Chapter Twelve

"Okay, so my uncle Silas is a pretty cool guy," Nicole said, breaking the very thick and heavy tension filled silence in the cab of the truck as she pulled onto the gravel road that led to the sixty year old mans barns and home.

"It's still pretty hot out, why is he cold?" Andrew asked.

Nicole snorted and pinched her nose, "Cool has different meanings nowadays," she replied. She glanced at Cavanaugh through the rear view mirror but he had his hat low and was staring out the window. Jamison was beside her with a bloody napkin in his hand and a split and swollen lip.

"So what does it mean?" Andrew asked as his knees methodically pushed against her seat.

"It means that he is pretty go with the flow and hard to ruffle," she replied.

"Who are you going to tell him that we are?" Jamison questioned.

"Cowboy brothers from the 1800's," Nicole replied with a shrug as she felt around the cup holders for her sunglasses before slipping them on.

"Won't he think you're a little crazy?" he asked and Nicole just shrugged.

"Maybe at first but he'll believe me. There isn't much that uncle Silas won't believe."

"Why do you call him uncle if he isn't your uncle?" Andrew inquired with a smile as he put his head over her shoulder so he could see out the windshield better.

"Everybody calls him uncle. I'm not sure why."

"Can we keep our guns on?" Ian asked hopefully.

Nicole smiled, "Uncle Silas wouldn't think you were men if you didn't keep your guns on." Nicole was fairly certain she saw Cavanaugh smile but just as quickly it was gone so she couldn't be sure.

The barns came into view and Nicole slowed down to avoid hitting the hounds that were always running loose. She pulled her truck to a stop beside the largest of uncle Silas's three barns and turned off the engine.

Cavanaugh took a deep breath and sighed, "I sure did miss the smell of horses."

Ian curled his nose, "All I smell is manure. Aren't there some gambling halls where a man like me can burn off steam?"

"No. We're fresh out of those." Nicole replied dryly.

Ian sighed, "I'm really not a worker...." he stated with a whine. "I don't like to sweat, unless of course it's because I'm bedding a hot young...."

"Ian!" Jamison snapped. "You didn't hear a word mama said on her deathbed did you?"

Ian grinned sheepishly, "Sure I did. But mama wouldn't have wanted me to be lonely."

"Okay so let me do the talking because Uncle Silas is unique....." Nicole's voice trailed off when Uncle Silas came out of the barn with his sawed off ten gauge shot-gun that he lovingly called 'baby' in his hand.

"Oh it's you!" he exclaimed, his grizzled, leathery, mustached face splitting into a wide smile when he recognized Nicole stepping out of the truck.

"Hi, uncle Silas." Nicole replied happily as she went to him and threw her arms around his neck. He hugged her with the arm not holding the gun and then cast a suspicious glance at the brothers who were standing beside the truck.

"Who are they?"

"This is Jamison, Cavanaugh, Ian and Andrew." Nicole replied, pointing at each of them in turn. "And, believe it or not, they are brothers from the late 1800's."

Uncle Silas's blue eyes widened as he stared at the men, "Well I'll be damned...." he said as he scratched at his close shaven gray hair. He stuck his sawed off shotgun into the holster on his hip and then crossed his arms over his red and black checked flannel shirt.

Nicole had no idea what was going on inside Uncle Silas's mind as he stared hard at the brothers. She did know that they painted an impressive picture. They were wearing thin black cotton tees and wranglers. Their gun belts were low on their hips and their hats were casting their faces in shadows as they stood shoulder to shoulder.

"Hot damn!" Uncle Silas exclaimed before spitting out a stream of tobacco. "Y'all gotta let me get a look at them guns!"

Suddenly the men all became lost in conversations about guns, cylinders, cartridges and calibers that were completely lost on Nicole. Sure she knew how to shoot. She knew how to load and fire pretty much any gun you sat in front of her just like any good country girl would, but she didn't know much of anything about all the details and inner workings.

"Uncle Silas?" Nicole said breaking through the group of men and getting the older mans attention.

"What is it?" he asked impatiently as he gazed at Cavanaugh's .45 Colt as if it were a treasured relic.

"Is Bethany in the house?" Nicole asked, hoping that Uncle Silas's granddaughter would be here. The eighteen year old was one of the very few people that Nicole considered to be more than just an acquaintance.

"Yeah. Yeah. She's got her nose buried in some book," Uncle Silas replied.

Nicole smiled, "Okay, you keep these men busy for a while and I'm going to go in and rest."

"Rest?" Cavanaugh asked. "Are you okay?"

Nicole felt her heart swell when she heard the true concern in his voice and saw it in his blue eyes. She nodded and laid her hand on his arm, surprised when he didn't pull away. Though she could feel the muscles tense beneath her touch and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"I'm fine. The four of you just make my head numb and I need to go rest it for a while," she assured him with a wink. She wanted to stay lighthearted with him. It seemed that the more lighthearted she could stay the more open he was to being himself with her. The moment she looked too deeply into his eyes or turned the conversation personal, he just got angry and withdrawn. Nicole had suffered her fair share of loss in her life and knew that pushing someone that wasn't ready to be pushed only served to further their withdrawal.

She just had to make herself approachable and eventually Cavanaugh would come to her. She was sure of that. She felt the pull between them and knew deep down that he did too. That was what had him so moody and standoffish toward her.

"Makes your head numb?" he asked with a raised brow.

Nicole put her fingers on her temples and nodded, "Numb."

He shook his head and she saw his lips pull just a little at their corners. Nicole turned and made her way up toward the house.

"Hey, you," Uncle Silas said nudging Cavanaugh with his elbow. Cavanaugh realized he'd been watching Nicole's hips as she'd walked away in those denim jeans and he quickly shook his head and looked at Uncle Silas. "What was your name?" Silas asked.

"Cavanaugh."

"Well Cavanaugh," Uncle Silas stated as he laid his hand on the handle of his shotgun. "That girl right there is special and don't need to have her heart broke no more than it's already been."

Cavanaugh nodded and tipped his head. Of course Silas's words had made him want to know just what had happened in Nicole's life to cause her heartache and what kind of idiot would have hurt her. He realized he knew next to nothing about her and was surprised when he realized that made him a little sad.

Uncle Silas shook his head and handed his revolver back to him, "Well let's go out behind the barn and y'all can prove whether or not you know how to use these pretty guns." Uncle Silas turned and walked away. Cavanaugh frowned and holstered his gun, "Don't know what that old man is thinking." he grumbled.

Ian smiled and put his arm around Cavanaugh's shoulders as they followed after Silas, "He can see what the rest of the world sees, Cav. You like that woman."

Cavanaugh mumbled under his breath, pulled away from Ian and quickened his pace to put distance between himself and his brothers who all seemed to agree with Ian.

***

"Nicole, what brings you out here today?" Bethany asked with a smile as she unfolded her long jean clad legs from beneath her and stood from the couch.

Nicole shrugged as she looked at the romance book held tight in Bethany's hand. There was a half naked cowboy on the cover and he was sweat covered and looking very deeply into the eyes of the voluptuous blond in his arms, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." she stated. Bethany's brown eyes sparkled with excitement as she sat back down and motioned for Nicole to do the same, "Tell me!"

Nicole smiled. She really liked Bethany. The poor girl was painfully quiet and shy most of the time. The five foot ten, skinny as a bean pole eighteen year old had always been teased over her body type and shyness and she had taken refuge in books.

"I brought four hot cowboy brothers here to spend some time working with your papaw."

"Cowboys?" Bethany asked as a blush covered her cheeks and she laid her book on the coffee table.

"Yes. Four of them. You'll never believe where they're from."

"Oklahoma?"

"Nope. 1875."

"You're pulling me leg," Bethany stated accusingly and Nicole shook her head.

"No I'm not. I'm dead serious. Of course I thought they were crazy at first too but they aren't. They are moody and annoying at times but not crazy."

"And there are four of them? How long have they been here?"

"Since Monday morning," Nicole replied, thinking back on the last three days. "Do you want to go meet them?"

"Oh I don't know." Bethany replied quickly as she folded her hands in her lap.

"Come on, Bethany! When will you get another opportunity like this one?" Nicole urged. She wanted to see the young woman come out of her shell and open up. She was tired of watching her pass up on fun just because she was too shy and cautious.

"The rodeo is coming to town soon, I'll see plenty of cowboys then," Bethany informed her.

"Oh please," Nicole exclaimed with a snort. "Those are wannabes. These are the real deal."

Bethany bit her lip and looked like she was going to come up with another excuse when a gunshot rang out followed quickly by another one, "What are they doing?" Bethany demanded as she stood and ran to the window.

"Only one way to find out," Nicole replied with a wink and Bethany bit her lip and then smiled before following Nicole out the door.

The two women walked back behind the barn where the gunshots were still coming from and Nicole heard Bethany gasp when they turned the corner and the McEllis brothers came into view.

"Oh my...." Bethany muttered. The men all had wide legged stances and their newly acquired jeans showed off their lean hips and firm backsides as they drew their holstered revolvers in turn and shot cans that Silas was throwing up into the air.

Nicole couldn't help but admire the way Cavanaugh's body moved with a fluid ease when he drew his gun and hit his target, "That's impressive," she admitted and the four cowboys turned to look at she and Bethany as they holstered their guns.

Nicole nearly burst out laughing when Andrew's eyes landed on the shy, skinny girl and his gun slipped from his fingers and went clattering into the dirt, "H..Hello ma'am." he stammered as he picked his gun up and gave her a nervous grin.

"Hi." Bethany replied, her face flushing bright red as she twirled some of her dark brown hair around her finger nervously.

Silas looked back and forth between the two of them and scowled. Nicole walked over to Jamison and elbowed him gently in the stomach, "I think it's love." she said in a conspiratory whisper.

He smiled down at her and nodded, "I think you're right."

"So what's your name, pretty lady?" Ian asked Bethany with a wink. Andrew glared at his brother, "I was about to ask her that," he grumbled. Bethany giggled and Andrew's eyes instantly widened and his gaze went back to her.

"I'm Bethany." she replied in her quiet way.

"Andrew," Andrew said quickly as he shoved his way in front of Ian. "These are my brothers, Ian, Cav and Jamison but they aren't important. I'm more fun."

"Alright, fun guy," Nicole said as she took Andrew by the arm and pulled him away. Andrew had been too lost in Bethany to notice that Uncle Silas was about two seconds away from turning his head into a mushy pile with 'baby'. "Why don't you all let me have a try at shooting a target?"

"You know how to shoot a gun?" Ian asked skeptically.

Nicole feigned insult as she covered her heart with her hand, "Somebody let me borrow a gun and you can find out," she replied with a wink. Instantly Cavanaugh stepped forward and laid his big .45 colt in her hand. Nicole nearly laughed aloud at the heaviness of the weapon in her hand, though she didn't miss the significance of Cavanaugh handing her his weapon so quickly. He smiled when her eyes met his and Nicole realized that when he smiled, really smiled, the skin around his mouth and eyes crinkled. Nicole had always been a sucker for crinkles.

"I've never seen a woman shoot before, ma'am," he admitted. Leah had been a peace-loving woman who did not know how to shoot nor allow any weapons in the house other than the ones Cavanaugh himself carried. Sometimes he wondered if things would have turned out differently if only Leah had had a weapon to defend herself with and the knowledge to know how to use it.....

"Prepare to be amazed," Nicole replied with a smile.

"You can't shoot that big old gun." Ian argued.

Silas laughed, "Sure she can."

Nicole smiled with confidence. If there was one thing she was sure of it was that she could hit any target they put in front of her. Her dad had been an avid hunter and she'd been shooting since she'd been big enough to hold a bb-gun in her hands.

"I'll throw it," Cavanaugh said as he grabbed a tin can from the barrel.

"You sure, Cav? What if she ain't no good and shoots your hand off?" Ian asked with a teasing grin.

Nicole laughed lightly and shook her head, "I won't shoot him." she promised.

"I trust her." Cavanaugh added. The tone of his voice had her feeling a little flustered but she was determined to do this right and impress him. She cocked the gun and nodded to indicate that she was ready.

"One. Two. Three." Cavanaugh threw the can into the air and Nicole let out a breath and squeezed the trigger, sending the can flying into the distance.

"Well I'll be damned...." Jamison muttered as he shook his head.

"It's official--" Ian said as he came up and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight against him. "I'm in love."

Nicole laughed and held up the Colt, letting the barrel wave in front of his face, "Hands off, McEllis." she warned. Ian laughed loudly and stepped away.

Cavanaugh stepped forward and took his gun from her, reloading it with some of the cartridges on his gun belt and glaring at his brother, "I have to say that was an impressive shot, ma'am," Cav said with a nod.

"Well thank you, Cavanaugh," Nicole replied, knowing her voice was breathless but unable to do anything about it with him standing this close and his scent filling her nose. She could feel the heat from his body and as always her body was responding instantly.

As usual Cavanaugh was the first to break the contact as he holstered his gun and took several steps away, using picking up the spent cartridges as an excuse.

"Bethany, you want to have a go? I'll let you use my gun," Andrew said with a wink as he pulled his pearl handled .38 and showed it to her. Bethany shook her head, "No I don't think so," she replied quickly. "I'm not very good."

"I could show you," Andrew insisted as he stepped closer to her.

Silas growled and stepped between them, "Didn't you boys come out here to work?" Silas demanded.

"They sure did." Nicole replied with amusement at the disappointed look on Andrew's face. He looked like a puppy who had just had his favorite bone taken away.

"Well we got stalls that can be mucked and horses that need exercise."

"What about Saraphine and Gemini?" Nicole asked.

Silas nodded, "They been doing good but could probably use a workout." he replied.

"Who are Saraphine and Gemini?" Cavanaugh asked.

"My horses," Nicole replied. "Uncle Silas keeps them here and takes care of them for me." Nicole turned to Silas. "Give them plenty of work to do, especially Andrew," she added with a wink. "Make sure he's good and wore out by the time we leave here."

Nicole motioned for Bethany to come with her and the two women walked away toward the barn where her horses were kept. Nicole laughed when she heard Ian. "I'm really not much of a worker."

"Well I guess you'll learn then won't ya?" Came Uncle Silas's no nonsense response.