Farmer went on to tell about the knife. Kincaid set that one up beautifully. Nick had been forced to admit that Heath had volunteered nothing about the incident to his family. That unsuspected gift was used wisely by Kincaid in his questioning today; each statement and response was crafted to show the fear Farmer had of the cold-blooded killer sitting by Jarrod. He timed his questions so that the judge would have to declare an end to the day before cross- examination, leaving the jury to remember the story just the way the prosecutor wanted it to be set in their minds.

Jarrod did his best the next day. Heath had noticed a couple of behavior patterns which were consistent in Farmer's behavior, and Jarrod used them to the max. Farmer was sweating by the time Jarrod let him off, but the damage had been done. When asked to call his next witness, Kincaid smiled smugly and proclaimed, "Your honor, the state rests!"

This was Nick's cue to ride for Father Esteban. Unbeknownst to him, Heath's little friend had plans to see his hero, no matter what. When he saw the tall cowboy come for the Padre, Jake climbed in the back of the wagon and hid. As the two pulled up in front of the courthouse, Jake scurried out of the wagon and ran inside. Terrified of the strange surroundings, he froze. Nick, focusing on the instructions Jarrod had given him to share with the older priest, nearly tripped over the boy.

"WHAT THE--Excuse me, Father. What the dickens are you doing here, Jake?" the cowboy asked sternly.

It took all Jake's courage even to look up at Nick. His dark countenance frowned on the boy, but Jake trusted Heath. As he forced himself to look up at the man towering over him, he remembered Heath saying, "If you ever need someone to help you, Nick's your man." Gulping, he quavered, "I want to see Mr. Heath."

Nick took a deep breath as the priest bent to remonstrate with the young boy. Just as the cowboy was ready to explode, he heard a well-known voice behind him.

"Jake! How delightful to see you!" Victoria had come to Jake's rescue. "And just why are you here today, young man?"

"Well, ma'am, I wanted to see Mr. Heath to tell him I knew he didn't do anything bad. And so I hid in the wagon and then I got scared of Mr. Nick but Mr. Heath told me that he just sounded like a lion but was really as gentle as summer rain so I decided to ask him to take me to see Mr. Heath but he looks awful mad to be as nice as Mr. Heath says."

Victoria's eyes were dancing as the boy guilelessly chattered on. Nick's face was a study of emotions; she only hoped that no one was taking notes on her middle son's temper explosions.

"Well, Jake, I know it will mean a great deal to Heath to see you. And if he told you to trust Nick, then I know he was right. Nicholas, why don't you take Heath's guest down to the table where he sits so Heath can talk to him for a minute. And then he can sit with you for the afternoon. Thank you, Dear." As she adroitly hooked Nick into Jake's scheme, she drew Father Esteban away to talk to him about his upcoming testimony.

Nick escorted Jake to the table where Jarrod already sat, waiting for his brother to be brought in. As the crowd settled, the doors opened and all eyes fell on Heath. Walking the gauntlet of whispers and stares, he kept his eyes focused straight ahead, but he could not keep his face from burning.

"Mr. Heath!" Jake's shout filled the air as he ran to his hero.

Heath picked up Jake and hugged him as best he could.

"What are these, Mr. Heath?"

"Jake, never mind that. What are you doing here?" As the cowboy reached the table, he set Jake down on its corner and held out his hands for the sheriff to unlock his chains.

"Well, I wanted to tell you I was your friend and that I missed you, so I hid in the back of the wagon, and then I asked Mr. Nick, but he was scary, but you told me he really wasn't mean inside, and then your mama told him to bring me here so here I am!"

Heath laughed in spite of himself. "Well, Jake, it's great to see you!"

"And Jake, as Heath's brother, I want to thank you personally, because you were a big help to us."

"How's that, Mr. Jarrod?"

"Well, it's too complicated right now, but let's just say that your friendship with Heath helped us more than anything."

"You mean I really did help you, Mr. Heath?"

"That's right, Jake, you really did. And I am very grateful to you."

"Shucks, Mr. Heath. You told me friends just helped each other. Sure am glad I did, even if I don't know how!"

"Heath, we have about two minutes before we start. Nick, take this fine young man and sit with him, all right?"

"Can't I sit with you, Mr. Heath?"

"No, Jake, that's not possible. But maybe we can talk when things are over today, all right?"

"But I want to see you every day! I want that more than everything."

The boy's eyes were filling with tears as he looked at the men. Heath looked helplessly at his brothers. "Jake . . . "

"Wait a minute, Heath. It seems to me that I made a promise to this young man."

Jake looked confused. "You never made me a promise, Mr. Jarrod."

"Yes, Jake, I did. You weren't there, but I remember, and a man keeps his promises. Nick, if Jake wants to see Heath every day, why don't you have him stay at the ranch and bring him in?"

"Jarrod! I don't think . . . "

"Now there you go, Heath, with that thinking again. I'm the lawyer, you're the cowboy, remember?" Jarrod winked at Jake to show he was joking. "Nick, you'd better get seated."

Heath turned heatedly to Jarrod as Nick took the boy back to their seats. "Jarrod, I don't want that boy here! It's bad enough that he's heard how I tried to attack a woman and killed a man. But it's for sure I don't want him hearing the judge tell me when a rope's goin' around my neck!"

Jarrod's intense blue gaze burned into Heath's eyes. "Then, Brother Heath, I expect you to work with me every second so that he won't hear those words!" Heath's eyes fell first as his hand began to work his shirt button. Jarrod smiled in triumph as he waited for the judge to enter.

When Jarrod called his first witness, the courtroom buzzed with surprise and anticipation. Audra walked calmly forward and smiled at Heath as she raised her hand to promise to tell "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." As Jarrod worked to get Audra to relate the dates and times that she and Heath had been at the orphanage together, Heath began to see that Jarrod truly had poured his heart into this trial. He knew of the hours the lawyer had spent with him, going over his story and planning his testimony. It was equally obvious that Jarrod had worked as diligently to prepare Audra.

As Kincaid approached to cross-examine the pretty young blonde, those who were waiting to see Heath convicted smiled in anticipation. Much to their shock, however, they discovered that young Miss Barkley could hold her own with the prosecutor. Kincaid designed his questions to imply that Audra was taking liberties with truth simply because Heath was her brother.

"Well, Mr. Kincaid, if you think that I'm lying because Heath is my brother, what does that say about your calling our brother Nick as one of your witnesses?" she indignantly asked. Judge Carter hid his smile as he pounded his gavel, demanding order as the courtroom rippled with laughter.

After Audra's testimony, she walked back to her seat, giving Heath a pat on his shoulder as she passed him. Jake moved over to make room for her. His eyes were shining as he smiled proudly at her. "Boy howdy, Miss Audra. You really showed that man, didn't you!"

"Boy howdy, she sure did," Nick answered proudly as he grinned at his sister. "Good goin', Audra!"

Recognizing the need for quiet, they settled down to hear Father Esteban's testimony. Just as Jarrod had been, the rest of the Barkley family was surprised to discover that Heath had not only gone to the orphanage with Audra, but according to the priest, he also had spent many evenings there. Father Esteban told of the times Heath had noticed a problem with one of the buildings and had simply come and fixed it, without being asked. Nick exclaimed, "So that's where he goes!"

When Jarrod asked the priest why Heath did such things, Father Esteban replied, "I asked him why he gave so much of himself to keep our buildings in repair and to spend time with the children. He simply looked at me and said, 'I know what it's like to need help, Father. This is the least I can do.'"

Victoria's eyes were shining with pride as she looked at the dropped head of her youngest son.

Kincaid demanded to know the relevance of such testimony. Without a second's hesitation, Jarrod had an answer. He reminded the judge that since much of the prosecution's case was built on Heath's using the visits with Audra to the orphanage as a front to meet Mrs. Winters, the testimony was necessary to establish the fact that the cowboy made it a regular habit to work for the children, with or without his sister present.

Jarrod poured every ounce of skill, every bit of knowledge, and every technique he had ever learned into his examination of his two witnesses. He knew he was fighting for his brother's life, and he, more than anyone, knew just how much danger Heath was in. After Kincaid's brief cross-examination of Father Esteban ended, Jarrod asked for an early recess since he planned to put Heath on the stand the next day and anticipated a long session. The recess was granted, and again, Heath went back to his cell feeling more hopeful than he had in a long time.

Jake begged and pleaded until Nick surrendered and took him to see Heath. The younger man was upset for a time until he realized that Jake didn't care where Heath was; he just wanted to be with him. Jake sat quietly as Nick, Jarrod, and Heath talked about the next day's possibilities. When Jarrod reminded Nick to keep his temper under control, he piped up, "Maybe I can help there, Mr. Nick! If you start to get mad, just poke me, and I'll help you stay calm!" The two older Barkleys laughed as they took their leave of Heath.

Listening to the sound of the men's conversation as they walked out the door and mounted their horses gave Heath a feeling of connection with his brothers. He clung to that comforting feeling as long as he could, but as the dark came, so did his fears of being confined. He tried to force himself to think about what he and Jarrod had rehearsed, but darker, uglier images kept forcing themselves on his mind. Finally, he lay on his bunk, angling his head to see the few stars that were visible from the barred window in his cell, and waited for the dawn.

When Heath took the stand the next day, Kincaid was armed with every weapon he could think of. He listened intently to Jarrod's questioning, but even the prosecutor was surprised at the direction it took. Instead of going directly to Heath's story of what happened, Jarrod took Heath through his early life. Heath's throat burned and his hands clenched and unclenched as he revealed more about himself than he had ever done before. He looked only at Jarrod, because he feared what would happen to his self control if he caught his mother's eye.

Kincaid challenged this line of testimony because of its relevance, but Jarrod's quick response won latitude from the judge. The lawyer simply stated that Kincaid's case was built largely on the character of the accused; therefore, it was within the defense's right to establish that character from the defendant himself. Judge Carter warned Jarrod to be careful but because of the serious nature of the accusations, allowed him leeway. Jarrod turned back to Heath and winked. The cowboy remembered a conversation during one of their practice sessions when Jarrod had verbally explored ways to keep the judge on his side. Again, he was amazed at his brother's skill in the courtroom.

After establishing Heath as a young man who had lived with honor, even though he had been born out of wedlock, Jarrod turned to the scars on his back. He drew the tale of Matt Bentell's punishment of Union soldiers while they were in Carterson from Heath, despite Heath's obvious reluctance to talk about it. He then turned to Mildred Winters' testimony.

"Now, is there a way that Mildred Winters might have known of the scars on your back that would not require a certain level of intimacy?"

Heath turned bright red but kept his voice quiet and calm as he related the tale of the runaway horse. Many in the courtroom smiled as he judged himself for not putting on his shirt before going to help a lady.

Last, Jarrod walked Heath through his story of what happened on the night in question. The young man impressed many with his simple, quiet way of speaking. At the end of the story, Jarrod paused for a minute and then said, "Can you give me a reason why people should believe this story?" It took the judge's emphatic pounding of the gavel to get order back into the courtroom.

Heath looked at Jarrod and then at his family. He shook his head and said, "I have no reason that anyone should believe it; reckon I'd struggle with it myself. But even though I've done a lot of things in my life I'd like to go back and make right, I've never been a liar. I know my story sounds crazy, but it is the truth."

"Heath Barkley, did you threaten to kill John Farmer?

"Yes, sir, I did."

"Did you molest Mildred Winters?"

"No, sir. I did not."

"Did you shoot and kill Arthur Winters?"

"No, sir, I did not."

With that, Jarrod ended his questioning. Kincaid wasn't the only one who was a master of timing; Jarrod had taken all the allotted time for the morning session. The jury would go to their noonday meal remembering Heath's simple denial as the last words in the courtroom.

Jarrod had anticipated his own exhaustion, but when Heath almost stumbled while leaving the witness stand, he realized the price this private man had paid by opening his life for public scrutiny. The lawyer smiled as he remembered how he had argued with Fred about whether Heath had to go back to his cell for the noon break. Wrapping his arm around his confused brother's shoulders, he led him through a side door and into a private room, where Nick, Jake, Victoria, and Audra stood waiting. Heath saw his family standing united, smiling at him, and had no words to say. His eyes expressed his gratitude as Jarrod ushered him to a seat and Audra served him lunch. But when Nick gave him a glass of cold beer, the cowboy grinned from ear to ear. Draining the mug, he sighed with satisfaction. "I've never needed that more in my life!"

"Well, Heath, that's all you get. I need your mind sharp for the afternoon." With that, Jarrod began reviewing with Heath again all the possibilities he could anticipate for the grueling cross-examination that was facing him. With just ten minutes left of the break, Victoria touched Jarrod's arm and smoothly intervened.

"Jarrod, if there ever was a witness who was prepared, it would have to be your brother. But I think he needs some time--as do we all--just to relax."

Heath looked gratefully at this woman who had become so immeasurably dear to him. She smiled and laid her hand on his shoulder lightly. This caress of hers had become familiar to him in the short time he had lived as a Barkley, and it cheered him immeasurably to feel it once again.

The time passed all too quickly. The jury was seated before Nick opened the door to usher the family through. As they walked back into the courtroom, once again Jarrod's strategy proved effective. Instead of seeing a handcuffed man walking in front of the sheriff, the courtroom saw an entire family smiling as the tall blond carried Jake on his shoulder. Unconscious of the scrutiny of the people, Heath transferred Jake to the floor with ease. When Jake pulled on his hand, the cowboy knelt in front of him to give his full attention. Jake whispered something before he hugged Heath as hard as he could and then trustingly put his hand in Nick's as Heath stood. The courtroom erupted in laughter as Jake piped up, "Come on, Mr. Nick! Let's go practice bein' quiet!"

After being reminded that he was still under oath, Heath took the stand again. He thought he was prepared for any opening question, but not even Jarrod had anticipated what Kincaid would ask.

"Mr. Barkley, how old were you when you took a human life for the first time?"

"What?" Heath asked.

"I am asking, Mr. Barkley, just how old you were the first time you killed another human being."

"Objection!" Jarrod shouted.

Kincaid smiled with satisfaction. "Your honor, this, too, would go to the establishment of character, I believe."

"Objection overruled. The witness may answer the question."

"Now, Mr. Barkley?"

"I was thirteen."

"Thirteen years old, and you killed another human being?"

"Yes, sir."

"Was the victim a man or a woman?"

"It was a man."

"How did you kill this man?"

"I used a knife."

With that, the attack began. Kincaid mercilessly hammered at Heath, using every technique he could to establish the young man's hot temper, his ability to handle a knife and gun with deadly skill, and even his competence at hand-to-hand combat. The morning had given the jury a picture of a quiet, shy, and gentle man who struggled with anger as did many people. The afternoon gave them a picture of a cold-blooded killer who started his death march at thirteen years of age.

Heath did his best. He wanted to stop the proceedings and apologize to Jarrod for resenting the hours Jarrod had hammered away at him, for this afternoon was the first time he realized why his brother had worked him so hard. He wanted time to stop just for a minute so that he could gather his thoughts, but Kincaid was merciless. The cowboy was cool and composed when the cross-examination began; by the time Kincaid finished, sweat was standing in beads on his forehead.

As he walked back to the jail with Sheriff Madden, he remembered the words of the newspapermen behind him. Waiting for Fred to put the cuffs on his hands, he heard the two men talking about the day and judging it a draw. One had said, "It all depends on the summations. I never thought that boy would have a chance, but Barkley's done it again. He's given them a reason to doubt. This case will be won on what those two lawyers say to the jury tomorrow, and from what I hear, Jarrod Barkley is the best there is at that kind of thing." What Heath did not know was that other people heard the statement as well.

Jarrod had warned Heath about his need to go to the office and put his thoughts down for the summation. Nick had promised to stop and see him, but he planned to go with Jarrod and have a drink first. Victoria and Audra had hugged him and promised to see him early in the morning. They took Jake home with them. On the way home, the boy chattered endlessly about what he had seen, how wonderful it was to see Heath, how many people were there. He mentioned specific individuals that he recognized from his visits in town and talked about them, making several mentions of the "kissing couple in the alley." Audra and Victoria, exhausted from hanging on every word of Heath's ordeal in the witness box, answered him absently, but even that much attention from his hero's family satisfied Jake!

Relishing the outdoors, even in the company of the sheriff, Heath walked slowly, enjoying the chance to look at something besides iron bars and courtroom walls. He looked up at his brother's office windows and marveled again at his brother's skill. What he did not see was the man standing in the alley, waiting for Jarrod and Nick to walk back from their supper and part at the office door.

"Well, Heath, guess it's almost over. Probably been the worst few weeks of your life."

As Fred held the cell door for Heath, the cowboy agreed. Suddenly the men heard a shot ring out, followed by people shouting. Fred slammed and locked the cell door and ran. Heath went to the window to try to see or hear what was happening. His blood froze as he heard Nick shouting, "Jarrod! Jarrod! Someone get a doctor, fast!"

People in Stockton always said that if there was an emergency, they'd want Nick Barkley around to handle things. As he held his brother's bleeding body in his arms, he proved his natural leadership abilities again. Shouting for the doctor, gently checking Jarrod's body to see how bad the wound was, and at the same time talking to Fred about where the shot came from seemed simple to him. His thoughts centered on helping Jarrod and getting the man who shot him. As Doc Merar came up, Nick looked up for the first time since he had talked to Fred.

"How bad is it, Doc?" he asked.

"Well, he's alive, but he's bleeding pretty bad. We need to get him over to my office, but be careful how you move him."

Nick orchestrated the move from the street to the doctor's office with characteristic efficiency. He sent a man back to the ranch to tell Victoria and Audra what had happened, warning him to make sure the women were escorted on their way to town. As he helped carry his brother to medical aid, he looked down and saw that his boots were leaving bloody tracks--tracks from his brother's blood. Forcing his mind to concentrate, he continued to talk reassuringly to Jarrod, even though the lawyer gave no sign of understanding or responding.

Once Jarrod was in the doctor's capable hands, Nick's anger focused on one goal: Find John Farmer and beat the truth out of him. He was as convinced of Farmer's guilt in this as he was of Heath's innocence. Leaving notice with Mrs. Merar that he would be back soon, he stalked toward the sheriff's office. He met Fred on the way. Defeated, the sheriff had no news to relate about the possibility of capturing the shooter. Nick started to insist on going out to the Winters place to find Farmer, but the thought of Jarrod coming to with no one beside him kept him in town. Grudgingly, he accepted Fred's offer of riding out there in the morning. He stood watching as Fred and his deputy continued the search for any evidence that might identify the sniper.

With all of Nick's efficiency, he neglected one thing. Understandable though it was, no one thought to tell Heath what had happened. Left alone with his thoughts, the caged man went wild. He shook the bars, shouted for someone to come, and raged at his helplessness. He knew something had happened, and he knew that it had happened to Jarrod.

As he paced the cell, his frenzy grew. He realized that part of what was causing his panic was the knowledge that his fear was not only for his brother but also for himself. If Jarrod died, Heath's death by hanging was as good as guaranteed. Ignoring the bloody mess his hands became, Heath hit the stone wall over and over again to castigate himself for his selfishness. "There you go again, Heath. Get a brother like Jarrod, and when he's hurt, all you can think about is yourself. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Winters was right when he said you were the devil's seed, boy. Now get a grip on yourself and start thinkin' about your brother."

No matter how he talked to himself, his fear over his brother's condition merged with his fear for his own life until he could no longer tell them apart. In an agony of self-condemnation, he lifted the chair and table and threw them at the wall. He clawed at the bars as they moved in on him. Choking with panic, his feral stance would have terrified anyone who came near him. But no one came.

Victoria and Audra rushed to the doctor's office. Doc Merar finally came out, shaking his head.

"That was as close a call as I'd ever want to see, Victoria. If Nick hadn't been there to put pressure on the spot, if that bullet had landed any place different, he wouldn't be here."

"Then he's all right?" The petite woman looked anxiously at the doctor.

"Well, he's alive. That in itself is amazing. But even more amazing is that he's conscious, and he's asking for Heath."

"HEATH!" Nick's roar was enough to cause the doctor to jump.

"Nicholas, don't get angry just now," his mother said absently.

"Angry! I just didn't think to let him know what was happening. He must be wild by now." Shame crossed the handsome man's countenance as he realized that he had let his younger brother down.

"Nick, you did all you could do. I'm sure Fred has told him what's happened. Heath will be fine. Now, Doctor, may we see Jarrod?"

Doc Merar allowed them in for a few minutes. The normally debonair lawyer made an incongruous picture lying there on the cot; his arm and chest swathed in bandages and his face ashen. Opening his eyes, he croaked, "Mother--Heath!"

"Heath is fine, Jarrod. It was Nick with you, not Heath. Now just relax and rest."

"No, Mother, listen. The--the trial . . . " And the lawyer slipped away into unconsciousness again.

Nick plunged from the room and raced to the sheriff's office. Just as he had thought, Fred was still out looking for the sniper. He walked back into the jail and watched Heath stand facing the wall, hitting, hitting, hitting. Each blow left more blood, but Heath didn't seem to acknowledge or even feel the pain.

"Heath!"

No response came from his brother. He continued hitting the walls, mumbling words to himself. As Nick shouted his name again, Heath began to register the fact that someone was there. In a blur of motion he turned and crouched with his hands in the air. His breath came raggedly and loud as his wild eyes searched the area for the man who had intruded on his episode of personal self-hatred.

"Listen to me, Heath. Jarrod's been shot, but he's going to be all right."

Heath stared at Nick. His eyes were still unfocused, still filled with panic and pain. Nick plunged from the cell door and tore apart Fred's desk. Finally, he noticed the keys to the cells tossed on a chair by the door. Grabbing them, he raced back into the cell area and fumbled the key into the lock. Opening the door, he went to his brother and grabbed him. Part of his mind thought about the fact that he now had the blood of both brothers on his hands, but he shoved that thought away and focused on the immediate need.

"Listen, Heath. Jarrod will live. It's a bad wound, but he'll be all right. Do you hear me, boy? He'll be all right."

Nick grabbed a tuft of Heath's hair and lifted his head to face his brother. "Heath. Now I know it's been rough for you, locked in here not knowin' what was going on, and I'm sorry. I did the best I could, but it wasn't good enough. But Jarrod's going to be all right! Do you hear me?'

Heath gradually focused his eyes, although his breathing was still rapid and hoarse. Suddenly he began to laugh. In alarm, Nick shook him.

"Heath! What's wrong?"

"Don't you see how funny it is, Nick? You watched your brother get shot, and all you can do is think to apologize to me! If you only knew how that needed to be turned around--oh, Nick, I was so scared!"

Nick looked around at the broken chair and splintered table. Dragging the thin mattress back on the cot, he forced Heath to sit down.

"Well, little brother, if this is what you do when you're scared, remind me never to tell you any ghost stories when you're back in the house!"

The silly joke calmed both of them.

"Let me see your hands."

"Huh?"

"Heath, your bloody handprints are all over this place. Let me see your hands." The dark- haired cowboy winced as he saw the cuts and skinned places on Heath's hands. "Wait till Mother sees those. She'll use a whole bottle of liniment on you, for sure! I think we need to get you to the doc."

"I don't need a doctor."

"Well, I think you do, and I get to do the decidin' tonight."

"And just how do you think you're going to get a doctor here?"

"Your legs aren't hurt, boy! You can walk!"

"And get shot for breaking jail? I think there are enough holes in Barkleys tonight. I'll be all right, Nick."

Both men heard noises in the outer office. Nick shouted to warn the person of his presence. Fred walked in and looked in amazement at the destruction Heath had caused.

"Son, I understand you might have been upset, but I never dreamed you'd do something like this."

For the first time, Heath looked around. "Guess I did get a little upset, Fred."

"Like I told you, little brother, if this is what you call upset, remind me to keep you real calm at the house when you get out of here. Oh, Fred, here are your keys." Nick tossed the jail keys back to the hapless sheriff, who was beginning to feel that life in any other county where there were no Barkleys to deal with would be a whole lot simpler.

"Heath, are you all right now?"

The blond man nodded wordlessly.

"I think you're lying."

"I think you're right," Heath answered. Both men laughed as Nick stood and clapped his younger brother on the shoulder.

'I'll send somebody down to take care of those hands. Do you want Audra, Mother, or me?"

"Do I have any other choices?"

"Nope. You're fenced in. Gotta be one of us."

Heath winced at the careless joke. Nick was trying to get him to relax, but the reminder of his cage started to bring back his panic. Sensing he had made a wrong move, Nick sat back down.

"Heath, I can't understand how bad it is for you. I wasn't in a hellhole like you were; no one treated me like an animal. Jarrod's shared a lot of what went on there with me. If I could make this better, I would, but I can't. The only one who can do that is you. Heath, hang on. It won't be much longer, I promise you."

With that the tall man left the cell and went back to the doctor's office. Jarrod's condition had not changed, and the doctor refused to say he was sure the lawyer would survive. Victoria borrowed a bottle of Godfrey's Liniment and some bandages and walked to the jail to take care of her other son.

As she cleaned every cut and scrape, she gently talked to Heath. He responded politely, but he was concentrating on not screaming every time the stinging lotion found a new slice in his skin. His focus on not showing pain wasn't as good as it usually was, but he still endeavored to put up a good front.

"Heath, did you hear the shot?"

"Yes, ma'am--I mean Mother."

"Did you know it was Jarrod who was hurt?"

"Not until I heard Nick shoutin."

"And what did you think then, while you were alone here and nobody told you what was happening?"

Many times, Victoria had longed for this man to open his soul to her. She had prayed for the pain and misery she saw in his eyes to go away. As she looked tenderly at her son, she realized that there was a chance, just a chance that he might open up to her. She saw hurt, misery, pain, and yes, even shame in Heath's countenance. As she pondered what to say, she prayed for wisdom to reach this, her still untamed son.

"Want to know what I'd be thinking?"

"Sure." The cowboy would agree with anything to get the pressure off him.

"Well, Sweetheart, I'd be worried about my brother. And, imagining that I were you, since he is the key to my freedom--yes, even the key to my life, I'd also be terrified that if Jarrod died, there would be no chance for me at the trial."

"Wouldn't--wouldn't that be a selfish fear?"

"Yes, I suppose it would, unless you understand that life is a precious gift, and it's worth fighting for. No honest person would be able to say that his survival didn't matter. And there is no sane human being in the world who wouldn't be terrified at what might be facing you. So, no, I really don't think that focusing on yourself as well as worrying about Jarrod is selfish. In fact, I'd say it is probably the most healthy, normal thing in the world."

She waited, fearful that she had gone too far. Instead of dropping his head, Heath continued to look at her. She dared to go on.

"And the thing I fear most, Heath, is not whether you will be declared guilty. It's not whether you will be in prison for life or hanged for a crime that you did not commit. Those are things that have kept me awake at nights for weeks, but I think I fear something even more."

"What's that, Mother?"

"I'm afraid, Heath, that even if you're declared innocent, you'll take this night and add it to your list of self-punishments. I'm afraid that you'll act as judge and jury and pronounce yourself unworthy again, and I'm afraid that you'll continue to sentence yourself to your personal isolation. I'm afraid that you'll never learn that you're not part of this family from obligation, but from love. And I'm afraid that you'll never understand how very worthy you are of that love. So, you see, Heath, I'm afraid that you'll never see that freedom isn't just a physical matter. I'm afraid you'll never see that the only freedom worth having is freedom that comes from within the heart."

A look she had never seen passed over Heath's face. Gently, he reached his bandaged hand out to her. As he began to answer, they heard running footsteps and someone calling for Victoria. Doc Merar wanted her back with Jarrod immediately. She dropped a kiss on her son's battered hand and swiftly left the cell.

Jarrod was fighting the medication, trying to get out of bed to work on his notes for the trial. Nick and Audra were with him, but he was adamant. The petite woman walked in and listened to his frenzied demands for a moment, and then she applauded. In shock, her three children looked at her.

"Mother? Are you -- are you not feeling well?"

"Oh, Audra, I'm feeling quite well. And I am just enjoying seeing both my sons do their best to ignore reality and to make fools of themselves.

"Now, Jarrod, you listen to me and you listen well. You were almost killed tonight. You cannot force your body to obey your mind, so you're going to have to shut your mind off. I don't know the law like you, but I am sure that even Allen Kincaid will understand the need to postpone the trial until we know if you're going to live, let alone be able to finish defending your brother.

"And as for you, Nick, I'm sure you have wild ideas of hunting down your brother's assailant and beating a confession out of him for what he did to both Jarrod and Heath. Now, that will be a splendid thing, won't it, Audra? You and I will spend our days visiting Nick and Heath in jail and putting flowers on Jarrod's grave. Or are you planning something crazy, too?"

Audra mutely shook her head, trying unsuccessfully to hide her dimpled smile. Both men stared at their mother, who continued her speech.

"So, as your mother, I am commanding you to do the following things. First, Nicholas, go wash your hands and then go find Judge Carter. Ask him what we have to do to get an extension for the trial. Then, go check on Heath. Knowing him, he's probably trying to fix the things he broke, so get them out of there and find out what Fred needs to do for us to replace them.

"Second, Jarrod, if you even attempt to get out of that bed, I am personally going to find Doctor Merar's chloroform and see to it that you are kept asleep until you are able to move. If you continue to badger us about the trial, I will wire Nathan Springer in San Francisco and hire him to finish defending Heath. That should be a real feather in his cap, don't you think?

"Third, Audra, I believe I am tired. I am going to go to the hotel and get a room for the night. I suggest you do the same. Now, my dears, I will see you in the morning."

With those words, Victoria swept from the room. The three looked at each other.

"Well, I guess we've been told!"

"Yes, Nick, I guess we have."

"And I'm going to do what Mother says, before I get on her list, too," Audra chimed in. She kissed both her brothers and went to the hotel, where Victoria had already reserved her a room.

Sheriff Madden found Farmer at the ranch. He had an unbreakable alibi: The other hands and he had worked most of the night to contain a fire in the barn. The barn had been lost, but thanks to Farmer, no livestock died. Every hand there would testify that he had not left the place. There was no way he could be guilty of the attack on Jarrod.

Judge Carter granted a ten-day extension, although Kincaid fought for a resumption of the trial after only three days for Jarrod to recover. Even the judge was surprised at the vehemence of the man; talking with Victoria at the hotel later, he reasoned, "Well, it's not everyone who can take on that oldest son of yours and have such a good chance of winning. I suppose it's just ambition on his part, Victoria. But it's settled now."

As Victoria listened, her eyes grew dark with concern. "Is it so very bad for Heath, Ronald?"

"Well, it's sure not good. Truth to tell, I was shocked that Jarrod didn't plead him guilty and have him thrown on the mercy of the court. I've never seen such a case in my life. But Jarrod's good at his job, and I've never seen him fight harder or smarter. He's opened a door for doubt, and you never can tell with a jury."

"Ronald, may we put aside all legal ramifications for a moment and just talk as friends?"

"You want to know what I think, don't you?"

"Yes, Ronald, I do."

"Well, Victoria, off the record, I came into that courtroom convinced that Heath was guilty as sin. But now, I just don't know."

"And I'm afraid, Ronald. I'm afraid of what will happen to Heath if he's acquitted only because of 'reasonable doubt'!"

"Now, Victoria . . . "

"Oh, I know, Ronald. I know! Heath once talked to me about being between a rock and a hard place. He has all sorts of expressions I've never heard before, and that one fits this situation perfectly. But you don't know Heath. He's as proud as any other Barkley and twice as stubborn. He's had to fight for everything in his life, and he was just beginning to settle in with us. If there is a shadow of doubt, even if that's the only way he'll gain his freedom, I'm afraid that he'll never believe he is worth fighting for!"

Tears ran down Victoria's face as she talked with her old friend. He comforted her as best he could, but as they parted, he couldn't help thinking of her words and wondering about her obvious love for this illegitimate son of her husband's.

Jarrod improved slowly. Audra and Nick came back and forth from the ranch daily, but Victoria opted to stay in town to be closer to Jarrod. Heath began to measure his days by his siblings' visits, and the best medicine he had was his little friend Jake. True to his word, Nick brought the little boy in every day, and he was fast becoming Sheriff Madden's "little deputy." Full of importance, he helped the sheriff tack up posters, carry Heath's meals to the cell, and keep the office neat. His chatter brightened everyone's day. The only times Heath minded the talk was when Jake chattered about the people at the trial.

When Heath asked to be taken to see his brother, Fred saw no problem with the request. As a matter of form, he checked with the prosecutor and was amazed at the man's anger. As Kincaid raged at the request, Fred's face darkened with anger.

"Mr. Kincaid, I know that Heath has to be guarded. I understand my job. But this is his brother, and it's only human for him to want to see Jarrod."

"Sheriff, if you want to keep your badge, I suggest you not even consider letting that killer out of his cell. It's dangerous enough for Stockton to have him walking back and forth to the courthouse."

"Well, I guess you and me just don't see things the same way. Heath has never made a move to escape since he gave me his word he'd go peaceable. But you're the boss, so I guess that's that."

As Fred related Kincaid's response, Heath's eyes grew dark again. Nick was irate as he related the story to Jarrod and Victoria. As he listened, the lawyer's eyes brightened. He asked for Dr. Merar to see him.

"Doc, is it possible for me to go to the jail to see Heath?"

"Jarrod, we've been over that. You were shot in the back, and you almost died. You're so weak from loss of blood that you can't even sit up in bed without help. If you tried to walk that far, your wound would open again, and you'd probably bleed to death. No, there is no way you can leave this bed for at least three more days! And if you plan to be in that courtroom in a week's time, you'll have to take it easy up until the day court begins!"

"Would you sign a form confirming that?"

"Why would I need to do that?"

"Never mind why, Doc. Would you sign that form?"

"Well, sure, Jarrod."

"Nick," the lawyer ordered, "get me some paper and a pen."

After some careful thought, Jarrod wrote a statement and asked Dr. Merar to sign it. As the good man read, he chuckled and readily signed it. "Heath's got the best, Jarrod, the very best. He's a lucky man."

Nick relished the privilege of delivering Jarrod's demand for his client to be brought to see him. Having established the fact that he was only physically incapacitated but still mentally sound and able to practice, the canny lawyer threatened to sue Kincaid if he kept Heath from his legal right to consult with his attorney. Kincaid sputtered but recognized he had lost and granted permission for Heath to be taken to see his brother.

By now, Fred had become quite friendly with this youngest Barkley. In fact, he found himself wondering whether his crazy story was true. Because Kincaid insisted, he clamped on the chains to take Heath back and forth to Jarrod, and because Kincaid insisted, each time he carefully chained Heath to the iron bedpost. As he obeyed his orders, however, he began to wonder just why Kincaid hated Heath so much.

Little Deputy Jake scampered around, not realizing the humiliation Kincaid put the cowboy through with each trip through the town. As Jarrod and Heath talked about the trial and the people involved, Jake put in his two cents' worth on every comment. The two men paid little attention to the boy, who was satisfied just being around his hero and the Barkley family.

As Heath walked back to his cell on Tuesday, he paused politely to allow a woman exiting the prosecutor's office to cross in front of him. The woman gasped as she saw him and fell back against the door. "You'll be all right, Mrs. Winters. Those chains keep him under control. He's just coming back from seeing his lawyer," Kincaid quickly said.

Jake's bright eyes watched as the episode transpired. Heath was silent as he continued his way to his cage, and in a rare moment of sensitivity, Fred took Jake back in the front office with him. Jake chattered on and on about the incident, and after getting himself a cup of coffee, the good sheriff resigned himself to the fact that he'd have to listen so that Jake could get a satisfactory answer.

"Boy howdy, Sheriff, that man doesn't like Mr. Heath very much! And the kissing lady-- she's not much better, is she?"

Fred automatically began to agree with Jake, and then he froze. "Jake, who do you mean by 'the kissing lady'?" he inquired.

"Why, that lady that was with the mean man, Sheriff. The lady that was kissing the man in the alley!"

"Jake, do you mean the lady Mr. Kincaid called Mrs. Winters?"

"Yeah, I guess that's her name. I just think of her as the kissing lady. It was awful!"

Fred grinned at the boy as he thought quickly. "Jake, can you tell me when you saw the lady kissing the man?"

"Oh, a long time ago, Sheriff! Before I was even eight!"

"Just how long ago was that, son?"

"Well, it was the day Miss Audra took us to town and Mr. Nick and Mr. Heath caught up with us and Mr. Heath took me and he let me hold the reins and we rode Charger together and Mr. Nick yelled at me and Mr. Heath told me Nick was really nice and I got fifty cents' worth of candy!"

Sorting the crucial information through the irrelevant chatter of the child, the sheriff waited just a moment to see if he had it clear. "Now, Jake, this is important. Did this happen before Heath got in trouble?"

"Well, yes, sir; it happened before that. Like I told you . . . " and the boy was off again.

Fred took Jake back to be with Heath and made his way to Jarrod's bedside. The two men talked for a long time. When the conversation was over, Jarrod looked at Fred seriously. "We'll have to be very careful about how we do this, Fred. We can't have Jake in danger, and if Heath has his hopes lifted and it doesn't work out, well, I just don't know how much more he can handle."

"I understand, Jarrod, but that brother of yours is tough as nails. If there's anyone who can handle this, it's Heath!"

Jarrod was still adamant that Heath be given no hint of the new hope for his freedom. Because of this, as he plotted with Nick and Fred, both brothers spent less and less time with Heath. The cowboy tried to force down his discouragement but it was hard, to say the least.

Nick came striding in on Thursday morning. "Come on, Jake; I need a fence rider, and you seem to be just the fellow!"

"Nick, can't he stay?" The look on Heath's face tore at Nick's heart, but he shook his head.

"Nope, I need him today. We'll be back this evening for a visit. Come on, Jake!"

The excited boy didn't even say goodbye to Heath as he dashed after Nick. His childish mind was thrilled at the invitation from the Barkley who had been the least open to the child. When he ran outside and saw that Nick had brought him his own pony, his joy knew no bounds. Clutching the bars of the window, Heath stared at the disappearing pair and then turned back to face his cage alone.

As Nick and Jake rode fence lines, the cowboy kept checking his watch. Finally, he announced, "Jake, I'm bushed. Let's ride over to the orphanage and see Father Esteban and the other children for a minute. I know a shortcut."

"Sure, Mr. Nick! That'll be fun! Can I tell them about you and me fixing fence?"

"What? Oh, sure, kid. Sure." The cowboy's mind was on the coming encounter, not on the childish prattle.

As the two rode toward the orphanage, Nick deliberately steered them onto the Winters place. Sure enough, they encountered some of the hands, and Nick paused to talk to them briefly. John Farmer refused to answer any of Nick's friendly questions, but the other hands were cordial enough. As Nick and Jake rode away, he wondered if Jake would bring up what he had seen.

As expected, Jake started chattering about the encounter with the hands. Nick gritted his teeth to keep from pushing him to say what he longed to hear, but Jarrod had drilled this point in his head. It had to come from Jake voluntarily, or it wouldn't be of any value. Jake chattered on and on until Nick's patience was ready to snap. As they sighted the orphanage, Jake finally asked, "Mr. Nick, doesn't the kissing man like you?"

It took all Nick's willpower to keep from hugging and kissing Jake. But with more self-control than even the cowboy knew he possessed, he just smiled and said, "I don't think so, Jake."

The visit to the orphanage was bewilderingly brief to Jake. Nick whirled him back into town almost before he had time to drink a glass of lemonade. Triumphantly, the cowboy stomped into Jarrod's room; as the lawyer looked up hopefully, the grin on Nick's face told him all he needed to know.

Friday was a strange day for Heath. Victoria briefly appeared and brought him clean clothes and an apple pie for breakfast. Audra popped in with his noontime meal but couldn't stay; Nick didn't appear at all. Jake wasn't to be seen, and even Fred saw only to his basic needs and then vanished. When he asked to see Jarrod, he was denied. All he could think was that his brother had suffered a setback, and his panic grew as he tried to wait it out.

Helpless, left alone with his thoughts, Heath paced the small cell until even he grew sick of walking. Sitting was no better. As he fought to retain self-control, Victoria's words came back to his mind time and again. Almost as if she were sitting beside him, the cowboy heard her voice saying, "Heath, I'm afraid that you'll never see that freedom isn't just a physical matter. I'm afraid you'll never see that the only freedom worth having is freedom that comes from within the heart."

Testing the bars of his cage yet again, Heath fought to understand the truth of her words. To him, freedom had always meant that he could go where he wanted, wherever he wanted. But he was forced, on that bleak day, to acknowledge the truth: no matter where he had roamed, his battle never changed. Faces changed, locations changed, but his basic loneliness never changed.

With his hands squeezing the iron bars, the man began to open his mind to the idea that freedom meant accepting boundaries as necessary; that boundaries defined rather than caged. He longed to see Victoria, Jarrod, Nick, Audra--any or all of his family. He wanted to talk about what was going on in his mind. He wanted, for the first time in his life, to find out if he actually had a family who valued him not for what he could do or how he could work, but because he was worth their love. But no one came.

As Heath waited, his old demons came back to haunt him. They scorned the new ideas in his head; they mocked him as he fought to believe what each Barkley had told him of their love and support. The walls grew smaller and the room darker, but still the man fought to hold on to the slender thread of hope that he was loved. All night, the battle raged, but for the first time, Heath fought from the side of hope instead of despair.

Nick was with Jake every minute. Jarrod had impressed upon his brother how crucial it was for Jake to be kept safe. Jarrod worked carefully with the boy, and his confidence grew as the child remained consistent in telling what he had seen and heard. The only piece of the puzzle left for Jarrod was how Farmer could have shot him and still have been at the fire, but he was confident that this, too, could be unraveled in time.

On Saturday and Sunday, Audra was appointed to be with Heath. The girl was full of valley gossip and there were times that Heath laughed inside as he remembered his Friday prayers for someone, anyone, to stay with him. Now he understood why the Chinese warned their people to be careful about their wishes, because they just might be granted. Each time he tried to steer the conversation to the matters his heart longed to discuss, Audra switched the subject. She played her part of the empty-headed little sister to the hilt. Heath had no idea of what was to come on Monday.

Victoria was working with Jarrod. She became his secretary, writing page after page of notes as he dictated. Many times she went to his office to look up a point of law. The lawyer seemed to gain strength with each hour as he prepared the final blows to Kincaid's case against his brother.

Fred used his office to check out Mildred Winters' life. Jarrod cursed himself for not doing that before, but his attention had been focused on Farmer. Telegrams hummed back and forth, and the menacing look on Fred's face with each message sent or received was enough to cow the clerk into silence. Unbeknownst to Jarrod, Fred also was doing some investigating of his own, and what he found was interesting, to say the least.

By Sunday afternoon, the battle strategy was complete. Fred put the last piece of the puzzle in Jarrod's hands. As the lawyer read the wire, his face grew pale. "Are you sure, Fred?"

"As sure as I am that the sun rises in the east and goes down in the west, Jarrod."

"But why Heath?"

"I don't know that for sure, Jarrod. But I can guess."

Jarrod thought long and hard. He asked Fred to bring Judge Carter to see him. After a long talk, even the judge was convinced.

"Jarrod, we could use this information to have the case dismissed, I think."

"Yes, Judge, we could. But Mother thinks that would be the worst thing for Heath, and I agree."

"Why?"

"Because, Ronald, I want him to hear the whole story, and I want him to hear the jury clear him of all charges. I think it's crucial that he realize that no Barkley money, no Barkley influence, no Barkley fame cleared him. And I agree with Mother that it is equally crucial for the people of this valley to hear the whole story as well. It's gone too far; if we don't do it this way, Heath will walk with this shadow over him for the rest of his life."

"Well, there's one thing you won't convince me of," the judge replied.

"And what is that, Ronald?"

"You'll never convince me that it wasn't Barkley love that caused you all to fight for that boy. He must be some kind of man."

"That he is, Judge. That he is." With that, Jarrod went back to work.

As Fred put the chains on Heath Monday morning, he fought to seem normal. To Heath, the reserve meant that Fred was convinced that today would be the day he was ordered to put the rope around the cowboy's neck. Walking to the courtroom, Heath discovered that his demons didn't need the bars of the cage he had lived in for so many weeks to shout at him.

As court convened, the judge briefly recapped the events that had occurred. Each lawyer waited expectantly and eagerly for the actual trial to resume. As Jarrod stood, Kincaid readied himself to listen to the summary he was sure the oldest Barkley had prepared. Instead, he was startled when Jarrod recalled Heath to the stand, but not as startled as Heath.

Jarrod had just three questions on his re-direct examination. He asked again:

"Did you threaten to kill John Farmer?"

"Yes, sir. I did."

"Did you attack Mildred Winters?"

"No, sir. I did not."

"Did you kill Arthur Winters?"

"No, sir. I did not."

Kincaid confidently declined his opportunity to question Heath again. To his shock, he heard Jarrod calling Mildred Winters back to the stand. There, he asked her again to tell of her time with Heath. As she hesitantly went through the story, Jarrod surprised her with a new question.

"Mrs. Winters, how long have you known John Farmer?"

The woman nervously touched her hair. "Why, not long at all. He came to work for my husband after your brother fired him."

"Then it is your testimony, under oath, that you had never spoken with or had contact with John Farmer before he came to work for you?"

"Yes, that is true."

"And what was your relationship with Mr. Farmer after he came to work for you?"

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"I mean, Mrs. Winters, when did you and Mr. Farmer become friends?"

Pushing her hair back in place, Mildred replied, "Why, we aren't friends at all. He's just an employee."

"And that is your sworn testimony, under oath?"

"Yes, that is true."

Kincaid again declined to question Mrs. Winters, but he was very cautious as he waited for Jarrod's next move. He could see no flaw in his plan, but he was beginning to be very nervous. Heath was more confused than ever.

"Your Honor, I would now like to call Jacob Stevens to the stand."

Heath froze as he saw the little boy come forward. Jake carefully raised his hand and swore to tell the truth. The judge questioned him about his understanding, and the entire courtroom rippled with laughter when Jake said, "Yes, sir. Telling the truth means that no matter how much supper you do without, you own up to what happened!" Judge Carter ordered the record to show that the boy had a clear understanding of his obligation to tell the truth, and Jarrod began.

As he led the boy through his story of the "kissing couple," Farmer's face grew harder and harder. Mildred Winters began to feel dizzy. As Jake came to the end of his story, Jarrod asked him gently if the "kissing couple" was in the courtroom.

Jake looked out at the people. His eyes were big, and his face was pale. Suddenly he said, "Yes, sir! There they both are!" He first pointed to Farmer and then to Mildred. "They were saying stupid stuff, sir! I remember that!"

"What kind of 'stupid stuff,' Jake?" Jarrod probed.

Jake told of the conversation he had heard.

"And who were they talking about when they said that this person gave all the children rides?"

"Well, sir, it had to be Mr. Heath. There ain't nobody else who comes and takes us all on special rides. And he's the only one who comes who has a fancy sister. That's Miss Audra over there!"

"And what did you say Mrs. Winters said about the planning?"

"Well, sir, I already told you twice. But she said they had planned it for months--I guess it was a nice surprise for Mr. Heath and Miss Audra that they had planned."

"Thank you, Jake." With that, the lawyer turned the little boy over to Kincaid.

Shocked beyond measure, the lawyer tried to discredit Jake, but the little boy finally spiked his guns by saying, "Mr. Kincaid, sir, I promised I'd tell the truth, and I'm not gonna lie for you! I don't like goin' to bed without my supper!"

Jarrod had one more witness. As Fred Madden took the stand, Heath felt he was going to snap. He had never been bombarded with so much in his life. He hardly dared to breathe.

Fred had the final piece of the puzzle. With a look at Mildred Winters' life, he found that she had grown up in the same town as Allen Kincaid. They had actually planned on marrying, but Mildred had married Arthur Winters instead. Six months after the marriage, Mildred had given birth to a child. Winters had rejected the child, claiming it was not his but Kincaid's. He had refused to let Mildred out of the marriage, choosing to spend their years together confronting her daily with her sin. The child had died at the age of two. The birth certificate bore the name of Mildred as the mother, and Allen Kincaid as the father. The child, a boy, had died unwanted and illegitimate.

Fred had uncovered correspondence between Kincaid and Mildred. With the money she would control as Winters' widow, she could fnance his campaign to run for political office. They picked Heath as victim because, as Kincaid's letter to Mildred went, he was just somebody's no- account bastard. No one would believe him. He guided the plot carefully, coaching Farmer on just how to get Heath to threaten him. The only error made was in meeting in the alley in town, only to be seen by an innocent child.

Jarrod looked sick as he heard Fred's testimony of the evil planned against his brother. Once the puzzle pieces were in place, Fred was able to provide proof after proof that the story was true. He also had proof that Kincaid had no alibi for the time period when Jarrod was shot. Kincaid had no questions for the sheriff.

The judge looked at Jarrod and then at Kincaid. He cleared his throat as he began to address the jury. Adam Peterson, the elected foreman, stood as the judge began to speak.

'Begging your pardon, sir, and I don't mean to interrupt you. But I just think that there's no need for this to go on. I think I speak for all of us when we say that there's no way that Heath Barkley is guilty of anything he's accused of. Let him go, Your Honor. Let him go home."

The judge looked at the jury. All twelve men nodded their heads. The courtroom erupted; Nick almost trampled his mother and sister as he vaulted the rail to slap Heath on the back and hug both him and Jarrod. Heath just stood there, barely comprehending that his nightmare was over. Jake jumped up in his arms.

"Did I do all right, Mr. Heath? Did I help?"

"That you did, my friend. That you did." Heath did not let go of Jake as Victoria and Audra hugged and kissed him and Jarrod. Both the lawyer and the cowboy sat down at the table where Jarrod had fought for Heath's life. As Fred and his deputy took Kincaid away, he paused and looked down at Heath. Nick and Jarrod looked at each other, wondering what Heath would do to the man who had tried to destroy him and had almost succeeded. To their shock, Heath simply said, "Thanks," and looked away.

"Why are you thanking that mean man, Mr. Heath? He wanted to do bad things to you!"

"He sure did, Jake, but along with the mean things, he gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give."

"I don't understand, Heath," Victoria probed as she laid her hand on his shoulder.

With his free hand, Heath reached back to cover hers. "Well, Mother, he wanted to hurt me, but instead, I learned about real freedom, freedom that comes from within the heart."