Saturday Afternoon, at the Ranch

Jarrod pulled the carriage up in front of the house and eyed his sleeping passenger warily. The blond head lay against the back of the seat. He promised the doctor that Heath would rest all day, before heading to San Francisco. Heath missed the ranch and Nick and wanted to get some personal items for the stay with Jarrod. So Jarrod weighed both sides of his argument and decided as long as Heath toed the line, they would stop home. Now looking at Heath, who had slept on the train and just about crawled into the rig, he wondered if it was a mistake. He put the two bags by the door and roused the sleeping cowboy.

Heath stretched and smiled. Breathing deeply, the breeze blew past his face and he thought how good it was to be home.

"You planning on joining me?"

Heath smiled as Jarrod helped him down and handed him the crutches. Heath head swiveled as he heard the familiar laugh. Jarrod followed his gaze and spotted Rory and Nick by the corral. He saw the glint in Heath's eye and immediately put a stop to the wheels that were spinning in his head.

"Don't even think about it, Heath, that's too far. You're only to use these crutches for small distances until your much stronger. You'd never make it. Now I want your word. You sit here on the porch until I get the carriage around back."

He watched as Heath managed to make it to the bench and sat down.

"Keep that leg elevated. Remember, you can't put any weight on it."

Heath waited until Jarrod and the carriage disappeared around the side of the house. It didn't look that far. Smiling, he took a deep breath and started out.

"Monday morning we'll go into town and you can get familiar with the area. It will take a few days, but from as well as you've done on the ranch, it shouldn't be hard."

Rory looked curiously at the figure approaching. She recognized him from the description Nick gave as well as the picture in the house. Smiling, she waved and was about to tell Nick when she saw the blond young man shake his head. Apparently, it was a surprise. He was doing fine, but just as he grew nearer to them, the crutches wobbled and she saw the struggle on his face, now covered in sweat from his exertion. She was about to warn Nick when she saw Nick's brow furrow as he turned his head curiously.

"Heath? Heath are you sneaking around back there?"

The boy stopped short in his surprise. Catching his breath, a huge smile crept onto his face. Nick's smile was one to behold as well. Rory looked at Nick in amusement but the smile faded when she saw how Heath was struggling.

"How did you..." he gasped as his air ran out.

"Heath, you take more baths than any 3 men I know. The soap Audra gave for your birthday is a dead giveaway. What are you doing here? You're out of the wheelchair already? Are you okay?"

Heath didn't have enough gas to answer or to proceed any further on the crutches. She saw Jarrod stalking towards them in a fury, but he wasn't close enough. Rory touched Nick's biceps.

"He's not okay, he 4 steps ahead of you and ready to collapse."

Nick grabbed Heath and managed to support him until Jarrod reached them.

"HEATH! What were you thinking? I told you it was too far. Small distances and lots of rest remember? Can you make it to the house?"

When Heath finally regained his breath, he was able to answer his angry brother.

"I'm sorry Jarrod, but I had to try. I wanted to surprise Nick. I'll be okay in a minute or so."

"I got a better idea, how about me and Jarrod helping you to the house. We'll get you settled on the sofa by the fire and have a great visit." Nick offered.

Rory listened as Nick started to tell her about an adventure in the mountains he and Heath had shared. Poor Heath lasted only 10 minutes upon arriving on the sofa and was sound asleep. Nick was almost done the tale when he realized Heath hadn't contributed.

"Is he sleeping?"

Jarrod patted Nick on the back and refreshed his brandy.

"Nick you have the effect on a lot of people."

"How is he Jarrod, really? Should he be traveling at all?

"He's okay Nick. Until his system builds back up and all that lost blood is replenished, he's going to tire easily and sleep a lot. He wanted so desperately to come home and see you. I thought he might as well sleep here at home as in a hotel. He won't be walking for quite awhile; you might want to have Jim hire on some help. Well, I've got some work to do, so I will see you at dinner."

"Jarrod, I have a favor. I need to go to town. It won't take that long, do you mind?"

"Not at all, Nick. Rory would you mind sitting by Heath, I don't think he'll wake up for awhile yet."

Rory would be glad to keep an eye on the young man while she started dinner. Jarrod told her not to bother. They would stop at Mrs. Harrison's Boarding House. She made the best dinners to go in town. When they got in the rig and started to town, Jarrod asked Nick where they were going. Nick wanted to get Rory a gift, something pretty, maybe a locket or broach. Jarrod looked hard and Nick and saw something in Nick's face that gave him pause. Thinking of Rory's words to them in the doctor's office, he pursued his gut instinct.

"Nick, are you in love with Rory?" "I think so, Jarrod. I've never felt like this before. I want to be with her all the time. She so very special."

Jarrod was lost in thought and put a resolution on hold as they pulled up in front of Emerson's Jewelry store. Jarrod helped Nick with several pieces. He finally settled on a cameo. After picking up Fried Chicken and all the trimmings, they headed back to the ranch. Nick prattled on about a variety of things. Jarrod's mind was busy thinking on how to approach Rory.

"Jarrod, if I didn't know you were driving this rig, I'd swear I was alone. For somebody that makes their living preachin' you sure are quiet today."

"I'm sorry Nick, I guess I'm just tired"

Heath blinked and sat up yawning largely and scratching his head. Rory observed from the chair nearby. Smiling, she thought the mussed blond hair and sleepy blue eyed face looked like a small boy whose nap ended too quickly. She crossed the room and sat next to him, offering a glass of iced tea.

"Hello, there. I was hoping you'd wake up soon. I was getting lonely. Here, you must be thirsty."

He was thirsty and half drained the refreshing liquid.

"Thanks. I'm sorry, guess it wasn't real mannerly of me to conk out on you. I'm so tired all the time. Where are Nick and Jarrod?"

"In town doing some errands. And don't you worry, considering what you've been through; you made amazing progress in two weeks. You body needs time to recover, sleep is a great healer."

They talked quietly for awhile. He asked her how Nick was doing and was glad to hear of the progress he'd made. She thought maybe she saw some guilt flicker briefly on his face when he mentioned the accident. She told him about Carmel, and some of her students at the blind school. She found the more she talked to Nick's younger brother, how easy it was to like him. She sensed by his answers and questions he posed that he was very sensitive.

"Well, Heath if you can stay awake long enough, dinner is on the table" Jarrod teased as he entered the room.

After dinner, Jarrod offered to show Rory the garden. Nick and Heath made their way to the library, where they shared a brandy and talked for a while. It did not take Jarrod long to surmise that Rory's feelings for Nick were just as strong. She knew from the way the questions were directed he was concerned. She turned to him.

"It's the last thing I expected Jarrod. I thought I could handle it at first. But now, I just don't know. I love him Jarrod, what am I going to do?"

They sat on the stone bench and she cried a little on the strong shoulder. Jarrod didn't have any answers.

p>

Victoria and Audra arrived Sunday afternoon and the family enjoyed a wonderful reunion at the ranch. Rory watched amused as Jarrod, Audra and Nick teased Heath to the blushing point. He rebounded and she found his sense of humor a perfect match to Nick's sarcasm. Heath's night was an early one as he started nodding off soon after dinner.

The next two days went quickly. Jarrod and Heath departed for San Francisco Monday morning. They would be returning with Nick after his appointment on Friday. By Wednesday, Nick knew Stockton pretty well. It was during the trip to town on Thursday morning she got a headache, and they made it an early day. She excused herself at the ranch to lie down for a while. Victoria listened to Nick's rambling and kept a wary eye on the girl as she went upstairs. Rory slept right through dinner and Nick was worried. Victoria reassured him that Nick probably wore her out, but she would check on her.

Climbing the stairs, she thought on the same thing Jarrod had. It was obvious Nick and Rory were in love and it weighed on her heart. She saw a light on in the bathroom. As she was about to knock, she heard the sobbing. Entering, she saw the distraught girl on the floor crying. Their eyes met and Victoria dropped to her knees and took the overwrought woman in her arms. She rocked her murmuring words of comfort. Finally, Rory stood up and they made their way to her room.

"How bad is it Rory?"

"It's painful and it won't be long before the other symptoms start."

"What will you do, dear?"

"I don't know. I love him Victoria. I didn't count on losing my heart."

"You have to tell him Rory."

"I can't. I just can't. I was planning on going with you to San Francisco tomorrow and on to Carmel. I promised my parents that I would stay with them. I need a few days to think. I promise I'll tell him, but not now. Right now, it hurts too much."

Dr. Bradshaw's office, Friday noon.

"Well, doc, how does it look? I don't have to tell you, I didn't sleep a wink last night."

Dr. Bradshaw smiled at over Nick's shoulder at his mother and two brothers.

"Nick, I think it's a pretty fair bet that you'll be seeing well enough to carve the Thanksgiving turkey."

The shout that Nick left out could have been strong enough to cause an earthquake. He sought his mother out first and then accepted the embraces of his brothers. The doctor went on to explain the swelling had diminished and Nick's vision could return at any time.

"What till I tell Rory. Funny her having a sick friend to visit today."

Jarrod and Victoria knew differently. They would be meeting Rory for lunch before her three p.m. train to Carmel. They celebrated Nick's good news, but Victoria's heart ached for the pretty young girl wearing the weight of the world on her slim shoulders. Heath, Victoria and Jarrod left the two alone and waited outside the restaurant.

"Well, seems I finally got you all to myself. Rory, there's something I want to ask you."

"Nick, I need a few days to myself. I'm tired and miss my folks; I haven't seen them for months. Why don't you let me show you my Carmel by the sea. It's the prettiest spot, you'll love it. Just give me a few days. Why don't you come down next week."

He was disappointed but heard the urgency in her voice. Holding her close, he kissed her and consented.

Heath and Jarrod wished her well and Victoria managed to get Rory alone while Jarrod distracted Nick. They embraced and Victoria felt the tears welling in her eyes.

"Rory, thank you doesn't seem to be enough for all that you have done for Nick. No matter what else happens, you given him more than a second sight. Take care dear, I'll never forget you."

She couldn't get any more words out and Rory comforted her. Smiling, she kissed the gracious woman's cheek. She turned away before she herself lost control. She found Nick and they shared a few tender moments before she boarded the train. As the iron horse left, Nick could not help think how long the next few days would be without her.

p>

Monday morning, at the ranch.

Nick yawned, rolled over and opened his eyes. The flash that speared him caused him to cry in pain and curl up, covering his eyes. For a moment he was frozen in fear. He kept his hands over his eyes, torn. What if it wasn't a flash of light? What if it was a dream? Finally he sat up and turned towards the window. Taking a deep breath, he took his hands away and after a moment of trepidation, opened his eyes and welcomed the golden rays of dawn's early light as its warm fingers embraced him. Stunned he stared at all the colors of the new day. The walls of his room, the rugs, the bed, even his muddy boots looked so wonderful. He almost screamed but decided to surprise his family.

After getting dressed, he made his way down to breakfast. He stopped for a moment in the doorway, unnoticed, taking in the faces of the family. Smiling, he made his way into the room and sat down in a hurry. His mother ire was up at Heath who was insisting he could take Charger out and resume some form of ranch work.

"Look, young man, if I have to tie you to a chair, until that leg is 100% and you are off crutches, you're not riding that horse. There are plenty of other things you can do.'

"Mother's right Heath, you'll only do more damage. But, there is a month's worth of paperwork, ledger entries and other accounts that have to be updated." Jarrod advised.

Nick grinned at the awful face Heath made.

"You better watch it little brother, you're face will freeze like that. And by the way, if I'm not mistaken, those are my pants you've cut the leg out of. I expect that you'll replace them?"

The silence was deafening for a moment as 4 stunned faces turned to the dark cowboy who was piling his plate high with pancakes and sausage. Victoria recovered first. Skirting around the table she took his face in her's and looked into those dark blue eyes.

"NICK! NICK. Oh son, when did it happen?"

"This morning mother, I got up and saw the sun peeking in. I gotta tell you, it's quite a feeling."

Audra and his mother were busy kissing his cheeks and congratulating him. Jarrod stood behind him and slapped him on the back. Nick watched curiously at a red faced Heath, whose head was down. Rising, he walked around the table and put a hand to the blue chambray shirt; addressing the blond man gruffly.

"What's the matter with you?"

Head bowed, he didn't reply. He rubbed a hand over his face and finally looked up a Nick, his face a mix of happiness and relief.

"Nothing's wrong, Nick I'm just grateful."

Nick knew Heath too well and knew there was something more behind those blue eyes.

"Come on, out with it. What else is bothering you?"

"I'm fine Nick, there's been a lot weighing on my mind of late is all."

"You more stubborn than...Look, it's done, we settled that nonsense. Heath, I'm fine, let it go."

Nick took the hand offered and suspiciously returned to his seat and they resumed breakfast. He was anxious to get a full a day in, since nearly three weeks had elapsed since he left. He couldn't wait to wire Rory. Better yet, he would surprise her Wednesday with a visit. . After the others left, Victoria watched as Heath pushed the half-eaten food around his plate. She moved to the seat next to him and took his arm. Her other three children had been so busy celebrating and joking with Nick, that they didn't see the mask he wore, but she did. She addressed the blond man firmly.

"Why do you punish yourself so? It's all over and done with and done with. Nick's sight returned and even if his if it hadn't returned, it wouldn't change anything."

He dropped the fork and turned to face her, the blue eyes icy.

"Sure it would, mother. This ranch is Nick Barkley. Every speck of dirt, every cow and horse, everything that's harvested; it's his sweat, his blood, his life. It would have killed him, mother."

He smiled over at her and kissed her forehead, grabbed his crutches and headed for the study.

"I best get going and get to that paperwork."

"Heath, wait."

"I'm fine Mother, really I am."

p>

Nick packed for Carmel and thought of all the plans he would be making with Rory. Maybe build a little place by the river, with a big porch. Some place to watch the sun come up with her next to him.

A knock interrupted his daydream. Victoria entered and sat on the bed. She gave her word to Rory, but she needed to feel Nick out. She took his hand in hers.

"Well, have you got everything?"

"Yeah, the most important thing I need is that smile waiting for me in Carmel. I love her mother, I'm gonna marry her."

Victoria walked to the window and watched as Jarrod pulled the buggy out front.

"Well, how about escorting me to the door lady?"

She turned and saw his arm extended. Taking it she looked up in those stormy blue eyes and hugged him close and held on long. Finally, she broke away and turned to meet a curious gaze.

"Take care, son, oh please take care."

p>

Nick got off the train and walked across the street and looked over the rocky shoreline, listening to the waves that crashed against it and inhaling the wonderful salt air. He rented a buggy and got directions to Rory's house. It was a pretty cottage, perched on a hill overlooking the beach. He paused momentarily and looked at the silver sand, kissed with the foam of the ocean. He saw a lighthouse in the distance and understood a little better how she loved this peaceful place. A voice brought him back to the present. A middle age man was standing on the porch and greeted him pleasantly.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, good morning sir, my name is Nick Barkley. Your daughter invited me to visit. Is she here?"

"Nick Barkley? I thought you were blind."

"My sight returned a few days ago, she doesn't know yet. I thought I would surprise her."

"She still asleep. Come on in and have some breakfast."

Nick met the rest of the family and spent a couple of hours talking. Rory's mother excused herself and when she returned, she motioned for Nick to join her out front. Taking his arm, she looked up at him and spoke. Nick noticed her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. She hugged him and gave him a directive.

"Go to her, Nick, she's sitting on the beach waiting for you."

Curiously, Nick walked up behind the beautiful girl, her golden hair blowing in the morning air. He knelt behind her in the sand and kissed her neck.

"Beautiful Aurora, Queen of the Sea, how I've missed you."

She turned and reached up for him. The brilliant smile he had been wearing dissolved into a mask of anguish. Her fingers reached up and covered his face, feeling a stray tear.

"Nick, don't, please. I've been waiting for you. I need you to hold me. I need sunshine, cowboy not rain, okay?"

Nick was too stunned to speak. He looked down at the green eyes, still bright but now unseeing. He tried to speak but no words would come. He held her and rocked in the sand. Finally, he spoke.

"No, Rory. I just can't believe it."

"Six months ago I was diagnosed with a terminal disease. I have a tumor growing behind my eyes. In the beginning, it was just mild headaches, very controllable. But as my time drew near, the headaches become severe until the end, when my sight will vanish. It happened a few days ago. This is the best time of day for me, until the early afternoon. The pain worsens and the medicine makes me sleep."

"How long?" He choked out.

"A few more days, maybe a week."

"It's so unfair, so cruel." He spat angrily.

"Don't Nick, don't ruin it. I want every minute with you to be happy."

"But we couldn't have a lifetime together. We..."

"It's better to have loved and lost then never loved at all. Have you ever heard that Nick? These last three weeks with you were the happiest time of my life."

Taking his face in her hands she kissed him tenderly and curled into his chest, near his heart and continued.

"If I hadn't met you, Nick, I would have never know what true love was. Can't you see that you made my dreams come true? I've prayed every night for God to restore your vision, that is my gift to you. Nick, I'll always be with you."

He kissed the top of her silken hair and made her a promise. It took all of his strength to choke the words out.

"Every morning, at dawn's early light, I'll think of you. You smile will fill the sky, your eyes will light the day."

They sat there for hours, listening to the waves crash and the gulls cry. She fell asleep and he carried back to the house. He took a long walk on the beach, lost in thought. He vowed to make the time she had left full of sunshine, as she had asked.

And so their days went. They picnicked by the lighthouse, went fishing, collected shells, and enjoyed just being together. Finally, after nearly a week, one morning the pain was severe. They sat by her bed. Nick on one side, holding her hand, caressing her cheek and her parents on the other. She turned to him.

"Open the window Nick, I want to feel the light."

He kissed her cheek and walked across the room, letting in the rosy tinted rays of dawn. He turned back and saw her smile brilliantly and then she was gone. Her family made their final good-bye and left Nick with her. He laid his head against her chest and mourned for what could have been. Then he remembered the promise he'd made and dried eyes. He kissed each hand and finally the lips, still warm.

"I'll never forget you."

The morning of the funeral, he was walking by the shore, when a small arm wrapped around his chest. He was surprised but glad to see the silver dome of his mother's head.

"Hello Mother. I'm glad you came."

"How are you son? I know how you loved her."

"Yeah, she took my heart mother. But I promised her I wouldn't be sad. She told me to think of her like sunshine."

"Nick, some people go through a lifetime and never achieve what you shared in these last weeks. Keep her close son."

They walked in silence, he drawing off her strength.

6 months later, springtime, Carmel

The large spray of roses covered the grave. He sat and waited until the darkness passed and the rose and gold fingers of the dawn reached out and embraced him. He smiled and spoke.

"Good Morning Rory. I've missed you, but I'm much better now. I think of you often. I stayed with your folks last night; they're doing fine, considering. I'll be leaving on the afternoon train for Stockton. My sister Audra's getting married tomorrow. Her and Jean as so happy, she's got a real glow. Everyone else is fine."

He fingered the rose petals and thought of her skin. He said a quiet prayer and then rose to leave. Looking back at the angel carved atop the stone, he smiled.

"Good bye Rory."