt to know that some people who had once waved to him on the streets now crossed to the other side.

And he figured the only reason that no one dared harass them was simply because Brody had made it clear they were under his protection and no one else in this town was dumb enough to cross Brody Atkinson—especially after what had happened to the last batch of men that had.

"We've been working nearly nonstop rebuilding," Susie said as she rode in a wagon beside Kaitlyn while Nick, Aiden and Wendell rode alongside on horseback. Aiden kept a close eye on Nick but if the man was in pain he couldn't tell. Nick was the quintessential 'tough-guy' and would probably rather die than admit he was hurting. That trait annoyed Aiden to no end.

"How much does it need to be done?" Aiden asked, making conversation since Nick seemed to be back in his silent moods. Nick never had much to say whenever anyone else was around. Aiden was happy though that when they were alone together the man's tongue tended to loosen a bit and he opened up more.

"The outside still needs to be decorated; Ellie is going insane without her flowers, and we're waiting on another shipment of lumber to get the shingles put on the roof but the inside is pretty much finished," Susie replied with a smile. "The bunkhouse is completely done and Elizabeth even went so far as to replace the cots with real beds and feather tick mattresses."

"And my back thanks her," Wendell grinned.

"When are you getting married?" Susie asked suddenly. "You've been engaged for ages."

"Not really ages, Susie," Kaitlyn cut in with a blush. "It's only been about a month and we've all just been so busy."

"You should do it soon. I know that Liz wants to help out the wedding on and I know that Thomas will want to be there now that he and Sally aren't leaving until after the baby is born."

The conversation turned to Thomas and Sally's impending child and move, both of which would take place in only a few short months.

Aiden hadn't even realized they were nearing the ranch until it came into view and he was shocked by what he saw. Gone was the continental estate that had once stood there and in its place was a rustic and yet elegant log cabin—or lodge would a more appropriate term for the ranch house.

Aiden stared in awe at all three stories with balconies and a wraparound ground floor porch. Rocking chairs and swings covered the porches and balconies. Even the bunkhouse was larger than it had been before.

All-in-all Aiden thought the new editions to the ranch were better than before and he smiled at the thought that even when beautiful things were destroyed it was often so more beautiful things could their place.

"Wow, I love this," Aiden admitted with awe. "I've always liked log cabins."

"What was your house like back east?" Wendell asked. "Your family was rich weren't they?"

Aiden thought back to the narrow townhouse he'd shared with his parents and their modest country estate that had always seemed prim, proper and.....

"Cold," he replied honestly, "Cold and proper."

"Hey y'all, we got company!" Elizabeth yelled as she caught sight of them riding in. Work around the barn and corrals stopped as everyone moved forward to greet them.

As soon as Aiden dismounted, Elizabeth hugged Aiden in a tight embrace that surprised him. She released her hold and Aiden turned to help Nick off his horse only to find the other man already standing behind him.

"Nice to see you back among the land of the living," Brody said as he shook Nick's hand.

Aiden knew Brody was sincere. Although Brody had always claimed to have some alternative reason for coming into town, Aiden knew he'd truly been coming to town more often than usual to check on Nick's progress.

"It feels good to be back," Nick replied with a nod. "I'm ready to do some work."

"Light work," Elizabeth amended.

"Good luck with that," Aiden warned dryly.

Nick threw him a glare that had Elizabeth laughing, "Don't worry, Aiden, I understand." She tilted her head toward Brody, "I have one too."

"It's the only way to be I reckon," Brody spoke up as he put his thumbs through his belt loops.

"I'll take your horses," Frank offered as he held out his hand and quickly had it filled with three sets of reins. "I'm glad you both made it back."

"I reckon we're pretty happy about that ourselves," Nick agreed.

"Well come on then, Nick, and we'll find us something to do," Brody offered. Then he grinned, "We'll leave the womenfolk to their chit chatting.

Aiden was too happy to be back on the ranch to let Brody's teasing bother him. Instead he just laughed which earned him a chuckle from Brody as he, Nick and Wendell followed after Frank and Kent toward the barns.

Cookie waved at Aiden from his chair beside the bunkhouse. Aiden felt his heart get lighter when he saw Kent, Vance and several other hands tip their hats and greet Nick.

Acceptance. That was the feeling swirling inside of him right now. They had been truly accepted.... Of course they had yet to see Ellie or Jacob.

"Susie!" Without warning Ryder came bursting from the house and his long legs ate up the ground. In seconds he was wrapping Susie up tight in his arms and spinning her around and around as she laughed with surprise.

"What in the world....?" she gasped breathlessly as he sat her back on her feet.

"I haven't seen you in ages!" he exclaimed before kissing her soundly and causing her face to turn cherry red as she glanced at everyone around them.

"Ryder, it's only been four hours."

"My heart doesn't wear a watch, Sue."

"Oh..." Susie's blush deepened but her eyes lit up. She glanced at Kaitlyn and winked, "Just think he could have been all yours."

Kaitlyn shook her head and laughed lightly, "Not once he saw you."

"Aiden!" Aiden heard Lexi's voice just before the girl was wrapped around his leg. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Aiden replied honestly as she pulled away and he tugged on her pigtail. It was the truth. It seemed strange to him and yet somehow natural that in so short a time these people had become his family. He loved each and every one of them—well all of them except Jacob. All Aiden could hope for was that Jacob would tolerate his presence and not force him to leave; family bonds were probably not going to happen.

"Aiden, you gotta see my pony!" Bryant exclaimed as he too ran over with Nathan and Max behind him. "I almost got him to where he'll lay down when I tell him to!"

"Almost as in the pony rolls his eyes instead of ignoring him completely," Nathan cut in and this earned a glare from Bryant and a laugh from the adults.

"Hola, Senor Aiden," Max spoke up.

"Hi," Aiden replied.

"Thank you for saving us from our room during the fire. Did you hurt your hand badly?"

Aiden shrugged and held out his hand. The boys thought its twisted scars were the most amazing thing they had ever seen while Lexi curled her nose and voiced her disgust. Aiden's hand and the fire became the topic of conversation for the next few minutes and then finally the moment that Aiden had been dreading arrived.

Jacob and Ellie stepped out onto the ranch house porch. Aiden knew that delaying the inevitable would be a waste of time but it was a waste of time that was very tempting. He could run. He could go hide in a pile of hay until someone found him. Or he could climb a tree behind the house and hide in the branches like a wild monkey. He wondered for a moment if he could jump into the river and hold his breath long enough to convince them he had drowned—then again he wasn't a very good swimmer and he'd probably end up truly drowning.

With a sigh, Aiden decided that he simply had to do what had to be done. So he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and headed in their direction.

The moment that he was close enough to hear Eli, who was propped on Ellie's hip, the boy began to squeal and laugh, "Ogee!" he exclaimed.

"Hi there, Eli," Aiden replied awkwardly as he forced a smile. Eli seemed to notice that something was amiss with the adults around him and he frowned and snuggled into Ellie's chest.

"Hi, Aiden," Jacob spoke and Aiden couldn't help but notice that his voice was like stone.

"Uh... hi," Aiden replied quietly. He looked at Ellie and saw that she seemed happy to see him at least. Slowly Aiden forced his eyes to meet Jacob's and to say that he was shocked by what he saw there would have been an understatement.

Jacob appeared to be fighting back emotion and possibly even tears. That would be why his voice sounded so tight and controlled. Jacob swallowed hard and stepped forward, "First I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you the last time we saw one another. I was upset and took it out on the easiest target which at the time was you."

"Um... okay," Aiden replied with a weak smile. He wasn't quite sure what to make of Jacob's words and behavior since they were the opposite of what he had been expecting. He glanced out the corner of his eye and saw Nick at the nearest barn watching him closely with concern.

"And I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for doing what you did and risking your life to save my family. There's not a think in this world I could do to pay you back for that."

Aiden simply nodded and shifted his feet, unsure of what to say.

"Ogee!" Eli called again, this time more impatiently and Jacob waved his hand.

"I think the boy wants you."

Aiden smiled happily and took the boy in his arms, laughing when Eli plopped a slobbery kiss upon his cheek. Aiden turned his gaze to Jacob and his smile turned sad, "I am really sorry about what happened, Jacob. I never meant to put anyone in danger by coming here. I didn't want anything bad to happen to your family...."

"I know," Jacob nodded. "Ellie told me everything. She likes you so that helped soothe my own temper a bit. Those men were the problem, not you. No one should be hurt or killed just because of who they choose to spend their life with."

Aiden let out a relieved sigh, "Thank you." He glanced at Ellie, "Are you okay?"

She smiled and Aiden noticed that she did look better. That pregnancy had been wreaking havoc on her and now that she was no longer pregnant she had better and color and no longer seemed so black around her eyes. "I'm just fine, Aiden. Those kinds of things happen in life and we just have to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and keep on going. It's the Texas way; you'll catch on."

"I'm still learning sometimes," Jacob added.

"We knew you and Nick would be coming back today and the whole family and all the hands are going to have one heck of a feast tonight," Ellie informed him happily. Aiden was surprised and humbled to know that everyone had looked that forward to them being back. "I just need a bit of help with the apple dumplings. I can't get them exactly how you made them," Ellie added.

Jacob frowned, "So he takes care of youngins and he cooks too?"

"Yeah I do," Aiden answered as he propped Eli on his hip. "And I shoot men in the heart, run into burning buildings and kiss real good. You gonna make fun of me like Brody does?"

Jacob shook his head as he chuckled and headed off the porch, "Nope." Then he turned and grinned at Aiden, "I like extra cream with my apples."

***

"Brody, I need to talk to you about something," Wendell said as he, Brody and Nick leaned against a corral fence and watched Vance and Kent work on breaking a mare inside.

Brody struck a match on his cheek and raised his brow as he glanced over at Wendell, clearly waiting for the other man to continue. "Kaitlyn and I are gonna be gettin' married real soon and well.. I want to keep working on the ranch but the trip from town just ain't...."

"There's plenty of land here. Pick ya a spot and we'll work on getting y'all a cabin built and a well dug," Brody interrupted before lighting his cigarette.

Wendell seemed truly shocked and Nick was too, "I couldn't ask y'all to do that!"

Brody shrugged, "I ain't doing it for free. We'll dock a few dollars from your pay for a few years to cover the lumber and labor or we can call it a loan and you'll have ten years to get me paid back in. Y'all will be responsible for your own food plot and meat—"

"Yeah, but Brody we'd be taking up your land," Wendell reminded him and Brody's response was a simple shrug as he blew out a mouthful of smoke.

"You've been working on this ranch longer than I've even known it existed, Wendell. I reckon that's earned you some land to put your house on."

"Thanks a lot, Brody. I'll talk to Kaitlyn about it," Wendell assured him.

"Already speaking like a married man and learning who the boss is," Brody winked. He turned his gaze to Nick, "What about you and Aiden?"

Nick frowned, "What about us?" he asked as he shifted his position to take pressure off his left side and the ribs that were freshly knitting back together.

Brody leaned his arms against the corral fence and watched Kent running for his life before grunting at Nick, "You'll be needing a place to stay won't you? Or are you planning on leaving the ranch?"

Nick hadn't thought much about the future lately; he'd been too busy focusing on healing and helping Aiden through the nightmares that had indeed been plaguing him nearly every night, but now.... Now he realized that he and Aiden did have some decisions to make. They couldn't live together in that bunkhouse forever; Nick wanted to be able to hold Aiden at night the way he had at Doctor Montgomery's.

Nick smiled to himself when he remembered the fit the good doctor had tried to throw about it and the way Aiden had stuck his tongue out at the man and slammed the bedroom door in his face. Aiden still thought that childish display had been what had gotten the doctor off their backs when in fact it had been the extra money that Nick had slipped into the palm of his hand the next morning.

"If y'all are wanting to stay on the ranch, and the boss and I agree that we damn well want you to, then you'll need a private place to call your own. Now you're more than welcome to take a room at the main house for a while 'til we get you a place ready—or you can stay in the main house until Sally and Thomas head to Wyoming and then take over their place," Brody shrugged, "Either way it'll equal up to about the same amount of time."

"Well... we uh..." Nick was speechless. Shocked would be an understatement to how he was feeling. He'd known that Brody had accepted his and Aiden's relationship but to accept it so much that he'd offer them a place on his ranch to live together.. that surprised him.

Brody threw Wendell a glance and the other man nodded and walked away leaving Brody and Nick alone, "Nick, I don't know the details about your past but I'm a fairly smart man that picks up on a lot of things. I can tell something bad happened because of who you've been with in the past and well... that's bullshit. I need you working this ranch and hell Aiden's a big help with the children and he polishes a mean saddle. And you'll be on Atkinson land—now that might not sound like much considering what happened here a month ago but trust me when I tell you that it means somethin' to most folks."

"I really appreciate the offer, Brody—" Nick began, still unsure of what to say.

Brody smacked him on the back, "Just go and talk it over with your wife and let me know what y'all decide. But let me know quick cuz if y'all want a new place built then we'll have to order the lumber."