Even though Henry and Beth joked and chatted, Henry never took his eyes off the hallway that Wyatt and Fiona had disappeared down. He couldn't begin to imagine what Wyatt needed to discuss with Fiona, and he wasn't crazy about them being alone. Henry could count the things he knew about Fiona on the one hand, and one of those things he of was that she didn't like feeling cornered.

Henry forced himself to focus his attention on Beth, who was rooting around in the fridge for something to cook. Fiona was a big girl and could take care of herself.

There was no sense in worrying about something he had no control over.

"What's with the rings?" Henry asked, nodding to Beth's hand on top of the fridge. That he had noticed, and the answer might distract him. "The last time I saw you, you weren't wearing them."

Beth blushed. "Ummm, I'm married." Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if she was testing how they sounded.

"To Wyatt?" Henry nodded his head in the direction that he had disappeared. The last time he had been in New York and spent time with Beth, Wyatt had been on the scene, and Henry had picked up on some definite tension between them.

"Yes, it was a spur of the moment thing, so don't be upset you weren't invited." Beth bit her lip, expecting Henry to be mad, and it amused him.

Henry shot her a smile that let her know he didn't mind in the least. "How did your family take the news? I always thought that you and your cousins would have big weddings." he had a limited family had always admired the closeness of the Stevens clan.

Henry reached past Beth, who was staring off into space while deep in thought, and pulled out some eggs and cheese. "Let's make omelets," he suggested.

Beth nodded and reached for a few vegetables. "They haven't noticed." She shrugged as Henry looked over at her. It was apparent it was a sore spot with her.

"What do you mean they haven't noticed? Is it a secret?" He frowned. He couldn't see anyone disagreeing with her choice of husband. Wyatt seemed to be a good guy.

"No, we chose not to tell anyone, and they haven't noticed the rings yet." Beth grabbed a cutting board and a knife as Henry eyed her silently. He could tell by her agitated movements that she was defensive about the subject.

"That's a dangerous game, Beth. I can tell you already feel bad about the situation, and it will only get worse." He did his best to keep his voice gentle.

"Wyatt agrees." Beth nodded.

There was a good deal more to say on the subject, but Henry got the feeling that Beth didn't want to talk about it, so he dropped the subject, and they worked in silence as they cooked lunch. It wasn't his place to tell her what was right or wrong. He had made too many mistakes in his life to judge others.

They prepared the meal together, and it was half an hour later when Wyatt appeared with a friendly smile.

"Is lunch ready? I'm starved." Wyatt informed them as he threw an arm around Beth.

"Where is Fiona?" Beth frowned at her absence.

"She's not hungry, and she said not to wait for her," Wyatt said as she looked at the food on the counter.

Beth opened her mouth to speak, but Henry interrupted her. "Let's eat, then. I only have a few more minutes."

Counted among the few things Henry knew about Fiona was that if she wanted to be alone, it was best that she be left alone. She was an intensely private person, and in the two weeks he had been here, they hadn't shared much that was personal. He had the impression that Fiona was good at hiding bruises of all sorts, and it ate at him the Wyatt Ramsey knew something about her that he didn't.

It was such an unexpected thought that he frowned. When did he feel the need to know everything about her, more than anyone else did, and what did that mean?

*******

Fiona slumped in her seat, dejected. She hadn't told Wyatt everything, but she had told him enough, and it had brought painful memories and old insecurities rushing back to the surface.

She didn't know how long she sat behind her father's massive desk, remembering things she rather not, but eventually, she realized the time and knew she had to get moving.

However, realizing this, she still couldn't bring herself to move.

Fiona jumped when she heard a knock at the door.

"Yes," she called.

When the door opened, it was Henry. He quietly entered the office and closed the door behind him. He took his time looking over her, and it felt as if he saw every raw emotion for what it was; weakness.

"Are you ready to go?" Henry's voice was gentle, as if he was talking to a wild and hurt animal.

"Am I that easy to read?" Fiona asked with a self-mocking smile.

"No, but I heard Wyatt say that it was a personal conversation, and it was better if it was in person, and that can never mean anything good." There was a long pause between them. "It's better if you keep busy."

Fiona closed her eyes. It was wise advice and something she needed to hear at that moment, and she nodded, then stood with a hiss of pain as all of her muscles object to the movement.

"You should have never sat down." Fiona noticed Henry hide a grin at her soreness, and she frowned.

"Shut up," she grumbled as she moved toward him and the door.

"Why don't you move to roping and let someone else drop the calves?" he asked as she drew near.

Fiona winced at the thought. She still wasn't up to riding all day.

"Then I'll drop, and you can brand," he offered, seeing her look.

"No! I cannot brand," she shuddered at the thought. The idea of hurting any animal was repulsive to her, even when it was needed.

"You chose the wrong career sweetheart," Henry shook his head and opened the door.

Hearing the endearment, even in a casual way, made her heart turn over in her chest.

"I didn't choose it," Fiona clarified as she brushed past him.

Henry reached out and touched her arm gently. "If you need to talk about anything, Fiona, I'm always willing to listen as a friend. No judgment."

Fiona's eyes met his. What would he think of her if he knew the truth?

She went up on tip-toes and placed her lips on his cheek a gentle kiss. It was an uncharacteristic move and left her feeling awkward. "Thanks, Henry. I don't have many friends."

He nodded, looking stunned either by her words or her actions. Fiona couldn't be sure which.

"I made you an omelet to go," Henry said as he changed the subject.

"Can you do that?" Fiona frowned as she led the way down the hall.

"I can," he assured her, and his total self-confidence made her smile. If anyone could make an omelet to go, he could.

"Here's your omelet. It's really just an egg burrito at this point, but you can eat it on your way to the corral." Beth assured her as she shoved a foil-wrapped object at her. "We're staying the night. I hope you don't mind?" Beth said with an about-face in the subject.

"It's your home. Why would I mind?" Fiona asked with a frown.

"I also asked Henry to join us for dinner," Beth added as an afterthought.

"Fine, but you're cooking," then Fiona turned to Wyatt, "and you're doing dishes." It was a subtle way to let him know there were no hard feelings.

"Sure," Wyatt said as he shoveled another bite of food in his mouth.

"Come on, Fiona. Back to the trenches." Henry ushered her to the door. "And eat your lunch. The last thing I need is you dropping a calf on yourself. You need to keep your strength up."

Fiona rolled her eyes but took a bite of the egg-omelet-burrito as she and Henry stepped onto the porch.

"Don't forget your hat!" Beth called as she shoved it sideways on Fiona's head.

Fiona had a hard time swallowing her bite of food. It felt an awful lot like she was being taken care of, and she couldn't remember the last time that had happened to her.

Henry noticed her stop eating.

"You all right?" he asked.

Fiona nodded and took another bite of food. She had come a long way in the last ten years, and she wasn't going to let the past beat her down. She had too much to do.

*******

Henry watched Fiona eat. He could tell she was upset, but he didn't think it was his place to make her tell him anything. He had wanted to pull her close and hug her when she had admitted she didn't have many friends.

It had gutted him.

Her gentle kiss meant a lot because he didn't think affection came naturally to her, and he was honored that she had bestowed some of it on him.

"Do you mind my coming to dinner this evening?" Henry asked her.

Fiona shook her head. "No, it might help ease some awkwardness between Wyatt and me. I'm not used to people knowing certain things about me."

"And he now knows these things." It was a statement, and Henry tried to keep his voice and face neutral.

"Yes, Wyatt said he needed to know for the lawsuit. He didn't want to be taken by surprise." Fiona took her last bite of food as they reached the corral.

The other men were already there, which meant it was time to get back to work. Henry's questions would have to remain unanswered.

For now.