"Shame Mother and Audra had to miss this,' mused Jarrod, thinking of the 2 at a wedding in Sacramento.

"Yeah,' added Heath "Right about now our little sister would be three deep in prospective dance partners"

"And enjoying every minute of it ,' Nick joined in, balancing a roast beef sandwich in one hand and a cold beer in the other.

"Whose that?" asked Heath, motioning to a dark haired, dark eyed woman dressed in a red dress, standing across the room beside a table with 2 elderly women. "That, little brother is Maria Constanzo," Jarrod answered. "Her father is a very wealthy Greek shipping magnate, has holdings all over the world."

"What are they doing here in Stockton," Nick queried.

Jarrod filled his 2 brothers in "He sold some land the other day to George, and George invited him tonight"

"Well now," smiled Nick "I just might have to go over and introduce myself, wouldn't be right , a beautiful woman without a dance partner."

"Don't you mean some new filly that you haven't struck out with yet," asked Heath, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Very funny," noted Nick smacking Heath lightly on the arm.

"Good luck Nick, you'll need with THE ICE QUEEN," warned Jarrod

"Ice queen?," Heath questioned "why'd you call her that"

"I've seen her several times in San Francisco, at many parties and dinners," Jarrod stated "She rarely dances with anyone and her demeanor makes Alaskan air seem tropical"

"Yeah, well she's never been bowled over by Nick Barkley ," added the handsome man, his blue-gray eyes flashing.

Heath and Jarrod watched curiously as Nick approached Maria and talked for a few minutes. Then red faced, turned to walk back to join his brothers at their table.

"Well I must say Nick I really admire your technique," Jarrod smiled

"Yeah Nick you really bowled her over, just about swept her off her feet," laughed Heath.

"Oh and I suppose you could do better, little brother," Nick challenged.

"Yup," Heath replied

"Twenty dollars says you don't get to square one with her either," Nick boasted.

"You're on," Heath said shaking Nick's hand.

Jarrod sat back very amused, his blue eyes dancing in delight. He loved to see his two younger brothers when they competed. It didn't matter if it was at a dance, in the corral or playing chess, despite his quiet nature, Heath was the only man Jarrod knew of that could match his hot tempered brother.

Heath stood up, walked behind Nick patting him on the back.

"Watch and learn brother, watch and learn.," he bragged as he walked across the room.

He got about half way across and stopped, turned around, a puzzled look crossed his handsome face. He walked back towards his brothers.

"Cold feet?," Nick challenged

Heath didn't seem to pay attention. "Jarrod," Heath asked "Do you have a piece of paper and a pencil on you," Jarrod look perplexed but nodded his head, indicating he did.

"Why Heath?," asked Jarrod

"Well I got to thinkin' maybe old Nick should take some notes," Heath said very seriously.

"Git," Nick spat out , rising "before I show you some notes of my own," clenching his fist, trying to keep a straight face.

"Heath giggled, turned and crossed the room. Paying no attention to Maria, instead he walked over to the table nearby and spoke to the elderly woman on the end. The woman smiled and pointed to the seat next to her, Heath sat down and continued to chat. The woman talked for several minutes and soon 2 other young women approached the table, and stood across from where Heath sat.

"Who are those woman at Maria's table," Nick asked

"The one Heath spoke with is her grandmother, she raised Maria after her mother died, she'd never cross her, the old lady rules the family with an iron fist'

"Looks like Heath is really pouring on the charm," Jarrod chuckled

Heath laughed at something one of the younger woman said and then the old woman called Maria over and reached up and took Heath's face in her hand, she said something that caused the blond ,blue eyed cowboy to blush beet red to his ears. Heath looked from old woman to Maria and then nodded , taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.

"Jarrod, I swear he does that on purpose," swore Nick, indicting the uncanny ability Heath had to blush.

"And the women love it," laughed Jarrod patting Nick on the back '," He'll be dancing all night"

Jarrod laughed even harder when Heath looked over his dance partner's slim shoulder , winked at his brothers and patted the pocket where his wallet was." "It's not that funny," fumed Nick,

"Brother Nick," Jarrod laughed "you've been had once again by Heath."

"One of these days, Jarrod, mark my words, that kid is gonna push me too far," Nick said trying to sound believable.

Despite his charade, Jarrod knew Nick was secretly pleased with Heath. What a change in the 6 months since Heath had come to live with them. At first the young man was so hostile, full of rage , and uncertain of himself. Nick's acceptance was the one thing Heath wanted most and the one that took the longest. Nick's misplaced anger against Heath had caused some bruising fisticuff's for several weeks, but then Heath suffered a close call, and in the face of almost losing him, Nick realized how much the young, blond boy meant to him. Heath's quiet demeanor and reasoning ability was often the only thing that could squelch Nick's rage and angry outbursts. From Nick's self confidence, trust and leadership, Heath had gained the self-assurance he sought for so long. The two were closer than most, so much so they could almost read each other's thoughts and could anticipate needed actions without any words spoken. They seem to complete and compliment each other. A perfect balance it seemed to Jarrod.

Heath spent most of the night dancing and chatting with several young women. Both Nick and Jarrod took a several turns on the floor as well.

Nick walked over to the table and gave Jarrod a beer. Sipping on his own brew, Nick wondered where Heath had gotten to, not seeing him in the barn.

"Where's Heath," he asked Jarrod

"I don't know, but I bet he's having a good time,"

Just then the two saw the barn door open and a slightly disheveled Heath, flushed and perspiring, walk in, picking up 2 beers in the process. He sat down between his older brothers, drank one beer down and took a gulp of the other.

"Where have you been," demanded Nick

"Whadda ya mean, where have I been' Heath sparred "None of your business where I've been. Do I follow you around when you're with a girl," Heath then added "Course, that would be a real short trip,"

Jarrod immediately convulsed in laughter.

"That's not funny Jarrod," Nick said trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. Heath started to laugh, and his very infectious giggling soon had all three brothers in hysterics.

* The night wound down and at the end of the party, Jarrod and Nick loaded the tables they had loaned to George on the wagon and bid all a goodnight. Nick and Jarrod rode up front. A weary and slightly tipsy Heath sat in the back on top of the tables right behind his brother's shoulders. He propped his heavy head on his arms, which rested on the back of the seat behind Jarrod and Nick. The trio wound their way home, enjoying the cool night air and the stars overhead.

"Quite a party," Jarrod spoke "George really knows how to throw a good one"

"Sure does," slurred Heath

"Ya know Heath," Nick added "You gotta get yourself married real soon before those youthful good looks of yours wear out. Ain't too many girls around here that haven't yet fell for that blushing routine of yours, it's gettin' old pretty fast," he added

"Well Nick, anytime you need me to get a woman for ya, just holler, I'd be happy to oblige" Heath countered.

"When the day comes that I need you to fix me up, that is the day they'll be plantin' me," Nick bellowed.

"I don't know about that Nick," Jarrod said " I think maybe you should take Heath up on that. Who was that creature in green you were dancing with,"

"What creature in green," Nick wondered out loud

"The one with the whiskers," Heath contributed

"WHISKERS!" Nick shouted "Nobody had whiskers,"

Hearing Jarrod's convulsive laugher Nick went on "Don't encourage him!" and very unsuccessfully tried not to laugh himself.

"She weren't too bad a looker Nick, 'ceptin she looked a lot like President Grant," Heath mumbled as he nodded off to sleep, his head resting on the back of Nick's shoulder.

By the time the wagon pulled into the barn at the ranch, Heath was fast asleep. Nick and Jarrod unloaded the tables. Nick then shook Heath to wake him

"Last stop cowboy, everybody off,"

"Huh," Heath looked up confused as his brothers lead him to the back of the wagon. "Where are we?" he asked sleepily.

"The Palace Hotel, your room is this way," Nick chimed

"Where?" Heath said

"Come on Heath, time to go to bed," Jarrod added helping him off the back.

"Whoa, whose moving the floor," Heath groaned as his legs wobbled.

"Nobody's moving the floor' Nick laughed

Between the two of them they managed to get Heath undressed and in bed.

"Okay sleeping beauty, time for some shut eye," Nick said pulling the blanket over his blond brother.

Heath sat up and stared ahead for a minute

"You okay" Jarrod asked

Heath looked at both his brothers

"I was just thinkin'"

Nick looked at Jarrod and could see his counselor brother was just dying to ask "Thinking about what?" to Heath.

"Jarrod don't" Nick warned knowing his younger brother's propensity for drawn out thought

Jarrod smiled at Nick.

"What is it Heath?"

"OH NO" Nick groaned "better sit down, we could be here all night."

The two flanked their brother on the bed and a full minute went by, Heath stared on.

"Well," Nick demanded, shaking Heath's leg "What is it"

"I was thinkin'" Heath started "that I hope I haven't used up all my luck"

Nick looked baffled.

"What do you mean Heath?" Jarrod asked quietly, rubbing Heath's back.

"Before I came here," Heath said quietly "a night like tonight would have never been possible. Growin' up, all I wanted was a big brother. Someone who'd stick up for me, look after me, take up my back in a fight."

He sighed and continued

"Somebody to have fun with, go to parties with, carry on with, tease, fight with, get in trouble with"

Looking at Jarrod , squeezing his knee he said

"Somebody who always believes in me, advises me, somebody who I 've leaned on and learned so much from"

Then turning to Nick, clasping his big brother's shoulder, his voice tightened

"A brother who taught me what courage is, who saved my life, always finds me when I'm lost, trusts me with his life," his voice breaking slightly "somebody whose become the best friend I'll ever have"

Then looking at each brother, nodding at the chair beside his bed, he continued.

"When I've been hurt or sick, knowin' anytime I wake up, the overwhelming comfort of having you right there. So that's what I was thinkin', hoping my luck hasn't run out"

Jarrod and Nick sat silent for a moment, Jarrod stood and put a hand on each of Heath's shoulders.

"Heath, seems to me Nick and I are the ones who got lucky," looking into Heath's eyes he added "real lucky, every day since you arrived." Nick still sat beside Heath, not sure how to proceed then added confidently .

"Ya know, when I was a kid, for several Christmas's the one thing I really wanted was a little brother."

Nick grinned and rose off the bed, ruffling his brother's blond hair he added,

"You sure took a long time coming little brother but you were worth the wait. Boy were you ever worth the wait"

Heath eased down into the bed and was soon asleep.

It was then that Nick and Jarrod walked to the door.

"Sweet dreams little brother." Jarrod said quietly.

"You sure deserve them," added Nick closing the door.

THE END.