"Are you his Mama? He was calling for his Mama before." Nick's saucer-like hazel eyes stared through her.

"Nicholas, this is Miss Rachel. She is a friend of Heath's mother," Victoria informed.

"It's nice to meet you, Nicholas. Seems Heath has fallen asleep. That's good," Rachel spoke softly not wanting to wake up the sleeping child.

"He keeps wakin' up when he starts coughin' real hard. That makes him cry. Mother says it's cause his chest is hurtin'. I think he was scared, but I told him I'd be right here to take care of him and he went right back to sleep." Nick smiled as he pointed to his left arm. Heath had a tight hold on his new friend.

"Seems Heath has taken a real liking to our Nick. I was ready to send Nick off to bed, but he seems to make Heath feel comfortable, so I allowed him to stay. If Leah isn't feeling well, maybe it would be best to leave Heath in this room for the night. I'd be happy to sit with him. So would Tom," Victoria offered.

"And me, don't forget me. I'm stayin' right here like I promised," Nick said firmly.

Both women smiled at the dark-haired guardian.

"Nick is quite taken with Heath. He wants a baby brother in the worst way." Victoria grinned as her hand encircled the child she carried.

"A new baby, how exciting. I'm sure Nick will make a fine big brother," Rachel complimented.

"Does Heath have any brothers?" Nick questioned.

"No, no he doesn't. He's not as fortunate as you. I hear you have an older brother," Rachel commented.

"Yeah, Jarrod. He's okay, but I bet me and Heath could have more fun together. Jarrod likes to read all the time. Me and Heath could play outside and go fishin'. We're gonna have a new baby, but it might be a girl!" Nick shared his feelings for the little boy who he had just met. From the moment their eyes made contact there had been a bond. Nick couldn't explain it, but he felt it.

"Jarrod wants to be a lawyer someday. He is a very good student. He and his father needed to go out to the barn to do a few chores. You'll get to meet him, if not tonight then at breakfast. Our Nick wants a little brother in a big way. We've told him that God just might give us a girl and Nick wants to hear nothing of it!" Victoria loved both of her sons so much. Rachel could hear it in her voice, the warm way she spoke their names and talked about them.

"You have a lovely family and home, Victoria. I appreciate your help with Heath. I think it would be wonderful if Leah could get a good night's rest." Rachel had to stop talking as a very big yawn overtook her.

"You're pretty sleepy too, huh?" Nick commented as he watched the woman yawn.

"Nick is right, you must be exhausted. Why don't you get some rest too? We would be happy to help with Heath tonight. I'll have Silas send up some soup and tea when the doctor is all finished," Victoria offered.

"Dear, that is so nice of you. I am very weary; however, I feel that we have already received so much kindness from your family..."

Before Rachel could continue Victoria interrupted, "I'll hear nothing of the sort. We all must help each other when we can. This child is so endearing. He's captured a piece of our hearts. It's easy to want to care for him."

Tom finally had a few minutes alone. McCall had begun to feel pretty useless just standing around so he decided to retire for the night. He did so only with the promise that if he was needed they'd send for him. Tom could read his old friend and he knew that Jake was already taken with Leah. Tom understood how effortlessly this seemingly innocent woman could turn a man's head...she had turned his head. Leah had caught his attention with a simple conversation as she had waited his table at the hotel dining room. He had gone from conversation, to escorting her home, to her bed. They had shared several pleasurable days together during his stay in Strawberry. His business venture ended the first day of that stay. He would have headed home early, but then he'd met her. She was pretty, sweet, smart...delightful, and she was taken by his charm. She made him feel young and desirable. She could excite him with the touch of her hand on his. Memories flooded back from his time in Strawberry so many years ago. They both had aged, moved on ...hadn't they? They both had families. He had to talk to Jake, a relationship with this woman could never happen, not with the secrets he carried.

"Was she married? Maybe she was a widow. How did Rachel fit into all this?" the worried Barkley almost blurted his thoughts out loud.

Tom was not sure of any of the answers but he'd have to talk to Leah. As quickly as possible he'd gotten Jake to call it a night after warning him that a man should know more about a woman before he allows his heart to control his head. He had sent Jarrod off to bed when he had returned from the barn. Now what to do? Why was she here? What did she want?

So many questions. Finding the answers was the real issue. He could feel the resentment ebbing from Rachel. She knows! God, she knows! How could he wander into Leah's bedroom and talk to her? Her bedroom in Strawberry had been so inviting. He had to find out what she was up to! All these years and now she shows up on his door. He had thought he was home free. He had sent the letter right after he had gotten home telling her that he was married and had a family. He knew Leah had fallen for him during his time in Strawberry. She had already lost a husband. She told of his drowning and that he had taken what little she had saved in the way of money. She was lonely and wanted out of Strawberry. It was a mining town, full of men who when they were not working the mine were getting drunk in the saloon. Who'd blame her to set her sights on a decent man when he rode into town? Was the whole relationship with Leah going to come out this night? So they shared a bed for a few nights, that was years ago. He loved Victoria! Surely his wife knew that fact! He was so lost in thought as he paced in front of the fireplace that he didn't hear his wife enter the room.

"Tom...."