"Mother," Jarrod asked one day after school, "where is father?"

"He’s gone to Strawberry on business honey," she answered. "We own property there and he has gone to see about it."

"He’s been gone an awfully long time," he said. "Is he ever coming home?"
"Yes," she replied. "He’s coming home very soon. "I’m sure he’ll be home any day now."

"Mama," Nick told her, "Me want papa home."

"I know you want your father to come home," she said. "I do too. But he must have a lot of business to do."

"Why didn’t he write to let us know how he is?" Jarrod asked.

"I don’t know honey," she answered.

She didn’t have any answers for her sons. She knew that something had happened but she didn’t know what. All she could do was hope that Tom would be home soon.

Then one afternoon while the boys were doing their chores in the barn after Jarrod had come home from school; they heard a horse’s hoofs. Both boys ran outside to see whom it was. They stopped dead in their tracks when they realized that their father was home. Jarrod ran into the house.

"Mother," he said as he flew in the front door, "father’s home."

"He is," she replied.

Both of them went outside where Tom was just dismounting from his horse. Victoria rushed over to him and hugged him. But he didn’t return the embrace. The boys rushed over and hugged their father and he never even looked at them. He had a far off look in his eyes as if his mind were somewhere else.

"Tom," she asked, "are you all right?"

"Yes," he answered very flatly. "I’m just tired from the trip."

"Well," she said, "come inside. I’m so happy to have you home. What took you so long? I was starting to get very worried."

"Thanks," he replied and carried his bag in the house. "I sold the mine we had there and then had other business to take care of."

"Father," Jarrod asked, "why have you been gone so long?"

"I had a lot of work to do," he answered bitterly. "Why do you have to interrupt boy?"

"I don’t understand father," Jarrod told him. "I was just wondering why you were gone so long."

"Never mind," Tom stated flatly. "Get out of my way boy."

"Jarrod," she said, "you and Nick go finish your chores. Let your father rest and you can visit with him later."

"Yes mother," Jarrod replied. "Come on Nick."

The boys went back to the barn to finish their chores. Jarrod couldn’t understand why his father had been so rude to him. He was just glad to see him. Maybe his mother was right and his father was just tired from his long trip.

Victoria and Tom walked into the house. Tom laid his bag down on the bed in their bedroom and began to unpack.

"Tom," she said, "you were gone almost six months. Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," he replied. "It just took longer than I expected."

"Tom," she told him, "the boys have been waiting for your return. They have so much to tell you."

"It’ll have to wait," Tom said. "I have a lot of work to catch up on."

"Yes I know," she replied. "But you can spare a few minutes with your sons."

"Not now," he told her sharply. "I have a lot of work to do."

"All right," she said and left the room.

Victoria knew that something was wrong with her husband but she didn’t know what it was. But she was bound and determined to find out what very soon.

Tom was mentally beating himself over the head with a stick for being so short with Victoria and Jarrod. But she could never know what happened while he was gone. It would make her very sad and upset the boys. The boys. How could he face his sons? Jarrod looked a lot like his mother and most of his characteristics were from her. Every time he looked into his son’s face, he saw his wife and then he remembered Leah and what happened with her. He was beginning to get angry mostly with himself. But he was starting to take it out on his son.

"Jarrod," he said very angry, "this is not going to happen any more. Pick up those books right now and put them in your room. I mean it!"

"I’m sorry father," Jarrod replied and picked up his books. "I didn’t mean to disturb your work."

"You’re sorry," he told him. "You don’t know the meaning of the word sorry."

"Listen father," Jarrod said, "I said I was sorry. I’ll just put my books in my room and let you get back to work."

"Don’t you get smart with me young man," Tom shot back. "You get out to that barn right now and get your chores done."

"But," Jarrod replied.

"No butts," Tom told him and pointed.

"Yes sir," Jarrod said and walked out of the house.

Jarrod walked into the barn and kicked a bag of grain with his boot in anger. The bag busted open and Jarrod tried to clean up the mess. About that time Tom walked into the barn.

"What did you do?" Tom asked very hatefully.

"I busted a hole in the bag of grain," he answered.

"You did that on purpose," Tom said as he grabbed Jarrod by his arm and jerked him hard to his feet.

"No sir," he replied. "I was mad and kicked it with my boot."

"What were you mad at?" Tom asked already knowing the answer.

"You," he answered.

Tom jerked him hard again by his left arm. Jarrod yelped in pain as his arm began to throb.

"I’ll teach you to get angry at me," Tom said.

"What are you going to do?" Jarrod asked starting to tremble.

"I want you to stack every bag of grain we have in the loft," Tom said. "You have two hours."

"You’re joking right?" Jarrod asked.

"No," Tom answered and jerked him hard again by the arm.

"But that will take the rest of the evening and I have some homework to do," Jarrod said.

"You’ll do it in two hours or else," Tom replied.

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him and started to work.

Tom walked out of the barn. Why couldn’t that boy listen to him? Why did he always have to talk back to him? He walked back into the house and went back to work.

Back in the barn, Jarrod was having trouble getting the bags of grain into the loft. He was too small to carry much and his arms began to throb as he worked. Finally, he sat down a minute to catch his breath and let his arms rest. Tom chose that moment to enter the barn.

"What are you doing you lazy, good for nothing?" he asked.

"What did you call me?" Jarrod demanded standing up and becoming angry himself.

"I’ll teach you to raise your voice with me," he said. "You stand up useless."

Jarrod stood up but he was very hurt inside because his father called him useless. Tom walked over to him and grabbed him by his arm again. He dragged the boy over to the loft stairs.

"Get to work," he said. "Don’t stop until it is finished."

"But what about supper and my homework?" Jarrod asked.

"You should have thought about that before you smarted off," he answered. "I would say that you won’t get any supper or be able to do your homework. Now work."

Jarrod began to work. It took him the entire evening to get the bags stacked in the loft. Jarrod was exhausted when he finally walked into the house.

"Jarrod," Victoria asked, "where have you been?"

"Working in the barn," he answered. "Doing the chores that father told me to do."

"Your supper is cold," she said. "Let me warm it."

"No!" Tom yelled. "He can eat it cold."

"But Tom," she said. "He’s a growing boy and he needs good food to help him grow."

"I don’t care," he replied. "If he can’t get in here on time, he can either go hungry or eat it cold."

"All right," she told him but she didn’t like it one bit.

"I’m not hungry anyway," Jarrod said and started to walk toward his bedroom.

"Are you sassing your mother?" Tom asked.

"No sir," Jarrod answered.

"It sounded like it to me," he said. "Let’s go."

"Tom," Victoria asked, "what are you doing?"

"I’m going to punish him," he answered.

Jarrod followed Tom outside. Once they were outside, Tom looked right into his son’s face. His anger increased.

"Now since you want to be disrespectful to your mother," Tom said, "you can clean and polish every saddle in the barn."

"Father," Jarrod replied, "there are a dozen saddles in there. It will take me all night."

"Get busy," Tom told him and walked off.

Jarrod walked into the barn and began to polish the saddles. As the evening wore on, he was so tired that he was falling over the saddle asleep. Tom walked out to check on him and when he saw the boy lying over the saddle asleep; he walked over to a small bucket of water. Tom picked it up and threw it on his son. Jarrod shot straight up and shook his head.

"What’s going on?" he asked.

"I don’t expect you to fall asleep on the job young man," Tom answered. "Get finished."

"Yes sir," he said and went back to polishing.

It was the boys’ bedtime. Victoria put Nick to bed and she was getting very worried about Jarrod.

"Goodnight sweetheart," she told Nick as she tucked him in. "I’ll see you in the morning."

"Yes mama," Nick said and closed his eyes.

It was getting very late and Jarrod had school tomorrow. She decided to go out to the barn to see what was keeping her son. When she walked into the barn, she saw Jarrod scrubbing as hard as he could on a saddle. She could tell that he was exhausted.

"Jarrod," she said, "it’s time to come in now and get ready for bed. You have school tomorrow."

"He can’t Victoria," Tom replied. "Not until he finishes every saddle in the barn."

"Tom," she told him, "there are a dozen saddles in here."

"I know that," he said.

"Tom," she replied, "this is ridiculous. Jarrod is only eight years old. He can’t do a big job like that in one evening."

"This is his punishment for sassing you," he told her.

"Jarrod didn’t sass me," she said. "Come on son. It’s time for bed. Don’t try to stop him Tom."

"All right," he replied. "He can finish them up tomorrow when he gets home from school."

"Fine," she told him and walked Jarrod into the house.

Jarrod was completely exhausted. Victoria fixed him a bit to eat and then helped him get ready for bed. He was asleep when his head hit the pillow.

"Honey," Victoria said, "you need to rest. Why don’t I talk to Mrs. Carter and let you stay home today."

"No," he replied. "I’ll be all right."

Jarrod stood up, picked up his books and left for school. Victoria watched him go. She knew that this couldn’t go on forever. Jarrod’s schoolwork would suffer.

"Jarrod," Mrs. Carter, his schoolteacher asked when it was time for the homework to be turned in, "where is your homework young man?"

"I didn’t have time last night to do it," he answered.

"What were you doing instead?" she wanted to know.

"I was doing chores for my father," he told her.

"Don’t let it happen again," she said.

"Yes ma’am," he replied.

But his schoolwork continued to suffer. Tom had so many chores for the boy to do when he got home that Jarrod was too tired to work on his studies. Finally, Mrs. Carter came to see his parents several weeks later because she was so worried about the boy.

"Mrs. Carter," Victoria said as she opened the door, "what a pleasant surprise."

"I wish it were a social call Mrs. Barkley," she replied. "But I’m here because of Jarrod."

"Won’t you come in?" Victoria asked.

"Thank you," she answered and walked into the parlor.

"Please sit down," Victoria said and gestured at a nearby chair.

Tom was working at the small desk in the corner of the room. He looked up when she walked in. The two ladies sat down.

"Mr. Barkley," she acknowledged. "Jarrod has failed to turn in homework assignments and he has also failed two tests in the last two weeks. This isn’t like him. Is he having a problem doing his homework?"

"No," Tom said. "He has a lot of chores to do but he also has time to do his work."

Victoria looked at Tom with anger evident in her eyes. He looked back at her with eyes that frightened her. She didn’t say a word.

"I’m sorry that boy is not doing his work," Tom said as he stood up and walked over to the two women. "He’s usually very good at keeping up with his schoolwork. I’ll make sure he does it from now on."

"Thank you," she replied and left the house.

Victoria looked at Tom with anger evident in her face.

Why did you lie to her?" she asked. "He doesn’t have time to do his schoolwork because you keep him working on chores all evening. Tom, why?"

"Because he needs to be punished," he answered. "If his grades continue to suffer, I’ll punish him for that too."

"Tom," she said, "why are you so hard on him? He’s only eight years old."

"Because he doesn’t listen," he replied and he left the room.

"Jarrod," Nick asked after he had turned six, "don’t you like me anymore?"

"Of course I like you," Jarrod answered. "You’re my brother. What made you ask a question like that?"

"Well," Nick said, "you don’t act like it. We never do anything together. Are you mad at me?"

"It’s not you Nick," Jarrod replied. "Father won’t let me alone. Every afternoon when I come home from school, he always has something for me to do. I don’t even have time to do my own homework."

"Why don’t you talk to him?" Nick asked. "I’m sure he would listen."

"He won’t listen to a word that I say," Jarrod answered. "He hates me Nick."

"No he doesn’t," Nick said.

"Yes he does," Jarrod replied. "Well, if that’s the way he wants it I will abide by that."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"I mean if he hates me," Jarrod answered, "I hate him."

"You don’t mean that," Nick said.

"Yes I do," Jarrod replied.

Nick just walked away from his brother. He knew that Jarrod meant every word he had said. Then he got an idea. He went to see his father. Maybe he could help. He found his father in the parlor looking at some papers.

"Father," he asked, "may I talk to you?"

"Certainly," Tom answered. "Climb up here and sit down."

Nick climbed up on the couch and sat down beside his father.

"Do you hate Jarrod?" he asked.

"No," Tom answered. "Why do you ask?"

"Because he says you do," Nick said. "I never get to do anything with him anymore. He’s become so distant and so quiet. He used to be fun to be around but not anymore."

"Your brother has to do his chores before he can have any fun," Tom replied. "He does things to spite me and then I have to punish him."

"Father," Nick told him, "I love you and Jarrod. I want my brother back."

"Your brother has been a bad boy," Tom said. "That’s all I have to say."

"But father," Nick replied.

"That’s all I have to say," Tom told him and Nick left the room.

Nick walked outside. He knew there was a problem between his father and his brother. He could feel it while he was talking to his father. Maybe his mother could help. He went to look for her. He found her in Jarrod’s room picking up.

"Mother," he asked, "can I talk to you?"

"Yes," she answered. "What’s on your mind?"

"Jarrod and father," he said. "I don’t understand why Jarrod is so different from the boy who used to do things with me. He hides in his room when he is not doing his chores."

"Nick," she replied as she sat down on Jarrod’s bed, "I see it too sweetheart. I don’t know what’s going on but your brother is scared of your father. He is always fussing at Jarrod and makes him work so hard. I need to have a talk with your father."

"Mother," Nick told her, "I love father and Jarrod but I don’t want to see them mad at each other."

"I don’t either," she said. "I’ll talk to Jarrod and your father. All right?"

"All right," he replied and left the room.

She finally confronted Tom about it.

"Tom," she asked shortly after her conversation with Nick, "why haven’t you shown Jarrod how proud you are of him for the last six months? Why do you continue to yell at him over little things? Why do you make him work until bedtime on chores you know that boy can’t do in one evening? If you don’t stop, you are going to lose him as a son and he’ll resent you for the rest of his life. He loves you and looks up to you for guidance and understanding."

"I don’t know," he answered knowing perfectly well why he was so hard on his son. "He reminds me so much of you."

"Tom," she asked, "what does that have to do with anything?"

"Don’t ask me why," he answered. "It just does and I can’t help it."

"Well," she said, "you had better learn to accept it. He’s got my characteristics and that shouldn’t cause you to lose your temper with him. He’s only a boy Tom. And one more thing, Nick is noticing it too. He wants his brother back and so do I. Jarrod doesn’t come out of his room. He doesn’t play anymore. He just sits or works himself to exhaustion because of you."

"I know that," he replied. "But he grates on my nerves on purpose. I think he does it for spite. I know about Nick. He talked to me and I explained why Jarrod couldn’t play with him anymore."

"No," she told him. "You’re wrong. He’s a good boy Tom. He’s smart and caring. You’re the one who grates on your own nerves not Jarrod. There’s something you’re trying to forget and that boy keeps reminding you of it. Tell me what it is and maybe we can work this out."

"No," Tom said. "There is nothing bothering me."

"I know there is," she replied. "And it started when you came back from Strawberry. What happened in Strawberry that has you so upset and angry?"

"Nothing happened," he told her. "Just drop it."

Victoria knew that something had happened while he was in Strawberry and she hoped that sometime soon he would tell her before Tom became physical with Jarrod who could get hurt.

The next afternoon, Jarrod was in the barn working. Victoria walked out with a pitcher of lemonade and some cookies.

"Jarrod," she asked, "would you like to take a break?"

"Yes mother," he answered. "That would be nice."

He sat down on a bail of hay and took the lemonade and cookies. His mother sat down beside of him.

"Jarrod," she said, "I’m very worried about you. You are not happy anymore. Even Nick is noticing."

"I’m sorry," he replied. "But father is beginning to scare me mother. All he does is yell at me and I can’t take it anymore. I don’t know what I’ve done but please make him stop."

Victoria reached over and hugged her son who had begun to cry.

"I know you’re scared honey," she said. "I don’t know what’s wrong with your father. I’ve tried to talk to him but he won’t tell me what’s wrong."

"He takes it out on me," he replied. "I can’t do my homework and I’ve been getting further and further behind in school. Mrs. Carter is beginning to get angry at me and I can’t blame her."

"You won’t have to miss doing your homework," she told him. "In fact, you go on in the house and get started on it."

"What about father?" he asked.

"I’ll take care of your father," she answered.

"Thanks," he said and went to his room.

When Tom came home late that evening, Victoria was waiting for him.

"Tom," she said, "we need to talk."

"About what?" he asked.

"Your son," she answered. "Jarrod has become deathly afraid of you. You yell at him constantly. You won’t allow him time to do his homework. You keep him covered up in work."

"So?" he asked.

"Do you love your son?" she wanted to know.

"Of course I do," he told her.

"Then show him," she said. "Before it’s too late."

"All right," he replied.

But Tom was still having a problem with his oldest son.

"I thought I told you to stack the saddle blankets first," Tom said letting his temper get the better of him.

"I guess I forgot," Jarrod replied.

"You forgot!" Tom yelled, angry with his son for not doing what he had been told to do. "You forgot! I’ll teach you about forgetting to do something when I tell you to. I want you to feed and water every horse in the barn, hang up all the bridles, make sure all the buggies and wagons are in the barn and finally, make sure all the blankets are stacked."

"But father," Jarrod told him, "that will take all evening to do and I have homework to do."

"You have two hours," Tom said. "Two hours. Do you hear me?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and got to work.

Tom walked out of the barn and he was still angry. Jarrod watched him go. He fed and watered the horses first, and then he hung all the bridles up in their proper places. He checked the buggies and then the wagons. Before he could get the blankets stacked, Tom walked back into the barn. He looked at his son.

"You not through yet?" he asked.

"No sir," Jarrod answered. "I’m sorry father."

"You’re sorry are you," he said. "I’ll teach you about disobeying me."

Tom walked over to Jarrod who had stood up from where he was trying to stack the blankets. He slapped the boy hard across the left side of his face with all his might. Jarrod yelped in pain and then began to cry. He held the left side of his face and looked at his father with terror in his blue eyes.

"You’re not supposed to cry," Tom said and slapped him again. "You’re a Barkley and we don’t cry."

"Why did you hit me?" Jarrod asked through his tears. "I didn’t mean to make you mad."

"You are always doing something to make me mad," Tom said. "You are worthless."

Jarrod ran out of the barn crying as he went.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "you come back here right now."

"No!" he screamed as he ran. "I’m never coming back."

Nick met him as he ran out of the barn.

"Jarrod," Nick asked, "what’s wrong?"

"I’m running away," Jarrod answered. "I’m not ever coming back."

"Where are you going?" Nick asked.

"To the tree house behind the Davis house," Jarrod answered and ran down the road.

Nick watched him go. His father came out of the barn. He walked over to Nick.

"Where’s your brother?" he asked.

"He’s gone," Nick answered.

"Gone where?" he asked.

"He said he’s running away," Nick answered. "What did you do to him father?"

"I didn’t do anything," Tom said.

"His face didn’t look like nothing," Nick replied. "It was red."

Nick ran to the house. When he came in, his mother looked up to see who it was.

"Hello sweetheart," she said. "Where’s your brother?"

"He ran away," Nick replied.

"Ran away?" she asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "Father hit him."

"Your father hit him?" she asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "Across the face."

"Do you know where he went?" she asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "The Davis place. The tree house."

"I’m going to get him," she said.

"I’ll go with you," he replied.

"All right," she told him and they left the house.

Tom was outside looking for Jarrod.

"Victoria," he asked, "do you know where Jarrod is?"

"Before I answer that Tom," she answered anger showing in her face, "I want to know if you hit him."

"Yes," he said.

"Why?" she asked getting angrier.

"He didn’t finish his chores," he answered.

"Thomas Charles Barkley," she said, "what has gotten into you? Ever since you came back from Strawberry, you’ve been very hard on him. Nothing he does pleases you. Well, I’m going to go get our son and bring him home. Well, Tom you are going to pay for what you did. That boy will end up resenting you for the rest of his life. He’s a nine year old boy not a grown man."

"Victoria," he replied, "I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on Jarrod. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ll go with you to bring him home. I love that boy."

"Let me handle this Tom," she told him. "You’ve got a funny way of showing it."

"Please," he begged. "I want to explain to him. Or at least try to explain to him. I promise, it will never happen again. Please believe me."

"All right," she said. "Let’s go. But let me warn you, if it happens again, you’ll be sorry."

Tom, Victoria and Nick climbed into one of the buggies and rode over to the Emory Davis farm which had been empty for a couple of years. Emory Davis had hung himself in the study of the house after the Miners Bank failure a few years ago in which Tom and Victoria had removed their money along with some other investors and Janet, his wife, along with their son had left the valley. The house and property was for sale because of back taxes but so far no one had purchased it. Nick pointed at the tree house out back. Victoria walked to it and called up.

"Jarrod," she said. "Jarrod."

"What?" she heard him say.

"I’m coming up," she replied.

"All right," he told her.

She climbed up the ladder and looked inside. There sitting in the corner, curled up in a ball was Jarrod. He was crying.

"Honey," she said, "come on. I want to take you home."

"All right," he replied and scooted over to the opening.

When Jarrod saw his father, he started to cry more and tried to scoot back inside.

"It’s all right," she said. "He’s just worried about you."

"He hit me in the barn," Jarrod replied.

"I know," she told him. "He feels very bad about that. Come on. Everything will be all right."

Jarrod climbed out of the tree house and followed his mother down the ladder. When they reached the ground, Tom walked over. Jarrod hid behind his mother, frightened.

"It’s all right son," he said. "I’m sorry I yelled at you. I didn’t mean to hit you. I don’t know what got into me."

"Are you sure?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," Tom answered. "I was mad and you disobeying me made me even madder. It won’t happen again. I promise son."

"All right," Jarrod said.

The Barkely family returned home but things wouldn’t get back to normal for another month. After they arrived back at the ranch, Victoria walked inside with Jarrod who was still very upset. She took him to his room and helped him get into his nightshirt.

"Mother," he said through his tears, "I have homework to do."

"You can do it tomorrow when you get up," she replied. "You are too upset to study. I want you to lay down and try to sleep."

"Will you stay with me till I fall asleep?" he asked.

"Sure I will," she answered and sat down in the chair beside the bed.

She watched her young son as he slept. She couldn’t understand why his father got so angry with him all the time. Tom walked in after Jarrod had fallen asleep.

"How’s he doing?" he asked.

"He’s finally asleep," she answered. "I told him that he could do his homework tomorrow before he left for school. He was pretty upset."

"I know," he said. "I’m sorry I hit him. I had a rough day in town and was angry when I came home. I shouldn’t have taken it out on him."

"No you shouldn’t," she replied. "He’s a boy Tom. He needs his father to love him and do things with him, not yell at him."

"I realize that," he told her.

Tom left the room and Victoria promised herself that he would never touch that boy again but it was a promise that she would not be able to keep. Even though he had promised to stop, Tom kept riding Jarrod very hard. The boy was being constantly yelled at for no reason. Then it all came to a head.

On April 3, 1853, Jarrod was at school in Stockton. As he walked outside for lunch and to meet Frank Semple and Matt Parker, his two best friends, three fourteen-year-old boys stopped him. They were bullies in the school and always went after the younger children. That made them feel big. All were strong and agile. They were from three farms on the very outskirts of Stockton. They knew hard work and you could tell it by the calluses on their hands. The trio’s leader was a boy name James Mitchell. He was smart but he never showed it in school. In fact he hated school with a passion. He had brown hair and eyes. His two partners were Josh Morrow and Jason Miller. Both were very good shots with a rifle and both followed Jimmy without question. Jarrod was no exception when it came to being picked on by these three. For the past month, they had been taking the younger children’s lunches and Jarrod was tired of it. He had made up his mind that he was going to do something about it. As he walked out, the boys met him.

"Hand it over," Jimmy said. "Just because you’re a rich Barkley doesn’t give you any special favors in our book."

"What?" Jarrod asked. "I want to know what you want me to hand over."

"Your lunch boy," he answered. "We want it now."

"No," Jarrod said. "I’m not going to give it to you."

"What did you say?" he asked.

"No," Jarrod replied. "I’m not giving in to you anymore. You’ve taken my lunch for the past month but not anymore."

"Oh no," he told him.

"That’s right," Jarrod said. "I’m standing up for myself and all the rest of the children you have picked on."

"Hold him," Jimmy replied.

The other two boys grabbed Jarrod by his arms. He tried to break loose but they were holding him tightly. Jimmy walked up to Jarrod and looked right into his face. Jarrod spit at him, which made Jimmy even madder. He kept trying to free himself but he just wasn’t big enough. His ability to reason came up with no easy way out of this sticky situation so he steeled himself for a one-sided fight with him on the losing end.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered.

Jimmy hit Jarrod right in the stomach. Jarrod almost stumbled as the air rushed out of his lungs and he nearly fell to the ground but Josh and Jason kept him from falling. They held him so Jimmy could get in his licks. Jimmy hit him again in the stomach and again. Jarrod tried to fight back but he just wasn’t strong enough against the three older boys.

"You sure you don’t want to give me your lunch?" he asked. "I’ll stop if you do."

"Yeah," Jarrod answered beginning to breathe hard. "I’m sure. You do what you have to do. Because sooner or later I’ll get you for this."

"Oh really," Jimmy said.

"Yeah," Jarrod replied.

Jimmy hit him again and again. Then Jason and Josh hit him as they let him fall to the ground. Jarrod looked up with pained eyes as the three boys walked away with his lunch. He tried to get to his feet and stumbled but managed to stay upright. His ribs were hurting as he cradled them and he could barely walk. When he stumbled into the schoolroom, his teacher, Mrs. Carter, saw him and walked over to him.

"Jarrod," she asked, "what happened?"

"Nothing," he answered and grunted with pain.

"Nothing doesn’t make you double over and hold your ribs," she said. "Now what happened?"

"I was beaten up," he replied. "Three big boys. Outside."

"Matt," she told him, "take Jarrod to Dr. Merrar’s. Frank, ride out to the Barkley Ranch and tell his parents."

"No," Jarrod said. "Please. Don’t tell my father."

"Why on earth not?" she asked. "He has a right to know. He’ll be worried about you."

"He’ll only get angry at me," Jarrod answered.

"Matt," she said, "take him to the doctor’s."

"Yes ma’am," he replied and helped Jarrod out the door.

"Frank," she told him, "ride out to the Barkley Ranch and tell his parents."

"Yes Mrs. Carter," Frank said and left the room.

Matt and Jarrod headed toward Dr. Merrar’s office. Jarrod was about to fall over and Matt took most of Jarrod’s weight on himself.

"Jarrod," Matt asked, "what were you trying to do? Get yourself killed?"

"No," Jarrod answered. "I was just trying to stand up for myself so my father won’t get mad at me."

"I think you did that," Matt said. "But it backfired."

"You’re telling me," Jarrod replied. "I’ve never hurt like this."

"What do you mean so your father won’t get mad at you?" Matt asked. "I thought your father never got mad at either you or Nick."

"He’s been after me for the last year," Jarrod answered. "Nothing I do pleases him. He’s constantly yelling at me. I don’t know what to do anymore. I tried to run away but they found me. Of course, I did tell my brother where I was going."

"Why don’t you just talk to him?" Matt asked.

"I can’t," Jarrod answered deciding not to say anymore.

They walked into the doctor’s office.

"Doc!" Matt called. "Doc!"

The doctor walked out of the back. When he saw Matt and Jarrod, he was confused.

"What are you boys doing here?" he asked. "You’re supposed to be in school."

"Doc," Matt answered, "Jarrod was beaten up by three boys during lunch. I think he’s got busted ribs."

"No," Jarrod said. "I’m fine."

"You don’t look fine to me," Matt replied. "See."

Matt poked Jarrod in the chest and Jarrod grimaced in pain. The doctor walked over to him. He squatted down in front of the frightened and angry boy.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "let me have a look at you. If you have bruised or broken ribs, they are going to hurt worse if you don’t have them bound so that they can heal."

"All right," Jarrod replied and followed the doctor to the examination room. "Matt, I’ll see you later."

"All right," Matt told him. "Don’t forget what I said. "Talk to your father and I’m sure you can work it out."

"I don’t think so," Jarrod said as Matt left the office and Jarrod followed the doctor to the examination room.

The doctor sat Jarrod on the table and took his shirt off. Then he laid the boy on his back and began to check his ribs. As he pressed on Jarrod’s chest, the boy began to cry. By the time he was finished examining Jarrod, he was really upset. Tom and Victoria along with Nick walked in as the doctor finished his examination.

"Doc," Tom asked, "what happened?"

When Jarrod heard his father’s voice, he stiffened. He was very frightened but he tried not to show it in front of the doctor. Victoria noticed the stiffening of Jarrod’s body when they walked in and he heard his father’s voice. She knew he was reading himself for Tom’s wrath.

"I don’t know but your son has two badly cracked ribs," the doctor answered. "They are almost broken but are still together just barely. I’m going to have to bind them tightly so that they will stay together and not break to puncture a lung. As soon as I get them bound, I’ll give him some medicine for the pain."

"All right," Tom said and walked over to the table where his son was. "You want to explain how this happened young man?"

"No sir," Jarrod replied through his tears. "You’ll only get mad and yell at me."

"Jarrod," Tom told him, "I’m not going to get mad. Although I am very disappointed in you. You know you are not supposed to fight in the schoolyard. Wait until you get home young man. We’ll pay a visit to the barn."

"Yes you are," Jarrod said and tried to close his eyes to the pain. "For the last year nothing I have done has satisfied you. You are always fussing at me over this or that. So I don’t expect you to understand about this."

Dr. Merrar couldn’t help but notice the boy’s frightened voice as he spoke to his father. Something was going on and the doctor suspected that Jarrod had been the recipient of Tom’s anger before.

"Honey," Victoria replied as she walked over to him, "mother’s right here. It’s going to be all over soon."

"Mother," Jarrod told her and put his arms around her, "make it all go away."

"I can’t," she said, "but the doctor can. You let him finish."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

Dr. Merrar bound the ribs up tightly. He could feel the tension in Jarrod as he worked on the young boy. His mother kept talking to him and reassuring him that everything would be all right. Tom just stood there silently looking at his son in pain and becoming distant. He didn’t go over to Jarrod or tell him everything would be all right. The doctor thought that was unusual for Tom who most of the time was very concerned about his children.

"Tom," the doctor asked, "is there something wrong?"

"No," Tom answered. "Why?"

"You’re usually right beside your boys when they are hurt or sick," the doctor said. "I just find it odd that you’re not over with Jarrod now."

"He’s all right," Tom replied.

"No he’s not," the doctor told him. "He’s in a lot of pain. He needs his family with him now. Whatever is bothering you, put it aside and help your son."

"Listen doc," Tom said, "you just patch him up. I’ll take care of him when he comes home."

"All right," the doctor replied. "But whatever it is that Jarrod reminds you of, please I beg you don’t take it out on him. He’s going to be in a lot of pain from his ribs and he doesn’t need any more aggravation."

"Don’t talk to me about aggravation," Tom told him. "I’ll take care of my son."

The Doctor decided to let it go. Something was definitely wrong and if it wasn’t fixed soon, that boy would end up paying dearly.

"Honey," she said, "it’s almost over. Just a few more minutes."

The doctor finally finished and then gave Jarrod a spoonful of laudanum. He stopped crying and fell asleep on the table. Victoria put his shirt back on and then picked him up. Tom took Jarrod from her and carried him out to the buggy but he didn’t caress him or hug him.

"Let me carry him," Tom said. "He’s such a big boy. But when he gets home, he’s going to answer for what he did."

"Oh no he isn’t," she replied. "He’s going home and going to bed. You’re going to leave him alone Tom Barkley. Do you hear me?"

"Yes," he told her but he had already made up his mind that the boy would pay for fighting.

They put Jarrod into the buggy and Victoria climbed in beside him. She laid his head on her lap and talked to him.

"Jarrod," she said, "everything’s all right now. You rest and then you’ll feel a lot better."

She looked at Tom with disappointment in her face. He didn’t even look at her. There was definitely something wrong and she was bound and determined to find out what it was before it caused a rift too big to close between Tom and Jarrod.

"I’ll be out to check him tomorrow," the doctor said. "Give him a spoonful of laudanum every four hours for pain. Don’t let him up for the rest of the day. He should be fine in a few days."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied.

The Barkley family rode back to the ranch in silence. Victoria held Jarrod and he slept the entire way.

"What did Jarrod mean that you would get mad?" she asked.

"I don’t know," he answered and knew perfectly well what his son had meant.

"Tom," she asked, "why didn’t you tell him that he’d be all right?"

"I don’t know," he answered.

"Tom," she said, "talk to me."

"All right," he replied. "I guess he thought that since I tell Nick to be a big boy that he has to too. And because of the incident a month again when I slapped him."

"I understand that," she told him. "What I don’t understand is that your son was beaten up and you could care less?"

"I do care," he said. "I don’t want to see my sons hurt or sick."

"When Jarrod had pneumonia you were wonderful with him," she replied. "Then you changed after your trip to Strawberry. It’s like Jarrod reminds you of something awful and you want nothing to do with him. You’ll go out of your way to do things with Nick but you won’t give the time of day to Jarrod. And when you do talk to him, it’s to yell at him. You never praise him."

"Will you stop bringing up Strawberry?" he asked. "I don’t mean to act like Jarrod is not important to me because he is. I love that boy."

"Show him," she answered. "Tell him that you love him."

"All right," he said. "Just drop it."

"Fine," she replied, turning her attention to her son.

Tom left the room. He was still angry. He knew he had been rough on Jarrod. He was rough on himself too. He had cheated on his wife with another woman. At the time, he was badly injured and didn’t think he would survive but Leah had nursed him back to health. Leah, beautiful Leah. Victoria was right. He was punishing his son for something from his own past. Tom turned around and walked back into Jarrod’s bedroom.

"Victoria," he said, "I would like to sit with my son."

"Certainly," she replied and moved away from the bed. "But only if you are going to care about him and love him. If you are going to yell at him you may leave."

"Son," he told him as he sat down on the bed, "I’m sorry that you were injured. I want you to be able to come to me with your problems. In fact, next week we’re going to take a trip. You, me and Nick are going to Denver to visit your grandparents and Uncle Jim who’s visiting for a few weeks."

"Tom," she said, "that’s a wonderful idea. The boys will love that."

"I hope so," he replied. "You were right Victoria. I was blaming Jarrod for my own problems. That’s one reason I want to go home. Maybe I can talk it out with my father and brother."

"I know you can," she told him. "Right now our oldest son needs us."

"Yes he does," he said. "He needs both of us."

"Mother," he said through his crying.

Victoria, who was sitting near the bed, stood up and walked over to her son.

"Jarrod," she asked, "are you hurting son?"

"Yes," he answered as he continued to cry. "Make it stop."

"Here," she said, "let me give you some medicine to help the pain."

She poured a spoonful of laudanum and gave it to him. He began to relax shortly afterward.

"Close your eyes and go back to sleep," she said, smiling at him.

"Mother," he replied, "tell father I’m sorry about the fight. I tried to stand up against those boys but there were three of them and they were bigger."

"It’s all right," she told him. "You rest."

Jarrod closing his eyes, went back to sleep. She covered him back up and sat back down. Tom walked in after leaving the room to check on Nick who was in his own room playing and looked at his young son.

"How is he?" Tom asked.

"He’s still in a great deal of pain," she answered. "He told me to tell you that he was sorry about the fight, that he tried to stand up against them but there were three of them."

"Three of them," he said. "I need to talk to him."

"Why?" she asked. "To yell at him?"

"No," he answered. "I need to tell him how sorry I am that he was hurt by those boys."

"All right," she said. "Jarrod, wake up honey. Your father wants to talk to you."

Jarrod roused from sleep and opened his pained eyes. He looked up at his mother and tried to smile.

"Honey," she said, "I’m sorry I woke you up but your father needs to talk to you."

Jarrod’s smile faded as the tears threatened to start again. He turned his head away from his father. Tom walked up to the bed and sat down.

"Jarrod," he said, "I know you’re angry with me. I haven’t been much of a father for the last year to you. I’m very sorry. You are my son and I love you. I love you son."

Jarrod turned back and looked into his father’s face. Tom was smiling and finally Jarrod smiled at him. Tom picked his son up and held him tightly. Jarrod hugged his father for the first time in a year. He finally fell asleep in Tom’s arms.

"You sleep son," Tom said. "You’re going to be fine."

Tom laid his son back on the bed and covered him up. Then he sat down in the chair beside the bed. Victoria smiled at her husband and her son. Maybe now things could get back to normal.

"Good morning Victoria," he said. "How’s Jarrod?"

"He slept all night," she replied. "He’s in his room with Tom. He’s still in bed. I was just fixing him something to eat."

"I need to examine him," he told her. "If he’s doing better, I might let him get up and move around. Nothing too rough but he can walk. How’s it going with Tom and Jarrod?"

"Go on in," she said and showed him to Jarrod’s bedroom. "That’s music to my ears. Tom’s calmer around Jarrod. I think the worst is over."

"Good morning," he replied as he walked into the room.

"Doc," Tom told him.

"I need to see how Jarrod’s ribs are," the doctor said.

The doctor walked over to Jarrod. He looked down at the boy.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Better," Jarrod answered. "Father, will you stay with me?"

"You bet," Tom said.

The doctor smiled at Tom and Jarrod’s comments. He was genuinely happy that whatever had happened between them earlier had been cleared up. The doctor examined Jarrod’s cracked ribs. When he pressed on them, the boy cried some but not as bad as the day before. The doctor smiled.

"They’re healing nicely," the doctor said. "I want you to take it easy. But you can get out of bed. No running, jumping, riding or rough housing."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied.

"Keep him quiet Tom," the doctor told him. "He needs to heal. He’ll be good as new in a few days. I’ll come by on Saturday and see how he is. I’d keep him out of school for the rest of the week."

"I will," Tom said. "Doc, can he take a trip Monday?"

"To where?" the doctor asked.

"Denver," Tom answered. "My parents live there. I wanted to take the boys to see them. I know that Jarrod will miss a week of school but I don’t think it will hurt."

"I don’t see any problem with that," the doctor said. "Just make sure that he doesn’t do anything to hurt them."

"I will," Tom replied.

The doctor left the room and Tom helped Jarrod get dressed. They walked out of the room and into the parlor.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I’m glad you’re ok."

"Me too," Jarrod replied. "Did you really mean that you want to take Nick and me to see our grandparents?"

"Yes son," Tom told him. "I want to leave the first of the week. You’ll miss a week of school but it will be a rewarding trip for me and for you."

"Yippee!" Nick said.

"I’m with you little brother," Jarrod replied. "Yippee!"

"That takes care of that," Tom told them. "I’ll wire father and tell him we’re coming. Jarrod, remember what the doctor said. No roughhousing with Nick."

"Yes sir," Jarrod said smiling. "Come on Nick. Let’s go play in the barn."

"I’m right behind you," Nick replied and followed his brother out the door.

"Tom," Victoria told him, "he’s a changed boy. And you’re a changed man. I don’t know what happened but I’m glad it did. Jarrod looks up to you and it hurt him deeply that you stopped loving him and were always fussing at him for one thing or the other."

"I never stopped loving him," Tom said. "I just had a problem showing my love and holding him. Also, I couldn’t control my anger around him. It aggravated me when he didn't do as he was told. But that’s behind me I hope and I’m ready to go on."

"Good," she replied. "You better go and keep a eye on those boys. You know how rough they can be."

"That I will do," he told her and left the house.

"Welcome back Tom," Victoria said and smiled.

Tom found the boys in the barn playing. They were rolling in the hay. He walked over to them.

"Jarrod," he said, "you be careful with those ribs young man."

"Yes father," Jarrod replied. "I’m not doing anything rough."

"All right," he told him. Don’t forget."

"I won’t," Jarrod said.

Tom went to work out in the corral. He had to learn to control his temper around his son until he could talk to his father and Jim. Maybe they could help him deal with the fact that he had an affair with a woman while he was in Strawberry. One thing was for sure. He could never tell Victoria what had happened. It would ruin both their lives. He could hear the boys from the barn. He knew they were having a good time. He smiled to himself. Then as the morning went on and Tom began to think about things, the anger resurfaced. He walked back into the barn and looked at his two sons.

"Jarrod," Tom said angrily, "I want a word with you outside."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I’ll be right back Nick."

"All right," Nick told him.

Jarrod walked outside and looked at his father. Tom reached over and grabbed his son by his arm and dragged him behind the barn.

"I told you yesterday you would be punished for fighting," Tom said.

"But father," Jarrod replied trying to control his own anger. "There were three of them."

"That’s no excuse," Tom told him. "Turn around."

"Yes sir," Jarrod said and did as he was told.

Tom reached over and smacked Jarrod on the seat of his britches several times.

"I don’t want to hurt your injured ribs," he said. "But if you fight again, I’ll really wear you out."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and went back to Nick.

Jarrod knew that his father was really trying but he was still having a hard time controlling his anger. Jarrod kept his guard up.

"How’s Jarrod?" she asked.

"He and Nick are playing in the barn," Tom answered and the anger had abated. "Although I haven’t heard them in a while. Maybe we better check on them."

"Yes we better," Victoria said.

The two of them walked to the barn door and peered inside. They smiled. Jarrod and Nick were playing with small wooden pieces. Each would take a turn knocking them down with a piece of rope by whipping it at the pieces. The boys looked up when they saw their parents.

"Nick’s beating me," Jarrod said as he walked over, a little leery of his father. "I can’t seem to get them knocked down."

"Yeah," Nick replied as he too walked over. "I just have the knack for it."

"Jarrod," Victoria told him, "I want you to come in and rest till lunch."

"Yes mother," Jarrod said and hung his head.

"Jarrod," Nick replied, "don’t worry. I’ll come in too."

"Great," Jarrod told him and the boys bounded toward the house.

Tom just shook his head at the love and caring between the two brothers. He remembered when he was Jarrod’s age, the love between he and Jim. He smiled.

"A penny for your thoughts," Victoria said.

"I was just thinking about Jim and me when we were Jarrod and Nick’s age," he replied. "Victoria, I can’t tell you how bad I feel about the way I’ve been treating Jarrod. He’s a fine boy."

"Speaking of our sons I had better go in and save the house from them," she told him and laughed. "It’s all right Tom. Let’s not think about it any longer."

"You’re right," Tom said.

She walked toward the house. When she walked inside, Jarrod and Nick were sitting in the floor and Jarrod was reading a book to Nick. She interrupted him.

"Jarrod," she said, "come here honey."

"I’ll be right back," he replied as he stood up and walked over to his mother.

"I want you to lay down on the couch until lunch," she told him. "You’ve still got two injured ribs and you’ve played long enough."

"All right," he said and walked over to the couch.

Nick walked over with him. Jarrod climbed up gingerly because he was having a little trouble using his left arm and laid down. Victoria brought him a pillow and a blanket. She noticed that he was having trouble with his arm. Nick climbed up too and laid down beside Jarrod.

"Nick," she asked, "what are you doing?"

"I’m staying with Jarrod," he answered.

"It’s all right mother," Jarrod said and smiled. "He won’t bother me."

"All right," she replied. "I want you to rest. What’s wrong with your arm?"

"Yes mother," Jarrod told her. "My arm?"

"Your arm," she said.

"I hurt it a little outside," he replied.

"Are you sure you hurt it?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"All right," she said.

Victoria had a pretty good idea how his arm had been injured. She decided not to question him further but she would speak to Tom about it as soon as possible. Jarrod, lying quietly finally closed his eyes. Nick looking over at his brother, smiled. Then he laid his head down and closed his eyes too. Victoria looked down at her two sons and smiled. Tom came in a short time later. He looked around for the boys and spotted them asleep on the couch. He smiled.

"Nick is resting too," he said.

"Yes," she replied. "He wanted to stay with Jarrod. Tom, did you hurt Jarrod’s arm?"

"I’m very lucky to have two wonderful sons like Jarrod and Nick," he told her. "I almost destroyed that love. But maybe now I can fix it. At least I hope so. Jarrod’s arm?"

"His arm," she said waiting on a reply from Tom.

"Yes," Tom replied. "I was punishing him for fighting and I guess I pulled it too hard. Nick, Jarrod. Wake up boys. It’s time for lunch."

"Don’t do it again," she told him.

"I won’t," he said.

Both boys opened their eyes and looked up at their father. They wiped the sleep from their eyes and got up.

"I’m starved," Nick said.

"You’re always starved," Jarrod replied. "I’ll beat you to the table."

"No you won’t," Nick told him.

"Easy Jarrod," Tom said. "You can’t run, remember."

"I know," Jarrod replied. "I’ll walk."

Nick easily beat him to the table.

"Where are the boys?" he asked.

"They’re in the barn," she answered. "They wanted to do their chores before you left."

"I’ll go check on them," he said.

Tom walked out to the barn. He saw the boys finishing up their chores. Jarrod was a little slower because of the damaged ribs but he was doing them. Tom felt the anger trying to resurface and fought it down for the moment.

"You two about ready to leave?" he asked.

"Almost," Nick answered. "We’re just finishing up."

"The train leaves at eight," Tom said.

"We’re coming," Jarrod replied.

The three of them left the barn together and headed for the house.

"Tom," Victoria said as he came in to pick up his bags, "I hope you can work everything out between you and Jarrod. He needs his father."

"I do too," he replied. "That’s one reason I’m going home."

"Jarrod," she told him, "you and your brother have a good time and I’ll see you at the end of the week."

"We will mother," Jarrod said and smiled at his mother.

She hugged and kissed both of them. Tom and the two boys climbed up into the buggy, heading for Stockton. Arriving in town, Tom left the buggy at the livery stable. Heading for the train station, they boarded and took their seats. The train pulled out and they were on their way.

"Tommy," Jim said as he embraced his brother. "It’s been too long."

"Yeah," Tom replied and returned the embrace. "How’s mother and father?"

"Fine," Jim told him as he helped Tom gather their bags. "These can’t be your boys."

"Jarrod," Tom said, "Nick, this is your Uncle Jim."

"Pleased to meet you sir," Jarrod replied and shook hands with his uncle.

"Hi," Nick told him and also shook hands with him.

"I’m glad to meet both of you," Jim said and smiled. "Well, you ready to head home?"

"Yeah," Tom replied.

They climbed into the buggy. Jarrod sat in the back with Nick away from his father. Jim sensing the tension between Tom and his son, didn’t say anything about it. They arrived at the farm thirty minutes later. Charles and Sarah Barkley lived on three hundred acres of beautiful farmland outside of Denver. They lived in a two-story white house with a large parlor, a study, three bedrooms, a kitchen with a pantry, and indoor plumbing. There was also a porch with rocking chairs and a swing. Charles had several sheep, along with cows, goats, chickens, pigs and horses. Charles was a man about seventy with white hair and beard. Sarah was a woman about the same height as Victoria. She was in her late sixties.

"Tom," his mother said as she hurried out of the house, "it’s good to see you."

"Mother," Tom replied and hugged her, "it’s been too long. I hope you are well."

"Son," Charles told him, "how long are going to stay?"

"Father," Tom said and embraced him. "A week if that’s all right."

"It most certainly is," his mother replied. "Are these your boys?"

"Yes," Tom told them. "Jarrod and Nick."

"Pleased to meet you grandmother and grandfather," Jarrod said, smiling.

"Me too," Nick replied.

"Come here and give your grandmother a big hug," she told them.

The boys hugged her and then they went to look around. Tom watched Jarrod leave and the anger surfaced again. Charles and Jim both noticed it but said nothing about it. They just glanced at each other.

"Father," Tom asked, "can I speak to you about something important?"

"Yes," Charles answered. "Can it wait for a while? I need to ride out to the alfalfa field first."

"Yeah," Tom said and followed his sons.

Jarrod and Nick were exploring the farm. Jarrod accidentally ran into Nick, who had stopped to admire a beautiful horse, and knocked him down.

"Sorry Nick," Jarrod said.

"It’s all right," Nick replied getting up and dusting himself off.

"Jarrod," Tom told him, the anger evident in his voice and on his face, "you did that on purpose."

"No sir," Jarrod said realizing that his father was as angry as he had ever seen him in the past. "I didn’t."

"Yes you did," Tom replied. "I’m going to punish you for that."

"Please," Jarrod begged. "Don’t hit me. I didn’t mean too. I won’t do it again."

"Come here young man," Tom told him.

Jarrod slowly walked over to his father, who was standing close to the corral. When he stood right in front of him, Tom looked down at the frightened boy.

"Why do you keep antagonizing me?" Tom asked unbuckling his belt. "Do you get pleasure out of it is that it?"

"No sir," Jarrod answered beginning to cry.

"Stand right there and don’t move," Tom said.

Jarrod stood right in front of his father. Jim had walked up and was watching Tom with his son.

"Take your shirt off Jarrod," Tom said. "Now!"

Jarrod did as he was told. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and then removed it.

"Turn around," Tom said.

Jarrod turned around with his bare back to his father. Tom pulled his belt out of his pants and doubled it up. Then he moved to the side of Jarrod.

"I’m going to teach you to listen when I tell you something," Tom said. "You just have to keep making me mad. Well, it’s going to stop, do you hear?"

Then he took the belt and began to whip Jarrod. The boy began to really cry as the belt smacked against his unprotected skin.

"Stop crying," Tom said very angry. "You’re acting like a baby."

I can’t!" Jarrod cried. "It hurts! Please stop!"

Jarrod tried to stop crying but it hurt too much. Tom kept whipping his bare back. The boy was really crying now. When Jim realized that his brother wasn’t going to stop, he physically pulled Tom back and punched him right in the face.

"What’s wrong with you?" Jim asked. "That’s your son you’re hitting. Look at his back Tom. Look!"

Tom looked up at his brother, who was a few inches taller, after he picked himself off the ground where the punch had sent him and looked over at his son. Jarrod’s back was a mass of red welts. He looked at his son and then his brother.

"I’m so sorry son," Tom said. "I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"You always say that you are going to stop but you never do," Jarrod replied still crying. "I didn’t mean to run into Nick and knock him down. I said I was sorry. You’ll do it again. I don’t believe your apologies anymore."

Tom backhanded him and sent him to the ground. Jarrod stood up and was visibly shaking with rage at his father.

"Don’t you yell at me!" Jarrod shouted.

"Put your shirt back on," Tom said.

Jarrod obeyed even though his back was raw and the material of the shirt made the pain worse along with the dirt that had gotten into the cuts.

"Leave me alone!" Jarrod yelled at him. "Don’t touch me again or I’ll hit you!"

Tom slapped him on the side of the face again. Nick came over and tried to stop Tom.

"Father," Nick said, "stop you’re going to hurt Jarrod."

He just shoved the boy away.

"Don’t you yell at me," Tom said and physically shook the boy. "Do you hear me?"

Again Jim pulled Tom away from his son.

"Leave me alone," Tom said. "That boy has to be taught a lesson."

"No!" Jim shouted. "You touch that boy again and I’ll beat the living daylights out of you. What is wrong with you? You’re treating that boy like a sack of grain. That’s your son Tom."

"Yeah," Tom said. "He’s my son and I’ll punish him when he needs it."

"Not here," Jim shot back. "You’re going to treat that boy with kindness and love or you won’t be allowed to see him."

"You can’t!" Tom yelled.

"Don’t temp me!" Jim shouted.

Their mother had heard the commotion outside and walked out to see what was going on.

"What’s going on out here?" she asked.

"Nothing," Tom answered.

"Nothing," Jim said. "Mother, look at Jarrod’s back."

She walked over to the frightened and angry boy. She lifted his shirt up and took a look. She grimaced when she saw his raw back.

"Tom," she asked, "did you do that?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because he wouldn’t listen to me," he answered.

"You stay away from that boy," she said. "Do you hear me?"

"Yeah," Tom replied and walked off.

"What’s wrong with him?" she asked.

"He’s been angry with Jarrod for a year," Nick answered. "Ever since he went to the mine."

"What mine?" Jim asked.

"Strawberry," Jarrod said while wiping away his tears.

"Come on Jarrod," his grandmother replied. "I want to get some medicine on those welts."

"All right," Jarrod said, following her into the house.

"Nick," Jim asked, "has Tom ever hit you or yelled at you?"

"No," Nick answered. "Is Jarrod ok?"

"Yeah," Jim said. "Mother will make his back a lot better."

"What happened?" he asked when he walked into the house. "Where did you get those marks on your back?"

"From his father," Sarah answered.

"Tom?" he asked. "Why?"

"I don’t know," she answered. "You need to talk to Jim. Because if he isn’t stopped, he could seriously injure this boy."

"All right," he said and left the house.

"Does that feel better Jarrod?" she asked as she put soothing medicine on his back.

"Yes grandmother," Jarrod answered. "Thank you."

"You lay down and rest," she said. "Here, take a little of this medicine."

Jarrod took the medicine lying down on the couch. He was not wearing his shirt so the medicine could help the welts on his back. He drifted off to sleep on his side with his grandmother sitting in the chair beside of him. She couldn’t believe what her own son had just done but she was bound and determined to find out before the day was over.

Charles found Jim leaning against the corral fence. Jim was still shaking with anger at what his younger brother had done to his own son. Charles walked over and put an arm around his son’s shoulders. Jim looked over at him.

"Father," he said, "I just busted Tom in the face after he whipped his own son with a belt."

"You did?" Charles asked. "What’s wrong with that boy?"

"I don’t know," Jim answered. "But we had better find out soon before he hurts that boy badly."

"Where is Tom?" Charles asked.

"He went for a walk," Jim answered.

"I think I know where he went," Charles said. "Come on."

The two of them took off walking. They went to an old caretaker’s shack about a half a mile down the road from the house, that the boys used to play in when they were young. Sitting inside was Tom. He had been crying and was angry with himself over what he had done to his son.

"Tom," Charles asked as they walked up, "will you tell me what’s going on? Jim said you took a belt to Jarrod."

"I did," Tom answered. "Will you please help me father?"

"Yes," he said, "if I can.

"It all started over a year ago when I went to a small mining town called Strawberry," Tom replied. "Victoria and I owned a mine there and I wanted to check on it’s progress so I could see if I wanted to keep it or sell it. I eventually ended up selling it. I was beaten very badly by some miners and robbed shortly after I arrived. A beautiful, young woman named Leah Thomson nursed me back to health but it took many months. I didn’t mean to but I fell in love with her. After I was completely well, I realized that I loved Victoria and the boys. I left Strawberry after writing her a letter. I told her that she was destined to be a mother. She should meet someone and fall in love. She should get married and have children. After I returned home, I was very distant. Then every time I saw Jarrod, he would remind me so much of his mother and I would get very angry about falling in love with Leah that I guess I took it out on him."

"So that’s it," Jim told him. "You never told Victoria, did you?"

"No," Tom said. "I couldn’t. It would have broken her heart. So I kept it inside of me and it ate away at me until finally, it came out aimed right at Jarrod. I yelled at him for nothing. I even hit him a month ago. But until today I had never really hurt him. Then I took that belt and whipped my own son. I whipped my own son."

"Tom," Charles replied, "are you going to tell Victoria?"

"No," Tom told him. "There is nothing to worry about. She’s not pregnant. It was just a mistake."

"All right," Charles said. "The first thing we have to do is to get this anger under control. How do you feel now son?"

"Relieved," Tom replied. "I have finally gotten it off of my chest and it feels wonderful. I am so sorry about what I’ve done but I’m not sure how to fix it."

"Good," Charles told him. "Now, we have to fix the rift between you and Jarrod. I don’t condone what you did. But that’s behind us. What we have to do is go on. Maybe sometime you can tell her. And I am certainly glad there were no children involved."

"I am too," Tom said. "I didn’t set out to fall in love with Leah. It just happened."

"I said I understood," Charles replied.

Tom began to cry when he thought of his young son with that blistered back. Charles sat down beside of him and held him tightly. Then Jim walked over and sat down on the other side and held him too. The anger was gone and genuine love was all he felt for his tortured brother.

"It’s all right Tom," Jim said. "You’re going to get through this. We’ll help all we can so you can get on with your life and enjoy your son."

"That’s why I wanted to come," Tom replied. "I was hoping you could help me get this out into the open."

The three of them sat together for over an hour talking and working through Tom’s feelings. Finally, they stood and headed for the house. Charles and Jim were not happy about the affair but it was something that Tom would have to handle. Right now, they wanted to help fix the relationship between a father and his son. Tom felt like he had had a gigantic burden lifted off of his shoulders. He smiled at his father and brother. It was a genuine smile and his father and brother knew that it was. Now would come the toughest job Tom had ever faced, repairing the damage to the relationship with his oldest son. But Tom knew that now he could talk to his son and not get upset or angry. He just hoped that Jarrod could find it in his heart to forgive his father.

"Father," he asked, "why did you hurt Jarrod?"

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "I was mad. I know that’s no excuse. I need to know where Jarrod is."

"In the parlor with grandmother," Nick replied. "He was hurting very badly."

"You wait here," Tom told him. "I need to talk to Jarrod and your grandmother alone."

Nick nodded and the three men walked to the parlor. When they walked into the room where Jarrod was, Louise looked up.

"Tom," she said.

"Mother," he replied, "how’s Jarrod?"

"He’s hurt and angry," she told him. "Why son?"

"It’s a long story," he said as he moved over to the couch and knelt down beside his son. "Jarrod, I love you son. I’m very sorry that I whipped you. I know you can never forgive me for what I’ve done but at least know that I am asking for forgiveness from you. And maybe someday we can be father and son again. I’m very sorry."

Jarrod opened his eyes and looked up at his father. He saw the genuine hurt in Tom’s blue eyes. He knew his father meant every word he said.

"Father," Jarrod said, "I love you and I want you to love me for who I am not just for being your son. I’m not a rancher and I never will be. Nick will handle that. But you have to understand that I am Jarrod Barkley and not a sack of grain to be yelled at or hit."

"I know that now son," Tom replied. "I will never lay a hand on you for the rest of my life and that’s a promise. Please forgive me son."

Jarrod thought about it a few minutes and then with tears in his own blue eyes he said four words that Tom had wanted to hear.

"I forgive you sir," Jarrod said and smiled.

"Thank you son," Tom replied.

He reached over and helped his son to sit up. Then he held him. He was easy on the boy’s raw back but he held his son and Jarrod could tell that he meant every word he had said.

"I love you father," Jarrod said. "I’m glad you’re my father."

"Thank you son," Tom replied. "I love you too and I’m glad you’re my son."

Charles, Sarah and Jim smiled as the relationship between a father and a son was being mended right in front of them. Nick walked into the room and when he saw his father and brother, he also smiled.

"Everything’s all right now," Nick said. "I have my father and my brother together again."

"You sure do," Tom replied and picked Nick up. "And nothing will ever tear it apart."

The three of them hugged each other and laughed for the first time in over a year.

"Jarrod," Tom said as the two of them headed for the fishing hole, "we’ll be going home in a couple of days. I was wondering if you were going to tell your mother about what happened the other day."

"No sir," Jarrod replied. "I think it would only make her sad and right now I don’t want to see sad people. It’s behind us and we won’t talk about it anymore."

"All right," Tom told him.

The two of them fished for the entire afternoon. When they walked back into the house, Charles and Sarah was waiting on them.

"How did it go?" Charles asked.

"Here’s enough fish for supper," Tom answered. "Jarrod caught the majority of them."

"That’s great," Sarah said. "Tom, Jarrod, we want to talk to you."

"What about?" Tom asked.

"Well son," Charles answered. "We were wondering if the boys could spend the summer with us. It would give them a chance to have fun and you a chance to heal."

"I don’t know," Tom said. "It’ll have to be the boys’ decision."

"All right," Charles replied. "What do you think Jarrod?"

"I don’t know," Jarrod told him. "I’ll have to talk it over with Nick first."

"That’ll be fine," Louise said.

Jarrod went outside to find Nick and talk to him about staying all summer here. Tom looked at his parents.

"I know why you’re doing this," he said. "I really appreciate the gesture. It’s still going to take a lot of time to mend the fence between Jarrod and myself but I really want to. He’s a special boy and someday he will be a great man."

"You need time to work through your problems son," Charles replied. "This way the boys will not be involved. Jarrod’s already been physically hurt badly once and we don’t want it to happen again."

"I know," Tom told him. "Whatever they decide to do."

Jarrod found his brother at the corral fence watching a black stallion running. Nick loved horses and he was a pretty good judge of them even at such a young age.

"Nick," Jarrod said as he walked up, "I’ve been looking all over for you."

"I’m right here," Nick replied.

"Grandmother and Grandfather want to know if we’ll stay the summer with them," Jarrod told him.

"They do?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered. "I told them I would talk it over with you first."

"What do you want to do?" Nick asked.

"I’m not sure," Jarrod answered. "Father has not yelled at me or hit me since the incident with the belt but that doesn’t mean he won’t.

"You’re still afraid of father aren’t you?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered. "He could go off any minute. I don’t know what to do."

"I would say that if we stayed he wouldn’t bother you and you could be happy," Nick said. "I’ll do whatever you want to do."

"I want to but I don’t want to," Jarrod replied. "I’m scared Nick."

"Let’s stay," Nick told him. "If you get too homesick for mother we can go home."

"All right," Jarrod said and smiled.

The two boys walked into the house. Charles, Sarah and Tom were sitting in the parlor.

"Did you decide?" Tom asked.

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered. "We’d like to stay."

"Splendid," Sarah said. "We’ll have a good time."

"If we get homesick," Nick replied, "we can go home."

"You sure can," Charles told them.

"Well it’s going to be a lonely trip home," Tom said, smiling. "But I’ll know that you two are having a wonderful time. And I’ll talk to Mrs. Carter about missing the last two weeks of schoolboys. I’m sure there won’t be any problem."

"Thanks father," Nick replied.

"Where are the boys?" Tom asked as he walked into the room. "It’s getting late and they should be getting ready for bed."

"They’re outside in the barn Tom," Charles answered. "They wanted to take care of the stock."

"They’re not afraid of hard work," Tom said and smiled. "I guess they learned that from me. Although in Jarrod’s case, I kept him hopping with work all the time just about. I’m surprised he even wants to step foot in the barn."
"They’ve learned a lot from you son," Charles replied. "They are very well behaved, smart, and loving. I know that some of it came from their mother but some came from you too. You’re a wonderful father to those boys and it shows."

"I hope so," Tom told them. "I still can’t believe what I put Jarrod through for over a year. No wonder he didn’t have any fun, I wouldn’t let him. But that’s behind us and we need to go forward."

"Tom," Sarah asked, "what time does your train leave in the morning?"

"Ten," he answered. "I wanted to spend a little more time with my sons. It sure is going to be quiet around the ranch without them. But they will be having a wonderful time with you."

"It will also give you a chance to tell Victoria," Jim said.

"I can’t," Tom replied. "I just can’t tell her. It would tear her apart."

"I know," Charles told him. "But she has to know sooner or later."

"Yeah," Tom said, "but not right now."

The boys walked into the room and smiled.

"Did you get all the stock taken care of?" Jim asked.

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered. "With the two of us working together, we finished up in half the time it would have taken one of us."

Jarrod looked right at Tom when he said it. Tom nodded at his son.

"I know son," Tom said. "You are a wonderful boy and you’re going to be a famous man when you are grown."

"You really think so?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes I do," Tom answered.

"Thank you," Jarrod replied and smiled.

"Come on you two," Tom told them. "It’s time to go to bed."

"All right," Nick said. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Jarrod replied.

The boys along with their father went upstairs. Tom waited until his boys had changed into their nightshirts and then he tucked them into bed.

"Father," Nick said, "thank you for letting us stay."

"You’re welcome son," Tom replied. "It will be a wonderful experience for you and Jarrod."

"Jarrod needs to be happy," Nick told him.

"I know he does," Tom said and smiled.

Tom walked into Jarrod’s room. He was already in bed and looked up as his father came into view.

"You’ve had a big day," Tom said. "I’ll bet you’re very tired."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "Father, I love you."

"I love you son," Tom told him and reached over and hugged him.

Then Tom walked downstairs. He sat down in the parlor.

"Did you get the boys tucked in?" Charles asked.

"Yeah," Tom answered. "I think they are going to be fine now. Although I’m still a little concerned about Jarrod."

"What do you mean?" Sarah asked.

"He’s very close to his mother," Tom answered. "It’s just possible that he will miss her while he’s here."

"I’ll make sure to keep an eye on him about that," Sarah said. "Try not to worry."

Tom nodded.

"Son," Charles asked, "are you ready to leave?"

"Yeah," Tom answered. "I’m really going to miss these two."

"We’re going to miss you," Nick said. "But you’ll get along without us."

"I know," Tom replied. "You boys mind your grandparents and Jim."

"We will father," Jarrod told him. "I hope we can be close again sir."

"I’m sure we can son," Tom said and smiled. "What happened between us is in the past and will not surface again."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied. "I love you sir."

"I love you Jarrod," Tom told him.

"Goodbye father," Nick said and hugged his father tightly.

"Take care," Tom replied.

Tom didn’t attempt to hug Jarrod. He didn’t feel that the boy was ready just yet. He shook hands with him instead.

"Is there anything you want to tell your mother before I leave?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "Tell mother that I love her, miss her and will see her very soon."

"All right," he said. "What about you Nick?"

"Tell her that I love her," Nick replied.

"You bet," Tom told them. "Mother, father, Jim. Take care of my boys."

"Don’t worry Tom," Sarah said. "They’ll have a wonderful time."

Tom hugged his parents and his brother. Then Jim drove him to the train station. Jarrod went to the barn. He wanted to be alone and he felt safe here. He looked at the horses his grandparents had. Nick walked in a few minutes later.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah," Jarrod answered. "I just wanted to be alone for a while."

"I don’t blame you," Nick said. "Isn’t it great here?"

"I guess so," Jarrod replied.

"What’s bothering you?" Nick asked concerned.

"I guess I’m homesick," Jarrod answered. "I’ve never been away from mother for this long."

"You want to go home?" Nick asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "I’ll be all right."

"You want to go riding?" Nick asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take a walk alone."

"I don’t mind," Nick said and watched as Jarrod walked away.

"Where’s Jarrod going?" Charles asked.

"For a walk," Nick answered. "I think he’s homesick."

"He’ll be all right," Charles said.

"I hope so," Nick replied.

Jarrod needed to be alone. He was having trouble being so far away from his mother. He knew he was being a baby but he really loved his mother and missed her. This was the first time he had been away from her. She had always been very supportive of him. And he appreciated that so much.

"Mother," he said to himself, "I wish you were here. I miss you so much."

Jim came riding up along side of Jarrod after taking Tom to town to catch the train for Stockton.

"Are you all right Jarrod?" Jim asked. "I was a little concerned about you."

"Yeah," Jarrod answered. "I just needed to be alone Uncle Jim. I miss mother and I figured that everyone would laugh at me for being such a baby by wanting my mother around."

"We don’t feel that way," Jim said. "We love you and Nick very much and want you two to be happy and feel right at home here."

"Thank you Uncle Jim," Jarrod replied. "I do to a certain degree but I’m still homesick."

"Why don’t you climb up here and we’ll ride back to the farmhouse together," Jim suggested.

"All right," Jarrod told him.

Jim reached down and pulled Jarrod up. He sat the boy in front of him on his horse, Beemer. Then the two of them rode back toward the farmhouse. Jim noticed that Jarrod had begun to relax a little more since his father had left. It would definitely take time to mend the fence between Jarrod and Tom. But Jim knew his brother and he knew that Tom would never give up till he had Jarrod trusting him again. He still wished that Tom would tell Victoria about what happened when he went to Strawberry.

"Uncle Jim," Jarrod asked, "what was father like when he was my age?"

"Tom was a headstrong boy," Jim answered. "He was forever getting into one jam after another. I used to get so angry with him for getting into trouble. I was always the one who had to bail him out of it. He never listened to me."

"He sounds a little like Nick," Jarrod said, smiling. "I sometimes have to help him out of jams he gets into but I don’t mind really. After all he is my younger brother."

"I would say that your father and Nick are close in temperament and the love of horses," Jim replied. "But you also have a lot of Tom in you Jarrod."

"What is father’s full name?" Jarrod asked.

"Thomas Charles Barkley," Jim answered. "And mine is James Alexander Barkley after my mother’s father."

"Wow," Jarrod said. "I didn’t realize that father was named after grandfather."

"Yes," Jim replied.

"I’m named after father," Jarrod told him. "Jarrod Thomas Barkley."

"I didn’t know," Jim said and smiled. "That’s a proud name Jarrod."

"I know it is sir," Jarrod replied. "Uncle Jim, do you know why father was rough on me?"

The question caught Jim completely off-guard. He knew he couldn’t tell the boy the truth until Tom told Victoria.

"No," Jim said. "I have no idea why Tom was so rough on you."

Jim hated to lie to the boy but if he told him the truth, he might tell his mother and then Tom’s life could be ruined. Tom would have to be the one to tell his wife and sons.

"Are you all right sir?" Jarrod asked as they rode up to the barn. "I didn’t mean to anger you."

"Yes," Jim answered. "I’m not mad Jarrod. I was just caught off-guard by your question, that’s all."

"Oh," Jarrod said. "You have a very nice horse."

"You think so," Jim replied.

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him and smiled.

"How would you like to have him to ride as long as you’re here?" Jim asked.

"You really mean it?" Jarrod wanted to know.

"Yes," Jim answered.

"I would love it sir," Jarrod said and smiled.

"Now," Jim replied, "you have to promise to take very good care of him."

"I will sir," Jarrod told him.

"All right," Jim said.

The two dismounted and walked into the farmhouse. Sarah met them.

"Are you two hungry?" she asked.

"Yes ma’am," Jim answered.

"No grandmother," Jarrod said and went upstairs.

"Now what’s gotten into him?" she asked.

"He’s homesick," Jim answered. "Just give him some time. I’m letting him ride Beemer while he’s here to help cheer him up. That boy really misses his mother."

"I will," she said. "I don’t doubt it Jim. She’s a wonderful mother and very caring. I see where Jarrod gets a lot of his personality. He’ll be fine in a few days.

In the parlor, Jim sat with his parents.

"I gave Jarrod Beemer to ride as long as he stays," Jim said. "I think he could use a friend right now."

"That was so sweet of you son," Charles replied.

"I felt like I owed that boy something because of the way he was treated by Tom," Jim told them. "Jarrod also asked me why his father was so mad at him."

"What did you tell him?" Charles asked very concerned.

"I told him I didn’t know," Jim answered. "I didn’t want to upset him. I figured that it was Tom’s place to explain not mine."

"That’s good," Charles said.

Nick had turned in shortly after Jarrod. Sarah walked upstairs and decided to check on the boys. She opened Nick’s bedroom door first. He was asleep. Then she walked to Jarrod’s room. When she opened the door, she heard him crying. She walked over to the bed and looked down at her oldest grandson.

"Jarrod," she asked, "what’s wrong sweetheart?"

"I miss mother," he answered. "She’s always been there when I needed her."

"She’s a wonderful mother," Sarah said. "I know that she misses you."

"I know I’m acting just like a baby wanting his mother," Jarrod replied.

"You are not acting like a baby," she told him. "Who told you that?"

"Father," Jarrod said. "One time when he was really mad at me. He’s called me useless and a baby."

"Oh Jarrod," she replied. "I’m so sorry. I know that had to hurt but everything will be all right. I promise it will."

"I hope so," he told her.

"Aren’t you tired Jarrod?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"Would you like for me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

Sarah covered him up and then sat down in the chair beside of the bed. Jarrod’s eyes closed and he was asleep. Sarah just sat there and looked at her handsome grandson. When she was sure he was asleep, she left the room and walked back downstairs.

"How are the boys?" Charles asked as she sat down.

"Nick’s asleep," she answered, "but Jarrod was crying. He really misses Victoria. He also told me that Tom called him a baby and useless when he was upset with him."

"That’s terrible," Charles said. "That boy is not useless or a baby."

"I told him that," she replied. "But he has a lot of healing to do. Tom mentally abused him as well as physically."

"Yeah," Charles told her. "Maybe we can help him begin to heal while he’s here. At least we can try."

"Yes," she said. "At least we can try."

"Nick," Charles asked as the younger boy walked down the stairs, "would you like to go with Jim and me? We’re going to do some work out in one of the pastures."

"Yes sir," Nick answered.

"Good," Jim said and smiled.

When Jarrod walked down to the kitchen, Nick told him the news.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I’m going to help grandfather and Jim today."

"That’s great," Jarrod replied. "I’m happy for you."

"Do you want to go?" Nick asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "Thanks anyway."

"All right," Nick said as the three of them left the house.

Jarrod sat down at the table and looked at his food. He still didn’t have much of an appetite. Sarah noticed that Jarrod was not eating.

"Jarrod," she asked, "is anything wrong?"

"No," he answered. "I’m just not very hungry."

"You need to eat something," she said. "You didn’t eat much yesterday."

"I’m just not hungry," he replied and walked back upstairs.

She watched him walk into his room and close the door. She knew it was worse than she had thought. Jarrod was hiding from something. She stood up and walked up the stairs to Jarrod’s room. She knocked on the door.

"Jarrod," she said, "let me in."

"It’s open," he replied.

She slowly opened the door and walked inside. Jarrod was sitting on his bed looking out the window. He didn’t even turn when she walked in. She walked over where she could see his face. He was crying again. She sat down on the bed beside of him and put her arm around him. He laid his head on her shoulder.

"Jarrod," she asked, "please tell me what’s wrong?"

"I’m scared grandmother," he answered.

"What are you scared of?" she asked.

"I don’t want to disappoint father again," he answered. "Then he’ll get mad and yell at me. And make me do chores."

"No he won’t," she said. "Your father loves you."

"Maybe before he went to Strawberry," Jarrod replied, "but not since."

"That’s not true," she told him. "He really cares about you and Nick."

"I know he loves Nick," he said. "Nick is just like him."

"So are you," she replied. "I can see it."

"Thanks," he told her. "But it’s no use. I’m just not happy any longer."

"What would make you happy?" she asked.

The question took him by surprise. He really didn’t have a definite answer. He thought about it and finally came to a decision.

"I want to be loved, hugged and understood," he answered. "By my father."

"Oh Jarrod," she said. "He does love you."

"No he doesn’t," he replied. "He left without hugging me. He hasn’t told me much that he loves me and he never has understood me. I’m not going to be a rancher like him. I just don’t care to. I know that angers him. But I can’t help it. I want father to accept me for who I am not who he wants me to be."

She thought about what he had just said. She left his room and the house. She saddled a horse and rode out to the meadow where Charles, Jim and Nick were working. When they saw her coming, Charles was very worried.

"Sarah," he asked, "what’s wrong?"

"It’s Jarrod," she answered. "I know what’s wrong with him."

"You do?" Jim asked. "Well?"

"I tried to get him to eat something but he refused and went back to his room," she began. "In the course of the conversation we had in his room, I asked him what would make him happy. He said for his father to love him, hug him and understand him. Tom left without hugging him yesterday. He thinks Tom’s still angry at him."

"That explains everything," Charles said. "But how do we fix it?"

"We wire Tom and get him back here," Jim replied.

"No," Sarah told them. "Tom has to come here because he wants to not because we want him to."

"But he doesn’t know," Jim said.

"I’d better get back to Jarrod," she replied and rode back to the farmhouse.

"He’ll figure it out soon," Charles told Jim. "At least I hope so."

As she walked inside she knew something was wrong. She hurried upstairs to Jarrod’s room. He was gone. All his belongings were gone too. She started to panic. She rushed out to the barn. Beemer was also gone. Jarrod had left. She started to search but didn’t have any luck. She waited until Charles and Jim came home for lunch a couple of hours later and told them.

"Jarrod’s gone," she said as they rode up. "All his clothes are gone too."

"He ran away," Nick replied. "He did it one time at home but he didn’t go very far."

"But he doesn’t know places around here like at home," Charles told them. "We’ve got to find him."

"Yeah," Jim said. "But where do we look?"

"I don’t know," Charles replied. "Jim, you look on the road toward town. Go out to the old shack. I’ll look around here and head toward the mountains."

"All right," Jim told them and left.

"What about me?" Nick asked.

"You can help me look," Charles answered. "You know your brother Nick. Maybe you can help us find him."

"Right," Nick said.

"Charles," Sarah replied, "please find him."

"Don’t worry," he told her.

Charles and Nick mounted their horses and rode off.

"Mother!" he cried. "I need you!"

He didn’t see the tree limb that hung down low until it was too late. The limb hit him right across the face and he was knocked backwards off of the horse. He hit the ground with a thud and his head hit a fair-sized rock in the road. He was knocked out. Beemer went home. Jarrod was all alone on the side of the old road.

At the Barkley Ranch, Tom was working in the barn when a feeling of dread hit him. He stopped what he was doing and tried to figure out what had caused it. He hurried into the house and began to pack. Victoria came in from working out in her garden and saw Tom.

"Tom," she asked, "what’s wrong?"

"I’m not sure," he answered. "But I have a feeling of dread. I need to see the boys."

"You’re going to Denver?" she asked.

"I have to," he answered. "I have to know what’s wrong."

"All right," she said. "Please be careful."

"I will," he replied. "I’ll wire you when I get there."

He hurried out the door and rode off. Victoria knew that something was wrong. She just prayed that Tom would make it in time.

Charles, Jim and Nick searched the rest of the day without any luck. They rode back to the farm about dusk.

"Did you find him?" Sarah asked when the three of them rode up and dismounted.

"No," Charles answered. "We looked everywhere. It’s as if he was swallowed up. We’ll go out again at first light."

"All right," she said. "I’ll fix you something to eat."

"I’m not hungry," Nick replied and went upstairs.

He walked into his brother’s room. Lying on the table beside the bed was a blue bandana that Jarrod had worn the day before. Evidentially in his haste to pack, he had overlooked it. Nick picked it up and held it. He started to cry as he realized that Jarrod was missing and he might never be found.

"Father," he said, "please help us. Jarrod is lost and he needs you."

On the train, Tom had that feeling of dread again. He knew something was definitely wrong. He prayed he would get there in time to help his sons. Finally, he got up and went to the conductor.

"I need to get off the train," he said.

"You can’t be serious," the conductor replied. "We’ll be in Denver day after tomorrow."

"That will be too late," Tom told him. "Please. My sons need me."

"All right," the conductor said. "We stop in Salida next. You can get off there."

"Thanks," Tom replied and returned to his seat.

"Where could he be?" she asked. "We have to find him."

"I know," Charles answered. "But we’ve looked everywhere we could think of."

"I don’t have any idea where to look," Jim said. "He’s gone."

"No!" Nick cried. "My brother is not dead. He’s alive and I’m going to find him."

Nick ran towards the door and opened it to reveal Tom. Nick jumped into his father’s arms.

"Tom," Charles asked, "what are you doing here?"

"I had a feeling of dread that started yesterday," he answered. "Something is wrong isn’t it?"

"Jarrod’s missing," Jim said.

"I’m going to find him," Tom replied and left the house.

Charles and Jim followed him to the barn. Jim noticed that Beemer was back.

"Jarrod was riding Beemer," he said. "Beemer’s back. Jarrod must have been thrown."

"Where have you looked?" Tom asked.

"Everywhere we could think of," Jim answered.

"Maybe not everywhere," Tom said. "Did you look down the old Matthews Creek road?"

"No," Charles replied. "Do you think he could have gone that way?"

"Yes I do," Tom told them. "I’m going to see."

"We’ll go with you," Charles said.

They saddled up and rode off. Jarrod had been gone for two days. Tom was really getting worried. Then he spotted his son’s prone body on the side of the road. He jumped from the horse and ran over to him. He cradled him in his arms.

"Jarrod," he asked, "can you hear me?"

He felt blood on the back of the boy’s head and saw the cut on the right side of his head from the limb. Tom knew he was hurt bad.

"I’ll go get the doctor," Jim said. "I’ll bring him to the house."

Tom eased his son over to his father until he could mount up. Then Tom took him in his arms and rode hard toward the farm. When they rode up, Sarah ran out of the house.

"What happened?" she asked.

"He’s got a bad bump on his head and it’s bleeding," Tom answered. "I’ll put him in bed."

Tom carried his son up to his room and laid him gently down on the bed. Charles and Sarah followed him up. Jarrod never moved. Tom looked down at him with worry and despair evident on his face. Finally, after a few minutes, Tom put the nightshirt on his son. Jarrod didn’t move. Tom was really worried.

"Father," Nick asked, "what’s wrong with Jarrod?"

"He’s got a bad bump on his head," Tom answered. "I hope he’ll be all right."

"I sure he will," Nick said.

The doctor arrived a short time later. He examined the boy and shook his head.

"It’s a bad wound," he said as he bandaged the boy’s head. "He’s lost some blood. It looks like a concussion. He’s going to be in pain if he wakes up."

"What do you mean if he wakes up?" Tom asked.

"I mean, he’s got a concussion and there’s a possibility that he won’t wake up," the doctor answered. "He’s in a coma right now. He may wake up or he may not wake up. However, if he does, he’s going to be in pain. I’m sorry I can’t be more positive."

The doctor’s words hit Tom square in the face like a giant slap. He looked down at his son. All the anger he had ever felt for the boy disappeared. Only the love and carrying remained. With a voice that was shaking with worry, Tom spoke to his son.

"Jarrod," he said, "it’s father. Wake up son. I love you and miss you. You are my life son. I’m sorry that I ever raised my voice to you or hurt you. Please son, wake up."

"Father," Jarrod whispered. "Is it really you?"

"Yes son," he replied. "It’s really me. I was so worried about you."

"Thank you for coming," Jarrod told him. "I need you father. Oh it hurts. I can’t stand it."

"I need you son," he said. "Please get better. What hurts?"

"My head," Jarrod replied. "It’s really hurting. Make it stop."

"It’s all right," the doctor told him. "I’ll give you something to stop the pain."

"Mother," Jarrod said. "Mother, I need you."

"It’s all right son," Tom replied. "Take it easy."

The doctor gave Jarrod an injection to help ease the pain. Jarrod’s eyes finally closed and he slept.

"This is what I’m talking about," the doctor told him. "He’s going to have headaches until his head heals for the next few days. I want him kept quiet."

"All right doc," Tom said. "Will he be all right?"

"I believe so," the doctor replied. "But it will take time. He took a nasty fall. The impact with the limb was bad enough but then his head hit that rock. I’ll leave some pain medicine along with something to help him rest. I’ll come back in the morning to check on him. He’s a very lucky boy."

"Yes he is," Tom told him. "Thanks doc."

"Don’t let him get up or move around much," the doctor said.

"I won’t," Tom replied.

The doctor left but Tom didn’t budge from Jarrod’s room. He sat right beside the bed. Charles and Louise knew that Tom really loved his son. Later that evening, Jarrod woke up. He looked around the strange room.

"Where am I?" he asked grimacing in pain.

"You’re in your room on the farm," Tom answered.

"Father," he asked even though the pain was unbearable, "what are you doing here?"

"I had a feeling that you needed me," Tom answered. "And I was right."

"You sure were," he said closing his eyes to the pain.

"What were you doing on that road son?" Tom asked.

"Running away," he answered still trying to hide the pain in his head. "I was scared and I needed mother so I was going home."

"You hit your head on a rock," Tom said.

"I remember," he replied finally giving in to the pain. "Please father make it stop. I can’t take it."

"Is your head hurting bad?" Tom asked.

"Yes," he answered and began to cry.

"Here," Tom said and gave the boy a spoonful of medicine.

Jarrod’s eyes finally closed and he went back to sleep. Charles and Sarah walked in and looked over at Jarrod.

"How is he?" Charles asked.

"Still in an awful lot of pain," Tom answered. "I just gave him some medicine. I wish his mother were here. She’s so good at this."

"Why don’t you rest?" Sarah asked. "You’re exhausted."

"No," Tom answered. "I can’t leave my boy. He needs me."

They understood and left the room. Jim came in as they walked down the stairs.

"How’s Jarrod?" he asked.

"He’s in a great deal of pain," Charles answered. "Tom can’t do this alone. He needs help. I wish the boy’s mother was here."

"I’ll ride into town and send a wire to her," Jim suggested. "She’d want to know that the boy was hurt."

"That’s a wonderful gesture son," Sarah said. "Jarrod has been asking for her."

"I’ll go now," Jim replied and left.

"Charles," Sarah told him, "Tom can’t keep this up. He’s completely exhausted. He needs to rest."

"He’s not going to leave that boy," Charles said.

"You’re right," Sarah replied.

"He couldn’t stay awake any longer," Sarah said. "I wish he would lay down."

"He won’t leave that boy," Charles replied. "Let’s leave them alone."

As they started to leave the room, Jarrod woke up again crying.

"It hurts," he said. "It hurts."

Charles walked over to the bed. He sat down on the bed beside of his grandson.

"Take it easy Jarrod," he said. "Do you need some more medicine?"

"No," Jarrod replied. "It’s not helping much."

"Try closing your eyes and go back to sleep," Charles suggested.

"All right," Jarrod told him and let his eyes close.

Charles sat there until he was sure that Jarrod wasn’t going to wake up again in pain. Then he stood up and left the room with Sarah. They went downstairs to the kitchen. Sarah fixed a pot of coffee, some eggs, ham and toast. She fixed a tray and took it upstairs to Jarrod’s room. Tom and Jarrod were both still asleep so she sat the tray down on the table beside the bed and left.

"Well?" Charles asked as she came down the stairs.

"They’re both asleep so I set the tray on the table," she answered. "I hope Victoria gets here soon. They both need her."

"I’m sure she’ll be here just as soon as she can," Charles said. "I know that boy hurts. I can tell by his eyes that his head is busting. I wish there was something we could do for him."

"Maybe there is," she replied. "I’ll go sit with him and you see if you can coax Tom into laying down for a while. He’s not going to do that boy any good if he’s exhausted."

"You’re right," he told her.

They both walked upstairs and into Jarrod’s room. Sarah went over to Tom and shook his shoulders gently.

"Tom," she said, "wake up son."

Tom’s eyes shot open and he looked into the eyes of his mother.

"Is Jarrod all right?" he asked.

"He’s still asleep," she answered. "I’ll sit with him. You go with your father and get some rest. No argument Tom. You won’t be any good to him if you don’t rest."

"All right," he said and stood up. "Wake me up if he comes to."

"I will," she replied and sat down in the chair.

"Come on son," Charles told him and walked him out the door.

Charles took him to their room and Tom laid down on the bed. He was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Charles eased out of the room and closed the door. He walked back to Jarrod’s room where Sarah was.

"Did you get him settled?" she asked.

"Yes," Charles answered. "He’s sound asleep in our room. He’ll sleep for several hours."

"Good," she said and smiled. "You keep an eye on Nick. Don’t let him be ignored."

"I will," he replied and left the room.

Charles walked back downstairs where Jim and Nick were sitting and talking. He smiled at his son and grandson.

"How’s Jarrod?" Nick asked.

"He’s asleep," Charles answered. "And so is your father."

"Good," Jim said. "He was exhausted."

"I know," Charles replied. "He’s resting in our room. Nick, how are you doing?"

"I’m scared grandfather," he told them. "I want Jarrod to be all right."

"I know you do," Charles said. "He will be all right. I promise. He just has to take it easy for a while. Do you understand?"

"I think so," Nick replied. "Can I see him?"

"Let’s let him sleep right now," Charles told him. "When he wakes up, you can see him."

"Thanks," Nick said.

"Jim," Charles suggested, "why don’t you take Nick outside for a while?"

"Yeah," Jim replied. "Come on boy."

"All right," Nick told him and followed Jim out of the house.

There was a knock at the door that afternoon. Charles answered it and surprised to see Victoria.

"How is Jarrod?" she asked when he opened the door.

"He’s still having a lot of pain," Charles answered. "I know you want to see him and Tom."

"Where’s Nick?" she asked.

"He’s with Jarrod and Tom," Charles answered. "He wanted to be close to Jarrod."

"All right," she said.

Charles took her to Jarrod’s room. When Victoria walked in, Nick ran to her and hugged her.

"Mother," he said and smiled. "Jarrod’s been asking for you."

"How did you know he was hurt?" Tom asked.

"Your brother sent me a telegram," she answered. "I caught the first train out of Stockton. How is he?"

"He’s asleep right now," he said. "He’s still in a lot of pain but the doctor said he would be."

"I want to talk to him," she replied as she walked over to the bed and sat down. "Jarrod, it’s mother. I’m right here honey."

Jarrod opened his eyes and looked up at her. He smiled.

"Mother," he said through his pain, "I was hoping you would come. I tried to find you but I got hurt."

"It’s all right honey," she replied. "Close your eyes and go back to sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?" he asked.

"I promise," she answered.

Jarrod closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

"Tom," she asked, "how are you?"

"I’m all right," he answered. "Mother is seeing to that."

"That’s good," she said. "I don’t want you to get too exhausted."

"I’m not," he replied. "He’s going to be all right."

"I know he will," she told him. "Do you know what happened?"

"From what I’ve been able to find out," Tom said, "Jarrod ran away trying to find you. He was riding Jim’s horse, Beemer. He evidentially wasn’t watching where he was going and his head hit a low tree limb. He fell off backward and landed on the ground. There was a rock and he hit it with his head. That’s where I found him with his head lying on a rock."

"He was trying to find me?" she asked. "Why?"

"He had been sad since he came here about leaving you," Tom answered. "He had never been this far away from you. He kept crying and mother didn’t know how to help him."

"I’m sorry he didn’t have a good time," she said. "I was hoping he was really enjoying himself."

"According to mother he was not," Tom replied. "Nick was but not Jarrod."

"Now that I’m here that will change," she told him. "After he gets to feeling better, he’ll have a wonderful time. He’s going to stay the rest of the summer here."

"I don’t think he will," Tom said.

"He will," she replied. "Because we’re going to stay with him and Nick. You need some time to relax after this past year and so do I. We’ll have a vacation."

"That sounds wonderful," he told her. "Wait until the boys find out."

"That is if it is all right with your parents and brother," she said.

"I know it will be," he replied. "But I’ll ask them."

"Good," she told him and smiled.

"Father," Tom asked, "mother, we would all like to stay for the rest of the summer if that would be all right?"

"Certainly," Sarah answered. "We would love to have you stay."

"We certainly would," Charles said. "Tom, don’t you have something to tell Victoria about what else happened to Jarrod?"

"What are you talking about?" Tom asked unsure of what he meant.

"The first day you arrived," Charles answered.

"Oh that," Tom said. "I’ll tell her."

"Tell me what?" Victoria asked.

"Come upstairs to Jarrod’s room," he said and they went upstairs.

Jarrod was resting and looked up when his parents walked into his room.

"Hello son," Tom said as they entered.

"Father," Jarrod replied.

"All right Tom," Victoria told him. "What do you have to tell me?"

Jarrod listened to every word his father said and he began to cry when he remembered what had happened that day.

"The day we arrived at the farm I wanted to talk to father about what had been on my mind that had caused me to ride Jarrod so hard and keep punishing him since my return from Strawberry," he said.

"What was wrong?" she asked.

"I’ll tell you later," he answered. "It’s not that important right now."

"All right," she said.

"Father had to go and check on some of his crops and asked me if we could talk later," Tom replied. "I agreed although I wasn’t happy about it. Jarrod and Nick were exploring the farm when Nick stopped to watch a beautiful black stallion in one of the corrals. Jarrod must not have seen him stop because he bumped into Nick and knocked him down. He apologized to Nick and Nick wasn’t hurt. That made me really mad. I ordered Jarrod to stand right in front of me near the corral fence."

Tears began to form in Tom’s eyes as he remembered the fear in his son’s face.

"Go on Tom," Victoria prodded him.

"I was so angry," Tom continued. "That was the angriest I’ve ever been. I told him to take his shirt off and he obeyed. Then I ordered him to turn around. I grabbed him by the arm; I took my belt off and whipped him on his bare back."

"You didn’t?" she asked not believing what she had just heard. "How bad was he hurt?"

Jarrod began to cry harder as the memory resurfaced. Victoria sat down on the bed and held him.

"His back was blistered," Tom said. "He bristled up at me and I backhanded him. He hit the ground and dirt went into the blisters. Then I slapped him before Jim came over, pulled me away and punched me with his fist. When I stood back up, after he had told me to look at Jarrod’s back, I couldn’t believe what I had done. Mother came out and took Jarrod in the house after she saw what I had done to my own son. She put medicine on his back."

"Why Tom?" she asked.

"I don’t know," he answered. "I left and went to an old shack Jim and I used to play in when we were boys. I sat down and cried. Father and Jim found me there and we talked. Then I realized what I had done. We came home and I walked into the parlor where Jarrod was. I knelt down and spoke to him."

"What did you say?" she asked.

"I told him how sorry I was," he answered. "I told him I knew he was angry with me and I didn’t expect him to forgive me. But the strange thing was, he did forgive me."

"I forgave him because he was so hurt," Jarrod said. "I still loved him no matter how mean he had been to me."

"Jarrod," she replied, "no wonder you needed me. Are you better now?"

"Yes," he told her. "But I’m tired and sleepy."

"Here," she said and helped him scoot down in the bed, "you lay down and take a nap."

"All right," he replied and closed his eyes.

Once Jarrod was asleep, Victoria looked over at Tom. She was still having a hard time believing that her husband had whipped his son. But when she heard Jarrod say that he had forgiven his father, she was not angry with Tom. She was disappointed in him but not angry.

"I’m sorry Victoria," he said. "If I had it to do over, I wouldn’t have done it. But I can’t take it back. I just have to go on. When Jarrod was hurt in the fall, all the anger left. I was so scared that he wouldn’t make it. But he did. Now, I have my two sons and my wife with me and nothing will change that."

"I know you didn’t mean to hurt Jarrod," she replied. "I can see the love and caring that you have for your son. But if you ever touch him in that manner again, I’ll leave you and take the boys with me."

"I won’t," he told her.

"I know you won’t," she said and smiled.

"Victoria," Sarah said, "I didn’t hear you come in."

"I didn’t mean to disturb you," Victoria replied. "I was looking for Nick."

"He’s with Jim outside," she told her. "We were trying to keep him occupied so he wouldn’t feel left out or alone."

"I appreciate that," Victoria said. "I also appreciate what you’ve done for Jarrod. First, with his back and now this. I know he’s been trouble since he’s been here."

"Now stop right there," Sarah replied. "Jarrod is a wonderful boy. He’s my grandson. I don’t know what propelled Tom to whip that boy but he was very sorry after it happened. I saw his face when he walked in here to speak to Jarrod. He was genuinely hurt. Tom’s my son and I don’t condone what he did but he loves that boy."

"I know he does," Victoria told her. "He’s proved that by not leaving Jarrod’s side while he’s been recovering. Jarrod’s had a rough year and I think it’s time he has some fun and enjoyment."

"I know what you mean," Sarah said. "He’s been so sad since he’s been here until the day you arrived. He lit up when he saw you. He’s your son Victoria as well as Tom’s."

"I know," Victoria replied. "But Jarrod is also a Barkley."

"Yes he is," Sarah told her.

Victoria walked outside to see Nick. When she walked into the barn, she found him and Jim. They were brushing the horses. Nick smiled when he saw her.

"Mother," he said, "I’m helping Uncle Jim brush the horses."

"I can see that sweetheart," she replied. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Sure," he told her and they walked out in the barnyard.

"Nick," she began, "I’m sorry that this trip hasn’t been fun for you two boys. I was so hoping that you would have a wonderful time."

"I have mother," he said. "But I know that Jarrod has been very sad. He really wanted you."

"I know," she replied. "He needs a lot of love and understanding right now. He’s been through a lot since your father returned from Strawberry. He is recovering from the concussion he suffered a few days ago. What I’m asking is to be extra kind to him. Love him."

"I understand mother," Nick told her. "Jarrod’s my brother and that will never change. I love him with all my heart."

"I know you do," she said and smiled.

"Mother," he said, "I’m hot."

Victoria stood up quickly and went to the bed. She laid her hand on his face. He was hot.

"Tom," she replied as she stood back up, "Jarrod’s burning up with a fever."

"I’ll have Jim get the doctor," he told her.

Tom left the room and knocked on his brother’s bedroom door. It took a few minutes for Jim to wake up and open the door. When he saw Tom standing there, he knew something was wrong.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Jarrod’s burning up with a fever," Tom answered. "Will you ride to town and bring the doctor back?"

"Sure," he said and went back inside to change.

A few minutes later Jim left his room and rode to town to get the doctor. Tom walked back into Jarrod’s room and looked down at his son.

"Is he any better?" he asked.

"No," she answered. "He’s still very hot."

"My back hurts," Jarrod said.

"Your back hurts?" she asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered.

"Can you sit up for me?" she asked.

"I don’t know," he answered.

"Come on," she said. "I’ll help you."

Victoria eased him up off the pillows where he could lean on her. With Tom’s help, they pulled up his nightshirt and looked at his back. Tom cringed when he saw it.

"Well?" she asked not being able to see it from her vantage point.

"It’s bad," he answered. "Several of the blisters have opened up and are very red. It must have happened when Jarrod tumbled off the horse."

"Honey," she said, "it’s all right. The doctor will make it better."

"Mother," Jarrod said crying, "I don’t feel good."

"I know you don’t," she replied. "You lean on me till the doctor comes."

About that time, the doctor walked into the room.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked.

"Jarrod’s running a fever," she answered. "Look at his back."

The doctor walked over where he could see the boy’s back. He also cringed when he saw it.

"I’m going to put medicine on those sores and then put a bandage over them," he said. "Can you hold him?"

"Yes," she replied and kept Jarrod leaning on her.

Jarrod began to cry more as the doctor worked on his back. Finally, the doctor was finished and he gently laid Jarrod back on the pillows.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered through his tears.

"I’m going to give you something for the pain, infection and to help you sleep," he said.

The doctor reached into his bag and pulled out a small bottle of liquid along with a syringe. He filled the syringe with medicine and then injected it into Jarrod. Within a few minutes the boy’s eyes closed and he slept.

"He’ll rest now," he said. "I’ll check his head while I’m here."

The doctor checked Jarrod’s head wounds and bandaged them. Then he looked at the worried and upset parents.

"He’ll be fine in a couple of days," the doctor said. "We were so worried about his head that I guess we forgot to check his back. He might get a little sick from the medicine. If he does, it will pass. I’ll check on him tomorrow."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria replied and the doctor left the room.

"Son," Tom asked as he walked over to the bed, "how are you feeling?"

"Better," he answered. "I don’t hurt much."

"That’s wonderful honey," his mother said as she walked over to the opposite side of the bed. "I’m so glad you’re feeling better."

"Me too," he replied and smiled.

"The doctor said you might be able to get up tomorrow," Tom told him.

"Great," Jarrod said.

"Do you think you can eat something?" Victoria asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "I am a little hungry."

"Good," she said and left his room.

"Son," Tom replied, "the doctor said that you might get a little sick from the medicine."

"I know," Jarrod told him. "I heard him."

"Can I get you anything?" Tom asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "I just want to get up."

"I know you do," Tom said. "But the doctor said not to let you up just yet."

Victoria returned with a tray of food. With Tom’s help they propped him up in bed. She then set the tray down in front of him. Jarrod looked at the tray of food. All of a sudden, he began to vomit. Victoria moved the tray out of the way and held Jarrod while he was so sick.

"It’s just the medicine that the doctor gave you," she said. "It will pass."

Jarrod continued to vomit. He was so sick. After thirty minutes, he finally stopped. Victoria cleaned him up and laid him back on the pillows. He was so weak and shook his head at the food.

"Honey," she said, "you’ll feel better if you eat something."

"No," he replied, "I can’t. I don’t feel good."

"I know you don’t," she told him. "But it will pass. I promise. You close your eyes and try to rest."

"All right," he said and his eyes closed.

Victoria covered him up and sat down beside Tom. They both looked over at their nine-year-old son.

"Is his fever down?" Tom asked.

"Yes," Victoria answered. "The medicine just made him sick."

"I know," Tom said. "I’m sure he’ll feel like eating something when he wakes up."

"Yes," she replied.

"Honey," Victoria asked, "are you feeling better?"

"Yes," Jarrod answered.

"Do you think you can eat something now?" she asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered.

She went downstairs and fixed him another tray of food. While she was gone, Tom sat on the bed beside of his young son.

"Son," he said, "I feel so guilty. If I hadn’t treated you so badly, you wouldn’t be lying here in this bed."

"I don’t blame you sir," Jarrod replied. "I tried your patience. I know that. I’m sorry."

"You don’t owe me an apology," Tom told him.

"Yes I do sir," Jarrod said.

"Can I ask you one thing son?" Tom asked.

"What?" Jarrod wanted to know.

"Will you please stop calling me sir?" Tom asked.

"Yes father," Jarrod answered. "I’m sorry."

"It’s all right," Tom said. "I know you’ve been very afraid of me and for that I’m sorry son. But I can’t tell you why I did it."

"Why not?" Jarrod asked.

"Because at your young age you wouldn’t understand," Tom said. "I’ll tell you when you are older."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

Victoria returned with another tray of food prepared by his grandmother. She sat the tray down on Jarrod’s lap after Tom and Victoria propped him up in bed. Jarrod began to eat and smiled at how good the food was.

"I didn’t know I was this hungry," he said.

"You haven’t eaten much in a few days," Victoria replied. "Your grandmother wanted me to tell you that before you go home, she’ll have you fattened up."

"I hope not too fat," Jarrod told her. "I want to still fit into my clothes."

Tom and Victoria laughed at the joke. Jarrod cleaned his plate. Then he looked at his parents.

"I want to apologize to everyone for my behavior during this trip," he said. "I’ve acted like a baby by pitching fits and trying to run away."

"No you haven’t honey," his mother replied. "I know what you’ve had to deal with for the past year. But that’s behind us and we can now look ahead."

"But," Jarrod started to say but was cut off by his father.

"It’s behind us son," Tom told him.

"Yes father," Jarrod said.

"Good morning Jarrod," Charles said. "I’m glad to see you’re up and moving around."

"Thank you grandfather," Jarrod replied. "I’m sorry to have been such a problem since I arrived."

"Come here Jarrod," Charles told him.

Jarrod walked over to his grandfather. Charles set him on his lap.

"Son," he said, "you haven’t been a problem. You’ve been a joy. You’re my grandson Jarrod and I love you. I don’t blame you for being upset and missing your mother. You have had a rough year. I know that. Now, what do you say we take a ride together and look over the farm?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and smiled.

Grandfather and grandson walked out the door together. They went to the barn and saddled two horses. Then the two of them rode off. Sarah watched them leave. She looked over at her son and daughter-in-law.

"Charles will have that boy laughing before they return," she said. "He has a way with boys."

"That he does," Tom replied. "He had a lot of experience raising two sons."

"Actually," Sarah told them, "he has always loved children. He had helped raise his two younger brothers after your grandfather and grandmother were killed in a stagecoach accident."

"I never knew that my grandparents were killed in that fashion," Tom said. "I knew that they died when father was young but he never told me that they had died that way."

"I know," Sarah replied. "He didn’t want to tell you boys that he had had to become a man at a very young age. That’s why he always wanted you boys to do the best you could do and become wonderful men. He always hoped that you would have children of your own."

"I never knew mother," Tom told her.

"I know son," she said. "He never told you because he didn’t want you to feel sorry for him. He made a name for himself and he did it all on his own just like you and Jim have. The Barkley name is now well known. And when your sons are grown, it will still be a good name."

"Thank you mother," Tom replied. "I know that both Jarrod and Nick will be good men when they are grown. Nick is going to take over the ranch for me and Jarrod, well, he will be a famous man."

"Tom," Sarah told him, "just be patient with him and love him. That’s what he needs now. You have a wonderful boy."

"I know I do," Tom said and smiled.

As Charles and Jarrod rode over the vast farmland, Charles watched his young grandson. He couldn’t believe how much the boy reminded him of Tom when he was that age. Granted, Jarrod had a lot of Victoria in him, he also had Barkley blood running through his veins. When the two of them arrived at a small stream, Charles stopped and dismounted. Jarrod joined him a few minutes later. They sat down on the bank of the stream.

"Jarrod," Charles said, "you remind me so much of your father. I know that Nick is more like Tom but you are like him in many ways. I want to understand something. Despite what your father has done and said to you in the past, you are still his son. He loves you so much."

"I know sir," Jarrod replied. "Grandfather, can you tell me what my father was like when he was a boy?"

"Tom was forever getting into trouble," Charles told him. "Jim was constantly having to bail him out of fights and scraps. Finally, when Jim was tired of it, he confronted Tom about it."

"What did father do?" Jarrod asked.

"He punched Jim right in the face," Charles answered. "Those two got into it and I ended up having to break them up."

"Did they stay mad at each other long?" Jarrod asked.

"No," Charles answered. "Within a few months they were acting like brothers again. They have never forgotten what the other one did."

"That’s the way Nick and I are," Jarrod said. "We’ve never had a fight but we have had words. Nick is quick tempered. I have to look at something from every angle before I decide what I want to do. I think that makes Nick angry. He wants me to be more physical."

"I know," Charles replied. "He’s the spitting image of your father Jarrod. I brought you out here to tell you something. I’ve never told anyone but your grandmother about this. But I want you to know."

"What is it sir?" Jarrod asked.

"When I was eleven years old," Charles began, "my parents were killed in a stagecoach accident. I was the oldest of three boys. My brothers’ names were Jake and Dan. They were seven and four. I had to raise them by myself. I quit school and got a job at the general store. We lived in a small shack right outside of town."

"Grandfather," Jarrod said in shock, "I’m sorry."

"I never got to be a boy," he replied. "I had to become a man at eleven for Jake and Dan. My parents never saw Jim and Tom nor you or Nick. I wish they could have son. They were good people. Jake and Dan both turned out to be wonderful men. However, Jake was killed while serving in the army and Dan is a back east with his wife, Claudia and their children."

"What happened to the stagecoach?" Jarrod asked.

"It was attacked by robbers, who wanted the payroll that the stage carried," Charles answered with tears in his eyes. "The men ordered everyone out. My parents cooperated but they were still shot and killed."

"I’m sorry grandfather," Jarrod said. "I know how hard this must be for you."

"Jarrod," he replied, "when you first came here and I heard what your father had done to you, I was heartbroken. I had lost my parents in a violent manner and I didn’t want anything to happen to my sons or grandsons. That’s why I was so harsh towards Tom. I was very angry with him for imperiling your life. I didn’t want to go through that loss again. I love Tom and you. I’m so glad that the two of you have worked out your problems."

"Me too," Jarrod told him. "I don’t know why my father was angry at me but whatever the reason I never stopped loving and caring for him. I was just so scared of the way he acted toward me."

"I know," Charles said. "Now you have to go on. You have to carry the Barkley name. I know you won’t fail me. You are a very smart boy Jarrod. Make us proud."

"I will grandfather," Jarrod replied. "I will."

The two of them hugged and sat together on the bank of the small stream. Finally, Charles stood up and gestured to Jarrod that it was time to return to the house. They rode back in silence. Each one was lost in his own thoughts. When they rode up, Tom met them at the barn.

"Did you two have a nice ride?" he asked.

"Yes father," Jarrod answered. "We did. Thank you grandfather."

"You’re welcome son," Charles said. "Don’t forget what I told you."

"I won’t," Jarrod replied and smiled. "Father, I love you."

Jarrod hugged Tom. Tom looked down at his young son and finally picked him up.

"I love you son," he said. "You are a wonderful boy and you will make a wonderful man."

"I know," Jarrod replied.

"Let’s go inside and see your mother and brother," Tom told him.

"All right," Jarrod said.

Tom carried his son into the house.

What would I do if I had to raise Nick all by myself? he asked himself. "Would I be able to do as good a job as grandfather did?

Tom walked into Jarrod’s room and saw him sitting on the bed. He walked over and sat down beside of him.

"Something bothering you son?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "I was just thinking how hard it would be if something happened to you and mother and I had to raise Nick on my own."

"Your grandfather told you about his parents?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered. "I don’t think I could do it."

"Yes you can," Tom said. "Your grandfather is a special man. I’m very honored to be his son. I just hope that I can live up to his example."

"Me too," Jarrod replied.

"I have no doubt that you will son," Tom told him. "You are a special boy and I’m honored to be the father of that boy."

"Thank you," Jarrod said. "Will you sit with me until I fall asleep?"

"Sure I will," Tom replied.

Jarrod changed and crawled into bed. Tom helped cover him up and sat down beside of Jarrod. The boy was asleep in no time. Tom left his room.

"Jim," Sarah said, "Tom, your father is very punctual when it is time to eat. I don’t understand what could have happened to him."

"Mother," Jim replied, "we’ll go look for him. He probably just got busy and forgot what time it was."

"Jim’s right," Tom told her. "We’ll find him and bring him back. Jarrod, you and Nick want to go with us?"

"Yes father," both boys answered.

The group went out to the barn, saddled their horses and rode off in search of Charles Barkley. They found him late that evening.

"Tom!" Jim yelled. "There he is."

"You boys stay here," Tom said.

Jim and Tom rushed down the ravine. When they reached their father, they realized that he was already dead. They wrapped him up in a blanket and pulled him up to the top by one of the horses. When Jarrod and Nick saw the blanket covering their grandfather and the tears in their father’s face, they knew something was wrong.

"Father," Jarrod asked, "is grandfather all right?"

"Jarrod," he answered, "Nick, your grandfather is dead."

"Dead," Jarrod said in shock. "No! He can’t be!"

"I’m sorry boys," Tom replied.

Jarrod began to cry and ran off. Tom started after him but Jim stopped him.

"We need to take father back," Jim said.

"You’re right," Tom replied. "Jarrod will come when he’s ready."

The two men along with Nick laid Charles Barkley across Jarrod’s horse. They slowly rode back to the ranch. When they rode up, Sarah and Victoria ran out to see if they had found him.

"Did you find him?" Sarah asked.

Jim dismounted and walked over to his mother. He put his hands on her shoulders.

"Mother," he said, "father is dead."

"No," she replied. "What happened?"

"We found him at the bottom of a ravine," Jim told her. "He was dead. His chest had been caved in from the fall and the impact with the boulder at the bottom."

Sarah walked silently back into the house. Victoria walked over to Tom and Nick. She put her arms around both of them.

"Where is Jarrod?" she asked.

"He ran off when I told him," Tom answered. "I don’t know where he is."

"How are you Tom?" she asked.

"Numb," he answered.

"Come on in the house," she said.

The three of them walked into the house while Jim took his father to town to the undertaker. When he was riding back from town, he saw Jarrod. He rode over to the boy and dismounted.

"Jarrod," Jim asked, "are you all right?"

"No," Jarrod answered. "My grandfather is dead."

"I know he is," Jim said. "Let’s go back to the house."

Jarrod let Jim take him back to the farmhouse. He was completely numb. Jim carried the boy inside and sat him down with his parents.

"Jarrod," Tom asked, "are you all right?"

"No," Jarrod answered. "He’s dead. He’s dead."

"I know son," Tom said.

Jarrod ran up to his room. He closed the door and crawled up on the bed. Then he buried his head and cried. His mother walked into the room and over to the bed. She sat down beside of him.

"Honey," she said, "it’s all right. I know you miss him."

"I do mother," he replied. "I’m to blame."

"How are you responsible?" she asked.

"I’ve been nothing but trouble on this trip," he answered. "I caused him to die."

"No honey," she said. "You didn’t. He was killed from the fall. He didn’t suffer."

Jarrod sat up and buried his face in his mother’s dress. She held him tightly and comforted him. Finally, exhausted from crying he fell asleep in her arms. She changed his clothes, laying him down. She kissed his face and covered him up. Then she left his room and walked downstairs.

"Did you get him quieted down?" Tom asked.

"Finally," she answered. "He cried himself to sleep."

"This is a big blow to him," Tom said. "It’s a big blow to us all."

"Yes it is," she replied.

"You didn’t sleep too well last night," she said.

"I know," he replied. "I still can’t believe he’s gone. He was a wonderful man Victoria. A very special man."

"I know he was Tom," she told him. "Do you want to stay for the service?"

"Yes," Tom said. "I need to talk to the boys. I know Jarrod is still very upset but Nick hasn’t said much."

"He’s just hurting," she replied.

Nick walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. He was visibly upset.

"Nick," Tom said, "come here son."

Nick walked over to his father who picked him up and put him on his lap.

"How are you son?" Tom asked.

"I’m sad father," he answered. "But I think Jarrod is hurting real bad. I heard him crying in his room."

"I know he’s upset," Tom said. "We all are. You stay with your mother and I’ll go check on your brother."

Tom handed Nick to his mother. Then he stood up and walked upstairs to his oldest son’s room. Tom opened the door and looked inside. Jarrod was dressed but he was sitting on his bed looking out the window at his grandfather’s farm. He was crying. Tom walked over to the bed and sat down beside of Jarrod. He put an arm around his boy.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I know how you feel. I feel the same way. He was a wonderful man. I will miss him so much."

"Father," Jarrod replied, "I want to go out to the place where grandfather died."

"Why?" Tom asked.

"I just do," Jarrod answered.

"All right," Tom said. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied.

"Come on," Tom told him.

The two of them walked down the stairs and then out to the barn. They saddled two horses and rode off. Victoria and Nick watched them leave.

"Mother," Nick asked, "where are father and Jarrod going?"

"I don’t know sweetheart," she answered. "But I’m sure they’ll be back soon."

Tom and Jarrod rode out to the ravine where Charles had died. Jarrod dismounted and walked to the edge and looked down. Then he walked down to the bottom. He sat down on the spot where his grandfather’s body had been found. He was crying.

"Grandfather," he said, "why did you have to die? I love you. It should have been me instead of you. I’m the one who caused you to die."

Tom slowly walked to where his son was and picked the boy up. He looked right into Jarrod’s blue eyes.

"Son," he said, "you are not to blame. Your grandfather died doing what he enjoyed. It’s time to go back."

"No!" Jarrod yelled. "I’m not going! I’m going to stay right here."

"Why?" Tom asked not understanding.

"Because," Jarrod answered, "I just have to. Please father."

"All right," Tom said. "Come home in an hour."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied.

Tom walked back up to the top of the ravine. He looked down at his son and then he mounted up. Tom rode back toward the house. Jarrod watched his father leave. He knew what he had to do. He climbed to the top. He looked down at the spot where his grandfather had died. Then he saw a large rock. He walked over to it and with the aid of a heavy stick he loosened the rock. He left it perched on the edge of the road and walked back down to the spot where one death had already occurred. He stood there looking up at the rock and waited. It didn’t take too long for the rock to begin to slide down the ravine. Jarrod moved slightly and the rock slammed into him. He was knocked backwards into another rock and he fell to the ground. He was bleeding from the mouth and ears. His breathing was very labored as his body struggled to draw a good breath. But the boy was at peace.

"Tom," she asked, "what happened?"

"Victoria," he answered, "Jarrod wanted to ride back to where his grandfather died. He wanted to be alone. I believe he meant to kill himself on the spot where father had died. He’s broken up inside."

"Oh my God!" Victoria screamed. "Why?"

"He blamed himself," Tom said as he carried his son inside.

Jim and Sarah, who had arrived back earlier, came out. When they saw Jarrod, Sarah screamed.

"Tom!" she screamed. "What happened?"

"Jarrod tried to end his life where his grandfather had died," Tom said. "He’s broken up badly inside."

"I’ll ride to town and bring the doctor," Jim replied and rode off.

"Bring him inside," Sarah told him.

Tom carried his son inside the house and laid him on the bed. He looked down at the boy. Jarrod was near death. Only a miracle would save him. The doctor arrived a short time later. He examined the boy. He looked up at Tom, Sarah and Victoria.

"Jarrod is in critical condition," the doctor said. "He has damaged ribs, lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and other internal injuries. I’m going to go in and see if I can repair the damage. It doesn’t look good."

"All right doc," Tom replied as he and the women left the room.

The doctor began to operate on the boy. Tom walked out of Jarrod’s room and dropped to his knees on the floor. He looked upward and spoke.

"Please let my boy live," he said.

Victoria placed her arm around him and the two of them prayed for a miracle that would save their young son.

"Jarrod," he said, "is still alive which is a miracle in itself. He had a lot of internal injuries. I was able to repair most of the damage but he has lost the will to live. He will eventually die."

"No!" Tom screamed. "Please isn’t there anything you can do?"

"I’ve done all I can do," the doctor replied. "The rest is up to your son."

"Thank you doctor," Sarah told him as he walked out the door.

"I’ll be back later to see if there is any change," the doctor said and headed back to town.

Tom and Victoria walked into their son’s room. Jarrod was lying on the bed. He was devoid of color and his chest was wrapped. Victoria sat down on the bed beside of him. She stroked her hand through his hair. Tom looked down at his son. He sat down on the other side of the bed.

"Jarrod," he said, "please come back son. We need you so much. I love you son."

Tom began to cry as he watched his son struggle to breathe. He knew that Jarrod would be dead before dark. If only a miracle could happen.

In a dreamlike state Jarrod walked along a path through a beautiful green pasture. He saw no one else. He knew he had to find him.

"Jarrod," Charles asked, "what are you doing here?"

"I came to join you grandfather," Jarrod answered. "I should be here not you."

"It was an accident son," Charles said. "It’s not your time yet."

"I’ve made it mine," Jarrod replied. "I want to spend forever with you."

"No," Charles told him. "You have to go back. You have to carry on for me. It’s your destiny."

"But," Jarrod said.

"You have to son," Charles replied. "Please Jarrod."

"All right," Jarrod told him. "But I will never forget you."

"I appreciate that," Charles said and smiled. "Help your father and Sarah."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "Goodbye grandfather."

"Goodbye son," Charles told him.

And then Charles was gone. Jarrod was back inside his battered body fighting to live. Tom and Victoria noticed a definite change in their son. His breathing was getting stronger. Then the boy’s eyelids began to open. They were thrilled.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "come on son. Wake up."

Jarrod’s eyes finally opened. He was in a great deal of pain but he was alive and he was awake.

"Mother," he muttered, "father."

"We’re here son," Tom said. "How do you feel?"

"I hurt but I know what I have to do," he replied.

"What do you mean honey?" Victoria asked.

"I know I have to stay here and carry on for grandfather," Jarrod answered. "It was his final wish. I’m sorry about what I did. I didn’t mean to worry anyone."

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "You’re going to be all right. The doctor had to operate."

"I know," Jarrod replied. "I’ll be all ri..."

Jarrod drifted off to sleep. He was going to make it but it would take a while for him to heal.

The Barkley family arrived back at the farm. Jarrod was still in pain but he was awake when Nick and Tom entered his room.

"How was the service?" Victoria asked.

"Very nice," Tom answered. "The reverend had a lot of nice things to say about father. But he read something I wanted Jarrod to hear. Father wrote it only a few days ago. He requested that it be read if anything happened to him."

"What?" Jarrod asked.

"I know my time on this earth will soon be over," Tom began. "I have two wonderful sons and a beautiful wife. But my greatest joy was seeing my two grandsons, Jarrod and Nick. They remind me so much of my son, Tom. Nick is the spitting image of his father and grandfather. But Jarrod has a lot of Tom in him. He is a special boy. I know he will grow up to be a special man. Jarrod, you have to carry on for me. I only ask that you make one promise. If you have a son, please name him after me. Thank you son. You’re one of a kind."

Jarrod was speechless. He looked at his father with his big, blue eyes and smiled.

"I’ll do what he asked," Jarrod said. "The first son I have will be named Charles."

"Thank you son," Tom replied. "He thought the world of you and Nick."

"We had a long talk by a small stream a couple of weeks ago," Jarrod told them. "That’s when he told me about the death of his parents. He also told me that the relationship between you and me was special. That’s why he was so hard on you father. He didn’t want anything to happen to us that had happened to his own parents."

"I know son," Tom said. "How are you feeling?"

"He’s still in a lot of pain but the doctor feels that he will survive and be able to go home in a few weeks," Victoria replied. "He doesn’t want Jarrod up yet. He said that his ribs were badly damaged and he had to remove his spleen. But the boy is a miracle."

"The only miracle was father," Tom told her.

"What do you mean Tom?" she asked.

"Jarrod," Tom answered, "you want to tell her?"

"I had a dream while I was so sick," he said. "I saw grandfather. I told him that I had come to join him. He looked at me and said no. It wasn’t my time. I had a lot to do in my life. He wanted me to enjoy it. I got to say goodbye."

"Jarrod," Victoria asked, "is that why you were so upset?"

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "I just wanted to say goodbye and that I loved him."

"Oh son," she said and hugged him. "You are a wonderful boy and your grandfather was very proud of you."

"I know that now," he replied. "I’m getting tired mother."

"It’s time you laid down and rested," she told him. "Come on."

Jarrod slid down in the bed and looked up at his parents. He smiled at them and then closed his eyes. Victoria covered him up and looked over at Tom.

"He didn’t get to say goodbye," she repeated.

"Yeah," Tom said. "I better go talk to Jim and mother. We need to decide what she’s going to do."

"All right Tom," she replied. "I’ll stay here with Jarrod and Nick."

Tom left the room and walked down stairs to the parlor. Sarah, Jim and Tom discussed what had to be done.

"Jim," Alexander Bender, Charles’ attorney asked, "Tom, what have you decided to do about the farm and your mother?"

"Well," Jim answered, "we’ve decided to let mother stay on here. I’m going to move in with her and run the farm. Tom will eventually head back to California but will keep in touch. I will have full responsibility for the farm."

"All right," Bender said. "Sarah, is that agreeable with you?"

"Yes Alex," she replied. "Charles always envisioned one of his sons taking over the farm and running it after we were gone. I’m glad Jim has agreed to do it."

"Good," Bender told them. "Now there is Charles’ will. I need to read that to you but there are two beneficiaries that are not present. They are your two sons Tom."

"Jarrod’s in the bed and is not allowed up and Nick is with him," Tom said.

"Jarrod and Nick," Bender told him. "It was Charles’ wish that Jarrod along with his brother, Nick be included in his will. Nick is to be given two Holstein cows for his very own."

"He will love that," Tom said. "What about Jarrod?"

"Jarrod," Bender replied, "is to be given his grandfather’s collection of books, ten thousand dollars to be saved for college and his grandfather’s prized horse, Rambler."

"I don’t believe it," Tom told them. "Father is leaving all that to my son?"

"Yes," Bender said. "It was his wish several weeks ago to change his will slightly. You and Jim have equal shares of the farm and the money he had saved over the years. Your mother gets to live here as long as she wants. She will be taken care of by funds set aside by Charles for her expenses. Since Jim has agreed to live here with his mother, he will become the head of the Barkley farm. The land title will be changed to his name. Tom, you will not have any say in what happens on the farm but you will still be half owner. Your mother and brother will run the farm and make the decisions necessary to keep it going."

"I understand," Tom replied. "I want Jim to have it all."

"Do you want to sell it to him?" Bender asked.

"No," Tom answered. "I will sign over my half to him right now if you will write it up."

"I will," Bender agreed.

"I don’t need this farm with the ranch I have in California," Tom said. "I know Jim will run the farm and take good care of mother. However, I will take the items belonging to my boys."

"Agreed," Jim replied. "The two Holstein cows and Rambler will be shipped to your ranch. The fifteen thousand dollars will be issued in a check and the collection of books we’ll pack up before you leave."

"Fifteen thousand," Tom told them. "I thought it was ten thousand."

"I added another five thousand for Nick’s expenses too," Jim said. "I know he won’t attend college but use it to help him on your ranch."

"Whatever you and mother want," Tom replied. "Thanks mother."

"You’re welcome son," she told him and smiled. "Charles thought the world of your boys Tom. This is his way of letting them know."

"All right," Tom said.

Alexander Bender left the farm after all the paperwork was taken care of. Tom and Victoria walked up to Jarrod’s room where he and Nick were. When they walked in, the boys looked up.

"Mother," Nick asked, "are you finished?"

"Yes Nick," she answered. "Your father has something to tell both of you."

"What is it?" Jarrod asked.

"Your grandfather left you two something in his will," Tom answered.

"What?" Nick asked.

"Nick," Tom answered, "he left you five thousand dollars and two Holstein cows. Jarrod, he left you his horse, Rambler, ten thousand dollars for college and his collection of books."

Both boys looked at their father in shock. They couldn’t believe what they had just heard.

"Are you kidding?" Nick asked.

"No son," Tom answered. "I’m not."

"Thank you father," Nick said. "I can’t wait to see the cows."

"What about his collection of books father?" Jarrod asked. "How are we going to get them home?"

"We’ll pack them up and take them as we leave Denver," Tom answered. "The horse as well as the cows will be shipped to the ranch."

"All right," Nick said. "There’s something I don’t understand."

"What’s that sweetheart?" Victoria asked.

"Why did Jarrod do what he did?" Nick wanted to know.

"You mean why did I let that rock hit me?" Jarrod inquired.

"Yeah," Nick said.

"I was heartbroken about losing grandfather," Jarrod began. "I thought that because I had caused so much trouble on this trip that I was to blame for his death. I decided to go to the spot where his life ended and take mine. Then I was lying on the bed here nearly dead when I dreamed or at least it seemed like a dream. Anyway, I saw grandfather and he told me that I had to come back. I had to fill my destiny. He said I was a special young man and that I was needed here."

"You are special Jarrod," Nick said. "You’re my brother and you acted like a man."

"No I didn’t," Jarrod replied. "I’ve acted like a baby. I made life miserable for everyone."

"Stop right there," Tom told him. "You are not a baby. You are a special boy no I mean man. You have acted like a man and from now on you will be treated as one."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod said and smiled.

"Honey," Victoria replied, "I think you should rest. You’ve been through so much in the last few weeks. You take a nap and we’ll talk later."

"Yes mother," he told her and slid down in the bed.

Jarrod closed his eyes and his mother covered him up. The doctor came by while Jarrod was asleep and examined him. When he looked up at Tom and Victoria, he smiled.

"Jarrod is progressing nicely," the doctor said. "He’s still in bad shape but he is slowly improving. I want to keep him in bed a few more days before I let him try to get up. His body has been through a lot. One thing he needs to do is eat more. He has lost weight and that is not good for a growing boy. Also, he needs to have plenty of liquids. His ribs are still very tender and his punctured lung has to heal. If he gets up now, his lung could fill with fluid and he would probably die. So I want him to be kept quiet."

"All right doctor," Victoria replied.

"One more thing," the doctor told them. "He needs plenty of rest. If he doesn’t rest voluntarily I will put him to sleep."

"We understand doc," Tom said.

"Good," the doctor replied. "I’ll be back in a couple of days to check on his progress."

The doctor left. Tom and Victoria looked at their young son. He had really grown up since he had been here. They were very proud of him and his brother.

"Mother," he said, "I don’t want to leave you but I have to get back. School will be starting soon for the boys and I have a lot of work to do on the ranch."

"Tom," she replied, "I will be fine. Jim will be here with me. I’ll miss your father but I will survive. You go on and don’t worry about me."

"All right," Tom told her. "Thanks for everything mother."

"You’re welcome son," she said and hugged him tightly.

Tom found his brother Jim out in the barn. He walked up to him.

"Jim," Tom said, "I hope you don’t mind if we head back to the ranch. I’ve got a lot of work to catch up on and the boys start school soon."

"Tom," Jim replied, "you go on. Mother and I will be fine. You take good care of yourself and those two fine boys."

"I will," Tom told him. "If you need anything just let me know."

"I will," Jim said.

The two brothers embraced each other. Then it was time to leave. The family had packed up the collection of books and they were already loaded on the train. Jim and Sarah drove them to the station.

"Victoria," Sarah said, "you take good care of my boy. He’s very special. And also those two grandsons of mine."

"I will Sarah," Victoria replied. "It’s been a pleasure to see you again."

"Same here," Sarah told her and hugged her.

"Victoria," Jim said, "take care and come back soon for another visit."

"We will," she replied. "You take care of yourself."

Jim hugged his sister-in-law.

"Jarrod," Sarah said, "you and Nick study hard in school. Remember that I love you both and that your grandfather will always be with you in your heart."

"We will," Jarrod replied. "I love you grandmother."

"Me too," Nick told her.

Sarah hugged both of her grandsons tightly.

"Boys," Jim said, "take care. I hope you enjoy Rambler Jarrod. I hope to see you both very soon."

"I will," Jarrod replied.

"We love you Uncle Jim," Nick told him.

Jim hugged his two nephews and the Barkley family boarded the train for the ride back to California.

The trip back took three days. Jarrod rested most of the time. He was still weak but he was getting back to normal. They loaded up the collection of books and headed for the ranch. It was good to be home.

"Boy," Tom said, "I’m glad to be home. I didn’t know I’d be gone this long. I better check in with Dewey and see how things have been going."

Tom walked toward the bunkhouse. Victoria and the boys went into the house. They unpacked and Jarrod helped his mother put the collection of books up.

"Nick," Jarrod said after they had unpacked, "I’m glad to be home. Do you realize that school starts next week?"

"Yeah," Nick replied. "I won’t have time to have any fun."

"Oh yes you will," Jarrod told him. "We’ve got the rest of our lives to have fun and enjoy."

"You’re so right Jarrod," Nick said and smiled.