Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

Nico and Eden wanted to get back to Los Angeles in the worst way, but Nico decided it might be a good idea to stick around a little longer and help Eden’s family repair the dammed-up water flow into their land. Even with postponing the branding, they had more to do than they could handle, but the water situation took precedence. It was backbreaking work, but he told her, “They’ve had to put up with a lot of trouble lately, and another set of hands should be welcome.” So he borrowed some work clothes and got busy.

“I love you all the more for this, Nico,” she told him. “Most men would turn their back on my family for what they almost did.”

“They’ve been under a lot of stress lately. No one is at their best under those circumstances. One thing Matty has taught me by example is the importance of showing grace in the face of adversity. I’d rather stay and help make your family’s lives better than run away because they made me angry. Unfortunately for both of us, the situation got to be awfully dangerous. But it was Hatchett—not your family.”

As a form of apology, the Godwin family moved Nico out of the bunkhouse and into their spare room with a real bed. He spent three nights that way with Eden sneaking into his room each evening and out in the wee hours of the morning.

They were extra quiet but terribly happy to be together.

As expected, Solomon the bull began to take more of an interest in eating and strutting around like the big Casanova he was. The upcoming breeding season was looking better and better.

“I wonder how many other downstream spreads were affected by that horrible man’s selfishness with the water,” Mrs. Godwin mused over the meal preparations with Eden. “I can’t believe he was actually flooding his own land.”

On the day Eden and Nico planned to leave, there was a knock at the door while they were all having breakfast. Joshua rose to open the door. Surprised, he stepped back and said, “Come on in!”

It was two of Silas Hatchett’s three sons who’d come to apologize for what their father had done. Apparently, word traveled quickly. After accepting their condolences over the loss of their father with a polite nod, the elder son explained, “Our other brother moved to Idaho with his new wife, and we took jobs in Santa Ana when we realized we couldn’t work with our pa any longer. We had to come back for a while, though, to take care of the livestock. Thank you for feeding the horses until we could get here. The thing is, we’re not interested in ranching anymore, and we wondered if you’d like to buy the property and the animals and increase your ranch that way. We’ll sell it all to you cheap. It just holds bad memories for us.”

Abner looked surprised and then sorry when he answered, “I’d love to do that, but lately we’ve been hanging on by a thread, so we don’t have the cash to pay you. I’m sorry. It was good of you to come to us first though.”

Nico spoke up, “Sir, I might be able to help.” Everyone’s attention snapped to him. “My family is always looking for investments. If you wanted some silent partners, perhaps they’d be interested. I can certainly speak to them and let you know as soon as Eden and I get back to Los Angeles.”

Abner looked pleasantly surprised and said to the Hatchetts, “If you don’t mind waiting a few more days, we’ll see what Nico’s family has to say. He’s about to become my son-in-law. In the meantime, we’ll keep helping you with the livestock. That’s a lot for the two of you to handle by yourselves.” Turning to Nico, he said with a smile, “Thank you, son.” Then turning to Eden, he said, “He’s one in a million. Treat this young man well.”

“I plan to, Pa.” She grinned happily at Nico.