PART THREE

"Jarrod," Brett said, "welcome back."

"Thanks Brett," he answered. "I’m glad to be back."

"How was your summer?" Brett asked.

"Fine," Jarrod told him.

The two boys started their classes. They saw quite a bit of Nat Springer. Then one day Jarrod was asked by Bob Hodges to meet him in San Francisco at a restaurant. He wanted Jarrod to meet someone.

"Jarrod," Bob said, "I’m so glad you could come. I want you to meet Adam Howard. He’s a very important man here in San Francisco. Adam, this is Jarrod Barkley. He’s the son of Tom Barkley of Stockton."

"Hello son," Adam replied. "I’ve heard of your father. I’m pleased to meet you."

"My pleasure sir," Jarrod told him.

"Jarrod is studying to be a lawyer," Bob said. "He’s going to set up a practice here and in Stockton."

"That’s great news," Adam replied. "We need good lawyers. How much longer do you have son?"

"I’m in my third year of law school," Jarrod told him.

"I may be of help to you," Adam said. "I know a great deal of important people here and I would be happy to introduce you to them."

"That’s very kind of you sir," Jarrod replied.

It’s no problem," Adam told him. "I’m very impressed with you and would be happy to do anything I can to help you get started in this city."

"Thank you so much," Jarrod said and smiled.

The three of them ate their meal and then bid each other goodbye.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Howard," Jarrod said, as he was ready to leave.

"The pleasure was mine son," Adam replied. "Come see me when you get your degree and I’ll see what I can do to help you get started here."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod told him. "I will.

He left the restaurant. Jarrod was very impressed with Adam Howard. He was a very knowledgeable person. He returned to his dorm room and got back to work.

One day, Jarrod had picked Rachel up for a picnic lunch out in the countryside. It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The sky was blue and it was unusually warm. Both Jarrod and Rachel were dressed casually, Jarrod in gray pants and a white shirt; Rachel in a lovely yellow cotton dress with purple flowers, carrying a parasol to shelter her from the approaching noon day heat. Jarrod looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes as she removed her wide brimmed straw hat and smiled at him. He then helped her set up the picnic by first spreading out the blanket on the cool grass. He thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her hair was golden brown and her eyes were the color of the sky. Rachel looked over at Jarrod and thought he was very handsome.

"Rachel," Jarrod said, "that was a great lunch. You are a wonderful cook."

"Thank you Jarrod," she replied. "I’m glad you enjoyed it so much."

"Yes I did," he told her.

"How are your classes going this term?" she asked.

"Well," he replied, "it’s getting tougher. I hope I can keep my grades up this term. I’ve had good marks the last two years. I don’t want to disappoint my parents."

"You won’t," Rachel told him. "You are a very smart boy Jarrod. I really admire that."

"Why thank you madam," he said.

Then he reached over and kissed her. She smiled and kissed him back. A half dozen men walked up to them, grabbed Jarrod and pulled him to his feet. They also grabbed Rachel too.

"What’s the meaning of this?" Jarrod asked anger evident in his voice.

He was punched right in the side of the face. If he hadn’t been held up, he would have fallen to the ground. Jarrod tried to fight back but was held tightly by two of the men. He wanted to protect Rachel.

"You are our prisoners," one of the men said. "You will come with us."

"And if we refuse," Jarrod replied.

"Your girl will die," he said.

A gun was leveled at Rachel’s head. Jarrod nodded. Their hands were tied and they were put up on horses. The group rode off. They rode to an old abandoned icehouse on the outskirts of San Francisco. They were pulled from their horses and ushered inside. It was cold and dank inside. It obviously hadn’t been used in some time. The floor was dirty and there were cobwebs on the walls. To Rachel it was a scary place. Jarrod saw that she was scared and smiled at her. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. First their hands were untied. Then they were told to move over against the farthermost wall. They obeyed.

"I suppose you two would like to know why you were brought here," one of the men said.

He was a husky man with a beard and dark eyes. To Rachel his eyes looked like a Black Sea. He was intimidating with his loud, booming voice.

"Yes," Jarrod shot back.

"Well," he replied, "you will be held here until further notice. If you cooperate you will not be harmed."

"Who are you?" Rachel asked.

"My name is Chet Watkins," he said. "These men work for me. We have been hired by someone to get you out of the way for a while."

"Who hired you?" Jarrod asked.

"You don’t need to know," Watkins told him. "All you need to worry about is living."

"What do you mean by that?" Rachel asked.

Jarrod knew exactly what he had meant. He tried to run for the door but one of the men shoved him back. He got up again and tried to fight the men. He got in some heavy blows before Watkins pulled him off himself. Jarrod kept coming at them. Finally, Watkins pulled his revolver from his holster and shot Jarrod in the left leg. Jarrod fell to the ground clutching his leg.

"You won’t try to escape now," Watkins said. "You’ll be too busy trying to stay alive Barkley."

"How do you know my name?" Jarrod asked, even though he was in quite a bit of pain from the wound.

"You don’t need to know," Watkins told him.

With that the group of men left. Jarrod and Rachel heard the door being locked. Jarrod was still holding his leg. Rachel hurried over to him and looked at the wound.

"The bullet went clean through," she replied. "We’ve got to get this bleeding stopped."

She tore off a long piece of her petticoat and tied it above the wound. For the moment the wound had stopped bleeding. But Jarrod couldn’t stand up. He could only sit. He regretted that Rachel had been thrown into whatever this was. He vowed somehow to get them out of this. But he wasn’t sure how to escape now that he was injured and unable to stand on his own. Why did she have to be dragged into this? All he wanted to do was enjoy her company.

"Maureen," he said, "this telegram says that Rachel has been kidnapped along with Jarrod Barkley. If you ever want to see your daughter alive again, don’t help Tom Barkley with the railroad and the farmers."

"Oh Bob," Maureen replied. "What are we going to do?"

"We can’t go to the law," he said. "If you go to the law, we will kill her and young Barkley. We’ll have to wait for further instructions."

"Do you think we should contact the Barkleys?" she asked.

"Yes," he agreed.

At the Barkley Ranch, a similar telegram had been delivered. Tom read it and his expression was anger and worry.

"Tom," Victoria said, "what is it?"

"Someone has kidnapped Jarrod and Bob’s daughter, Rachel," he told her. "They say that Jarrod has been shot and will die within forty-eight hours."

"Oh No!" Victoria screamed. "Not my boy again. Who’s got him Tom?"

"It doesn’t say," he told her. "All it says is if we go to the law, both of them will die. We’re to stand by for further instructions."

"Tom," she said, "we have to go to San Francisco. I have to find my son."

"All right," he agreed.

They first made arrangements for Gene and Audra to stay with Wally and Jenny Miles. They knew that Nick would be all right at the ranch. Wally had promised to keep an eye on him while they were gone. Then they packed some belongings and took the next train to San Francisco. They went to the Hodges’ house where they planned out what was to be done to save their children.

"Tom," Bob said, "the telegram we received said that if we involved the police Rachel would die."

"Ours said the same thing Bob," he replied. "It also said that Jarrod had been shot and only had forty-eight hours to live."

"Oh my," Maureen said. "Why would they want to shoot your son?"

"I don’t know," Tom answered.

"The telegram also said not to work with you Tom because of the railroad and the farmers," Bob told him.

"If you would prefer to go it alone I will understand," Tom said. "Hanibal Jordan again. I should have suspected it. He’s never going to leave my family alone."

"No," Bob answered. "Our two children are together and I think it only fair to work together on finding them. Who is Hanibal Jordan?"

"Good," Tom said. "He’s the big man with the Coastal and Western Railroad. He’s the one who had Jarrod kidnapped and nearly killed last year. Looks like he’s at it again."

"What do you want to do about Jordan?" Bob asked.

"Let’s get the children back and then I’ll worry about Jordan," Tom answered.

"Are you sure that you want to go up against a man like that?" Bob asked him.

"I have no other choice Bob," Tom told him. "He’s gone out of his way to harass and torture my family. I think its high time he’s stopped."

Meanwhile back at the icehouse, Rachel was trying to figure a way out. She searched every wall and every inch of the floor.

"Jarrod," she said, "there just isn’t any way out of here. "I’ve searched every wall."

"OK," he replied. "We have to weigh our next move."

He was having a hard time concentrating on the task at hand. He had to shake his head and force his eyes open.

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

"No," he answered. "I can’t seem to stay awake. "It must be coming from the wound. I can barely..."

His voice trailed off and he collapsed on the floor. Rachel rushed over to his side and cradled his head in her lap. She looked at the wound and noticed that it had begun to bleed again. She tried to apply pressure but it wouldn't stop bleeding. She shook Jarrod’s shoulders but he didn’t wake up. She was very concerned. She wanted this boy to be all right because she knew in her heart that she would marry him some day.

"What does it say Bob?" Maureen asked.

"It says that Jarrod and Rachel have only thirty-six more hours to live," he began. "If we involve the law they will be dead much sooner. If we want to save their lives, Tom and I are to be at the old grist mill on the outskirts of San Francisco at six p.m. tomorrow with a half a million dollars in ransom money."

"A half a million dollars," Victoria gasped. "Where are we going to come up with that much money?"

"You let Tom and me worry about the money," Bob said. "Right now that’s the only hope we have. If we give them the money maybe we can get the kids back. I don’t know."

"I will wager that they intend to kill them anyway," Tom replied. "We need to follow that money and maybe it will lead us to the kids."

"That seems to be our best choice," Bob told them. "I can get the money. Tom and I will take it to the mill tomorrow. Then we can follow them back to Rachel and Jarrod."

"Good," Tom agreed. "And once those kids are safe, I’m going to have a talk with Hanibal Jordan."

In the icehouse, Rachel was still holding Jarrod’s head in her lap. He began to groan and moan. Finally, he opened his eyes.

"Jarrod," she said, "can you hear me?"

"Yes," he mumbled.

"What’s the matter?" she asked him concern evident in her voice.

"I can’t seem to stay awake," he said. "My leg is really hurting."

"It’s started to bleed again," she told him. "I can’t make it stop."

"Rachel," he said, "you have to try to get out of here. You can make it, I can’t. My head’s dizzy and I’m very weak."

"Hang in there Jarrod," she told him. "I know I said I wanted to spend some time with you but I didn’t mean locked up in some dreary old building. You need to rest and conserve your strength."

"If anything happens to me," he began, "tell my parents I’m sorry and I love them."

"Nothing’s going to happen," she said. "You’re going to be fine. We just need to concentrate on getting out of here."

The door of the icehouse opened and three men walked in. Watkins was one of them.

"How are you doing Barkley?" he asked. "Getting weaker."

"Please," Rachel asked, "help us. He’s very weak."

"Good," Watkins said. "He can’t escape in the condition he’s in."

"Please help him," she begged.

"No," he told her. "This is all part of a larger plan. I don’t care whether you live or die. In Barkley’s case, die would be the word. You see you’re just pawns to get your fathers to stop interfering."

"Interfering in what?" Rachel asked.

"None of your concern," he told her.

He walked over to them, bent down and looked at the wound in Jarrod’s leg. He put his foot on Jarrod’s leg and ground his boot sole into the wound. Jarrod grimaced in pain.

"Oh please," he said and clutched his leg.

Watkins stood up straight and watched the wound start to bleed more. Then he pointed to one of the men who had accompanied him. The man walked over to the young people. He picked Jarrod up by the front of his shirt. Jarrod couldn’t put any weight on his left leg. The man leered at him and then pushed him hard backwards into the wall. Jarrod hit the wall with a thud and cringed when his wounded leg hit the floor. He grabbed it again. It was really bleeding now. Watkins smiled and walked back to the door with the other man.

"It won’t be long now," he said and left the room with the other men.

The door was locked and they were alone. Rachel looked down at Jarrod. He was awake but in an awful lot of pain from his leg. She looked down at the wound. It had begun to bleed more and it also had dirt ground into it. Jarrod was still clutching at it. She pulled his hands away and tried to wrap the wound as best she could. He also seemed to be running a fever. She held him in her arms trying to comfort him even though he wasn’t able to hold her. She still loved him and wanted him to be all right.

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

"Yes," he mumbled. "Rachel, listen I can’t make it too much longer. I’m so weak. I am having a very hard time staying awake."

"Jarrod," she said, "please don’t die. I don’t want to be left here all alone. I love you."

"I love you too," he told her. "I’m not going to die. But you must find a way out of here."

"I don’t want to leave you," she said.

"It’s all right," he mumbled. "Just go."

She got up and went to the walls and looked closely at them. She came back to him a few minutes later.

"There’s still no way out," she said. "Oh please Jarrod stay with me."

"I’ll try," he replied. "Help me sit up."

She helped him to a sitting position and leaned him against the wall. He was still having trouble keeping his eyes open. She looked at the gunshot wound again. It was getting worse. It looked like it had gotten infected and it was still bleeding. She knew if help didn’t come soon, Jarrod would die. She sat down beside of him and held his hand. He smiled over at her and she smiled back at him. They were going to be together forever they hoped.

"Maureen," Victoria said, "I feel like this is our fault. Your family should never have been involved. It stems from what Tom’s done to help some local farmers against the railroad. They tried to kill Jarrod twice already but Tom was able to save him. This time I don’t know."

"I don’t blame you or your husband," Maureen replied. "Rachel will be fine. She’s a tough girl. She’s with the boy that she loves. I’m sure you realize that Rachel has been in love with Jarrod since the first day she met him. He’s a good boy and I want him to be all right."

"Thank you Maureen," Victoria told her. "I suspected that he was fond of Rachel too. He never talked about it to us. But I could tell the night he came home from school almost two years ago that he really liked her by the way he said her name."

"Well," Tom said, "it’s time we leave. You two stay here. We’ll let you know when we find the children."

"All right," Victoria told him. "Please be careful."

"We will," Tom said.

The two men left the house and went to the old gristmill. They waited until they were contacted.

"Did you bring the money?" a man asked who was holding a gun on them.

"Yes," Bob answered. "Where are our children?"

"They’re safe for the moment," the man told them.

"Tell us where they are," Tom said.

"No," he replied. "But I will tell you this. Your boy has a bullet hole in his leg and he is very weak. If you don’t listen to my instructions very carefully, your son will die."

"All right," Tom replied. "What do you want?"

"I want you two to go back to the Hodges’ home," he said. "After we have left the city you will be told where to find your children. If you talk to the law, they die."

"All right," Bob told him.

The two fathers left and went back to the Hodges’ home. Victoria and Maureen met them at the door.

"What happened?" Maureen asked. "Where are the children? Didn’t you bring them with you?"

"They’ve got the money," Bob told her. "We’re to wait here for word on where they are."

"Wait," she said. "How long?"

"I don’t know," Bob answered.

"Victoria," Tom said, "Jarrod’s got a bullet wound in his leg. The man told me. He said that Jarrod would die shortly. He’s bleeding and possibly running a fever."

"Oh Tom!" she screamed. "We have to find him."

"I know we do," he told her, "but where do we look. He could be anywhere in this city."

There was a knock at the door. Bob Hodges answered the door. There was another telegram. Bob took it and began to read it.

"It’s from the kidnappers," he said.

"What does it say?" Maureen asked.

"You can find your children at an old abandoned icehouse on the outskirts of San Francisco, Bob said. "They are alone. If you try to pursue us we will track them down where ever they are and kill them. We know where they live and we can take them out at any time. Remember, no law or they die."

"We’ve got to get there as soon as possible," Tom said. "If Jarrod has been shot, he’s going to be very weak."

"All right," Bob said, "let’s go."

"Rachel," Bob said. "Where are you?"

"Father," she replied and ran to him.

"Rachel," he said as he hugged her, "are you all right?"

"I’m fine," she answered. "Just a little hungry and scared."

"Where’s Jarrod?" Tom asked.

"Over here against the wall sir," she told him. "He’s been shot and he’s in pretty bad shape."

She led Tom over to where Jarrod was propped up against the wall.

"Jarrod," Tom said as he squatted down next to his son and looked at the wound, "can you hear me boy?"

Jarrod slowly opened his eyes. When he saw his father he smiled.

"Boy am I glad to see you," he said. "I’m not doing too well father."

"No you’re not," Tom replied. "But we’ll get you fixed up. Can you stand?"

"I don’t know," he answered. "I can try."

He began to cough. Tom helped ease him up to a standing position. He and Bob had Jarrod lean on them while they walked out of the icehouse. When they were outside in the daylight, Tom helped his son sit down and then he looked at the boy’s leg. The wound was very infected and was very red. Jarrod had also lost a great deal of blood. He wrapped the wound with a clean cloth then he eased his son up on his feet and helped him walk to the buggy. Victoria was waiting on them.

"How is he Tom?" she asked concerned.

"He’s in very bad shape," he told her.

"The man named Watkins stepped on Jarrod’s leg and ground dirt into the wound," Rachel told them. "Then another man slammed him hard into the wall after pulling him to his feet. He hit it again on the floor. Watkins wanted Jarrod to die. He’s been trying to stay awake but he’s been running a fever for the last several hours."

"Don’t worry Rachel," Victoria said. "Jarrod’s a tough boy. Tom let’s get out of here and get Jarrod to the hospital. Hang on honey. Everything will be all right."

Tom eased Jarrod in the back with the two ladies and Rachel. He was barely awake and the movement of the buggy made Jarrod cringe. He was still trying to hold his leg and Victoria had to physically hold his hands away from the wound. Rachel held his head on her shoulder and also held onto one of his hands and they rode as fast as they could to the hospital. Tom eased his son up and helped him walk inside. The doctor came out from the back of the hospital.

"My son’s been shot," Tom told him. "He’s bleeding badly."

"Bring him in here," the doctor said and motioned for Tom to bring the boy to the examination table.

Tom helped get Jarrod laid down on the table and then stepped back beside of Victoria. The doctor looked at the wound.

"The bullet went straight through," he said. "Somebody has applied pressure and dirt to the wound. It’s badly infected. He’s also running a fever."

The doctor went to work. He cleaned the wound and then applied medicine to help the infection. Then he wrapped it. He gave Jarrod some laudanum for the pain and two orderlies carried him to a nearby bed.

"Your son is in pretty bad shape," the doctor said. "His leg is badly infected. He’s got a high fever. I’ve given him some laudanum for the pain. He needs plenty of rest."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria replied.

"I’ll check back shortly," he said and left

Tom and Victoria followed their son as the orderlies placed him on the bed. They looked down at their son. He was unconscious. They knew if he were awake he would be in a great deal of pain. The doctor returned a few minutes later.

"One more thing," he told them. "He’s lost a large amount of blood. He needs a transfusion. Do you know anyone who has the same blood type as Jarrod?"

"The only one we know is another of our sons but he is in Stockton," Tom replied.

"That’s too long to wait," the doctor said.

Rachel walked into the room. Doctor I have the same blood type as Jarrod. We were talking about it while we were locked up in that icehouse. I told him that if he needed blood I would give him whatever he needed."

"Thank you Rachel," Victoria told her. "That’s very kind of you."

"Mrs. Barkley," she said, "I really care about your son. I don’t want to see anything else happen to him. If I can help him get better, I will."

"All right young lady," the doctor told her, "if you will come sit over here, we’ll get started."

Rachel walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down. She held Jarrod’s hand in hers during the transfusion. Bob and Maureen walked into the room. They smiled when they saw their daughter helping the young man she loved and wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

"That transfusion helped," he told them. "But he’s still far too weak. It’s like those men wanted him to die. And they almost got their wish. When your son wakes up, he going to be in excruciating pain. I’m going to give him some morphine for the pain."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

The doctor left the room. Jarrod’s eyes began to open. Victoria and Tom were at his side.

"Jarrod," she said, "how do you feel?"

"I’m tired and my leg hurts some but I can handle it," he told them.

"I know you can handle it," Tom replied. "You’re a Barkley and Barkleys never give up. So take it easy and rest."

"How’s Rachel?" he asked.

"She’s fine," his mother told him. "She’s in another room resting with her parents. She gave you a transfusion."

"She did?" he asked. "We had discussed that possibility at one time. Are you sure she’s all right? I don’t want anything to happen to her."

"She’s fine," Victoria told him. "She’s just resting."

He began to have trouble holding his eyes open. Victoria stoked her hand through his brown hair.

"Rest honey," she said. "Mother’s right here and so is your father. Rest."

Jarrod’s eyes closed and he was out again. Tom and Victoria exchanged glances. He had more important things to worry about. Getting well for one. They kept a vigil at his bedside until the doctor came in to examine his leg wound again. Then they stepped out in the hallway and waited.

"How’s Jarrod?" Rachel asked very concerned.

"The doctor’s with him," Victoria answered. "He woke up once but he was in such terrible pain. He couldn’t even talk to us."

"Do you think he’ll be all right?" she asked.

"I don’t know," Tom replied. "The doctor’s not sure at this time."

"The doctor’s not sure," Rachel repeated. "No he can’t die. I won’t let him. He’s so young. And I love him so much."

"It’s all right dear," Victoria said. "Jarrod’s a stubborn boy. He’ll come out on top of this. Don’t worry."

"I’ll try," she replied. "But it won’t be easy. I saw how much pain he was in. But he hid it very well from those men. He’s so brave."

The doctor walked out of Jarrod’s room. He looked at the boy’s parents.

"He’s still in bad shape," he told them. "His leg is not healing. It’s still badly infected."

"Please doc," Tom begged, "give it some more time."

"I’ll give it a little more time," he gave in. "He should start to improve soon."

He left them and walked off. The group walked into Jarrod’s room. Rachel walked over to the bed and sat down on it. She took his hand and held it.

"Jarrod," she said, "I don’t know if you can hear me. I want you to get well. I love you Jarrod Barkley. You have to get well."

Bob and Maureen looked at each other and smiled. Their daughter had made her choice. She loved this boy and nothing would stop that. Tom and Victoria knew it also. They were very happy for their son that he had found such a nice girl. But right now all they wanted was for Jarrod to get better.

"Tom," Bob said, "can I have a word with you?"

"Certainly," Tom replied.

The two men walked outside into the waiting room and sat down. Bob looked at Tom and then proceeded.

"Tom," he said, "I think it would be for the best if Rachel doesn’t see Jarrod anymore. I almost lost her because of this railroad situation and Hanibal Jordan. I love my daughter and I want to protect her. I know she’s in love with Jarrod but if he’s going to be in more danger, I don’t want Rachel put in any more danger."

"I understand Bob," Tom replied. "I’m sorry about what happened to Rachel. I’ll tell Jarrod when he’s stronger."

One more thing," he told him. "I don’t want to have any more to do with you or Jarrod. It’s just too dangerous for my family. I know Adam Howard will help Jarrod set up his office here. I hope you can understand."

"I do," Tom said. "Bob, I appreciate everything you’ve done to help my son. You take care of yourself and good luck."

"Good luck Tom," he replied, shook hands with Tom and walked back to get his wife and daughter.

A few minutes later the three of them walked out and left the office. Tom watched them go. He knew that Jarrod would be upset when he was told. But right now he wanted to get his son well. He walked back to the room where Jarrod was. Victoria watched him come in. She knew something was bothering him.

"Tom," she said, "what’s wrong?"

"Victoria," he replied, "Bob Hodges has taken his daughter and left. He’s afraid for his daughter’s safety around Jarrod. He also doesn’t want anymore to do with us. He’s right. As long as I continue to fight the railroad anyone around me could be in danger."

"Oh Tom," she told him, "I’m so sorry. Jarrod will be devastated. He really liked Rachel."

"I know but he will get over it," Tom said. "We’ll not tell him until he is stronger."

"Rachel," he said, "I would like to talk to you."

Rachel came in and sat down.

"Rachel," he began, "I have decided it would be best if you didn’t see Jarrod anymore. He and his family are in constant danger because of his father’s trouble with the railroad. I know you love the boy. But you’re not to see him. Is that understood?"

"Yes father," she said and began to cry. "I love Jarrod. Don’t you like him anymore?"

"It’s not about liking or disliking him," Bob replied. "It’s about your safety and the safety of my family. I don’t want to loose you."

"All right father," she said and she began to cry more. "But you won’t stop me from loving him. Someday, I will marry that boy and nobody will stop me. You might keep us apart for now but not forever. I love Jarrod and I will marry him."

She ran to her room and closed the door. Bob watched her go. Then he turned to look at his wife.

"You did the right thing Bob," Maureen told him. "She’ll get over it."

"I just don’t want to lose my daughter," he said.

"I know," she told him. "She’ll find another boy just as kind and caring as Jarrod. They’ll be happy together."

"Jarrod," he said, "I know it hurts son but you must try to endure the pain. The doctor cannot give you any more morphine right now. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod got out between clenched teeth. "I understand."

"Good," he replied. "You will get better son. You’ve got to believe that."

"Where’s Rachel?" he asked.

Tom and Victoria exchanged glances.

"She’s gone home with her family for a while," Tom told him.

"Good," he said. "She’s needs to rest. I’ll see her later."

"Sure you will," Tom replied and let it go at that.

There was no need to tell him right now that he would never see her again. He had more important things to worry about. The main one being getting well. Tom and Victoria stayed right by his bed. They knew he was in a great deal of pain. They wanted to be there to help their son. He looked over at them with pain evident in his, big, blue eyes. He tried to smile but couldn’t. He continued to grit his teeth. He wanted to rip his leg off because it hurt so much but his parents wouldn’t let his hands near it.

"Father," he asked, "who kidnapped us?"

"It was Jordan’s men again son," he answered. "They are still trying to stop me from helping those farmers. As soon as you get well, I’m going to pay Mr. Hanibal Jordan a little visit and show him that he can’t intimidate my family or me. He’ll pay for what’s he done to you son."

"Father," Jarrod said, "don’t do it. He’ll kill you if he gets the chance."

"No he won’t," Tom told him. "He’ll be too scared to do that once I’m through with him. He won’t want anything to do with the Barkleys."

"I hope you’re right," Jarrod replied. "He’s a powerful man."

"He may be powerful," Tom said, "but he’s not immortal. He can be handled and I plan on knocking him down a few pegs."

"Father," Jarrod begged, "please be careful."

"I will," he told his son. "Don’t worry. You just get well."

"I’ll try," Jarrod answered.

"Tom," Victoria said, "are you sure you want to tackle someone like Hanibal Jordan? He is so powerful. What if you fail? He may come after this family again."

"That is a risk that I’m willing to take," Tom told her. "I’m sick and tired of having to watch over my shoulder and the shoulders of my family to see if some of his men are there ready to attack or kidnap or even kill. I’m not going to take it anymore."

"Please be careful Tom," she said. "I don’t want to lose you."

"I’ll be careful," he replied.

"Yes sir," the young, brown-headed receptionist said as Tom walked into the outer office of Hanibal Jordan.

"I want to see your boss," Tom told her.

"He doesn’t see anyone without an appointment," she replied.

"He’ll see me," Tom told her and walked right past her into the office of Hanibal Jordan.

Jordan was sitting at his desk when Tom stormed in.

"Barkley," he said in anger, "what are you doing here?"

"I’m here to deliver a message to you Jordan," Tom replied.

"So," he said, "what’s the message? Before I have you locked up for trespassing."

"Don’t you ever hurt my oldest son again!" he said loudly. "You’ve nearly killed him on four different occasions."

"I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about," he shot back. "I have never harmed anyone."

"Jordan," Tom sneered, "you hired men to kidnap my sons and they almost killed my oldest boy. If you lay one finger on my son again, I’ll kill you."

"Don’t threaten me Barkley," he told him.

"It’s no threat, it’s a promise," Tom said and walked out of the office.

Jordan watched him go. He knew he would have to take care of Tom Barkley if he wanted to succeed in this state. But first he would make Barkley pay for barging into his office and threatening him. He called in some of his men and they set the plan in operation.

"How is he?" Tom asked.

"He’s asleep," she answered. "Where have you been all afternoon?"

"I paid Hanibal Jordan a little visit," Tom told her.

"You what?" she asked shocked. "Tom are you crazy. You know what he’s capable of doing to any one of us."

"Yes I know," Tom shot back. "But I’m tired of being attacked. My boy has almost been killed four times in the last two years. I’m not going to have it happen again."

"I just hope you won’t regret your decision," she said.

"I don’t think I will," he told her. "It made me happy to spit in that man’s face. He’s not as big as everyone makes him out to be."

Jarrod began to wake up. He was still in pain from the wound in his leg but it had dulled a great deal. He was able to tolerate it more. He looked around the room until he found the faces of his parents. They smiled at him and he smiled back.

"How long have I been here?" he asked.

"Almost a week honey," his mother said.

"When can I get out of here and go back to school?" he asked.

"Probably in a few days," Tom told him.

"Good," he said. "Where’s Rachel?"

"Son," Tom began, "we need to tell you something about Rachel."

"What?" he asked very concerned. "Has something happened to her?"

He was beginning to get upset.

"No nothing’s happened to her," Tom replied. "Her father has decided with all this trouble that the railroad is causing me and our family that it would be best if she didn’t see you any more. Also, he doesn’t want any more to do with you son."

Jarrod let that information register and then he began to get a very sad look on his face. He hadn’t thought about never seeing Rachel again. Tears started running down his cheeks. His mother sat down on the bed and held him close. He couldn’t say anything.

"Jarrod," she said, "I know you loved Rachel. But you’re going to have to forget her and go on with your own life. That’s the way her father wants it and we have to understand where he is coming from. Rachel is his only child and he doesn’t want anything to happen to her."

"I know," he finally said. "I put her in harm’s way by seeing her. I’m the one to blame."

"No son," Tom replied. "You are not to blame for this. Hanibal Jordan is the one who caused you to be in this hospital room. I knocked him down a few rungs earlier today. I don’t think he’ll be bothering us anymore."

"I hope you’re right father," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod," his mother said when he walked into the front door, "how are you feeling?"

"I’m fine," he answered. "My leg is almost healed."

"That’s fine honey," she told him. "Why don’t you go upstairs and unpack? We will have plenty of time to visit later."

Jarrod carried his bag up the stairs to his room and unpacked. Then he walked back down the stairs to the study. His father was working at the desk when he walked in.

"Jarrod," he said, "when did you get home?"

"Just a few minutes ago," he answered.

"How’s your leg?" Tom asked.

"It’s doing a whole lot better," he told him. "Father, I would like to speak to you a moment."

"Certainly," Tom replied. "What can I do for you?"

"Would you tell me again what the colonel said to you about Rachel?" he asked.

"He called me out to the waiting room while you were still unconscious," Tom began. "He told me that he was very worried about his daughter’s safety. I really couldn’t blame him for that. He said as long as I was involved with the farmers against the railroad, anyone around me was in danger. He said that he didn’t want Rachel to see you anymore even though she really loved you. He said that he was breaking all his ties with you too. He was afraid that you could endanger his family because you were my son and you had already been kidnapped three times. He bid me goodbye and said good luck. He said he was sorry for having to do it this way."

"I see," Jarrod said after his father was finished. "Thank you."

"Jarrod," his father replied, "why did you want to know son?"

"Because I love her too," he said. "I guess I will have to abide by his wishes but I sure will miss her. She was a wonderful young lady."

"Yes she was son," Tom told him. "But you will have plenty of time to find a new girl. You will get married and have children. You will be happy son. You have to believe that."

"I do," he replied. "I just wish it could have been her."

He left the room and Tom watched him go. He knew his son was hurting but there was nothing he could really do for him right now.

"Jarrod," Nick said as they worked, "I’m glad you don’t mind getting a little dirty. I really needed the help with father away in town all day."

"No problem Nick," Jarrod replied. "I needed to get my mind off of something anyway."

"What?" Nick asked.

"I would prefer not to talk about it if you don’t mind," he told his younger brother. "It’s something I need to work out myself."

"Well," Nick said, "if you decide you want to talk about it I’m here."

"I know and thanks," Jarrod replied.

Hanibal Jordan had put his plan into motion. Twelve men hired by Jordan arrived at the ranch that afternoon. They got into the house. They found Victoria and Audra first.

"What are you doing in here?" Victoria demanded to know.

"Lady," one of the men said, "you are in no position to demand anything."

One of them grabbed Audra and Victoria tried to stop him. She was slapped and pushed back into another man’s hands.

"All right," he said again. "Get moving."

Victoria and Audra complied. The men brought them outside at gunpoint, tied their hands and shoved them into a wagon. Then they went and got Gene from his room.

"All right kid," one man said, "let’s go."

"I’m not going anywhere with you," Gene shot back.

"Yes you are," the man replied.

Gene tried to fight back but they were just too big and they took him out to the wagon. His hands were tied and he was shoved into the wagon with his mother and sister. The last two were Jarrod and Nick who were still working near the barn.

"Jarrod," Nick said and pointed, "there are several men coming our way. I don’t like this."

"Neither do I Nick," Jarrod replied. "We better get ready to fight them."

"Right," Nick agreed

When they saw the men coming, they tried to fight them off but there was too many of them. Nick was so furious when he saw that they had his mother, sister and brother that he became a wild man.

"You let my family go!" he screamed at them while trying to fight them off.

He got hit on the back of the head and was knocked out. He was tied and thrown into the wagon with the others.

"You leave my brother alone," Jarrod said. "What are you doing?"

"None of your business Barkley," the man replied.

Jarrod decked two of the men with punches to the face. Two more advanced on him and he again tried to fight them off. In the struggle, one of the men used his rifle butt and hit Jarrod right on the back of the head. He fell to the ground unconscious. They tied him up. Then they threw him into the wagon with the rest of his family. They rode off toward an old abandoned farmhouse on the other side of Stockton. The family was ushered inside and forced into a very small room at gunpoint. Two men dragged Nick in and dropped him in the floor while two other men dragged Jarrod in and dropped him in the floor. Victoria went over to check on Nick who was just coming around.

"Nick," she said, "how do you feel?"

"I’m all right," he replied. "Just a little headache. Where are we?"

"I’m not sure," she answers.

Jarrod was also lying on the floor unconscious. His mother and brother hurried over as he was also coming around.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "can you hear me?"

"Yes," he answered.

"How are you doing?"

"My head hurts but otherwise no other injuries," he told her.

"Good," she said and helped him up to his feet.

They began to search for a way out.

"We’ve got to find a way out of her," Victoria said. "There’s got to be a way out."

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any way of getting free. About that time, several of the men came inside.

"All right, you three boys let’s go," one of the men said.

"Where are you going to take my sons?" Victoria asks.

"None of your concern," he said.

"I beg your pardon," she replied. "They are my three sons and I demand to know where you are taking them."

"Don’t push your luck lady," he said and waved his gun at her.

"It’s all right mother," Nick told her. "We’ll go."

They grabbed Gene, Nick and Jarrod. All three boys try to fight back. Gene was easily subdued because of his size. Nick and Jarrod go after the men. They began to punch the men. One of them kicks Jarrod in the ribs and he goes down. They jump on him and subdue him. Nick is a wildcat. He’s punching and kicking as hard as he can. Then he got kicked in the ribs and went down on his knees. He was then subdued. All three boys were tied up and taken out. Victoria tried to stop them but was shoved back into the room.

"Please don’t take my sons," she said.

Audra ran to her side.

"Mother," she said, "are you all right?"

"I’m fine Audra," she replied. "I’m very worried about your brothers."

"Nick," Jarrod asked between grunts of pain, "how bad are you hurt?"

"I think I’ve gotten a couple of bruised or broken ribs," he answered. "How are you holding up?"

"I think I’ve either got busted or bruised ribs too," he replied.

"We’ve got to figure a way out of this," Nick said.

The men drove the wagon away. They went about ten miles down the road and stopped at a mine. The brothers were pulled out of the wagon and shoved toward the mine entrance.

"Your new home boys," the man said.

They walked inside where they were met by two other men.

"Welcome to the Jordan mine," one of them said. "Put your feet up here."

The brothers just stood there and were punished for not obeying. Nick was punched in the ribs again, Gene was thrown to the floor and Jarrod was also punched in the ribs. Finally, they put their feet up on a small table. Two of the men attached shackles to their legs so they couldn’t walk fast. They were given tools to dig with and marched down a long tunnel. There were three guards watching them. If they didn’t do what they were told, one of the men would hit them. Nick and Jarrod both got shots in the ribs. Neither brother could do very much because of the pain they were experiencing.

"Jarrod," Nick said quietly, "how are you holding up?"

"My ribs are sore and hurting but I’ll be all right," he replied. "How are you holding up?"

"Hang in there," Nick told him. "My ribs are bruised or busted. I can’t tell which. We’ll get out of here."

"I hope so," Gene said. "I’m really scared."

"It’s all right Gene," Jarrod replied. "We’re right here. Just do what they say and you won’t get hurt."

One of the guards walked over and hit Jarrod in the ribs again. He cringed and held his ribs again while closing his eyes until the pain dulled. Nick tried to go to him but was also hit in the ribs. He went down on his knees, clutching his ribcage.

"I said get back to work," the guard said.

His ribs were really beginning to hurt. Jarrod wasn’t able to work as hard because of the pain. At one point, he had stopped to catch his breath and the guard hit him again in the ribs.

"Get back to work," he said.

This went on for the rest of the day. By the end of the day, Jarrod and Nick were having trouble standing. Both were in severe pain and were on the verge of passing out. They were taken to a small area in the mine where they would spend the night. Both of them collapsed on the dirt floor. Gene checked on both of his brothers. He knew they were both in bad shape. He helped both of them lay down and slept between them. He didn’t have anything to bind their ribs with and they had to endure the pain.

"Ladies," one man said, "you are free to go. All we wanted were your sons. You’ll never see them again."

"Where are my sons?" Victoria asked anger showing in her voice.

"Where you or that husband of yours will never find them," he replied. "Now go before we change our minds."

Victoria ushered Audra out and they rode off toward home in a buggy the men had provided. Victoria knew that they had to find the boys before they were killed. She knew who was behind this and vowed to get even. She rode as fast as she could toward the ranch and Tom.

At the Barkley Ranch, Tom had come home to find his family gone. As he was about to leave the house to search for them, he heard a buggy coming. He went outside to see whom it was and recognized his wife and daughter. He hurried to the barn to meet them.

"Victoria," he said, as he hurried to the buggy, "what’s wrong?"

"Oh Tom," she replied, "they have the boys."

"Who has the boys?" Tom asks.

"Twelve men came to the ranch earlier today," she began. "They took all of us out at gun point. Nick and Jarrod tried to fight back but both were injured. Nick and Jarrod’s ribs are injured."

"Go on," he told her.

"We were taken to an old, abandoned farmhouse on the other side of Stockton," she said. We were all locked in a very, small room. Several men came in and took the boys away. All three of them Tom. When Nick and Jarrod tried to fight them, they were attacked again. I don’t know where they are but wherever they are, they’re hurt. I’m afraid for their lives Tom."

"You don’t have any idea where they were taken to?" he asked.

"No," she told him. "They are in trouble Tom."

"I know Jordan is behind this," he replied. "I just wonder where they could have taken the boys. They’ll be killed this time because I paid a visit to Jordan. We’ve got to find them."

"Where do we look?" she asked.

"I don’t know," he answered.

"What’s the matter?" he asked.

"My ribs are on fire Gene," Nick told him. "I think one or two are broken."

"My ribs are aching and on fire too," Jarrod answered. "I’m getting so weak."

"You’ve got to hang on," Gene told them. "If you don’t, you’ll be killed."

"Don’t worry Gene," Nick said. "Nobody’s going to kill us. We’re Barkleys and Barkleys never give up."

"I remember," Gene replied. "Try to rest."

The three brothers tried to rest. They laid close to each other because it was very cold in the mine. Early the next morning, they were roused out of sleep by one of the guards kicking them. They got up. Nick had to help Jarrod to his feet. He didn’t look good. He was sweating and so was Nick. They were both running a fever. They were marched into the shaft where they were working the day before. They began to dig again. None of them spoke. It took every bit of energy Nick and Jarrod had to keep working. They were both on the verge of passing out. Gene knew he had to keep his brothers working or they would be killed. He stayed close to them and helped them with their work whenever he could. By the end of the second day, the two older Barkley brothers were in even worse shape. Both of them were sweating profusely and both were having trouble catching a good breath. Gene tried to comfort them as much as he could but he wasn’t sure they would last through the night.

"Listen," Gene said, "you have got to rest. If you don’t you’re going to die. I’ll think of something to tell the guards."

"Look Gene," Nick replied, "we appreciate what you’re trying to do but we’ll be fine. Don’t worry."

"You are both running a fever and neither one of you can stand much longer," Gene told them.

"We’ll be fine," Jarrod said. "Just get some rest."

The two brothers collapsed on the floor and Gene laid down between them. He didn’t sleep very well because he was listening to their rough breathing. The next morning they were roused again. Nick barley made it to his feet and Jarrod was pulled up to his. When the two of them began to slow down, they were taken out of the tunnel.

"Your brothers are going to be punished because they’re not holding up their part of the work load," one of the guards said.

Gene watched the men drag Nick and Jarrod away. He watched where they were taken. He saw them being dragged over to a wall that had shackles hanging on it. They were turned toward the wall and their shirts were removed. They were shackled and then one of the men began to whip them. Nick winced with every strike of the whip. Jarrod, on the other hand, cringed with pain when the whip found his back. After receiving twenty lashes each, they were released and their shirts put back on. They were marched back to the tunnel and put to work. Gene didn’t like their looks. They were both in a great deal of pain. Finally, an hour later, Jarrod collapsed to the ground. The guard grabbed him and when he didn’t get back to work, he was taken back to the punishment wall. He was tied and whipped again. He cringed with pain every time the whip found its mark. He was brought back after receiving thirty more lashes and put back to work. He was still having a hard time working but he managed to finish out the day. That night the three brothers were thrown in their tunnel to rest. Gene was very worried about his two brothers.

"Excuse me," he said. "Have you seen three young brothers, one in his twenties and two in their teens?"

"I have," the man replied.

"Where?" Tom asked.

"They were here up until four days ago," he said. "Several men drove away with them."

"Do you have any idea where they were taken?"

"Yep," the man told him. "Jordan’s got a mine about ten miles away. He gets his labor from kidnapping innocent men and making them work in his mines."

"Do you know exactly where this mine is?" Tom asked.

"About ten or eleven miles down that road there," he told him. "Why are you looking for those boys mister?"

"They are my sons," Tom answered. "Two of them are badly injured. I have to find them."

"Well be careful," the man replied. "That ‘s a mighty dangerous place. A lot of men die there. Jordan doesn’t care. He just wants workers."

"I will," Tom said and rode off toward the mine and his three sons.

Back in the mine, Nick and Jarrod were in even worse shape. Neither one could maneuver very well and both were punished again because they had failed to carry their weight. Finally, both brothers were locked in small separate cells that were dark, cold and black. Neither could hear nor see anything. Jarrod retreated into his own world of pain and agony as he began to relive the torture he had received every time he had been kidnapped. He became violent and was injuring himself by thrashing around in the small cell. Jarrod was slowly losing his mind.

"Your brothers will spend the next few days in the punishment hole," one of the guards told Gene. "They will learn how to work or they will die. One other thing, they say that when men are put in those boxes strange things happen to them. I’ve even seen two or three come out who have gone completely loco in there."

Gene knew his brothers were in real trouble. He had to figure a way to save them. He wished his father were here.

Tom was heading toward the mine with a dozen of his ranch hands. He knew that his sons could already be dead but he kept going. Soon they arrived at the entrance to the mine. They dismounted and slipped silently along till they were within a few feet of the mine. Then the shooting started. Tom and his men began to fire at the guards and the men who ran the mine. The shooting lasted for about fifteen minutes. After all the shooting stopped, the guards were dead. Tom and his men rushed inside the mine. He spotted his youngest son, Gene. He ran to him.

"Gene," he said, hugging his son, "are you all right?"

"Yes sir," Gene replied. "I was scared but Nick and Jarrod helped me to be brave."

"Where are your brothers?" he asked.

Gene looked away and pointed at two small cells at the far end of the mine.

"They were locked inside yesterday," he said. "The guards said they were being punished for not holding up their end. One of them also said that men go crazy inside those cells. Father, I’m scared for Jarrod and Nick. What if they go crazy?"

"We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it," he told his youngest son. "Right now I’ve got to get them out of there."

Tom rushed to the two metal cells. They were locked. He pulled out his gun and shot the locks off. Then he opened the first cell door. It was so dark inside. He reached inside and felt around. He grabbed hold of a shirt and pulled. Nick was pulled out. He was unconscious. He was having trouble drawing a breath and his shirt was wringing wet. Tom laid him down near Gene and went back to the other cell. He reached inside and pulled his oldest son out. Jarrod was also unconscious. He was also having trouble drawing a breath and his shirt was soaked. Jarrod was also bloodied. He looked like he had been in a fight. Tom carried him over and laid him beside of Nick.

"Gene," he asked, "what happened son?"

"They were whipped," Gene began. "Then Jarrod was whipped again because his ribs were preventing him from doing what they wanted. Then when both of them went down, they were locked in those cells. I couldn’t help them father. I’m sorry."

"It’s not your fault son," he said. "We’ve got to get your brothers to a doctor. And then get your mother. She’s very worried about you."

Gene helped Tom carrying the two boys outside. There was a wagon a few yards away. Gene drove it over and helped his father load his brothers inside. Then Tom got in the back with his sons.

"Gene," he said, "head for the ranch son. I’ll stay back here with your brothers. Hurry."

"Yes sir," Gene replied and drove off as fast as he could.

Tom checked Nick and realized that his ribs were damaged. Then he looked over at Jarrod. He realized that his ribs were also damaged. He still couldn’t figure out how Jarrod had gotten so bloody. He felt both their foreheads and knew they both were running a fever. All he could do was sit with them until they arrived at the ranch.

"Tom!" she screamed. "What happened?"

"They’re hurt real bad," he replied. "They are both running a fever. Nick and Jarrod’s ribs are in bad shape. I sent one of the hands to town to get the doctor."

Victoria walked over to the side of the wagon and looked down at her two oldest sons.

"Tom," she said, "why is Jarrod so bloody? Has he been in a fight?"

"Not to my knowledge," Tom answered. "I found him that way when I pulled him out of the cell he was locked in."

She knew they were badly hurt. Tom and Gene with Victoria and Audra’s help carried the two boys into the house. They managed to get them upstairs to their rooms and in bed. Victoria stayed with Jarrod and Tom stayed with Nick. Audra waited outside in the hall with Gene for the doctor to come.

"Gene," she asked, "are you hurt?"

"No," he replied, "I’m just sore and tired. I’m very worried about Nick and Jarrod."

"So am I," she told him. "What happened?"

"We were taken to this mine and put to work," he said. "When Jarrod and Nick couldn’t carry their share of the work load they were punished and finally they were locked in two, small, black, metal cells. They were in there for almost two days."

"Oh dear," she replied.

The doctor arrived and Gene showed him to Nick’s room first. He went inside and examined the young man. When he looked up at Tom, he shook his head.

"He’s got badly bruised ribs and two are broken," he said. "He’s also running a high fever and his back is badly injured."

"He was whipped," Gene told the doctor.

"I’ve given him some laudanum for the pain," the doctor replied. "He’ll be in bed for at least two weeks and then nothing strenuous for a couple more. Tom, keep him as quiet as you can and make sure he gets plenty of rest."

"Thank you doctor," Tom said. "Gene, you stay with Nick while I go with the doctor to see Jarrod."

"Yes sir," Gene answered.

Tom and Dr. Merrar left Nick’s room and walked down the hall to Jarrod’s room. Victoria looked up when they walked in. She stood up and walked over to Tom while the doctor examined Jarrod.

"How’s Nick?" she asked worried.

"He’s got some bruised and broken ribs," Tom told her. "He’s running a fever but he will be all right."

"Good," she replied.

"How’s Jarrod?" he asked.

"Not good," she answered.

The doctor continued to work on Jarrod. He cleaned up the bruises on the boy’s body. He had a pretty good idea where he had gotten them. He gave him some laudanum too. Then he checked his ribs. He wrapped them with a bandage. He looked at the boy’s back and winced. His back was raw. He applied some cream to the whip marks. Then he looked up at Tom and Victoria.

"Jarrod’s ribs are in bad shape too," the doctor told them. "He’s got bruised and broken ribs. He’s running a high fever and his back is raw. I’ve given him some pain medicine. I don’t know how he’ll react to it. He’s to stay in bed. No moving around. He’s also a very sick boy. What was done to those two boys is nothing short of torturing them. They were severely abused. Jarrod will be in bed for at least two weeks and then he’ll have to be extremely careful because of his ribs. But I think both boys will be all right in time."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said. "How did he get so bruised?"

The doctor paused before answering. He wanted to be careful how he phrased his next words.

"Victoria," he began, "sometimes when men are locked up in dark, quiet cells they have a lot of time to think. In Jarrod’s case, he began to think about all the abuse he had sustained in the past year. He became very violent and injured himself. I think I better stay here for the rest of the evening and over night. They’re going to be in a great deal of pain when they come to. And Jarrod may have more of these violent dreams that injured him in that cell. You’re going to need help with them."

"Thank you doc," Tom said. "I’m thankful that they’re going to be all right. What do you mean violent dreams?"

"Yes," the doctor told him. "It’s just going to take some time. One more thing, they may experience nightmares. So be prepared, especially Jarrod. He’s already endured so much. He’s having a hard time dealing with it. So he becomes very violent."

"Do you think Gene will have nightmares too?" Tom asked. "Will Jarrod get better?"

"It’s very possible," he said. "If Gene saw what these two went through, then yes. I hope so. I’ve seen men that had to be committed because they went wild. But it may not happen to Jarrod. We’ll have to wait and see."

"I’ll have Audra stay with him tonight," Tom replied. "I’ll stay with Nick and Victoria you stay with Jarrod. Please doc do all you can for my boys."

"I will," the doctor said.

She nodded. All she could think about was that her three sons had almost been killed.

"Tom," she said, "what are we going to do about Hanibal Jordan?"

"I don’t know," he replied. "But he will pay for what he did to my boys."

Later that evening, Nick woke up. He tried to get up but Tom held him down.

"Easy son," Tom said. "You can’t be moving around. Your ribs are hurt and you need to rest."

"Where am I?" he asked and winced with pain.

"You’re at home in your bed," his father told him. "I found you earlier this afternoon and brought and your brothers home."

"How’s Gene and Jarrod?" he asked very worried.

"Gene’s sore and tired but otherwise he’s not hurt," Tom told him. "Jarrod’s in bad shape. His ribs are also bruised and broken and he’s running a high fever. But the doc says you both will be all right in time."

Tom hesitated and Nick saw it.

"Father," Nick said, "it was Jordan again. What are you not telling me?"

"I know," he replied. "I went to the old farmhouse where you were taken and found out where you were. You were locked inside of a small cell when we arrived at the mine. You and your brother were unconscious. Nick, your brother injured himself while he was locked inside that cell. The doctor feels that he will have more of these violent nightmares as he called them. He said that some men never come out of them. We can talk later son. You need to rest."

"Are you telling me that Jarrod may be crazy?" Nick asked.

"No," Tom told him. "I’m saying that your brother has been locked into a nightmare that he may never be able to leave."

Nick nodded and his eyes closed. Tom knew his son was a fighter. He would be all right. In Jarrod’s room, Victoria had not left his bedside. Jarrod was still unconscious. He was burning up one minute and shivering the next. She kept him covered up and stoked her hand through his brown hair.

"Jarrod," she said softly, "rest honey. You’re going to be all right. Mother’s right here. Rest."

He began to moan and groan. His eyes didn’t open but he began to thrash around very violently. Victoria tried to hold him down but she couldn’t. The doctor walked in and saw Jarrod thrashing around and hurried over to the bed to help Victoria hold him down. When he didn’t stop, the doctor gave him a dose of some very powerful medicine that would completely knock him out and finally he was quiet. The doctor didn’t tell his parents that the boy could become addicted to this medicine if he wasn’t careful. He didn’t want to worry them. They both gave a sigh of relief.

"Doctor," she asked, "what happened to him?"

"He was having a nightmare," the doctor answered. "He was reliving some of the things that had happened to him and that’s why he became so violent. Also, it’s just possible that while Jarrod was in that small, dark and cold cell he started to live in his own little world of nightmares. He can’t think of anything else after all he’s endured. We’re going to have to be ready for more of these spells. It’s going to be a long night. This is what I was talking about earlier. He’s locked into these nightmares and he may never be able to escape."

"Please help him," Victoria begged.

"I will do all I can for him," he told her.

The doctor walked out of the room and walked into Nick’s. He walked over to the bed and checked his young patient.

"He woke up for a few minutes," Tom told him.

"That’s a good sign," the doctor said.

"How’s Jarrod?" Tom asked

"He had a violent nightmare a few minutes ago," he replied. "He never woke up but he became very violent. I had to sedate him so he wouldn’t hurt himself or anyone else."

"Oh no," Tom said.

"Look Tom," he replied, "I’m not going to lie to you. Your sons are in pretty bad shape after what they endured. Even Gene is suffering. After what he saw his brothers endure, he is going to have nightmares too. This is what I was telling you earlier. Jarrod’s locked in this nightmare world and he may never come out. It’s going to be a long night."

"Doc," Tom asked, "are you sure my boys are going to be all right?"

"Yes," the doctor answered. "But it will take time. They have to rest and regain their strength. Don’t look so worried Tom. I wouldn’t lie to you. Your wife is going to have her hands full with Jarrod though. He’s fighting everyone and he could hurt himself if we don’t watch him closely."

"That’s my boy," Tom said. "He’s a fighter. They are all fighters."

"I know," the doctor replied. "They have a fighter for a father too."

About that time, Nick began to come around. He slowly opened his eyes and winced again as the pain in his ribs and back came back. He looked around and slowly his eyes fell on his father’s face. He smiled and Tom smiled down at him.

"How do you feel son?" Tom asked him.

"I’ll do," Nick answered. "How’s Jarrod?"

"Not good I’m afraid," the doctor replied. "He’s becoming very violent because of what he’s had to endure. I’ve had to sedate him with some very powerful medicine to keep him from injuring himself or anyone else."

"He really suffered in that mine," Nick told them. "He was constantly harassed by one or more of those men."

"He’ll have to be watched very closely but he will recover," the doctor assured him. "You have to believe that son."

"All right," Nick said. "Can I see him?"

"Not right now," the doctor replied. "You need to rest and get better."

"Please doctor," Nick pleaded. "I have to see Jarrod. It’s very important."

"All right," the doctor relented.

Tom and the doctor helped Nick to his feet. He began to sway and Tom had to steady him. They walked down to Jarrod’s room with Tom and the doctor helping Nick. When Victoria saw Nick walk in, she was shocked.

"Nick," she said surprised, "what are you doing out of bed?"

"Mother," he said and winced, "I had to see Jarrod. I just had too."

Tom eased him over to a chair and Nick sat down beside the bed. He looked over at his older brother and cringed. Jarrod was still unconscious and he was having difficulty drawing a good breath. He was also having chills one minute and burning up the next. Nick took his hand and held it.

"Jarrod," he said, "hang in there big brother. Everything will be all right. Just hang in there."

Jarrod began to become violent again. Nick pulled his hand back. He sat and watched as his brother began to thrash around in the bed. It took both Tom and the doctor to hold him down. The doctor was afraid to give him more medication. But after Jarrod was still being so violent for several more minutes, he had no choice. He gave him the medicine and Jarrod went limp. He knew the boy was going to experience very bad withdrawal symptoms but he didn’t have any other choice.

"I don’t want to have to keep sedating him," he told them. "But he could really injure himself or someone else. He’s really going through it. Until he wakes up, I won’t know how badly he’s damaged from these violent spells. Nick, tell me everything that happened to your brother so I can help him deal with it."

"All right," Nick said. "We were made to work in the mine hauling ore out in mine cars, and dig. Jarrod was continuously hit in the ribs like I was. Anyway, the second day, we both were having trouble keeping up our end of the work. After several attacks on my ribs and Jarrod’s ribs, we were taken to a wall where shackles were hanging. Both of us were tied by our wrists after our shirts were removed. Then we were whipped twenty times. Then we were released and put back to work. I was able to keep up pretty well but Jarrod was not. He was again taken to the shackles and whipped thirty more times. His back was raw. He was put back to work and we finished out that day’s work. Then the next morning, we both were unable to go and that’s when we were locked in those, small, dark, metal cells. I don’t remember much after that."

"That’s enough," the doctor replied. "No wonder he’s so violent. He lived through all that pain and torture. He’s in for a very long recovery period."

"I just wish that he would wake up doc," Nick said.

"He will when and if he’s able," the doctor told him. "He really needs the rest."

They stayed in Jarrod’s room the entire night. Nick wouldn’t leave his brother. Victoria covered him up in the chair and made him as comfortable as possible. Jarrod had several more of the very violent spells. Each time Nick would talk to him. After the last one, the doctor did not have to sedate Jarrod. Nick’s voice had calmed him down. He finally relaxed and fell into a deep healing sleep.

"Jarrod," he said very softly, "you don’t need to move around. Just rest."

"What happened?" he said and cringed again.

"You and your brothers were kidnapped from the ranch," Tom answered. "You were taken to a mine owned by Hanibal Jordan. You were punished when you couldn’t keep up with the work assigned to you."

Jarrod’s face became a dark mask. He was remembering everything that happened. He became very violent again. Tom grabbed his shoulders and held his son down.

"Jarrod," he said, "you’ve got to calm down. Do you hear me son?"

Jarrod was still thrashing around and Tom had to fight him. When he wouldn’t stop, the doctor again gave him a dose of the high powered medicine and he quieted down. Tom relaxed his hold on Jarrod. He turned to the doctor.

"Doctor," he said, "what happened?"

"Tom," the doctor began, "your son has lived through a very bad nightmare. He’s reliving every second of what happened to him. I don’t like to keep giving him this drug to knock him out but right now I don’t have a choice. Your son is not a stable person right now. If he doesn’t come out of this violent state soon, he will have to be placed in a sanitarium for the rest of his life."

Tom, Victoria and Nick just stared with shocked looks on their faces. Jarrod was a lot worse off than they thought. He didn’t belong in a sanitarium.

"Doctor," Victoria said, "please don’t do that?"

"It’s not going to be my choice," he told them. "Your son is in a world of his own right now. A world where he is in pain all the time and getting tortured every minute. I’ll do everything I can for him but it doesn’t look good. He has suffered for so long and under horrible circumstances over the past year. It’s all culminating in these violent attacks he has."

"My brother is not crazy doc," Nick replied.

"I didn’t say Jarrod was crazy" he said, "I said that he was stuck in his own little world of pain and torture. If he doesn’t soon come out of this, he will have to be committed."

Tom, Victoria and Nick looked down at Jarrod. He was such a good boy. Why did this have to happen to him? All three of them kept talking to him.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "listen to me son. You can beat this. Fight it boy. Fight."

"That’s right big brother," Nick replied. "You’ve got the guts. Come on."

"Honey," his mother told him, "hang in there. You will get better."

Gene walked into the room along with Audra. When they saw their parents and brother’s faces, they knew something was wrong.

"What’s going on?" Gene asked.

"Your brother is having some problems," Victoria said.

"What kind of problems?" Gene asked.

"He’s getting very violent," the doctor said. "He has to be sedated before he can injure himself or someone else."

"Let me talk to him," Gene replied.

He walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at his older brother.

"Jarrod," he said slowly, "you listen to me. I need you big brother. Who’s going to help me with my homework? Who’s going to help me pick out a good college to attend when I’m ready? I need you Jarrod. Please come back. I can’t handle things without your guidance. Please."

Jarrod’s eyes began to open slowly. He looked over at his youngest brother and smiled a very small smile. He looked around the room and his tortured eyes came to rest on his father’s face. He cringed in pain again. But this time he didn’t become violent.

"I’ll be all right Gene," he whispered. "Don’t worry."

He was starting to feel the pain in his raw back and his ribcage and the bruises he sustained from the violent dreams. He began to grip the sheets hard and clench his teeth. But again he didn’t become violent. He was beginning to calm down.

"How do you feel son?" Tom asked him.

"My back and ribs are in tremendous pain," he replied. "But I’ll be all right."

You bet you’ll be all right," Tom said.

The doctor walked over to the bed.

"Jarrod," he said, "I want you to listen to me. I have had to give you some medicine to stop the violent nightmares you’ve been having. There is a chance that you will become addicted to this medicine. I didn’t want to give it to you but you were going to hurt yourself or your family. If you do have withdrawal symptoms, it will be very hard on you. You will want more of this medicine but I’m not going to give you any. You have to fight this. Do you understand what I’m saying son?"

"Yes sir," he replied. "What kind of symptoms will I have?"

"I’m not sure," he told him. "I’ve not had to use this medicine much. It differs in different people. I have seen some that become very violent and try to kill to get the medicine and I’ve seen others who just cry and beg for the stuff. I don’t know what you will do if you have the withdrawal symptoms. We’ll just have to wait and see."

"Dr. Merrar," Tom asked with anger evident in his voice, "if you knew that Jarrod could become addicted to this medicine, why didn’t you tell us?"

"Because," he began, "I didn’t want to worry you at the time. Jarrod was so violent that I had no other choice. I’m sorry Tom."

"I hope he doesn’t react violently," Victoria said. "He could damage his ribs again."

"Like I said," the doctor replied, "I don’t know if he will have any symptoms at all. But we must be prepared for it in the event he does."

Jarrod had been listening and was getting very worried. He didn’t want to harm himself or his parents. He couldn’t even envision himself as being that violent. He tried to rest but the words of Dr. Merrar kept playing over and over in his mind.

"Nick," Tom whispered, "don’t move. Your brother is acting very crazy. He could hurt you in his present state of mind."

"All right," Nick said quietly. "What’s wrong with him?"

"It must be that withdrawal to the medicine the doc told us about," Tom replied. "I’ve got to get to the doctor."

Tom eased up and slowly walked to the door. Jarrod caught his movement out of the corner of his eye and stalked him.

"Where’s the medicine?" he demanded. "Give it to me."

Tom tried to calm his son down but he was wild in the eyes. He let the boy go by him and then he tackled Jarrod. Jarrod tried to fight him off. Victoria and the doctor entered the room and they saw Jarrod.

"Doc," Tom said, "do something. Jarrod’s got a crazed look in his eyes."

"Tom," he replied, "I’ll have to get him back in the bed and he’ll have to be tied down so he can’t hurt anyone."

The two men picked Jarrod up. He was fighting both of them and screaming at them. They finally managed to get him to the bed.

"I need four pieces of rope," he said. "Now!"

Tom left the room to find some rope. Jarrod was still violent. The doctor was struggling with him when Tom finally returned.

"Hold him down," he told Tom.

Tom grabbed his arms and held him down. The doctor tied his arms to each side of the bed. Then he tied his feet. He stood up and breathed a sigh of relief. Now Jarrod would not hurt anyone except himself. He began to pull and struggle trying to free himself.

"I’ll kill you when I get untied," he said. "Let me go. I need that medicine. I can’t live without it."

"Easy son," Tom replied and moved closer to the bed. "I don’t have any of the medicine you are looking for. Calm down or you will hurt yourself."

"Let me go," he told them. "I need it. I can’t live without it."

He tried to break his bonds. He thrashed and yelled. Tom and Victoria were cringing at the sight of their son being so violent. It was tearing them up inside to watch. Nick was in shock at the crazed look on his brother’s face.

"Father," Jarrod whispered, "what happened? Why have I been tied?"

"Son," Tom said softly, "how do you feel?"

"I’m hurting all over," he replied. "Every muscle in my body feels like they’re strained. My ribs are still on fire."

"It’s going to be all right son," Tom said. "You had a violent reaction to the medication the doctor gave you. You need to rest."

"Please untie me," he begged.

"I can’t," Tom replied. "I can’t take the chance right now. You may become violent again and injure someone."

"Please!" he pleaded.

"No," Tom told him.

It was the hardest thing Tom had ever had to do. He knew what his son was feeling but if he did untie him and Jarrod became violent again, more damage could be done. The doctor walked back into the room and over to the bed.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "how do you feel?"

"Pretty rough," he answered. "Please let me go."

"Shortly son," the doctor replied. "I need to examine you first."

He began to examine the young man. A few minutes later he looked up at Tom and Victoria.

"The worst is over," he said. "I believe we can untie him now. The violence has passed. He can start to heal now. Jarrod, your ribs are damaged, your back is raw and you strained just about every muscle in your body over the last several hours. But you will heal. For right now I want you to rest."

Tom and the doctor untied Jarrod. Then Tom backed away. He was still unsure of Jarrod. This confused the young man even more. Victoria also stayed away from him and Nick had a terrified look on his pain-laden face. None of them would come close to the bed.

"What’s wrong?" Jarrod asked very confused. "Has something happened?"

"No son," the doctor said. "You have been very violent over the past few hours. Your parents are still in shock. Everything will be all right."

"What did I do?" he asked with a hint of shock and surprise in his voice.

"You attacked your father Jarrod," the doctor replied. "He had to physically hold you down until we could tie you to the bed."

"Oh no!" he cried. "What have I done?"

"Calm down," the doctor said. "It’s all right now."

"But I tried to kill my own father!" Jarrod cried.

The doctor reached into his bag and pulled out a needle. He put some morphine in it. Then he injected Jarrod with the medicine. The boy passed out. He looked over at his parents.

"Jarrod needs to rest," he told them. "He’s trying to deal with what he tried to do to you. He’ll be all right in time. But he’s going to have to be watched. He’s been violent once, he could do it again."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria replied. "I’m sorry about not going over to his bed. He scared me with his violent behavior. To tell you the truth, I was terrified of my own son."

"That’s not abnormal Victoria," the doctor said. "Jarrod’s been through so much. He needs to heal emotionally as well as physically. This will take time. In the meantime, you have to come to terms with what you witnessed and deal with it. Why don’t you and Tom take Nick back to his room? I’ll stay with Jarrod. Talk about it and come to terms with what happened."

"All right doc," Tom told him.

They eased Nick up and helped him back to his room. When they got Nick tucked in bed, he looked up at them.

"Father," he said, "I didn’t know that Jarrod could become that angry. He wanted to kill."

"He wanted that medicine son," his father replied. "He’s going to be fine."

"Yes," Nick said. "But he tried to kill. I saw his eyes. He had a crazed look in them. Almost like he didn’t know who he was or where he was. It’s going to take some time before I’ll feel comfortable being around him alone."

"I know what you mean son," Tom told him. "After witnessing first hand what your brother tried to do, it will take me some time before I can feel comfortable around him. I love him. Don’t get me wrong. But I saw something in your brother that frightened me and I’m not an easy man to frighten."

"Tom," Victoria spoke up, "when you had to tackle Jarrod I was very scared about your safety. He had the look of a killer. If he hadn’t been stopped, I believe he would have tried to kill you."

Nick had finally fallen asleep a couple of hours later. Tom and Victoria left his room and slowly walked toward their oldest son’s room. They opened the door and walked in. The doctor was sitting beside the bed. He looked up when they walked in.

"How is Jarrod," Tom asked concerned.

"He’s still unconscious," the doctor answered. "He’s damaged his ribs again and I had to wrap them."

"Doctor," Victoria asked, "will Jarrod be all right?"

"Yes," the doctor told them. "He’s over the worst. The reason I knocked him out earlier is because he was getting so upset at his own actions. He has to be given a chance for his emotional state to heal. He’s at the end of his rope because of everything he’s endured both physically and mentally. But he will heal."

"How long will it take?" Tom asked.

"I can’t answer that," the doctor replied. "He’s been through so much. We just have to give him time."

Jarrod’s eyes began to open and he looked around. He tried to move and grunted with pain.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "no moving around. You’ve got to lie still."

"Oh I hurt all over," he mumbled. "What happened?"

"You have been injured," the doctor replied.

"I can’t remember getting hurt," he mumbled.

"That’s very normal," the doctor said. "You’ve been through an awful lot. You need to rest and begin to heal."

"Where are my parents?" he asked.

"They are with Nick," he lied. "Your brother was also hurt."

"How is he?" he asked very concerned.

"He’ll be fine," the doctor told him. "Now rest."

"Please," he begged, "I want to see my brother."

"No," the doctor stated. "You can’t be moving around."

Jarrod tried to get up but the doctor held him down. After a few more minutes of struggling, he finally relaxed. He was completely exhausted. Tom and Victoria walked farther into the room. They looked over at their oldest son lying on his bed. Finally, Tom got up enough strength to walk over to the bed. He sat down on the side of it. He looked down into his son’s blue eyes. The crazed look was gone. He spoke softly to the boy.

"Jarrod," he said, "I’m here. You’re going to be fine. Just rest son."

"Father," Jarrod replied, "is that you?"

"Yes son," he answered. "I’m right here."

"Oh father," he said with tears running down his bruised face, "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you."

"It’s all right son," Tom told him. "I’m fine. Just rest."

Jarrod began to cry harder. Tom finally gave in and hugged his son. He held him very close.

"It’s all right," he kept saying. "You’re going to be fine."

After a few minutes Jarrod looked up into his father’s eyes. He smiled a half smile and then closed his tired eyes. Tom eased his head back onto the pillow. He knew that Jarrod was on his way to getting better. He smiled.

"Dr. Merrar," Victoria asked, "how long will Jarrod sleep?"

"It depends," he answered. "Your son was completely exhausted both mentally and physically. This is good for him. He’s going to be sore when he wakes up though. His body has been through so much over the past year. But he’s young and strong. He will be fine."

"Thank you for all you’ve done for my boys," she remarked. "They’ve all suffered over this situation with the railroad and Tom."

"Yes they have," Tom said. "And I intend to put a stop to this right now. I’m not going to put my family in any more danger. I’m going to talk to the farmers and tell them that I can’t help them any longer. I’ve nearly lost two of my sons and I won’t put them through any more."

"Tom," the doctor replied, "I wish you would reconsider. Those men need your guidance and your help. I understand how you feel about your family and what they’ve endured but those farmers and their families are enduring a lot too. Their homes and farms are on the verge of being taken from them and they have no one else to turn to."

"I’ll think about it doc," Tom told him. "But I won’t have my family hurt anymore."

Jarrod began to wake up. He slowly opened his pain filled eyes and grimaced in pain when he tried to move. Tom was at his side.

"Easy son," he said. "Don’t move around. You’ve been badly injured. You need to stay quiet."

"Father," Jarrod mumbled, "is that you?"

"I’m right here son," he replied. "Rest."

"Oh," he mumbled, "I hurt all over. My head’s dizzy too."

"That’s from the medicine Jarrod," the doctor said. "You’re also running a fever. You need to stay as quiet as possible. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," he mumbled again. "Father, I think I’m going to be sick."

Jarrod began to vomit. Tom held his son’s head in his hands and kept talking softly to him. Jarrod vomited again and again. Tom looked over at the doctor.

"He’s having another reaction to the morphine," the doctor told him. "He’ll stop in a few minutes. His fever is also high. He will recover."

"This is not going to help his injured ribs," Tom said.

A few minutes later Jarrod stopped. Tom eased his hot head back on the pillows. He looked up at his father and tried to smile. Tom smiled back at his young son. Jarrod closed his tired eyes.

Jarrod was still in bed. His fever had broken but his entire body was hurting. The doctor didn’t want the boy to get out of bed for a few more days. Things were slowly returning to normal.

Nick entered his brother’s room. Jarrod was asleep or at least his eyes were closed. Nick gingerly walked closer to the bed. He looked at his older brother. His ribs were still bandaged; his face and hands still bore the scars of his inner battle. Jarrod stirred and his eyes opened. He looked up and saw Nick standing there.

"How long have you been here?" Jarrod asked.

"Oh not long," Nick replied. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel like every muscle I have has been pulled so tight," Jarrod answered. "My ribs ache and my back is still very sore."

"My ribs are still tender but I’m able to get up and move around," Nick said.

"That’s great," Jarrod told him and smiled. "Maybe I can get out of here soon. I am really starting to get tired of this bed."

"I know what you mean," Nick agreed. "Listen Jarrod, I wanted to speak to you a minute."

"Sure," Jarrod replied.

"I wanted to apologize," Nick began. "When you were so violent, I was really scared of you. You were like a wild animal. That’s the main reason I have stayed away. I love you big brother and I want you to get well."

"You don’t owe me an apology," Jarrod said. "If anyone’s owed an apology, it’s you. I don’t remember the attacks but if I were as bad as the doctor said, I would have been scared too. I’m sorry that I scared you so much."

"We’re even," Nick replied.

"All right," Jarrod agreed.

Over the next week, Jarrod continued to improve but he was still not allowed out of bed. He was getting stronger and was anxious to get up and start moving around. Because in another month, he would be heading back to law school.

Victoria still had not gotten up the strength to go over to Jarrod’s bed. After two weeks, she finally walked over to see her son.

"Mother," he said, "are you all right?"

"I’m fine honey," she replied. "Why?"

"Well," he said, "you haven’t been in to see me since I woke up from the mine kidnapping. I thought maybe you were ill."

"No," she answered him. "I’ve had a lot to do. How are you feeling?"

"I’m still very sore," he told her. "But I’ll be out of this bed before long."

"Certainly you will," she said. "You’re looking so much better today."

"Thank you," he replied.

The doctor walked in on their conversation.

"Well now," he said as he walked over to the bed, "you’re looking a lot better Jarrod."

"Does that mean I can get out of this bed?" he asked hopeful.

"I don’t see why not," the doctor answered. "However, you’ll have to take it easy for a few more days until your ribs completely heal."

"I will," Jarrod told him.

After the doctor left, Jarrod eased himself out of the bed with his mother’s help. He got dressed and went downstairs. He was so thankful to be up and around. He knew he was over the worst and would spend the rest of his break enjoying himself.

"Jarrod," his mother said, "you study hard. I’ll look forward to seeing you in May."

"I will mother," he told her and hugged her tightly.

"Jarrod," his father said, "you make us proud. You’ve only got a little over a year left."

"Yes sir," he replied, and shook his father’s hand before Tom pulled him into a hug.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I’ll look forward to seeing you in May and maybe we can do something together."

"I’ll look forward to that," he answered, and hugged his brother.

"Jarrod," Gene said, "you remember I’m going to be the second Barkley to go to college."

"I’ll remember," he replied. "I’ll even help you decide which college you want to attend."

"Great," Gene told him. "I’ll look forward to that."

"Jarrod," Audra said and hugged him tightly, "I’ll miss you."

"I’ll miss you too," he replied. "But I’ll see you in May."

Tom and Jarrod left. Tom drove him to the train station and watched him get aboard. Then he returned to the ranch. Jarrod headed for San Francisco and his next term of law school.

"Well," he said, "welcome back. Are you ready to hit the books again?"

"Yes I am," Jarrod answered. "Can you believe that we are nearly finished with our third year of law school?"

"Yes," Brett told him. "You forgot, I’m in my fifth. But I am really looking forward to getting through very soon."

"Yeah," Jarrod agreed.

The two boys began their next term. They saw a lot of Nat Springer. One day, Adam Howard left word for Jarrod to meet him at his office in San Francisco. Jarrod went to see him after his classes that afternoon.

"Jarrod," Adam said, as he ushered the young man into his office, "I’m glad you got my message."

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him and sat down in one of the chairs in the office.

The office was very large and Adam had a lot of books on the shelves that lined two walls. Jarrod was very impressed the books that Adam had.

"Jarrod," Adam said, as he said down behind his desk, "the reason I asked to see you was to tell you some bad news. Robert Hodges died last night in his sleep of a heart attack. I knew you were fond of him and thought you would like to know."

Jarrod was very shocked by the news. Even though he hadn’t seen Col. Hodges in months, the news still hit him hard.

"I don’t know what to say sir," he replied. "He was a wonderful man and he taught me a great deal."

"I know," Adam said. "His wife and daughter are leaving San Francisco and going to her parents’ home in Nevada. They will be staying with them for a while."

"I understand sir," Jarrod replied. "I’m so sorry for Rachel."

"I know you are," Adam said. "Bob really liked you Jarrod and he wanted you to become a lawyer. I hope you will succeed and remember Bob would be very proud of you."

"I will sir," Jarrod answered. "You can count on that."

Jarrod left Adam Howard’s office and slowly walked back to his room. When he walked in, Brett saw the expression on his face.

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

"You remember Col. Hodges," Jarrod began, "the man I worked under in Washington, D.C. during the war?"

"Yes," Brett answered. "What about him?"

"He died in his sleep last night of a heart attack," Jarrod answered.

"Oh Jarrod," Brett told him, "I’m so sorry. I know you really respected him and wanted to make him proud."

"Yes," Jarrod said. "And I still plan to. His wife and daughter have gone to Mrs. Hodges’ parents’ home in Nevada for a while. I wish I could have seen Rachel before they left."

"Maybe you can see her when she comes back," Brett suggested.

"Maybe I can," Jarrod agreed.

Jarrod vowed to become the best lawyer he could and keep his word to his mentor, Col. Robert Hodges. He studied very hard. His grades were at the top of his class when the term was over in May. He was very happy and he knew the colonel would be too if he were still here.

Jarrod left on the train for Stockton on May 20, 1868. He was looking forward to spending his last summer before his final year of law school with his family. It was going to be wonderful.

"I know a man who can help you boss," his aide, Charles Hoak told him. "He’s a sadistic, former prison guard who was fired because he was so rough on the prisoners. He has ways of shutting people up for good."

"He sounds like a man I would like to meet," Jordan replied. "When can you get in touch with him and ask him to come to my office. I would like to make him a proposition."

"I can get in touch with him today and have him here in two maybe three days," Hoak told him.

"Good," Jordan said. "Do it."

Hoak left the office and went to the telegraph officer where he sent a wire to Daniel Carter. Then he returned to Jordan’s office to discuss how they were going to dispose of Tom Barkley once and for all.

"He’s ready to ride big brother," Nick said.

Jarrod turned and saw his younger brother standing there with a big smile on his face.

"Nick," he replied and smiled.

Nick grabbed him in an enormous bear hug.

"Welcome home big brother," Nick said and smiled.

"I’m glad to be home," Jarrod replied.

The two of them headed for the house where Gene and Audra met them.

"Jarrod," Audra said and flew into his arms, "I’m so glad you’re home."

"I’m glad to be home honey," he told her.

"Jarrod," Gene said, "I’m also glad you’re home."

"No happier than I am," Jarrod replied.

They went into the house where his mother and father met him.

"Welcome home son," Tom said and patted him on the back.

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied. "It’s been a long term. I’m glad it’s over."

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "you’re looking well. How are you feeling?"

"I’m fine," he told her.

Jarrod went upstairs to unpack.

"Carter," Jordan said, "I want Tom Barkley stopped. I don’t want him killed just yet. You can get to him some other way can’t you?"

"Yeah," Carter replied. "Does he have a family?"

"Yes," Jordan said. "He has one daughter and three sons. The oldest boy, Jarrod, is studying to be a lawyer; his middle son, Nick, is a rancher; and his third son, Eugene, is only thirteen."

"Good," Carter replied. "What if I go after one or all of his sons?"

"We’ve already tried that," Hoak answered.

"But you don’t know how I will handle it," Carter told them. "I won’t be afraid to kill one or all of his sons."

"Go after the oldest one," Hoak said. "He’s the loud mouth and he’s going to be a lawyer which might present problems down the road for Mr. Jordan. He tries to reason everything out. If you go after Nick, you’ll go up against a wildcat. He’s just like his father but Jarrod thinks before he reacts."

"All right," Carter replied. "One dead son."

He left the office with a smile on his rugged face. Jordan watched him leave. Then he smiled. Hoak smiled too as they celebrated the end of Tom Barkley’s interference in the railroads’ bid to reclaim all that land in the San Joaquin Valley.

Carter left the office and rode to a campsite outside of town. There he met with his men and he laid out the details of the job they would be doing. Carter, who was a short, heavyset man with a sadistic expression on his rugged face smiled at the way he would make Tom Barkley’s oldest son die. He wanted to really make the boy suffer so his father would back off and never bother Hanibal Jordan again.

"We’ve got to wait until either the boy is alone or is with his father," Carter told them. "I want his old man to watch him die in a way that Barkley will never forget. I’ll ride to Stockton with six of you and we’ll check out the ranch to see if he or the boy leaves. If they do, we’ll get them after they do."

Carter and six of his men left the campsite and headed for Stockton.

"Victoria," he said, "I’ve been thinking. I would love to take the boys with me to Sacramento on business next week. I would love to spend some time with all three of them before Jarrod’s graduates next spring."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Victoria replied. "You could ride up there on horses instead of by train. Really rough it for several days."

"Yes," Tom agreed. "That sounds wonderful. I know the boys would enjoy it. I’ll talk to them about it at dinner this evening."

"Fine," Victoria said.

That evening at dinner, Tom brings up the subject of taking the boys with him to Sacramento.

"Jarrod," he said, "Nick and Gene, I want to ask you something. I was wondering if you boys would like to accompany me to Sacramento next week on business. It would give us a chance to enjoy each other’s company and you can sit in on some of the business dealings I do."

"Sounds interesting father," Gene replied. "I would love to go."

"Good," Tom said. "Jarrod? Nick?"

"I guess I could let my responsibilities at the ranch go for a few days," Nick told him.

"Of course you can son," Tom replied.

"All right," Nick said. "I’ll do it."

"Good," Tom told him. "Jarrod?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered.

"Great," Tom said. "We’ll leave early Monday morning. We’ll ride the horses and camp out under the stars at night. It will be wonderful."

That night after everyone else had gone to sleep, Tom was sitting in the study at his desk going over the documents he wanted to take with him. Jarrod walked into the room and Tom looked up.

"Son," he said, "I thought you had gone to bed."

"I couldn’t sleep," he replied. "Something happened several weeks ago father. Something bad."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Tom asked.

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "Adam Howard, a man that Col. Hodges had introduced me to several months ago asked me to come to his office after class. I met him there and he told me that he had some very bad news to tell me. Father, Col. Hodges died in his sleep of a heart attack the night before."

"Oh son," Tom said. "I’m so sorry. I know you really respected and looked up to Bob. How are you doing?"

"It’s been hard," Jarrod told him. "I made a promise to myself to do the very best I could and make a good lawyer just like the colonel wanted me too."

"I know you will son," Tom said. "He was a wonderful man. I’m sorry that he’s gone but his legacy will live on in his daughter and in you boy. He thought of you like a son Jarrod. That’s why he wanted to help you all he could. You were the son he never had. You’ll make a great lawyer."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied. "I just wanted you to know."

"Thank you for telling me," Tom said. "Son, are you all right?"

"I’m fine sir," he told him. "I’ll be just fine. Good night."

"Good night son," Tom said, and Jarrod left the room.

That night when Tom went upstairs to bed, Victoria was reading in bed. When Tom walked into the room, she could tell something was bothering him.

"Tom," she said, "what’s bothering you?"

"Jarrod," he began, "came down to the study to see me. He told me that several weeks ago Bob Hodges died in his sleep of a heart attack."

"Oh Tom," she replied, "I’m so sorry."

"I’m all right Victoria," he told her. "But Jarrod’s hurting inside. That boy really looked up to Bob. Bob was there with our son when he was in the army during the war. He helped him get into school and he even helped save his life when he was kidnapped. And I believe that he one day hoped Jarrod would be his son-in-law."

"Tom," she said, "you’ve got to help Jarrod deal with his loss. When you and the boys go on your trip, spend a little extra time with Jarrod. He needs you now more than ever."

"I agree," he told her. "Don’t you worry, I’ll spend a lot of time with my son."

Early Monday morning, Tom and his three sons were getting ready to leave. They packed what they would need and said goodbye to their mother and sister.

"You boys mind your father," Victoria said. "Nick, you look after your little brother."

"Yes mother," Nick answered. "I won’t let anything happen to him."

"Jarrod," she said, "you enjoy this trip with your father. You need this trip right now. And your father will be there every step of the way."

"I know mother," he told her. "Thanks."

The four Barkleys left the ranch and headed for Sacramento. Nick and Gene rode side by side and Tom rode beside his oldest son. Jarrod was still pretty shaken about the death of Bob Hodges and Tom wanted to help his son. He would look over at the boy from time to time and see his sad expression. He knew that Jarrod had really looked up to Bob and would really miss him. He vowed to help his son deal with loss so he didn’t feel so alone.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I’m glad you came with me. You’re going to be starting your final year of law school in the fall and you’re going to be very busy. I thought this might be the last time we would be able to spend any time together. You’re going to be so busy studying."

"Thank you father," Jarrod replied. "I am looking forward to finishing up. I don’t look forward to taking the bar exam. That means I’ll have to study very hard. My mind needs a chance to rest before it goes through all that. This trip is exactly what I needed."

"Good," Tom told him. "When we get to Sacramento, I want you to attend some of the meetings with me. You can learn a lot about me and the ranch this way."

"Right," Jarrod agreed with him. "I look forward to it father."

"Jarrod," Tom said changing the subject, "I know you’re still reeling from Bob’s death. You have to put it behind you son and go on with your life. That’s what Bob would have wanted."

"I know sir," Jarrod replied. "It’s just so hard. He helped me during the four years I was in the war. He was there each time I woke up in the ward after being injured. He was a big help when I came home. He wrote the recommendation for me to get my degree in only four years instead of six. He helped me after I was so sick from the stabbing incident. And he saved my life when I was kidnapped."

"Yes he did," Tom told him. "He loved you like a son. He told me how lucky I was to have a son like you. I know I am. You’re a wonderful son Jarrod. No father could ask for a better one. You become that lawyer and that will make Bob’s wish come true."

"Yes sir," he said, "I will."

Unknown to the Barkleys they were being followed by seven men. They kept trailing them for the first day. That evening when the Barkleys stopped to camp, the trap was sprung.

"Nick," Tom said, after they had eaten their food and were enjoying a cup of coffee together, "tomorrow when we get to Sacramento, I want you to watch your brother, Gene. I’m going to take Jarrod with me to some of the meetings I have to attend. I really think he will enjoy learning about some of these business deals I have in the works."

"Do I have to?" Nick asked a little disappointed.

"No," his father replied. "But your brother is only thirteen. If you think he will be fine by himself for several hours, that’s all right with me."

"I guess I will," Nick told him. "He could get into some trouble."

"Me?" Gene asked. "You’re talking about me? You’re the one who always gets into a fight for no apparent reason Nick."

"That’s for sure," Jarrod agreed. "All someone has to do is look at him sideways and he punches them."

"Oh very funny big brother," Nick said. "You’ve never hit anyone in your entire life I suppose."

"I have," Jarrod shot back. "But I didn’t do it because they looked at me funny."

"I don’t hit people because they look at me funny," Nick told him. "I hit people because they usually say something stupid."

"Oh," Jarrod said and laughed. "I didn’t realize."

"All right," Nick replied. "Laugh all you want to. One of these days someone will say something stupid to you and I can’t wait to see what you do."

"Well," Jarrod said, "I wouldn’t hit them. I’d talk to them first."

"That’s right big brother," Nick told him. "You talk. One of these days you’re gonna have to show some action."

"Maybe," Jarrod said. "But I’m not going to engage in fisticuffs if I don’t have to."

"All right boys that’s enough," Tom replied with a smile on his face. "We came on this trip to enjoy not get into petty arguments with each other."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and smiled.

"Right father," Nick answered and also smiled.

Gene just started laughing and before long all of them were laughing. They finally turned in for the night.

Carter and his men eased toward the camp. They were very quiet. They didn’t want to wake any of them. When the men were in position, Carter stepped into the camp and grabbed Tom and pulled him to his feet. The boys woke up and tried to protect their father but the other men surprised them with revolvers to their faces.

"Well now," Carter said, "ain’t this just grand. I have Tom Barkley and his sons."

"We’ll see about that," Nick shot back.

"Nick," Tom said, "not now. Just be patient."

"But father," Nick started.

"Be patient," Tom said again a little louder.

Nick nodded and was quiet. The men tied the Barkleys’ hands and sat them down on the ground.

"Now," Carter said, "We’re going to take a little trip to a place I know where we can conduct some business. If you don’t cooperate, I’ll kill one of your sons. You decide."

"All right," Tom replied.

"Good," Carter told them. "You see the place I have picked out for you will be a place you will never forget old man."

"Don’t you call my father old man," Gene snapped.

"Who’s going to stop me?" Carter said and looked at the boy. "You?"

"Yes," Gene replied, "if I have to."

"Gene," Tom said, "that’s enough."

"But father," Gene began.

"That’s enough," Tom said again.

Gene closed his mouth and sat quietly. Carter looked down at Jarrod who hadn’t said a word.

"Nothing to say boy," Carter snapped, as he bent over to look right in Jarrod’s face.

Jarrod just sat there with his mouth closed. It infuriated Carter. He grabbed Jarrod by the front of his shirt and pulled him to his feet.

"Come on boy," Carter said again. "I know you’ve got something to say about this predicament you’re in."

Again, Jarrod didn’t say a word. Tom was smiling inwardly at his son. He knew what Jarrod wanted to do but was proud at the way his son was handling himself.

"All right," Carter said, "if that’s the way you want to be, I’ll give you something to keep your mouth closed about."

Carter measured Jarrod and hit him flush in the mouth. Jarrod tried to grab his face but he couldn’t because of the ropes. His mouth started to bleed. His lip was cut open. Carter threw him to the dirt.

"Now you won’t be able to talk lawyer boy," Carter snapped.

Jarrod looked up at him when he called him lawyer boy. He knew that the man knew he was going to be a lawyer. He looked over at his father with a scared look in his eyes. Tom’s expression showed no fear. Jarrod locked eyes with his father and the fear went away and his face became neutral again. Carter then motioned for them to get up. They obeyed and the Carter’s men saddled their horses and the group rode off.

"Just in case you haven’t figured it out yet," he told them. "I used to be a prison guard. That is until I caused too many of the inmates to die. Then they fired me."

Tom cringed when he heard those words. He was even more worried for his son’s safety. Carter walked over to Jarrod. He had a billyclub in his hand. He struck Jarrod on the kneecap. Jarrod cringed and yelled in pain and went down on his knees. Carter pulled him up by the front of his shirt. He hit him on the other kneecap. Jarrod cringed and yelled out again. Carter then pushed the young man up against the cell wall.

"You’re going to pay for your father’s interference," he said. "You’re going to wish you were dead before I’m through with you."

Jarrod spit right in his face. That infuriated Carter. He took his billyclub and hit Jarrod right in the mouth with it. Jarrod couldn’t yell because his mouth began to bleed. Carter let him fall to the floor. Tom was getting very angry. He wanted to beat the living daylights out of Carter but he couldn’t get to him. Carter noticed his anger and smiled.

"Barkley," he said and looked right at Tom, "before I’m through with your boy you’re going to want to kill me. But of course you won’t because you’re locked up and I’m not. I know how to handle prisoners. Tie the boy to the cell."

Two of Carter’s men grabbed Jarrod and brought him over to the bars. They tied his hands to the bars and Carter walked over to him. He picked up his billyclub and struck Jarrod right in the rib cage. The boy screamed in pain. Carter hit him again and again. Jarrod’s ribs were on fire. He shut his eyes tightly because of the severe pain. But Carter wasn’t finished. He hit the boy below the right kneecap and Tom heard it pop. He knew Jarrod’s left leg was broken. Jarrod screamed in pain. He hit the leg again and again. The boy was now in agony. He was having trouble standing because of the broken leg. Carter just smiled. Tom’s heart was breaking with the torture his son was receiving. He wanted to tear Carter apart. Carter finally cut the boy loose. Jarrod slid to the floor clutching his left leg and his ribs. He was in a tremendous amount of pain. Carter did one more thing to the boy. He took his billyclub and hit Jarrod very hard over the top of the head. The boy’s eyes rolled back in his head and his head hit the floor with a thud. Two of the men came in, picked him up, took him over and tied him to the bars outside of Tom’s cell in a sitting position. Tom squatted down and reached through the bars. He felt the top of his son’s head. There was blood and a fair sized knot on the back of Jarrod’s head. He knew Jarrod was hurt really bad. He patted his son on the head.

"Hang in there son," he said. "Everything will be all right."

Then he stood up and looked Carter right in the eye.

"I’ll kill you for this," he said.

"I don’t think so Barkley," Carter told him. "If you try your boy’s dead."

"I may not now," Tom replied. "But somewhere down the road I’ll kill you."

Carter laughed and he and his men left the cells. Tom kneeled down again as close to Jarrod as he could get. He didn’t like the looks of his son. The guard had definitely injured Jarrod seriously.

"Father," Gene, asked, "is Jarrod all right?"

"No son," Tom answered, "he’s not. I know for a fact that his skull’s damaged and his leg is broken. He’s probably got some broken ribs. I’m afraid Jarrod is in very bad shape."

"What are we going to do?" Nick asked. "We’ve got to get him out of here."

"I know son," Tom said. "But the cell door’s locked. And we don’t have a key."

Carter and the men walked back into the cell area. Carter looked down at Jarrod.

"How’s your boy old man?" he asked.

Carter walked over to the boy and looked down at him. He pulled out his billyclub again. He measured Jarrod’s right arm and hit it as hard as he could. Tom heard the bone snap. He knew Jarrod’s arm was broken.

"Please," he begged, "don’t hurt him anymore."

"I won’t hurt him anymore old man," Carter sneered. "I’m going to kill him piece by piece."

Tom knew he had to do something. He threw out a challenge.

"I’ll fight you for my son’s life," he said. "If I win, you leave us alone and we can leave. If you win, you can do anything you want with me."

"All right," Carter replied accepting.

He motioned for one of the men and he unlocked the cell door. Tom stepped out. Nick and Gene moved over closer to their older brother trying to protect him. Tom punched Carter right in the side of the jaw. Carter reeled and then he punched Tom in the ribs. Tom came storming back with a series of shots to Carter’s ribs. Carter bent over slightly. Then he kicked Tom in the leg. Tom went down to his knees momentarily stunned. But he quickly recovered and struck Carter in the mouth. Then he hit him again and again. He began to pummel Carter. After several minutes of pummeling him, Tom stood up. Carter was a bloody mess lying on the floor of the cell. The other men tried to stop Tom but he reached Carter’s gun and shot all six with Nick’s help. Nick had eased his way out of the cell because the man hadn’t locked it back after Tom was released. He got behind one of the men and knocked him out. He picked up his gun and when the shooting started, he helped his father kill all six men. When it was all over Tom rushed over and untied Jarrod. The boy was in very bad shape.

He decided to make a litter to pull behind the horse.

"Nick," he said, "I need a blanket from my saddle, two long and two short sticks to make the framework of the litter; two short sticks straight and two long sticks straight to splint his arm and his leg."

"Yes sir," Nick replied and left the office.

Tom and Gene laid Jarrod down flat and made him as comfortable as possible. Nick returned with the items Tom had asked for. Tom eased his son onto the blanket and then tied it to the logs. He put the splints on Jarrod’s leg and arm. He bandaged Jarrod’s head. Then he pulled Jarrod outside to the horses. He tied the litter to Jarrod’s horse and they headed for Sacramento. When they arrived in front of the hospital several hours later, Tom picked his son up, who has been unconscious since he was hit on the head by Carter, and carried him inside with Nick and Gene beside him. He walked over to the nurse’s desk.

"Excuse me," he said. "My son’s hurt bad. I need a doctor."

"Just a moment sir," the nurse replied and walked away.

A few minutes later two orderlies came out and took Jarrod from Tom. They carried him back to an examination room. Tom was not allowed to go with his son. He sat down in a chair and put his head in his hands.

"Father," Gene, asked, "is Jarrod going to be all right?"

"I don’t know son," Tom answered. "We’ll have to see what the doctor says."

A short time later a nurse walked out to talk to Tom.

"The doctor will see you now," she said and Tom followed her with Nick and Gene to the examination room.

The doctor met them at the door.

"Your son is unconscious," he told them. "His skull has been damaged. He could even have a fractured skull. I won’t know until he wakes up how much damage was done. He also has a broken arm, a broken leg and several broken ribs. I’m very worried about his head. He could have brain damage. Like I said I won’t know until he wakes up or I should say if he wakes up."

"If he wakes up," Tom repeated. "Are you telling me my son may never wake up?"

"Yes," the doctor said.

"Doc," Tom told him, "Jarrod was hit with a billyclub very hard on the back of the head. His eyes rolled back in his head and he was out."

"I suspected he had been hit," the doctor said. "I’ll set his arm and leg and bind his ribs. That’s all I can do for now. The rest is up to your son."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied. "Can I stay with him?"

"I’ll let you know when he’s moved to a room," the doctor said.

Tom nodded and walked out of the room. Nick and Gene went with him. They sat back down in the waiting room.

"Father," Nick asked, "someone should contact mother."

"Yes," Tom answered. "Your mother needs to know. Will you send her a wire son? I don’t want to leave your brother."

"Sure," he said and motioned for Gene to go with him.

When the two boys were outside, Gene looked up at his brother.

"It’s bad isn’t it Nick?" Gene asked.

"Yes," Nick answered, "it’s very bad. "Jarrod’s head is what the doctor is worried about. He might die or he may be someone who can’t do anything at all."

"Oh no," Gene replied. "He’s got to get better."

They went to the telegraph office and Nick wrote out the message. The message read:

He handed the message to the operator.

"Please hurry," he said. "It’s very important."

"Yes sir," the operator replied.

Nick and Gene left the office and went back to the hospital.

"Yes," he said.

"I have a telegram for Mrs. Barkley," the man replied.

"I will give it to her," he told him.

The man handed him the telegram and then left. Silas closed the door and walked into the study were Victoria and Audra were sitting.

"Mrs. Barkley," Silas said as he walked into the room, "this telegram was brought out here for you."

"Thank you Silas," she replied and took the paper.

She opened the paper and read it. Her face became a mask of worry and concern.

"Mother," Audra said, "what is it?"

"It’s your brother Audra," she replied.

"Which brother?" Audra asked.

"Jarrod," she said. "According to this telegram, he’s been severely hurt."

"Oh mother," Audra said. "What are we going to do?"

"We’re going to Sacramento," she told her.

They packed their bags and drove to Stockton. They boarded the train for Sacramento.

"Son," he said softly, "I don’t know whether you can hear me but I want you to know that I love you and I’ll be right here until you wake up. What those men did to you was completely uncalled for. But you don’t have to worry. Your brother and I took care of them. They’ll never hurt you again."

Nick and Gene walked in and Tom looked up. Then he turned his attention back to Jarrod.

"Son," he said softly, "your brothers are also here and your mother will be here soon."

Nick and Gene walked over closer to the bed. They were shocked at the appearance of their brother. He was heavily bandaged and he was so still.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I love you big brother and I want you to get well. You have to finish school and become a lawyer."

"Jarrod," Gene replied, "I love you too. Please get well."

Tom and his other two sons sat by Jarrod’s bed until Victoria and Audra walked in late that evening. Audra screamed when she saw Jarrod.

"Oh Jarrod!" Audra screamed. "My big brother!"

Victoria couldn’t believe what had been done to her oldest son.

"Tom," she asked, "what happened?"

"We were bedded down for the night," he began. Seven men stormed into our camp. They tied us and took us to an old ghost town. They locked us in a cell in the sheriff’s office. Then they removed Jarrod from the cell and put him in the other one. The headman, a former prison guard by the name of Carter walked into Jarrod’s cell. He stood Jarrod up and hit him with a billyclub on both kneecaps. The boy screamed in pain. Then he hit him right in the mouth and the ribs. He was in such agony at that point but Carter didn’t stop there. Jarrod was stood up and Carter hit him right below the knee and broke his leg. Jarrod screamed with the pain. Carter brought him out and tied him to the bars of our cell. Then he hit Jarrod very hard on the head with his billyclub. After his eyes rolled back in his head and he was out, Carter hit him on the arm and broke it. I threw out a challenge to him. I told him that I would fight him for Jarrod’s life. If I lost they could do what they wanted to me but if I won, my sons and I could leave. He agreed. I won and with Nick’s help we took care of those men. Then we brought him here."

"Oh my God!" Victoria screamed. "My poor boy!"

She hurried over to the bed and hugged her broken son. She sat down in the chair Tom had vacated and held Jarrod’s left hand.

"Honey," she said, "Mother’s right here. I won’t leave you Jarrod."

Tears were running down her face and Tom’s. They both knew how bad their son was hurt. They had no idea whether he would ever wake up.

"Jarrod," he said, "it’s father son. Come on boy, wake up."

Victoria heard her husband talking to Jarrod and walked closer to the bed. She could also see the movement of her son.

"Jarrod," she replied, "mother’s here honey. I’m right here."

Jarrod continued to try to wake up. Finally, his eyes opened and he looked around. He was very disoriented. When he tried to move, Tom held him down.

"Son," he said, "you can’t move. You’ve been badly hurt."

Jarrod looked right at his father. He had a confused look on his bruised face. He tried to talk but the words wouldn’t come out. Nick had gone out of the room to get the doctor when he realized his brother was waking up. The doctor walked into the room a few minutes later. He examined Jarrod and then looked at his parents.

"Somehow he’s awake," he told them. "I’ll have to wait to see what kind of damage has been done until he tries to speak."

Jarrod was still trying to get the words out.

"W h a t," was all he could get out.

Tom looked at his son.

"What happened?" he asked and Jarrod nodded.

"You were injured son," he told him.

The doctor looked up at Tom.

"His speech has been affected and probably his short term memory," the doctor told them. "He’s going to have a rough time communicating with you. His mind knows what it wants to say but his brain is having difficulty getting the words to his mouth and out. He’ll recover but I don’t know if he’ll regain his speech. He may have to struggle with words for the rest of his life."

"You don’t know our son doc," Tom said. "He’s a fighter. He won’t let this stop him."

"Perhaps not," the doctor replied. "But we’ll have to wait and see."

He left the room and the rest of the family gathered around the bed. Jarrod smiled at each one of them. But he still couldn’t get the words out he wanted to say.

"W h e r e?" he finally got out after trying several times.

"Where are you?" Victoria said and looked at his face.

Jarrod nodded.

"You are in a hospital in Sacramento honey," she told him. "You have been unconscious for nearly a month. "How do you feel?"

"H u r t," he finally said.

"You are in pain?" she asked.

Jarrod nodded again.

"You have a broken leg, arm and ribs," she replied. "You have to rest."

"G o h o m e," Jarrod finally spit out.

"No," Tom said. "We can’t go home yet. You’ll have to get a little stronger before we leave."

Jarrod nodded and his eyes began to close.

"Son," he said, "you rest. Everything will be all right."

Jarrod’s eyes closed and he was out. Tom looked at his other two sons and his daughter. He knew they were hurting inside because of the condition of their brother.

"I know it’s hard," he said. "You’ve got to understand what happened to your brother. He was violently hit over the head by that guard. Jarrod will improve. He’s a Barkley. We need to be happy and very understanding when he gets frustrated and upset. We can’t let him see our pain. Do you understand?"

Each one of his other children nodded their head. They knew it was going to be an uphill battle for Jarrod. They each had confidence in their brother that he would overcome all this and be able to go back to school.

"Jarrod," Tom asked, "do you remember what happened to you?"

"N o," Jarrod replied after a few minutes.

"We were going on a trip to Sacramento," Tom said. "Do you remember?"

"N o," he answered.

The doctor walked in while Tom was questioning his son. He stood there and listened to the boy’s answers.

"Jarrod," Tom asked, "do you remember the jail cell?"

"N o," he got out.

"His short term memory has been affected," the doctor replied. "In addition to his speech, he doesn’t remember anything that has happened in the last month or so. That’s normal to lose some of the memory. What I’m worried about is his speech. He’s still having a great deal of trouble getting the words out. That may never change."

"W i l l," Jarrod got out.

"It will change?" Tom asked his son and Jarrod nodded.

"Doc," Tom said, "he’s says he will change his speech problem. He’ll get over this hurdle. Don’t you worry about that."

"That’s right doctor," Victoria told him. "Our son’s a fighter and he won’t quit until everything is back to normal."

"That’s a very good attitude to take," the doctor said. "Because this is going to take time. He’s been through a traumatic experience. His body has to heal also. But everything is progressing at a good pace. I don’t want him doing too much. He needs to rest and heal."

"Don’t worry doctor," Victoria replied. "He’ll take it slow and easy until he is completely healed."

"Good," he told them. "If he continues to improve he will be able to go home in another week."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said and Jarrod nodded his head.

The doctor walked out of the room. Jarrod looked at each member of his family and smiled at them. They smiled back and the healing began.

During the trip, Jarrod would doze off and then awaken with a start. Tom was worried that he might be starting to remember what had happened to him. When they arrived in Stockton, Tom sent Nick to the livery stable to get a buggy or a wagon to ride home in. He came back a few minutes later with a buggy and the family climbed aboard for the ride home.

When they drove up in front of the house, Nick helped his brother out and aided him into the house. Victoria followed them in and helped Jarrod walk to his bedroom and put him to bed. Jarrod was asleep when his head hit the pillow. Victoria tiptoed out of the room and went downstairs to rest herself.

"How is he?" Tom asked when she walked into the study.

"He’s asleep," she replied. "He was exhausted. Tom, do you think Jarrod will be able to go back to school and finish?"

"I don’t know," he told her. "Jarrod’s a strong boy. If he can walk, he’ll go."

"I know," she said. "I just can’t believe a person could do horrible things to another person."

"You’re talking about what Carter did to that boy?" Tom asked.

"Yes," she replied. "He didn’t deserve that Tom."

"I know that Victoria," Tom shot back. "It was as if Carter had already decided to kill Jarrod before they even captured us."

"Did you find out who was behind this?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "It was Jordan again. I figured it out from something Carter said to Jarrod. He’s not going to stop until I’m dead."

"He will if we go to the sheriff," she suggested.

"I can’t," Tom said. "Jordan is a powerful man and he would just buy the jury off.

"But you, Nick and Gene saw it," she shot back.

"Yes," he replied. "Jarrod can’t remember anything about what happened and I would rather not put him through any more. Besides Jordan wouldn’t go to jail for kidnapping because Carter did the actual kidnapping and Jordan would be in the clear."

"H u r t," he got out.

"You are still in a lot of pain?" his father asked.

Jarrod nodded.

"That’s to be expected son," Tom told him. "Just give it some time and you’ll be good as new."

"H o p e s o," he finally said.

"I know you will," Tom told him and smiled.

"W a n t s c h o o l," he finally got out.

"You want to go back to school?" Tom asked him.

Jarrod nodded.

"You can if you feel like you’re ready," he said. "You’re going to have to give yourself some time son. You were unconscious for over a month. Your body has to heal and so does your brain."

"K n o w," he replied.

"You know that you have to heal?" Tom asked.

Jarrod nodded and he was visibly upset that the words wouldn’t come out. Tom walked over to his son and held him close.

"Jarrod," he said, "don’t worry son you’re going to be fine. All you need is time."

"T h a n k s," he finally replied.

"You’re welcome," Tom told him.

Victoria walked in and saw Jarrod sitting in the chair. She smiled at her oldest son.

"How are you feeling honey?" she asked as she sat down beside of him.

"D o," he replied.

"I know you’ll do," she said. "You’re going to be fine. You’re a Barkley."

"W a n t t al k w i t h o u t t h i n k," he told her.

"I know you want to talk normally again," she said. "You will but you have to give yourself time. You’ve been through a tremendous ordeal and your body has to rest and heal. You keep trying to talk normally and one of these days you will."

"T r y," he replied.

"I know you will," she said and hugged him.

"N e e d t o l e a v e," he said when he found them in the study.

"You need to leave?" his mother asked.

"S c h o o l," he replied.

"Not yet honey," she said. "You’re not able to go yet. Maybe in a couple of weeks. But not now."

"N o," he told them.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "you heard your mother. You’re not ready to go back yet. Give it a couple more weeks and then we’ll see."

Jarrod walked dejectedly out of the room. He wanted to go back and begin his final year but he also knew inside he wasn’t able yet. Nick was coming in the front door and saw his brother’s long face.

"Jarrod," he asked, "why the long face?"

"N o s c h o o l," he said.

"They said you couldn’t go back to school huh?" he asked

"Y e s," he replied.

"Don’t you worry big brother," he said. "You’ll be able to go back soon. Just be patient. You want to come out to the barn with me while I put up some grain?"

"Y e s," Jarrod answered.

The two brothers went out to the barn. Nick had to walk slower because of Jarrod’s stiff leg but he didn’t mind. He was thankful that his older brother was alive and he promised himself that he would spend as much time as he could with Jarrod.

"I picked up a new kind of grain," Nick said. "It’s supposed to be real good for cattle. Father and I are going to try it in the north pasture."

"H o p e w o r k," Jarrod replied.

"I hope it works too big brother," Nick said and smiled.

Nick began to unload the grain from the wagon. Jarrod sat down on a bale of hay and watched his brother wishing that he could help. Nick saw his expression and smiled.

"You wouldn’t want to get your lily white hands dirty," he said. "You know you want to look real nice for the office when you become a lawyer."

Jarrod smiled at the comment.

"W i l l g r a d u a t e," he finally said.

"I know you will big brother," Nick replied. "You’re going to be the best lawyer in the state."

"D o n ‘ t k n o w," he said.

"You don’t know," Nick told him. "Listen take it from me, you’re going to be the best."

"Y e s," he said.

"Good," Nick replied and went back to work.

That evening after dinner, Jarrod was reading a book in the study. Tom walked in to do some work and noticed his son. He walked over to the boy.

"I see you’re enjoying a good book," Tom said.

"Y e s," Jarrod replied.

"Son," Tom said, "I know you’re disappointed about not being able to go back to school right now. But you will. One more thing, when you do go back, I’m going with you. Your professors have to be told about what’s happened to you."

"N o!" he replied.

"I have to son," Tom told him. "You won’t be able to speak any better so you need someone to help you."

"R i g h t," he finally said.

"Good," Tom replied. "It won’t be that bad son."

"K n o w," he said.

Jarrod left the room and headed up to bed.

"N i g h t," he said and left.

"Goodnight son," Tom replied.

Victoria walked in after Jarrod had left.

"I met Jarrod going upstairs to bed," she said as she walked in and sat down. "What’s he been doing?"

"He was reading," Tom told her. "Victoria I told him I would be going with him to school. He wasn’t too happy but he agreed."

"I knew he wouldn’t be," she said. "He’s a very independent boy."

"How well I know that," he replied. "He’s been that way since he was a small boy. I wish he could overcome this setback."

"He will Tom," she said. "We have to give him time. He’s improving every day. Someday he will talk just like he used to."

"I hope so," he replied. "I hope so."

Finally, the day came for Jarrod to leave for his final year. He was thrilled and he really didn’t mind his father accompanying him.