PART FOUR

"Tom," Victoria said, "you let Jarrod do as much as he can for himself. I know he can use his father right now. But don’t you baby the boy."

"I won’t baby him Victoria," Tom replied. "I’m only going to help his professors understand what he is trying to say and because I’m worried about the raging headaches he’s been having a lot of lately."

"Jarrod," Nick said, "you study hard and when you come home, we’ll do something together just the two of us."

"Y e s," Jarrod told him. "L o o k f o r w a r d."

"Good," Nick replied.

"Jarrod," his mother said, "You study hard and don’t let your father do too much for you."

"W o n ‘ t," he got out.

Audra and Gene hugged and kissed him. Tom helped Jarrod get on board the train because his left leg was still very stiff. They sat down together. Jarrod rested most of the trip. He was dealing with one of the raging headaches and he was trying to relax so the pain would go away.

They arrived in San Francisco and Tom helped Jarrod off the train. He walked with his son to his dorm room to get him settled in. When Tom walked in with Jarrod, Brett was a bit confused.

"Mr. Barkley," Brett said, "what are you doing here?"

"Brett," Tom replied, "Jarrod was savagely beaten a few months ago. He sustained damage to his head. He has a very hard time getting the words out. He knows exactly what he wants to say but he can’t get them out of his mouth."

"B r e t t," Jarrod said.

"Oh my," Brett commented. "Is he going to get better?"

"I certainly hope so," Tom told him. "One other thing Brett. Jarrod has raging headaches from this and he has to completely relax. He has a hard time maneuvering when he has one. If you would keep an eye on him when I’m not around. I’m going to go to class with him the first day to explain his problem to his professors. I’m going to let him stay here tonight but I will pick him up when classes are over each day and continue to work with him on trying to speak easier than he does right now."

"Maybe you should take him to the hospital and let a doctor see him," Brett suggested.

"N o," Jarrod said. "S t a y e d h o s i p a l t o o l o n g."

"Right now I want to let him continue to work it out for himself," Tom told him. "While he was in the hospital in Sacramento the doctor said that this condition may be permanent."

"I see," Brett replied. "What the devil happened Mr. Barkley?"

"It’s a long story Brett," Tom said.

"I have plenty of time," Brett replied. "Jarrod is my best friend and I want to know what happened. Please tell me."

"All right," Tom said and sat down on Jarrod’s bed. "I decided to take my three sons with me to Sacramento on business. We decided to go by horse instead of by train because we wanted to spend some valuable time together. We had bedded down the first night and seven men invaded our camp. We were tied and taken to an old ghost town."

Jarrod was listening closely to his father tell the story. He still had no memory of the trip or the ordeal.

"The man in charge," Tom said, "was an ex-prison guard named Daniel Carter. He had been fired for beating prisoners to death. Anyway, they locked us in one of the cells in the sheriff’s office. A few minutes later, one of them came in and pulled Jarrod out."

Tom was watching his son intently as he relayed the story to Brett. Jarrod still showed no signs of remembering any of it.

"They put him in the other cell," Tom said. "Carter walked into the cell with Jarrod and hit him on both kneecaps with his billyclub. Then he hit Jarrod in the mouth after he spit in Carter’s face. He hit him in the ribs over and over. Finally, he hit Jarrod right below his left knee and broke his leg. Carter let Jarrod slid to the floor and then he hit him right on the top back of his head with that club. Jarrod’s eyes rolled back in his head and he went limp. For the final straw, Carter broke his right arm."

"It’s a wonder Jarrod is even alive much less here at school," Brett replied unable to believe what his roommate had gone through. "Does he remember any of it sir?"

"That’s my determined son," Tom said. "No he doesn’t remember anything that happened to him and that’s for the best at this point. He wouldn’t give up. In fact, he still won’t give up."

"N o t g i v e u p," Jarrod replied.

"What happened to Carter," Brett asked.

"I beat his brains out," Tom said. "And between Nick and me we killed the other six."

"I understand how you must feel sir," Brett told him. "I can’t believe any one would do that to another person."

"I know," Tom said. "I had better get my boy settled in."

Tom helped Jarrod unpack and then helped him lay down on the bed. Jarrod was completely exhausted. Tom knew he had another one of those raging headaches. He sat beside the bed and held his son’s hand. Finally, Jarrod drifted off to sleep. Tom stood up to leave.

"Mr. Barkley," Brett said, "please don’t leave. Jarrod needs you. Feel free to stay here with him. As long as he has those headaches, he’s going to need someone and I believe you can help him the most. And I would love the company."

"Thank you Brett," Tom replied. "I don’t want to bother you."

"It’s no bother," Brett told him. "I want Jarrod to finish his education but I also want him to be able to enjoy himself too."

"I understand how you feel Brett," Tom said. "Don’t worry my boy won’t give up."

Tom moved his bag over next to his son’s and took out what he would need. Then he sat down in a chair beside the bed and read until Jarrod woke up.

"H e a d b a d," Jarrod said.

"Your head still hurts really bad?" Tom asked.

"Y e s," Jarrod answered.

"Rest son," Tom told him. "You’ll feel better shortly."

Jarrod closed his eyes again.

"Isn’t there anything the doctor can do for the headaches?" Brett asked.

"Just keep him pumped full of pain killers and Jarrod doesn’t want that," Tom answered. "He’s trying to deal with them on his own."

"I see," Brett said. "I hope he can deal with them."

"I do too," Tom replied.

Tom helped Jarrod get ready for bed that night. He was still suffering from a raging headache and was a little wobbly. Tom tucked him in and sat down in the chair.

"N i g h t f a t h e r," Jarrod said.

"Goodnight son," Tom replied.

"N i g h t B r e t t," Jarrod said.

"Goodnight Jarrod," Brett told him.

Then Jarrod closed his eyes and went to sleep.

Brett eased over to Tom so he wouldn’t wake Jarrod up.

"Mr. Barkley," Brett said very quietly, "do you really think Jarrod will improve?"

"I don’t know," Tom replied. "He’s come a long way already. I don’t know if his brain will ever function properly again. What Carter did to my son was devastating. His mother and I have had to watch our twenty-three year old son have to learn how to do things all over again. He’s almost like a small boy."

"Jarrod is so smart," Brett told him. "He deserves to enjoy his final year."

"I know he does," Tom said. "But now he has to cope with this. Brett be kind to him and help him all you can. There will be some who will laugh at his disability."

"I will sir," Brett replied. "I love Jarrod just like a brother. I would never do anything to hurt him. And I’ll floor the first one who does."

"Thank you Brett," Tom said. "You are a special young man and I am so happy that my son has a friend like you."

Brett got ready for bed and turned in. Tom slept in the chair right beside his son’s bed. He knew that Jarrod was trying real hard to succeed with the hand that had been dealt him. For that Tom was very proud of his oldest son.

The next morning Tom was up early. Jarrod woke up and sat on the side of the bed. He was holding his head in his hands. Tom saw him and sat down beside of him.

"Is your head hurting son?" Tom asked.

"Y e s," Jarrod answered. "B a d."

"Really bad?" Tom asked.

"Y e s," Jarrod answered.

Jarrod tried to stand and became very disoriented. He lost his balance and fell to the floor. Tom rushed to his side. He held his son’s head in his hands.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I’m taking you to the hospital. You’re in too much pain."

"N o," Jarrod replied and tried to stand but couldn’t.

"We’re going," Tom said flatly.

"Y e s," Jarrod finally agreed.

Tom helped his son to his feet and sat him back down on the bed. He helped the boy get dressed. Brett woke up.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"Jarrod’s raging headaches are getting worse," Tom told him. "I’m taking him to the hospital."

"Is there anything I can do?" Brett asked concerned.

"Explain to your professors about Jarrod’s condition," he said. "I’ll get word to you if and when Jarrod will be able to attend class."

"Certainly," Brett replied.

Tom and Jarrod left the room. Tom had to guide Jarrod out. He was swaying very badly. Tom got a buggy and drove to the hospital. He helped Jarrod inside and then walked over to the nurse’s desk.

"I need to see a doctor please," he said.

"What seems to be the problem sir?" the nurse asked.

"My son is experiencing raging headaches as a result of being hit on the head with a billyclub," Tom told her.

"I’ll see what I can do," she said and left the desk.

Tom walked over and sat down beside his son. Jarrod was still hurting. Tom could see it in his blue eyes. A few minutes later, the nurse returned.

"If you will follow me," she said.

She led them back to an examination room. Tom helped Jarrod climb up on the table. A few minutes later the doctor walked in.

"What seems to be the trouble?" he asked.

"Several months ago my son was brutally hit on the head by a billyclub," Tom said. "He was unconscious for almost a month. After he woke up, his speech was affected. He started having these raging headaches. My son refused pain medicine but they have gradually gotten worse."

"Well," the doctor said, "let’s have a look."

He examined Jarrod. During the examination, Jarrod began to hold his head and cringe. The doctor finally gave him some morphine and Jarrod went limp on the table.

"I’m afraid he’s got another problem," the doctor said. "He seems to have pressure on his skull. A specialist on staff here from Baltimore will go in and see what’s causing the pressure and see if he can relieve it."

"Is it that bad?" Tom asked.

"I’m afraid it is," the doctor answered him. "If you will wait out in the waiting room we’ll get him ready."

"Doc," Tom said, "please help my boy."

"I will do everything I can for him," the doctor replied.

Tom left the room and sat down in the waiting room. He decided that Victoria should be notified and walked out to send a telegram. He went to the telegraph office and wrote the message to his wife. It read.

After he was finished writing it he had handed it to the operator and had sent it, Tom walked back to the hospital. He sat down and waited.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

"Your father said that Jarrod’s in the hospital and is undergoing surgery on his skull," Victoria replied.

"What?" Nick asked stunned. "What happened?"

"I don’t know," she said. "I’m going to pack and go up there."

"I’m going with you," Nick replied.

They packed, and made arrangements for Gene and Audra to stay with Wally and Jenny Miles and then left for the train. They arrived in San Francisco two hours later. They found the hospital and walked in. Tom was still sitting in the waiting room.

"Tom," she said as she and Nick walked over to him, "has there been any word?"

"None," Tom replied.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Jarrod had a raging headache while we were on the train," Tom began. "He couldn’t get rid of it. When he woke up this morning, he was still hurting. He stood and became very disoriented. Then he fell to the floor. I brought him to the hospital. The doctor said there was some pressure on his skull. They have a specialist here from Baltimore who knows about the pressure on Jarrod’s skull. He’s going to try to help him. That’s all I know."

They sat down beside of him and waited. Six hours later, the doctor came out. Tom, Victoria and Nick slowly rose to their feet.

"Your son is going to be all right," he said.

"What was wrong with him doctor?" Victoria asked.

"He had a small piece of bone causing pressure," the doctor explained. "The specialist we have on staff here was able to remove it and seal the wound up. He’s going to be asleep for a while. His speech may improve and it may not. We’ll have to wait until he wakes up."

"Was this from the hit he took?" Tom asked.

"Yes," the doctor said. "Your son’s skull was fractured. It had begun to heal. A small piece of the bone broke off and wedged against the brain. When the doctor removed it the pressure stopped. I don’t believe he will have any more of those headaches. One thing though, he will have to stay here for at least a month."

Tom knew Jarrod’s senior year would have to go into the summer. He nodded at the doctor and left the hospital. He went to the dorm room and told Brett.

"A month," Brett said. "He won’t graduate in May."

"No," Tom replied. "It will probably be at least the end of July."

"That’s all right," Brett said. "I’ll graduate with him."

"You don’t have to do that," Tom told him.’

"I know I don’t," Brett said, "but I want to. He’s my friend and my roommate. And we will graduate together."

"Thank you Brett," Tom replied and left the room.

He returned to the hospital. Victoria and Nick were still in the waiting room. They looked up when Tom walked in.

"How did Brett take it?" she asked.

"He said that he wanted to graduate with Jarrod and he didn’t care how long it took," Tom told her.

"He’s a wonderful young man and I’m glad Jarrod has such a good friend," she said.

The Barkley family waited for word on when they could see Jarrod. An hour later a nurse came over to them.

"Mr. Barkley," she said.

"Yes," Tom replied and stood up along with Victoria and Nick, "your son has been moved to a room. If you will follow me, you can see him."

Tom, Victoria and Nick followed the nurse to a hospital room. Inside lying on the bed with his head completely bandaged was Jarrod. He looked so tiny in that bed with that big bandage. Tom and Victoria walked over to the bed. They sat down beside their son.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I’m right here son. You fight to get well."

"Jarrod," Victoria replied, "It’s mother honey. I’m right here."

"Hey big brother," Nick said, "it’s me. I can’t wait until you wake up."

They stayed right by Jarrod’s bed. The doctor came in and checked the bandage. He smiled at the boy’s parents and brother.

"He’ll be asleep for several more hours," he told them. "Don’t worry. He’ll wake up."

"Thank you," Victoria replied.

The doctor left and the family stayed right by the bed. Later that evening, Jarrod began to come around. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room. He was somewhat confused when he didn’t recognize where he was. Finally, his eyes found his father’s. Tom smiled at his son and Jarrod tried to smile back.

"How do you feel son?" he asked.

"I’m awfully sore," Jarrod said.

Tom was shocked. Victoria also heard it and was surprised. Nick just smiled. Jarrod looked at their faces with more confusion evident on his face.

"What’s wrong?" he asked.

Finally Tom and Victoria smiled.

"Nothing’s wrong son," Tom replied. "Everything is fine now. You just rest."

"What happened?" he asked again. "Where am I?"

"You’re in a hospital," Victoria said. "You had to have an operation. You need to rest and take it easy for a while."

"Please tell me what happened and why my head is sore and throbs," he begged.

"We’ll tell you when you are stronger," Victoria said. "Right now you need to rest. Close your eyes and sleep honey."

Jarrod closed his eyes and went to sleep. Tom and Victoria smiled at each other.

"He can talk normally," Tom said. "My son’s going to be fine."

"Yes he is," Victoria replied.

The next morning Jarrod woke up. He tried to get out of the bed but his throbbing head wouldn’t let him. His parents looked over at him and smiled.

"Son," Tom said, "you can’t move around. You’ve had a serious operation and you need to rest."

"What happened?" Jarrod asked still very confused.

"Your head had to be operated on," Tom replied.

Jarrod reached up with his hand and felt the bandage on his head. He became very agitated and very ancy. Tom reached over and patted his son on the shoulder.

"Calm down son," he said. "You can’t get upset. You need to rest and heal."

"My head," Jarrod replied. "What happened to my head?"

"Tom," Victoria said, "he’s not going to calm down until he knows what happened. You might as well tell him."

"I guess you’re right," Tom answered. "Son, what is the last thing you remember?"

"I remember being at home," he began, "and seeing Brett."

"All right," Tom said. "Do you remember your summer vacation from school?"

Jarrod began to think. He was trying to remember.

"I remember coming home," he said. "I remember unpacking and seeing everyone. I...I can’t remember anything else until I think I woke up in a bed somewhere. I remember having a hard time talking and seems like my leg and maybe my arm were in splints. I remember coming to school with you father I think and my head hurting really badly. I think I fell in the floor or something like that. That’s all I remember."

"It’s all right honey," Victoria replied. "You don’t need to overtax your brain right now. Jarrod, you had an operation on your head because your skull was badly injured by a blow it received. You were unconscious for a month and then you had trouble getting words to come out of your mouth. There was a small piece of bone that was pressing against your brain and the doctor removed it. You’ll be in the hospital for a month."

"No!" he shouted. "I can’t! I won’t graduate!"

He began to get very upset. Tom had to physically hold him down. He nodded for Nick to go and find the doctor. Nick slipped out and Jarrod became even more agitated and upset. Finally, the doctor walked in. When he saw the boy fighting his father, he asked a nurse to prepare an injection of morphine. The nurse returned a few minutes later with the syringe. The doctor took it from her and injected Jarrod with it. A few minutes later he went limp and his eyes closed.

"What happened?" the doctor asked.

"He woke up," Victoria said. "He was trying to remember what happened and when we told him he wouldn’t be able to go back to school for a month he got very upset. That’s when we sent our son after you."

"The boy’s going to have to stay quiet," he replied. "He had a serious operation and he cannot get upset or aggravated. If he does, he could damage himself. His head has to have a chance to heal. I knocked him out with a dose of morphine. Your son needs to rest."

"We know doctor," Tom told him. "But our boy is stubborn."

"Well," he said, "if I have to I’ll knock him out again if he becomes too agitated and upset. Try to keep him calm. He’ll be asleep for several hours. I’ll check back in a little while. Remember no moving around and don’t let him get upset."

"We’ll do the best we can," Tom replied and the doctor left the room.

Tom sat down heavily in the chair. He put his head in his hands. Victoria put a hand on his shoulder.

"Tom," she said, "everything’s going to be all right. Jarrod will get better. It will just take time."

"I know that," he shot back. "But I made him get upset by questioning him. I’m the one who wouldn’t leave well enough alone. I have to be Mr. Helpful and nearly got my oldest boy killed and then when he wakes up, I have to upset him. It’s not fair Victoria. That boy never asked for what has happened to him. It’s all my fault. When Jarrod does get better, I’ve got to try and make it up to him."

"You will Tom," she said. "He still loves you."

"I know he loves me," Tom told her. "I want him to be a normal boy again. I want him to be able to enjoy things like becoming a lawyer, riding his new horse and just having fun. That boy hasn’t had anything but pain, agony and suffering for the past three years and by grannies I’m going to make sure nothing ever happens to him again."

"Tom," she said, "you can’t continue to blame yourself for what has happened to Jarrod. You are not to blame."

"Yes I am," he replied. "If I hadn’t gotten involved with that mess concerning the railroad and the farmers, my boy wouldn’t be lying in a hospital room with a huge bandage on his head."

"Tom," she told him, "you know as well as I do that those farmers came to you because you are a well respected businessman and rancher in this state. A lot of people look up to you. Your name alone carries a lot of pull. You were their only hope to save their farms and homes. You know you won’t quit fighting until you win. What happened to Jarrod was very tragic but it didn’t happen because you tried to help those men. It happened because you stepped on the feet of a man who wanted to be as big as you. A man who wanted to make a name for himself and he didn’t care how he did it. Tom, you have to continue to stand up for those men. You know it and I know it."

"All right," Tom said. "But I won’t allow my son to be hurt anymore."

"Fine," she replied.

Several hours later, Jarrod began to wake up. Tom and Victoria were by his side.

"Son," Tom said, "come on boy. Wake up. Come on."

Jarrod finally opened his eyes and looked around. He was still groggy and uncertain of where he was. He looked up into his father’s smiling face.

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

"I’m groggy," he replied and his words were slightly slurred.

"That’s the medicine honey," Victoria told him. "The doctor gave you something to help you rest."

"I vaguely remember," Jarrod commented and again his words were slightly slurred.

"Son," Tom said, "you have to stay calm. If you don’t the doctor will give you another injection of medicine."

"I’ll try," Jarrod replied and again the words were slurred.

"Can I get you anything honey?" Victoria asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "I’m just so tired and sore. My head hurts and I can’t think straight."

"That’s understandable," she said. "You’ve been through a lot and it will take time for your system to heal. You just rest. I’ll be right here."

"I’ll be here too son," Tom told him. "You take it easy. You need the rest."

"I’ll try," Jarrod said. "I...want...to..."

His eyes closed before he could finish the sentence. His parents stayed right by his side. He was still being affected by the medicine the doctor had given him and from the operation he had had. He needed the rest and quiet.

"Father," Nick said after Jarrod went back to sleep, "he is going to be all right, isn’t he?"

"I hope so son," Tom replied. "Your brother’s been through so much. I hope that he will be able to bounce back and enjoy himself. He deserves to be happy."

"Yes sir," Nick told him. "I want Jarrod to be fine too. I was just worried that he may have permanent damage from his head wound."

"We won’t know that son," Tom said, "until your brother is up and around. Right now he’s going to be easily confused that he can’t remember things and he may get upset. We have to make sure that Jarrod doesn't get upset or agitated so that he doesn’t cause any more problems."

"Nat," Brett said as he sat down, "you ready to start our last year?"

"Yeah," Nat answered. "I can’t believe it’s almost over."

Nat looked around and then turned back to Brett.

"Where’s Jarrod," he asked.

Brett’s face became a mask of concern and worry.

"Brett," he asked, "has something happened to Jarrod?"

"Yes," Brett answered. "Jarrod came back to the dorm room yesterday with his father which was strange. I found out that during the summer break, Mr. Barkley had taken Jarrod and his two brothers on a trip to Sacramento. He said on business. Anyway, they had decided to ride horses instead of taking the train because they wanted to spend valuable time together. The first night after they had made camp and went to sleep they were awakened by seven men standing over them with guns drawn. They were taken to an old ghost town where they were locked up in the jail. The man in charge, a man named Carter, was an ex-prison guard. He had been very brutal to the prisoners. Anyway, Jarrod had been put in one of the cells by himself and Carter walked into the cell. He carried a billyclub. He pulled Jarrod to his feet and began to hit him with the club. He broke some of his ribs, one of Jarrod’s legs and an arm but the major damage was done when he hit him on the head with that club. Mr. Barkley said Jarrod’s eyes rolled back into his head and he went out. He was unconscious for a month. When he finally did wake up, his speech was bothered. He had to fight to get the words out. That’s why Mr. Barkley had accompanied him. Jarrod also had raging headaches. He had one yesterday and it didn’t go away. When he stood up this morning he became very disoriented and he fell to the floor. He was holding his head with both hands. Jarrod’s father asked him if it hurt real bad and he said yes. He took him to the hospital. They had to operate on him. Something about a piece of bone pressing against his brain or something. I’m not real sure. He’ll be in the hospital about a month. That will mean he won’t be able to graduate with his class."

"Goodness I had no idea," Nat replied stunned.

"We’ll see if Mr. Barkley has to wait to graduate," Professor Hamilton said from behind Brett and Nat.

They both turned and were surprised to see him standing there.

"Mr. Barkley will graduate with his class," the professor said. "I’ll go to the hospital and talk to his parents about having his class right in his room. I can go over after I finish my classes here and go over with him what the class learned that day. With any luck, when he is able to return to class, he won’t be behind."

"That’s a great idea Professor Hamilton," Brett told him. "Jarrod will be thrilled."

"I hope so Mr. Schyler," he replied. "Now let’s start class."

Late that afternoon in Jarrod’s hospital room, Tom and Victoria sat with their oldest son. He was still asleep when a tall heavyset gentleman in his early 50s walked into the room. Tom and Victoria stood up.

"Mr. and Mrs. Barkley," he said, "I am Professor William Hamilton. Your son, Jarrod, is one of my students at the university."

"Yes," Tom replied. "I’m sorry that Jarrod won’t be able to attend class for a while."

"That’s why I’m here Mr. Barkley," the professor told them. "Your son has worked so hard the last three years. His grades are very good. That’s why I would like your permission to tutor Jarrod here in his room until he is able to return to class."

"That’s very kind of you," Victoria said.

"I heard Mr. Schyler telling Mr. Springer about what had happened to Jarrod and I felt so sorry for the young man," the professor replied. "I can start whenever he’s strong enough."

"The doctor had to inject him with some morphine because he became so agitated earlier," Tom told him. "I would say to give him a week maybe longer but we will check with the doctor for his approval as well."

"That will be fine," he said. "You can reach me at the university. I hope your son gets better very soon."

"Thank you Professor Hamilton," Victoria replied and he left.

"Well," Tom said, "what do you think about that?"

"I think it’s wonderful," she answered. "Jarrod will get his law degree and he will finish with his class."

"Yes," Tom commented. "Our boy will become a lawyer."

The doctor came in that evening and examined Jarrod. He was pleased with the boy’s condition.

"Your son’s progressing nicely," the doctor said. "He still needs to be kept as quiet as possible. His head is healing but if he gets upset again, he could do some damage. Also, you’re looking at a month at least if not longer for his recovery."

"Doctor," Tom replied, "my son’s professor at the university came by earlier. He wanted to know if he could tutor Jarrod until he was able to return to class. I told him I’d check with you."

"I don’t see any problem with that," the doctor answered. "But it will be a while before the boy is strong enough. Right now it’s too early. He still needs plenty of rest and no excitement. If he does get upset I won’t hesitate to give him an injection of morphine to knock him out."

"We understand and we’ll do our best to keep him quiet," Victoria told him. "But one thing, our son is not one to just lie around. He’s going to be a hand full as he gets better."

"Let’s take one step at a time," the doctor said and then left.

"Oh," he mumbled. "My head hurts. It really hurts."

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I know your head hurts but you can’t move around. You need to stay quiet."

"My head hurts!" he cried and tears were running down his face. "Please! Help me!"

Tom began to get worried. He walked over to the chair where Nick had dozed off and woke him.

"What’s wrong?" he said as he came fully awake.

"Nick," Tom replied, "go find the doctor."

"Why?" he asked

"Because your brother is in a lot of pain," Tom told him. "And I don’t want him to injure himself."

"Yes sir," Nick said and took off out of the room.

Victoria heard the voices and woke up. When she saw Tom’s expression, she looked down at the bed. Her son was crying and holding his head.

"Tom," she asked, what happened?"

"Jarrod woke up a few minutes ago crying that his head was hurting," Tom replied. "I sent Nick after the doctor."

The doctor walked in and went over to the boy. He examined him and then had the nurse prepare another morphine injection. She returned a few minutes later with the syringe. The doctor injected Jarrod with the medicine and a few minutes later he quieted and his eyes closed. The doctor looked up at the boy’s parents.

"The incision is draining and his brain was jarred by the impact when he was hit," the doctor explained. "He’s going to be in quite a lot of pain for several days as his head begins to heal. That’s why I wanted him to be kept calm and quiet. As of now he’ll have an injection of morphine every four hours or so to keep the severe pain down. I didn’t want to give it too him unless I had too and the pain is too much for him to bear right now. It will also put him to sleep but sleep is one thing he needs right now. He’ll be all right. It’s just his head has been through so much and his brain is badly bruised. He’ll sleep for the next few hours."

"Thank you doctor," Tom said.

"I’ll check back after while and the nurse will bring another injection in four hours or so," the doctor told them. "Don’t worry."

"Thank you," Victoria replied.

Tom and Victoria looked down at Jarrod. He was resting peacefully. It tore Tom up to look down at his son and see him in that shape. He thought about everything that the boy had endured.

My son was kidnapped and tortured by Warren Roberts, Tom thought. Then Roy tortured him. Roberts kidnapped him again. He was taken to a mine with his two brothers and was punished. He and Rachel were kidnapped and he was shot in the leg. Finally he was brutally attacked by Daniel Carter. That boy didn’t deserve any of that. It was all my fault. It’s still my fault. I’m the one that caused all this. How could I have been so stupid? I should have known that a man like Hanibal Jordan would come after me and when he couldn’t get to me, he went after my son. It will never happen again. My boy will be safe and he will become a lawyer. That’s a promise.

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

"No," he answered. "I’m tired and I’m angry. I couldn’t protect my family. I couldn’t protect my oldest son and now he is lying in a bed. When I see the pain that he is in, my heart breaks. It’s hard for me to watch him suffering and to know that I am the cause of it. I know you’ve already told me that I did what was right. But when is right not a good choice? When does being right stop your children from suffering at the hands of maniacs. This is the last straw. I’m making a promise right here, right now. No one will ever harm my boy again. If they try, I’ll kill them."

"Tom," she said, "you’re tired and suffering because of Jarrod. You need to get some rest. You’ll look at everything differently after you’ve had a chance to rest."

"I can’t sleep," he told her. "I can’t leave my oldest boy. He needs me Victoria."

"Not right now Tom," she said. "He’s going to be asleep for the next several hours. You need to rest."

"All right," he relented. "I’ll rest in this chair by my boy’s bed in case he wakes up and needs me."

"Any where Tom," she replied. "Just close your eyes and rest."

Tom sat down in the chair and leaned back. Finally he closed his tired eyes and fell asleep. Nick walked over to his mother.

"Father is blaming himself for what happened to Jarrod," he told her.

"Yes he is," she agreed. "He believes that if he hadn’t gotten involved with the railroad, none of this would have happened to Jarrod."

"But mother," Nick said, "it’s not father’s fault. He can help those farmers."

"I know that," she replied. "But your father can’t stop blaming himself. That’s what it means to be a parent honey. You hurt when your children hurt. You laugh when they laugh. And when someone else’s hand hurts one of them, you take the responsibility. That’s what your father is doing. He just needs time to deal with all of this and hopefully very soon both your father and your brother will begin to heal and be fine."

Late that evening Jarrod began to wake up. He finally opened his tired eyes. He looked around and moaned.

"Oh my head," he said. "Please stop."

"Easy honey," his mother said. "I know you are hurting. The doctor said that was a part of the healing process. You just rest and you’ll feel better. I promise."

Jarrod nodded slightly and his eyes closed. It was also tearing Victoria up inside to see her son so helpless and in so much pain. She began to remember when Jarrod was a little boy. He was always asking questions. Some times it had gotten on her nerves but he was learning. She remembered one episode in particular.

At about four in the morning Jarrod woke up again. He was still in severe pain. He looked around the room and saw his parents asleep in two chairs beside the bed. Nick was also awake and saw his brother’s movements. He got up and quietly walked over to the bed.

"Well," he whispered, "I see you finally woke up."

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "My head still hurts really bad."

"It will for a while," he told his brother. "Just be patient."

"Be patient!" Jarrod shot back loudly. "My head is about to explode and you want me to be patient!"

At that point, his parents were awakened. They sat up and looked over at their son.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "you can’t get upset."

"Upset!" he shot back loudly. "My head is killing me and you’re worrying about me being upset!"

"Son," Tom replied, "calm down."

"I won’t calm down!" he shot back. "My head won’t quit hurting! I can’t take it anymore!"

"Yes you can," Tom said. "You’re a Barkley boy and we never give up."

"I don’t want to hurt anymore!" he cried. "I don’t won’t to."

"Nick," Tom said, "go get the doctor or nurse. Hurry."

Nick left the room. Jarrod continued to cry and go on about the pain in his head. Nick returned a few minutes later with a nurse. She had a syringe in her hand and walked over to the bed.

"I understand you are in some pain son," she said.

"In some pain!" Jarrod spat. "My head is killing me!"

The nurse injected Jarrod with the morphine. A few minutes later he quieted and his eyes closed.

"Thank you," Victoria said. "He woke up and was in so much pain."

"It’s very understandable in his condition," she replied. "Most of the patients who have had something traumatic done to their heads don’t even live but luckily for your son we had a doctor who had come out west from Baltimore and knew about head wounds. Your son is a lucky boy. His pain will go away but it will take several days. In the meantime we’ll keep him asleep with morphine until he is able to handle it."

"Thanks," Tom told her and she left the room.

Tom looked over at Nick with anger in his eyes.

"What the devil did you say to him?" Tom asked.

"I saw him awake and walked over to the bed," Nick answered. "He was complaining of his head hurting and I just told him to be patient. The pain would go away. Anyway he got more upset and then you woke up."

"Nick," Tom said, "your brother is in an awful lot of pain. He doesn’t need for you to tell him to be patient and it will go away. He wants it to go away now. We have to be careful what we say to him."

"Yes sir," Nick replied and sat down.

"It’s all right sweetheart," Victoria said. "Your father is not angry at you. He just can’t stand to see your brother in so much pain."

"I know mother," Nick replied. "It hurts me too. I wish I could give him my strength so he could battle this. He’s so vulnerable. Mother will he ever be normal again?"

"Yes sweetheart," she told him. He’ll be his normal self shortly but in the meantime just be sweet to your brother and tell him you love him. It’ll mean a lot to him."

"Yes ma’am," Nick said, "I will."

"Jarrod will wake up soon," Tom said. "I hope the pain has lessened."

"If it hasn’t Tom," she replied, "we’ll get the nurse to give him morphine."

"Victoria," Tom told her, "I don’t want my son doped up with pain medicine. He doesn’t want it either."

"All right," she said. "Do you want your son to suffer the intense pain or do you want him to rest and get better?"

"I want my son to get better," Tom stated matter of factly. "But if he can tolerate the pain I don’t won’t him drugged."

Jarrod began to come around. He moaned and groaned. Finally his eyes opened and he looked around. His blue eyes told the story. He was still in pain.

"Son," Tom asked, "how are you feeling?"

"I still hurt bad," he answered. "It feels like there is a big rock sitting on my head. I want to apologize for being so rude earlier. I didn’t mean to spout off at Nick. He’s my brother and I love him."

"He knows that son," Tom replied. "Do you need some medicine?"

"I don’t know yet," Jarrod answered. "I’m still groggy and a little bit sick on my stomach."

"I know it’s the medicine," Victoria said. "It’ll go away when you are able to stop taking the morphine."

"I want to stop having to have it," he replied. "It’s making me feel funny inside."

Jarrod began to hold his head again. Tom knew what was happening. He nodded at Nick and he went in search of the doctor or nurse. The nurse arrived a few minutes later with a syringe of morphine. She administered it to Jarrod and he was out shortly thereafter.

"Oh Victoria," Tom said, "my boy’s still hurting so much. I keep telling myself that he will get better but I’m having a hard time right now believing it."

"I know Tom," she replied. "I feel the same way. He’s been in so much pain that my heart breaks every time I look at his face. He’s trying to be a brave boy and not show it but I can tell and he knows it."

"Our boy’s going to get better," Tom told her. "He’s going to graduate from law school and he’s going to become a great lawyer. But for right now, he needs our love and support while he is enduring this pain."

"Yes," Victoria agreed. "He will be a great lawyer."

Later that day, Jarrod began to come around. He was groggy and slightly disoriented. He was also a little bit sick. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. Tom and Victoria saw that he was awake and moved closer to the bed. He tried to smile up at them. They both smiled at him and he felt a little better. He tried to move but Tom held him down.

"Easy son," he said, "you can’t move around any yet. You have to stay quiet and rest.

"I feel so funny inside," Jarrod replied. "I can’t think very straight."

"It’s the medicine that the doctor has been giving you," Tom told him. "You have been in a great deal of pain since your operation."

"Operation?" Jarrod asked confused. "What operation?"

"You were operated on a few days ago to relieve pressure on your brain," Tom said. "You were hit severely on the head several months ago and that’s what caused the pressure."

"I was?" he asked. "Father, I can’t remember any of it."

"That’s all right son," Tom replied. "You’ve been through so much, I’m not surprised you can’t remember. Your professor came by a couple of days ago. He told us he would tutor you while you’re in the hospital so you can stay up with your class and graduate in May."

"That’s great," Jarrod told him. "When can we start?"

"The doctor said that it would be a few days," Tom answered. "You can’t even stay awake very long at a time son."

"All right," Jarrod said. "Father, I don’t feel so good."

Jarrod began to vomit. Victoria grabbed him and helped hold him. While he was so sick, Nick stepped out and found the doctor. He walked into the boy’s room.

"Well," he said as he walked over to the bed, "I see the medication finally made the boy sick. It’ll pass. How’s your head young man?"

Jarrod looked up at him. He nodded that it was doing better. The doctor gave him some medicine to help him while he was sick. After a few minutes Victoria laid Jarrod’s head on the pillows and he fell asleep.

"He’ll sleep for a while," the doctor said. "He’s progressing nicely. A lot of people have a reaction to the morphine. I’ve given him something to help with the nausea. He’ll be fine in a few hours. I believe that he’ll be able to tolerate the pain without any more morphine. That’s another very good sign."

"Doc," Tom asked, "how long will my boy have to remain in the hospital?"

"I would say at least two or three more weeks," he answered. "It takes time for someone to heal that’s been through what that boy has. It’s a wonder he survived the severe beating that he took. His body has to heal and that takes time. You’ll notice the improvement in him over time. He probably will never remember what happened to him and that’s good because if he doesn’t remember, he can’t have nightmares and get upset."

"All right," Victoria replied. "Thank you doctor."

"I’ll check back later this evening and see how he’s doing," the doctor told them and left.

Tom and Victoria breathed a sigh of relief after the doctor left. Their son was going to be all right.

"What’s going on?" he asked, worry creeping into his voice.

"You’ve been a sick boy," his mother said. "How do you feel honey?"

"I feel like I’ve been run over by a team of wild horses," he told them.

"Do you hurt anywhere son?" Tom asked.

"My head is throbbing and my stomach is sore but that’s all," he told them.

"That’s a good sign," Victoria said. "You’re on your way now honey."

"On my way where?" Jarrod asked slightly confused.

"You’re going to get better," Tom replied. Of course, you’ll have to stay in the hospital another week or two."

"Hospital?" Jarrod asked again.

"Yes honey," Victoria said. "You’ve been in the hospital almost a full week. You were operated on and now you’re getting better."

"If you say so," Jarrod replied. "I don’t remember any of it."

"That’s normal son," Tom told him. "You’ve had so much morphine that I’m surprised you can remember your name."

He laughed slightly at the remark.

"Morphine?" Jarrod asked. "Was I hurting that bad?"

"Yes honey you were," Victoria answered him. "Your head was hurting so bad because you were operated on. But now you’re getting better."

"What happened to cause the operation?" he asked.

"You were savagely beaten by a sadistic former prison guard who was looking for me," Tom answered. "He and his men took your brothers, you and me hostage. We were taken to a ghost town where we were locked up in the jail. Then the guard, a man named Daniel Carter came in and took you out of the cell we were in and put you in the other one. Then he began to beat you and finally he hit you on the head with a club he had. You went out and I wasn’t even sure you were alive."

"I’m sorry father," Jarrod said. "I don’t remember any of it."

"That’s all right son," Tom told him. "You don’t need to remember. Don’t you worry about it? You just concentrate on getting well."

"I will," he said and his eyes began to get heavy.

Jarrod tried to keep his eyes open but he didn’t succeed. He fell asleep. Tom and Victoria smiled at each other as they realized their oldest son was now on his way to healing.

Over the next week, Jarrod improved. He was feeling so much better. Tom left and went to the university to talk to Professor Hamilton.

"Professor Hamilton," Tom said as he walked into the classroom, "I’m Tom Barkley. You’ve had my son, Jarrod, in your classes for the last three years."

"Yes Mr. Barkley," he replied. "What can I do for you?"

"You had stopped by the hospital a couple of weeks ago to offer to tutor my son so he could finish with the rest of his class," Tom told him. "I just wanted to come by and let you know that he’s improved enough to start. The doctor says he’ll be in the hospital at least another week more likely two but he wanted to get back to his studies."

"That’s wonderful Mr. Barkley," the professor said. "I’ll come by this afternoon and we can get started."

"Fine," Tom replied and started to leave. "One more thing. My boy doesn’t remember anything about the severe beating he took or the operation. I would appreciate it if you would not mention it to him. He gets upset and anxious because he can’t remember."

"I won’t say a word," the professor said. "I’ll be by later this afternoon."

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

Tom returned to the hospital later that morning. He walked into his son’s room and smiled. Jarrod was propped up on several pillows and he was looking so much better. His head had a smaller bandage on it and Tom could see his brown hair showing underneath. He couldn’t believe the change in his son in just a couple of weeks. It was hard to believe that he was the same boy who had been given morphine because he was in such pain.

"Son," he said as he walked over to the bed, "you’re looking so much better. How do you feel?"

"I’m weak and my head still throbs but I’m going to be fine," Jarrod answered.

"I know you’re going to be fine son," Tom replied. "I went to the university and talked to Professor Hamilton. He said he would be by later today and work with you."

"Thank you father," Jarrod told him. "That’s great news. I only wish I could go to class and see Brett and Nat."

"You will son," Tom said. "You’ve got to give yourself some more time. You’ll be in here at least another week or two. Then you’ll have to take it easy. That’s why your mother and I are going to get a suite at the hotel and you are going to stay with us until you have improved enough to move back to the dorm."

Jarrod was very unhappy when he heard the news but he knew his father was right. He would be awfully weak and would need help at first.

"All right," he agreed. "But I still don’t like it."

"It won’t be for too long honey," Victoria said. "You’ll be back with Brett before you know it."

"I hope so," Jarrod replied.

"Mr. Barkley," he said as he sat down in a chair, "are you ready to get to work?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and smiled.

"Very well," he told him and handed him some papers. "These are the notes from the last two weeks of class. I want you to read them and then we’ll go over them."

"Yes sir," Jarrod answered and took the papers from him. "I’ll read them right away."

"One thing," he said. "We discussed some issues during one of the class periods. One issue came up that I believe you are quite familiar with."
"What’s that sir?" Jarrod asked curious.

"We discussed the land quarrel between the Coastal and Western Railroad and the farmers and ranchers in the San Joaquin Valley," he said. "I’m sure you are quite familiar with the problem."

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "My father is trying to help the farmers and ranchers stop the railroad from taking the land that they bought and paid for. He said they bought the land at auction but the railroad is saying that they only leased the land and now the lease has run out. I was injured by some of the men Hanibal Jordan hired to stop my father."

"I know you were Mr. Barkley," he said. "Mr. Schyler and Mr. Springer both told the class that your father was the one man who couldn’t be intimidated by the railroad and Jordan."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied smiling. "My father is a well respected businessman and rancher. He doesn’t like to see his friends and neighbors being bullied by anyone. I am proud to be his son."

Tom, Victoria and Nick, who were sitting over in the corner, smiled at what Jarrod had said. Tom especially was very proud of his oldest son. He had been paying attention to what was going on and knew his father was working hard to help those farmers and ranchers. He was very proud to have Jarrod as his son.

The professor kept going over things the class had discussed. When he noticed Jarrod getting drowsy he knew the boy was tired.

"Mr. Barkley," he said as he rose to leave, "we will continue on in two days. That will give you a chance to read the notes. You rest now and I will see you on Wednesday."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied.

The professor left the room and Victoria walked over to her tired son.

"Jarrod," she said, "you need to rest now. Lay your head down and close your eyes. You’ve had a big day."

"Yes mother," Jarrod replied and laid his head back against the pillows.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, his eyes closed and he was asleep. Tom and Nick walked over. Tom reached down and patted his son on the shoulder.

"You’re doing just fine son," he said and smiled. "You just rest."

"He’s had a big day," Victoria replied.

"Yes he has," Tom told her. "But he is improving and he will continue to until he is well."

"Yes father he will," Nick agreed. "He’s so smart and will make a wonderful lawyer when he finishes."

"Yes he will Nick," Tom said. "Yes he will."

Jarrod woke up late that evening. He looked around for the notes that the professor had left with him. When he tried to get out of bed, Tom caught him and pushed him back down.

"Easy son," he said. "You can’t get up yet."

"I was looking for the notes Professor Hamilton left," Jarrod replied.

"They are right here honey," Victoria told him and handed the papers to him.

"Thank you," he said. "I need to read these before he comes back on Wednesday."

"You will son," Tom replied. "You’re still recuperating and need to take it easy."

"I will father," Jarrod told him. "I just want to read for a little while."

"All right," Tom said. "A little while."

Jarrod began to read the notes. After nearly two hours of reading the paper started to fall to his lap. His eyes closed and he went back to sleep. Victoria walked over to the bed and picked up the papers. She laid them on a table in the room. Then she covered Jarrod with the sheet and blanket. He slept for the rest of the night.

The next morning, Jarrod woke up early and tried to reach the papers. He couldn’t get his hand on them. He began to ease himself out of bed just as the doctor walked in.

"Back in that bed young man," he said as he walked over to the bed. "You’re in no condition to be getting up yet."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and climbed back in bed.

Victoria and Tom woke up and both of them went over to the bed.

"What’s wrong?" Tom asked worried.

"Your son was trying to get out of bed without permission," the doctor told them. "I caught him and made him get back in."

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "what on earth made you get up?"

"I wanted my notes," he replied. "I wanted to read some more. I’m sorry."

"It’s all right honey," Victoria said. "But you need to listen to the doctor. He knows what’s best."

"Yes mother," Jarrod replied.

"Now son," the doctor said, "let’s take a look."

The doctor examined Jarrod and smiled.

"You’re coming along very well," he said. "But you can’t get out of bed yet. You’ll be in bed for at least several more days. Then you’ll have to get up and start moving around before you’re allowed to leave the hospital."

"How long will that take?" Jarrod asked.

"Probably another two weeks at the least," the doctor said. "Now you rest and I’ll be by later today."

"Don’t worry doc," Tom said, "he’ll take it easy."

"Fine," the doctor replied and left the room.

"Two more weeks," Jarrod said disappointed. "I’ll never get back to class."

"Yes you will," Nick replied. "You’re a Barkley boy and we never give up."

"I know," Jarrod told him. "I just want to get back to class."

"You need to take it one step at a time," Victoria said. "You’ve had a serious injury and it will take time to heal. In the meantime, you can read and go over your class work but no getting up. Is that understood?"

"Yes mother," Jarrod replied and started reading his notes.

Jarrod read for the next two hours. Then he started to drop the paper into his lap as he was dozing off. Victoria finally took the papers from him and helped him lie down. She covered him up and he slept.

"He can’t read for very long," Nick said. "He gets tired easy."

"Yes son he does," Tom replied. "But your brother is tough. He is going to be fine."

"I know Jarrod is tough," Nick told him. "He proved that both times in the mine. He stood up to Roberts, Roy and Carter. And when those guards were whipping us, he was strong then too. Jarrod is a boy who reasons and I am a boy of actions. And I admire him for that."

"Jarrod admires you also son," Tom said. "He philosophy is that he would reason with a tree and you would go right through it."

"That’s about right father," Nick replied. "That’s what will make him a good lawyer. The fact that he reasons everything out before he makes a decision. He will really be able to help his clients with that talent."

"Yes honey he will," Victoria told them. "Our boy is one of a kind."

"That he is," Tom agreed.

"For sure," Nick said.

"I’ve read all the notes sir," Jarrod said. "You’ve covered a whole lot in two weeks."

"Yes Mr. Barkley," he replied, "we have. "I have some more notes for you. Also, I want to quiz you about what you have read. It will be oral."

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "Brett. I’m glad you came."

"I’m glad I came too," Brett told him. "When the professor said he was coming and how much better you were I asked him if I could come and see you."

"I wanted him to come Mr. Barkley," the professor said. "He’s been so worried about you since your surgery. I couldn’t get him to concentrate in class so I decided if he saw you he might be better able to do his own work."

The professor asked Jarrod questions about what the class had covered and Jarrod answered everyone correctly. He was smiling by the time they were through.

"Mr. Barkley," the professor said, "I am very impressed. You are doing fine. You’ll be caught up in about a week."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "But sir, I won’t be able to come back to class for several more weeks."

"I know that," he told him. "When you are ready to return, you’ll be prepared."

"Yes sir," Jarrod said. "Thank you professor for doing this for me."

"I know how hard you’ve worked the past three years," he replied. "You have shown me what you’re made of. I want you to finish with your class because you’re going to make a good lawyer. You reason everything out before you act. That way you don’t make stupid mistakes like other people do. I am proud to have a young man like you in my class."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod answered.

"You read over these notes and we’ll discuss them on Monday," he said and left.

"Brett," Jarrod replied, "I’m so glad you came."

"I’ll come back again," Brett told him and the two of them left. "You get better."

"I’ll try," Jarrod said as Brett went out the door.

Jarrod picked up the papers and began to read them. Victoria walked over after the professor had left.

"Jarrod," she said, "you need to rest honey. You’ve had a big day."

"But mother," he replied.

"No buts," she told him. "You still have to take it easy."

"Yes mother," he said and laid the papers down.

He laid down, closed his eyes and went to sleep. Later that evening Jarrod woke up. He looked around for his notes and saw them lying on the table again. Tom saw that he was awake and moved over closer to the bed.

"Son," he said, "what are you looking for?"

"My notes," Jarrod answered. "The ones that Professor Hamilton brought by earlier. I wanted to read some more."

"There are right here," he replied and handed them to his son.

"Thank you," Jarrod said as he took them from his father.

"Jarrod," Victoria replied as she came over to the bed, "don’t read too long honey. You don’t want to over do and cause any problems with your head."

"Yes mother," Jarrod told her and started reading his notes.

Tom and Victoria sat back down on the other side of the room so their conversation wouldn’t bother Jarrod. Nick also joined them.

"He’s coming along," Tom said. "I can’t believe how much he’s improved after seeing the shot he took from Carter. I didn’t really think he would live much less come back this quickly."

"Your son is a fighter Tom," Victoria replied. "He’s got that stubborn Barkley blood in him. But I am also surprised at how quickly he has come back. He’s a very lucky boy."

"You said that right mother," Nick told them. "I remember what Carter did to him and I am frankly amazed that he is able to do as much as he can right now. I still cringe when I think about him being hit so hard."

"I do too son," Tom said. "Carter was trying to kill him. Do you remember when they invaded our camp and Jarrod wouldn’t talk?"

"Yes," Nick replied.

"When Carter called Jarrod lawyer boy, your brother looked at me with fear in his eyes," Tom told him. "After he saw that I was not afraid, he didn’t show it either. How did Carter know he was going to be a lawyer?"
"Maybe he heard it from someone or Jordan knew," Victoria said. "But that is a good question. It seems to me that Jordan knows a lot about this family and that’s scary. Because at any time he could send one of his hired guns after you, me, Audra or the boys."

"Not as long as I’m here he won’t," Tom replied. "I made a promise to my son that nothing else would happen to him and I plan on keeping it. My son is going to be safe and that’s the end of it."

"Father," Nick asked, "when we were locked up in that cell and were watching Carter beating Jarrod, you wanted to kill him didn’t you?"

"Yes son I did," Tom answered. "When he knocked Jarrod out and I knew your brother was badly hurt, I had to figure a way to get him help. That’s why I challenged him to a fight. I thought that maybe he would take me up on it when I told him that if he won he could do anything he wanted to me. But if I won, we would be free to leave."

"You did what!" Victoria exploded and Jarrod stopped reading when he heard his mother’s loud voice. "Tom how could you? You could have been killed!"

"Yes Victoria," Tom said, "I could have but I wasn’t and my boy was sitting in the floor in front of the cell tied and unconscious. His head was bleeding, his arm and leg were broken and his ribs were damaged. What else could I have done? Carter stood right outside the cell and told me he was going to kill my oldest son piece by piece."

"Fighting is not the answer," Victoria replied. "Couldn’t you have talked to him and reasoned with him?"

"No!" Tom said loudly. "He was a sadistic man Victoria. He was going to break every bone in Jarrod’s body before he stopped. I had to stop him."

"Father’s right," Nick replied. "That man was crazy. He would have killed Jarrod if father had not intervened. It’s like he had been ordered to kill Jarrod."

Jarrod had been listening intently to what was being said. All of a sudden he began to shake all over and his face was a mask of terror. Tom looked over at the bed and saw Jarrod. He got up and quickly walked over to the bed.

"Jarrod," he said as he approached his son, "what is it son?"

"Stay away from me!" he screamed. "Please don’t hit me anymore!"

He recoiled back away from his father. Victoria and Nick both jumped up and hurried over to the bed.

"Jarrod," his mother replied, "it’s mother honey. "What is it?"

"Stay away!" he cried again.

"Big brother," Nick said, "it’s Nick. Calm down. You’re all right."

Jarrod was still shaking. Tom finally grabbed his son and held him. Victoria sat down on the bed and talked to Jarrod.

"Honey," she asked, "what is it? What’s wrong?"

"I...I don’t know," he finally got out. "I...I see a face. A sadistic face staring at me. I can’t stop shaking."

"It’s all right son," Tom replied. "Everything’s all right."

Tom continued to hold Jarrod and finally he quit shaking. When Tom eased him back on the pillows, Jarrod’s face was still a mask of terror.

"Nick," he said, "go find the doctor. Now!"

"Yes sir," Nick answered and left the room.

"Son," he told him, "it’s all right. Calm down."

The doctor arrived a few minutes later. He walked over to the bed. He looked down at Jarrod and shook his head. A nurse had accompanied him.

"Nurse," he said, "get me some more morphine. He’s too upset to rest. Now!"

"Yes doctor," she answered and left the room.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Jarrod was reading his notes," Tom began. "My wife, my other son and I were sitting over against the wall talking. We were discussing what had happened when Jarrod was seriously hurt."

"I got upset at something my husband said," Victoria added. "Jarrod stopped reading and began to listen. The next thing we knew he was shaking all over and his face showed nothing but sheer terror. We came over to try and calm him down but he kept screaming ‘get away from me.’"

The nurse returned and the doctor gave Jarrod the injection. He finally relaxed and went limp. The nurse eased him down in the bed and covered him up.

"The boy will be out for a while," he said and looked angry. "You knew he didn’t need to be upset. Yet you talked about something that he couldn’t remember. Finally, he started to remember little bits and he became scared when he did. From now on and I mean this, you are not to discuss what happened to your son in front of him. He’s still a sick boy and he needs to rest not be upset. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes doctor," Tom answered. "We didn’t mean to hurt him. We love him."

"I know you do," the doctor replied. "But he’s still weak and needs to rest. He’ll be all right but he’ll sleep for several hours. I’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on him."

"Thank you," Victoria told him and he left. "Oh Tom," she said, "what have we done? He was doing so well. Now look at him. He’s had to have another injection of morphine."

"I know Victoria," Tom replied. "I should have never brought up that incident. It’s my fault. I didn’t protect my boy again."

"Father," Nick said, "it’s all right. Jarrod’s going to be fine."

"I know son," Tom told him. "But now he’s been drugged again. I want my boy to get well."

"He will," Nick replied. "Just give him time. He’s been through a lot and the doctor’s right. If he is starting to remember, he doesn’t need to think about it. I want my brother to get well."

"He will honey," Victoria said. "He just needs time and so do we."

Tom, Victoria and Nick all sat down right beside of the bed. They were all visibly shaken by what had just happened. Tom was the most shaken. He kept seeing in his mind his son being brutalized at the hands of Daniel Carter. Finally, he got up and walked out of the room. Victoria and Nick watched him go. Once outside his son’s room, Tom was able to relax a little. The doctor saw him and walked over to him.

"Are you all right Mr. Barkley?" he asked.

"No," Tom answered. "I’m upset about my son. How could I have been so uncaring about him? I can see that man’s face as clear as day and he scared even me. I know my boy was terrified."

"Look," he replied, "your son is going to be fine. He just got too upset and I had to calm him down. He was also in pain too. He needs the rest. You look like you could use some sleep yourself."

"I can but I’m not going to leave my son," Tom told him. "I have watched Hanibal Jordan try to get to me through my son."

"Then this wasn’t the first time he had been injured?" the doctor asked.

"No," Tom answered. "Jordan had him kidnapped three other times. Each time though he was able to bounce back. None of them were as vicious as what Daniel Carter did to him."

"Your son is lucky," the doctor said. "He is alive and he is improving. But it will take time and along the way he will have setbacks. Don’t let it get to you. He will finally get well. I promise."

"Thank you doc," Tom replied and he walked back into his son’s room.

Tom walked over to the bed, reached down and picked up Jarrod’s hand in his.

"I’m sorry son," he said with tears running down his face. "I didn’t mean to upset you. You are the world to me. I promise when you get out of here we’ll do something together just the two of us. You just concentrate on getting well."

He sat down and kept holding his son’s hand. He finally dozed off in the chair beside of his son. Victoria covered him with a blanket and smiled. Her husband and her son would both be fine.

"That a boy," he said. "Come on son, open your eyes."

Jarrod’s eyes finally opened and he looked up into the face of his father and smiled.

"What...What happened?" he finally got out. "I feel so funny."

"The doctor had to give you another injection of morphine," Tom told him. "You were very upset."

"What caused it?" he asked.

"Nothing important son," Tom replied. "How do you feel?"

"I’m kinda tired and I’m a little bit sick," he said.

"You close your eyes and go back to sleep," Tom told him. "When you wake up you’ll feel a lot better. I’m right here son."

"All right father," he replied and closed his eyes.

Tom sat back and breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t remember any of it. Victoria walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"He’s going to be fine," she said.

"Yes he is," Tom agreed.

Jarrod slept for the rest of the night. The next morning he woke up and looked around. He saw his parents and brother resting in chairs around his bed. He was still feeling the effects of the morphine injection. He was still woozy. When he tried to move, he felt hands holding him down. He looked up into the eyes of his father who was smiling at him. He returned the smile.

"Son," he said, "you have to stay quiet. "You’re not ready to start moving around too much. You need to rest."

Tom propped him up on pillows and laid his son’s head on them. Jarrod still couldn’t hold his head up without the aid of the pillows.

"Father," Jarrod asked, "what happened? Why am I so woozy and disoriented?"

"You had to have some more pain medicine yesterday," Tom replied. "You’ve been asleep for a while."

"Did I hit my head again?" he asked.

"No," Tom answered. "You were very upset."

"What about?" Jarrod asked concerned.

"That’s not important son," Tom told him. "You’re going to be fine."

"What was I upset about?" he asked again.

"I can’t tell you right now," Tom said. "It could upset you again."

"I want to know," Jarrod replied. "Please."

"I can’t son," Tom told him again. "Please don’t ask me again. The doctor gave strict orders not to upset you. I hope you can understand."

"Yes," Jarrod finally agreed. "But promise me you will tell me later."

"Yes," Tom said.

"Honey," his mother said as she walked over to the bed, "are you feeling better?"

"I’m a little woozy," he replied. "But I’ll be all right."

"That’s my boy," she told him. "Can I get you anything?"

"No," he answered. "I’m not up to reading right now."

"That’s understandable," she said. "You rest and later you can catch up on your studies."

"Yes mother," he replied. "I’m...very...."

His eyes closed and he was out. Victoria covered him up and looked at her husband.

"Tom," she said, "thank you for not telling him what happened."

"Do you think I want to hurt my boy any more?" he asked. "I’m not about to. Besides the doctor was very specific. We can’t mention the incident that nearly killed our boy. I would rather put it behind me. My son is alive and improving. And that’s all that counts."

"Yes it is," she agreed.

Later that morning, Jarrod was still asleep. He began to dream. He was somewhere he wasn’t sure where. There was a man with a sadistic face smiling down at him. He kept hitting him with something very hard.

"No!" he screamed. "Oh please! Don’t hit me!"

Tom heard his son calling out. He hurried over to the bed. Jarrod was soaked with sweat.

"Don’t hit me again!" he screamed. "Oh no! I can’t take it!"

Tom was afraid to wake him up. He motioned at Nick to go find the doctor. Nick hurried out of the room. Victoria walked over to the bed.

"What’s going on?" she asked concerned.

"Jarrod’s having a nightmare," he replied. "I’m afraid to wake him."

The doctor walked into the room and over to the bed. He looked down at the boy.

"How long has he been like this?" he asked.

"Just a few minutes," Tom replied. "I was afraid to wake him up."

The doctor barely shook Jarrod’s shoulders and the boy opened his eyes. He was breathing hard and he was sweating. He looked right at the doctor with terror in his blue eyes.

"Jarrod," the doctor said quietly, "it’s Dr. Taylor. Can you hear me?"

"Yes," a barely audible sound came from him. "Please help me."

"I will son," he replied. "What are you seeing?"

The doctor motioned for Tom to come over to the bed and listen. Tom moved over right beside his son.

"I see a horrible face," Jarrod began. "He has something hard in his hand. He’s going to hit me with it. Oh please no!"

"Easy," the doctor told him. "Everything’s all right. Calm down."

Jarrod began to breathe a little easier. He looked around and his eyes fell on his father’s face.

"Oh father," he said, "it was horrible. There was a man with a stick and he hit me."

"It’s all right son," Tom replied and held his son. "It’s all right."

The doctor stepped out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a syringe. He gave the boy the injection and he went limp in his father’s arms. Tom laid his head on the pillows.

"I had to knock him out," the doctor said. "He was too upset again. He is going to be under a constant watch. I can’t afford for him to continue to remember this incident. Not now anyway. He’s still too weak to get upset. I’ll have to give him injections until I can calm him down."

"What happened?" Tom asked.

"Your son is beginning to remember bits and pieces of what happened to him. He must be seeing the man’s face in his mind. He’s got to rest. I gave him another morphine injection. He’ll sleep for the rest of the day. I want him quiet."

"We understand," Victoria told him. "Thank you doctor."

"He’ll be all right," the doctor said. "He has to stay quiet and remembering this incident is too upsetting for him right now. I’ll look in on him later."

The doctor left. Tom and Victoria looked down at their sleeping son. He was so weak and vulnerable. The more Tom looked at his boy the more the tears flowed down his cheeks. He reached over and took Jarrod’s hand in his.

"Son," Tom said, "you rest. Everything will be all right. You’re going to get better."

Victoria put an arm around her husband. She knew he was visibly shaken by this turn of events. Their oldest son was lying unconscious in a bed back on morphine injections because he was starting to remember the Carter incident. And she knew her husband was again blaming himself for his son’s setback.

"Tom," she said, "he’s going to be all right. You have to believe that."

"I know," he replied.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "don’t try to move honey. You’ve had another injection of morphine. You’re going to be sleepy for a while. How do you feel?"

"My head is dizzy," he replied. "I can’t think straight and I’m sick on my stomach."

"That’s normal honey," Victoria told him. "You’ll feel better in a little while."

"I can’t remember anything," he said. "What happened that I had to be drugged again?"

"You just had a bad dream," she replied. "Don’t you worry, you’re going to be fine."

"I can’t hold my eyes open very well," he told them. "I’m...I’m getting so sleepy..."

His eyes closed and he was asleep. Tom and Victoria breathed a sigh of relief that Jarrod didn’t mention the dream. They sat back down in the chairs and rested while their oldest son slept.

Some time during the night Jarrod woke up. He looked around and saw his parents asleep in the chairs. His brother was also asleep. He tried to get up but his head was still dizzy. He laid it back on the pillows. He tried to move and moaned at the pain coming from his head. He tried to relax and the pain subsided. He just laid there and thought about what had caused him to be in the hospital in the first place. He remembered something about a broken arm or leg or both. He remembered being tied, his two brothers being there and so was his father. He remembered a man’s voice telling his father that his son would die piece by piece. Then he saw the man’s face again. His heart started pounding in his chest and he was breathing faster. The throbbing in his head was keeping time with his heart. He couldn’t get that man’s face out of his mind. He was pure evil. A man who enjoyed hurting people. And he himself had been injured by this man.

Tom for some reason opened his eyes. He looked over at the bed and noticed his son’s face. He could tell the boy was remembering something. His face was sweating. Tom just watched. Finally, he stood up and walked over to the bed. He sat down beside his son.

"Jarrod," he said very quietly, "what’s bothering you boy?"

"I can remember a little," Jarrod answered. "I remember having a broken arm or leg or both. I remember being tied, my two brothers being there and so were you. I remember a man’s voice saying ‘your son will die piece by piece.’ I also remember a face of a man, an evil man. A man who enjoyed hurting people. I was hurt by this man."

Tom hesitated before answering. He wanted to be sure what he was going to say to the boy.

"Jarrod," he said slowly, "I was there, your brothers were too and you were hurt. I don’t think we should discuss this until you are stronger. You are already getting upset. You need to rest and take it easy."

"I can’t father," Jarrod replied. "I can’t get his face out of my mind. Please tell me what he did. Please."

"All right," Tom told him. "We were locked in a jail cell in a ghost town. You were removed from the cell and put in one by yourself. Carter, that was the man’s name, broke your leg, broke your ribs, hurt your mouth and broke your arm. He vowed to kill you. He hit you on the head and you went out. I took you to Sacramento and you were put in the hospital where you were unconscious for a month. When you came too, you couldn’t talk very well. You were able to come home but you suffered from raging headaches. That’s why you are here."

While his father was talking, Jarrod’s heartbeat increased. He was terrified. When Tom stopped talking and looked over at Jarrod’s face, he knew it was too late. Jarrod had remembered it all. He was scared to death. Tom walked over to Nick and woke him up.

"Nick," he said, "go get the nurse or the doctor. Your brother has remembered it all. He’s scared to death. He’s got to calm down. Now go."

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

Victoria had awakened and was at Jarrod’s side.

"What’s wrong Tom?" she asked.

"Look at your son," he said.

Victoria took one look at Jarrod and knew.

"He’s remembered it all hasn’t he?" she asked.

"Yes," Tom answered. "He can’t stop thinking about Carter."

"What are we going to do?" she asked.

"I’ve sent Nick after the doctor," he replied.

Luckily, the doctor was still at the hospital. He walked in and went over to Jarrod’s bed. He took one look at the boy and knew what had happened.

"He’s remembered it all hasn’t he?" he asked.

"Yes," Tom told him. "He knows what happened. He’s scared to death."

"He’s also hurting," the doctor said. "I’ll give him another injection."

He left the room and then returned a few minutes later with a syringe and a nurse. She gave Jarrod the injection and finally his eyes closed. He was asleep and was breathing normally.

"You did the right thing by coming to get me," he told them. "Your son has had another setback by remembering the traumatic details of how he was hurt. He should be all right in a few days. I need to see how calm he is when he wakes up again. If he’s still terrified or upset, I’ll have to knock him out again."

"We understand doctor," Victoria replied. "I’m glad it’s out in the open though. I think Jarrod was worrying about what had happened to him. Now that he knows maybe he can rest and get better."

"I hope so," the doctor said. "Your son is still an awfully sick boy. He’s too weak to go through all this now. But it can’t be helped. We’ll have to deal with the consequences."

"Will my boy be all right?" Tom asked concerned.

"Yes," the doctor answered. "But his recovery will take longer. You’re looking at another week in bed. Then two more before I can even think about releasing him. But I think he will recover."

The doctor left. Tom and Victoria sat beside their son’s bed for the rest of the night. They didn’t sleep anymore. They were too worried about Jarrod to rest. Early the next morning, Jarrod’s eyes eased open and he looked around. Tom and Victoria walked over to his bed.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "take it easy honey. You need to rest."

Jarrod barely nodded. He was too sick to move. Victoria could tell her son was sick and moved over closer to him. He looked up at her and his blue eyes were dulled in color. She sat right by him and when he vomited she was right there to hold him.

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

"I don’t feel well," Jarrod replied.

"It’s just the medicine," she told him.

About that time, the nurse walked in to check on him. When she saw that he was sick, she left the room and returned with another syringe. She injected him with the medicine and soon Jarrod stopped throwing up. He closed his eyes and slept.

"I’ve given him some medicine to help with the vomiting," she said. "He’ll sleep for a while. It’s just a reaction to the medicine."

"Thank you," Victoria replied and the nurse left.

"My poor boy," Tom said. "He just can’t get well."

"He will Tom," Victoria replied. "It will just take some time."

"Yes," Tom told her. "I just wish he hadn’t remembered what happened right now but that’s water under the bridge."

"Yes," Victoria agreed. "We need to go from here. Jarrod’s going to be fine. Let’s just concentrate on that."

Jarrod began to awaken later that morning. He was still groggy and slightly dizzy. He wasn’t as sick. He tried to sit up but his head wouldn’t let him. He looked around the room. Tom and Victoria saw that he was awake and walked over to the bed.

"Hello son," Tom said and smiled at his boy. "You’re looking a little better this morning. How are you feeling?"

"I’m groggy and slightly dizzy," he replied. "I still can’t raise my head up off the pillows."

"That’s normal honey," Victoria told him. "You’ve been through a lot over the past couple of days. You need to rest."

"I want to get out of here," he said.

"I know you do son," Tom replied. "But you’re not ready. The doctor said it would probably be at least three more weeks before you can be released."

"Three more weeks!" Jarrod said loudly. "I can’t wait that long!"

He tried to get up but Tom held him down.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "calm down. You can’t get upset. Take it easy boy."

"I can’t stay in here three more weeks," he said. "I’ll be so far behind I’ll never get caught up."

"Yes you will," Tom told him. "You’re going to make it son. You have to believe that. The professor is working with you. Now calm down."

"All right," he said. "I’m so tired."

"Rest honey," his mother said. "Close your eyes and sleep."

Jarrod let his eyes go closed. Victoria covered him up and then looked over at her husband. Tom was visibly shaken by Jarrod’s comments. She put an arm around her husband and smiled at him.

"Give him some time Tom," she said. "He’s still so weak and sick. He’ll be up and around soon."

"I hope so," he replied. "He’s never been this sick before. My boy’s a fighter I know but this is the toughest battle he’s ever been in. I want him to win and get better."

"Just give him time," she told him.

The doctor came by that afternoon. Jarrod was still asleep. He examined the boy and nodded his head.

"He’s coming along very nicely," he said. "You don’t need to worry. He’ll be fine in a few weeks."

"Doctor," Victoria asked, "when can he go back to being tutored?"

"Probably not for at least a week," he replied. "This last setback he had has made it necessary to keep him quiet and rest for the next week. He can’t move around and he needs to sleep as much as possible."

"All right," she told him.

The doctor left the room. Tom and Victoria looked down at their son.

"Jarrod’s going to be very disappointed when he finds out that he can’t study for a week," Tom commented.

"Yes," Victoria agreed. "But he will be wanting to sleep with all the morphine that he’s had recently. "Tom, I’m sorry that he had to remember everything right now. He was doing so well and then he remembered that man’s face."

"Well," Tom said, "it was inevitable that he would remember. That was a very violent man. You don’t easily forget someone like that. I’m glad the boy remembered. It’s better to get it out in the open."

"You’re right," she replied.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "you need to rest."

"I’m so tired and I don’t feel well," he replied weakly.

"It’s all right son," Tom told him. "You’ve had a rough time. Just rest."

"Mother," he said weakly, "I feel really awful."

"It’s all right honey," she replied. "You just need to rest. Close your eyes and sleep."

"I’ll...try..."he told her and closed his eyes.

"Victoria," Tom said after Jarrod had drifted off, "my boy’s not getting any better. I want him too but he’s not."

"You have to give him time Tom," she replied. "He’s been through a horrible experience and was nearly killed. He’s got to have time to heal and bounce back from this. He’s very weak and the medicine has caused Jarrod to feel bad. Once he can get off of the medicine, he’ll perk up. You just wait."

"I know," Tom told her. "It just hurts to see him suffer. He should be enjoying his last year of school but no he is lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life. Because a sadistic man nearly ended my son’s life. Nick has to watch his brother struggle to do simple things. I can’t take it anymore."

"Tom," Victoria said, "you have to be strong for Jarrod. Your son needs you right now. He needs to see you happy. If you don’t, he could blame himself and then he may never get well."

"You’re right," Tom replied. "It’s just hard. I want my children to be happy and healthy. I feel like I failed my oldest boy. I couldn’t keep him from being injured. I had to stand there and watch that man try to kill my boy. I reacted the only way I could. I challenged him to a fight to try and protect Jarrod. Luckily, I was able to defeat him and with Nick’s help we killed the others. I knew he was hurt. His head was bleeding. I made a litter and took him to the hospital."

"It’s all right Tom," she told him. "Just calm down. You getting upset won’t help Jarrod. He needs to stay calm and rest. He’s a strong boy and he will get better. You have to believe that."

"I do," Tom said. "It’s just very hard."

"I know it is," she replied. "I know it is."

Late that night, Jarrod began to wake up. He was still not feeling very well and he was very weak. He tried to pick his head up off the pillow but couldn’t. He just laid there and looked around the room. His brother was asleep in a chair on the other side of the room. His parents noticed that he was awake and walked over to the bed.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "how are you doing son?"

"I don’t feel good," he told them. "I’m so weak I can’t move my head."

"Take it easy," Tom replied. "You just need to rest."

"I think I’m going to be sick again," he got out just before he vomited.

Victoria rushed over to him and held him as he vomited. He didn’t even have the strength to throw up. She motioned at Tom and he went in search of the doctor. He returned a few minutes later with the doctor and a nurse. The doctor looked at Jarrod and shook his head. He motioned at the nurse and she left the room.

"Your son has a fever," he said. "I’m going to give him some medicine to help him fight the infection."

"He was complaining of not feeling well," Tom replied.

"That would probably explain why," the doctor told them. "He’s a very sick young man."

Victoria was still holding Jarrod’s head and he was still vomiting. The nurse returned with the syringe and injected Jarrod with the medicine. A few minutes later Victoria eased his head back onto the pillow. She could see how flushed he was in the face. His eyes were filled with pain. After a short time, the medicine began to work. Jarrod closed his eyes and slept.

"I’m not sure what caused this infection," the doctor said. "His head wound looks good. He could have picked up a germ somewhere. The medicine will stop the vomiting and help him to rest."

"He will be all right?" Victoria asked concerned.

"Yes," the doctor told them. "It’s not uncommon for someone to pick up an infection after being badly injured. He’ll be fine in several days. He needs to rest and no moving around. I’ll be back by in a while."

The doctor left and Victoria sat back down on the bed. She felt Jarrod’s forehead.

"Tom," she said, "he’s burning up. Bring me the basin and a cloth. Maybe I can help him by putting a cool cloth on his face."

Tom handed her the basin and the cloth. She dipped it in the cool water and then rung it out. Then she laid it on her son’s forehead. Jarrod moaned but didn’t wake up. She kept putting the cloth on his face.

By the next morning, Jarrod’s fever was down some. He was still asleep. But his face wasn’t as flushed as it had been the night before. Victoria looked up at Tom.

"His fever’s down some," she said. "He just needs to rest."

"That’s good," Tom replied. "I don’t think I can stand for anything else to happen to that boy."

"Tom," she said, "he’s your son. He’s going to need his father when he gets to feeling better. You know that."

"I know but it still hurts inside to see him like this," he told her. "I love my boy and I want him to get better."

"I know you do," she replied.

Jarrod moaned and began to wake up. Victoria turned her attention back to Jarrod.

"Easy honey," she said. "You’ve been sick again."

"I’m so hot," he replied.

"You have a fever honey," she told him. "Just rest."

"I can’t," he mumbled. "It hurts."

"What hurts son?" Tom asked him.

"My ribs hurt," he said.

"Your ribs?" Victoria asked. "Where Jarrod? Show me."

Jarrod lifted a hand and pointed to the right side of his rib cage. He was in a great deal of pain.

"Tom," she said, "maybe you had better go get the doctor."

"Yeah," he replied and left the room.

Jarrod kept on moaning. The doctor walked in.

"Doctor," she said, "Jarrod’s complaining of the right side of his ribs hurting."

"Let me have a look," he replied.

The doctor felt around Jarrod’s ribs. When he touched one area the boy screamed in pain. The doctor checked the area again and Jarrod cried out.

"He’s got a broken rib," the doctor said. "It looks like it was broken about the time he was badly hurt and just didn’t heal. I’m going to have to set it and bind his ribs. It’s going to hurt young man."

"I know," Jarrod mumbled.

The doctor reached down and felt for the broken rib. When he found it, he eased it up where it would meet the other half. Jarrod finally passed out from the excruciating pain. The doctor left the room and returned with a bandage to wrap the ribs and a syringe. He wrapped the boy’s ribs and then gave him an injection.

"He’ll be all right now," he said. "That’s what was causing the infection. I’ve given him another injection of morphine for the pain and something to help fight the infection. He’ll sleep for the next several hours. I’ll come by and see how he is later."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied and the doctor left.

Tom and Victoria both looked down at their son. He was resting comfortably. He was finally going to be all right. Tom sat down in the chair and cried. He couldn’t hold his tears back any longer. Victoria sat down beside of him.

"It’s all right Tom," she said. "Jarrod’s going to be fine."

"I know," he replied. "I just can’t take it anymore."

"Your son is going to be up and going before too long," she told him. "You need some sleep. Close your eyes and sleep. I’ll wake you when Jarrod wakes up."

"All right," Tom agreed. "I could use the rest."

Tom closed his eyes and fell asleep. Victoria covered him up with a blanket and sat on the side of the bed with her son.

"Jarrod," she said, "don’t move. You have a broken rib."

"I know," he mumbled. "It hurts."

"I know it does honey," she replied. "You are going to be fine. Can I get you anything?"

"No," he mumbled. "My stomach doesn’t feel good so I can’t eat anything."

"You will when that medicine gets out of your system," Victoria told him. "You try to sleep honey. You need the rest."

"All right," he mumbled and closed his eyes.

Tom woke up and looked over at his son. When he saw that Jarrod was still asleep, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Victoria knew he was worn out. She was too but her son needed her and she was going to be there for him. She continued to sit on the side of her son’s bed and patted his shoulder.

Jarrod slept the rest of the night. The next morning he woke up. It was a Sunday morning. Jarrod had been in the hospital four weeks. He still couldn’t lift his head off of the pillow. He was frustrated and weak. Victoria noticed that he was awake.

"Jarrod," she said, "what’s wrong honey?"

"I can’t lift my head off of the pillow," he replied dejectedly.

"Well," she told him, "you’ve been a sick boy. You have to build up your strength."

"Mother," he asked, "how much longer will I have to stay here?"

"I don’t know," she answered. "You will get better and will be able to go back to class."

"I hope so," he said.

Tom woke up when he heard his son’s voice. He walked over to the bed and looked down at his boy.

"Son," he replied, "are you feeling better this morning?"

"I’m weak," he told him.

"You’ve been through a lot," Tom said. "You just rest and you’ll be better before you know it."

"I hope so," he replied and his eyes closed.

Victoria looked over at Tom. He looked more rested than he had since Jarrod had been brought in.

"Tom," she asked, "did you rest?"

"Yes," he answered. "I feel better. I’m still worried about my boy."

"I am too," she replied. "But he looks better this morning."

"Yes," Tom agreed.

Over the next week, Jarrod slowly improved. Professor Hamilton came the next week and began to tutor Jarrod again. His spirits improved and he began to work hard on his studies. Brett also came by to see him. That really made Jarrod smile. Then came the big day.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "it’s been five weeks since you were operated on. I think you’re about ready to get up."

Jarrod nodded. He wasn’t sure how he would do when he stood up but he was willing to try. The doctor helped him to sit up on the side of the bed. Slowly, he slid one foot onto the floor and then the other one. He put his weight on them and swayed. Tom moved over and caught his son before he could fall. He helped guide Jarrod over to a chair. He was completely exhausted by the time he sat down.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "you did fine. You’re going to be very weak but if you keep improving you’ll be able to go home in maybe another week."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied.

"Don’t let him walk by himself at first," the doctor told them. "He’s not going to be very steady. Try to get him to walk around the room several times over the day. He’s got to build up his strength."

"We will doc," Tom said and the doctor left.

While Jarrod was sitting up, Nick excused himself and stepped out of the room. Jarrod was reading over some of the notes Professor Hamilton had given him.

In Hanibal Jordan’s office across town from the hospital, Jordan and Hoak were having a discussion.

"I thought you told me that Carter would kill Tom Barkley’s son" Jordan said. "He was a former prison guard and he wasn’t supposed to stop until that boy was dead."

"He almost did," Hoak replied. "But we can still get to him."

"How?" Jordan asked.

"The boy is in the hospital right here in San Francisco," Hoak told him. "All we have to do is kill him while he’s there."

"Who are you going to hire?" Jordan asked.

"I know a man who is suited for this kind of a job," Hoak said. "I’ll get in touch with him. Barkley’s son is as good as dead."

"Good," Jordan replied.

Back at the hospital, Jarrod was still sitting up and studying the notes that Professor Hamilton had given him. He was still very weak. A man that none of the Barkley’s recognized walked into the room. He was a tall man with black hair and dark hazel eyes. Tom looked up as he entered the room. Then he pulled his gun and pointed it at the family.

"Don’t move any of you," he said. "All I want is the boy."

"You can’t have him," Tom replied with anger in his voice and started to get up.

"You forget Barkley," the man told him, "I’m holding the gun. Don’t come any closer or I’ll kill your wife along with the boy. All right boy let’s go."

Jarrod didn’t move from the chair. Actually he couldn’t move without help.

"I said let’s go boy," the man said. "Unless you want your pretty mama to have a hole in her head."

Jarrod slowly rose from the chair. He was still very unsteady on his feet. The man grabbed him and pulled Jarrod over to him.

"Now Barkley," the man replied, "your son dies. You will be able to watch him die very slowly. I want you to remember this for the rest of your life."

Tom watched in horror as the man turned Jarrod toward him. He looked right in the boy’s face. Jarrod looked back at him definatly.

"Oh please," Victoria begged. "Don’t hurt my son."

"I’m not going to hurt him," he told her. "I’m going to kill him."

The man kept his gun out, aimed at the boy’s parents while holding the boy. Then it was all over. Jarrod was lying motionless on the floor. The man smiled and left the room. Tom and Victoria rushed over to their son. Victoria looked down at Jarrod. He was unconscious. There was a syringe lying right beside his head.

"He’s been injected with something Tom," she said.

"I’ll go get the doctor," Tom replied.

Tom picked his son up and laid him on the bed. Then he left the room in search of the doctor. They returned a short time later. The doctor hurried over to the bed. He checked the syringe. He shook his head.

"Your son’s been injected with a full syringe of morphine," the doctor said. "He’s going to be a very sick boy. If it doesn’t kill him first."

"What do you mean doc?" Tom asked.

"I mean that he’s been given three times more than he has ever been given in the past," the doctor explained. "This is very powerful medication. When he wakes up he’s going to be a very sick boy. Then when the medicine wears off, he’s going to have a very bad reaction."

"Will Jarrod be all right?" Victoria asked very concerned.

"I hope so," the doctor told them. "I’m going to post a nurse in here with him until he begins to come to. She will notify me and we can take it from there."

The doctor left the room. A nurse walked in and sat down beside the bed. She didn’t take her eyes off of the boy. A few minutes later Nick staggered in. Tom rushed to his side and helped him to a chair.

"What happened son?" Tom asked worried.

"Someone hit me on the head," Nick answered. "I didn’t get a look at his face. I was walking outside and all of a sudden everything went dark."

"I know who it was," Tom said. "The same man who injected Jarrod with a full syringe of morphine."

"A full syringe of morphine," Nick replied. "Isn’t that too much medicine?"

"Yes," Victoria answered." "Your brother is out and when he wakes up he’s going to be very sick."

"Who did this to him?" Nick asked.

"A man," Tom answered. "He walked in, pulled his gun, grabbed Jarrod and injected him. The doctor said that Jarrod was in for a very rough time."

"Will he be all right?" Nick asked concerned.

"I hope so son," Tom said. "I hope so."

Four hours later, Jarrod began to moan. The nurse hurried from the room. Victoria rushed to her son’s side. Jarrod finally opened his eyes. He was so groggy and disoriented.

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

"Yeah," he barely mumbled.

"You’ve been injected with a lot of morphine by a man who wanted to kill you," she replied.

"Mother," he mumbled, "I feel sick."

"I know honey," she told him.

Jarrod began to vomit. Victoria held him. He didn’t have any strength at all. The doctor arrived with the nurse. The doctor ordered the nurse to bring some medication to help with the vomiting. She left to go get it. Meanwhile, Jarrod was so sick. He couldn’t stop vomiting. Victoria continued to hold him and wipe his face.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "I know you don’t feel good. You have to fight this. If you don’t you could die. Do you understand me?"

Jarrod barely nodded. The nurse returned with the syringe. She injected him with it and within the hour Jarrod had stopped vomiting. Victoria laid his head on the pillow. The doctor examined the young man.

"Jarrod," he said, "you’re going to have a bad reaction when you come off this medicine. You are going to be very sick again. There’s nothing I can give you for it."

"I understand," he got out.

Jarrod went to sleep. His mother sat on the bed and kept putting cold cloths on his head.

"I’ll be back when he reacts to coming off of the medicine," he told them. "Mrs. Jenkins will be here with your son. Try not to worry. He’s halfway there. If we can get him off the morphine, he’ll be home free."

"Thanks doctor," Victoria replied.

The doctor left. Tom slowly walked over to the bed. He looked down at his oldest son. He was so pale and weak.

"Victoria," Tom said, "I’ll be back shortly."

"No," she replied. "You can’t leave. Your son needs you."

"Jordan needs me first," he told her. "I’m going to beat the living daylights out of him for what he’s done to my boy."

"No you’re not Tom," she said. "Listen to me. Jarrod is a very sick boy. He needs us very much. You need to be here with him and with Nick."

"I’m all right," Nick replied. "I’ve just got a bump on my head."

"Please Tom," she begged. "Don’t go."

"All right," he finally agreed. "But I will take care of Jordan just as soon as my son is better."

"All right," she said and sat right beside her son.

"He’s over the worst of it," he said. "He just needs to sleep."

"Honey," Victoria replied, "close your eyes and rest."

Jarrod closed his eyes and went to sleep.

"He’ll sleep for a while," he said. "He’s completely exhausted. He’s going to be fine. He’ll have to stay in bed for several days but he should be able to go home in two weeks."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied and the doctor left with the nurse.

Jarrod slept all night. He began to come to on Tuesday morning. He was still groggy and disoriented but he wasn’t as sick. He looked around. Tom and Victoria along with Nick were at his side.

"Honey," Victoria said, "it’s mother. I’m right here."

"Mother," he mumbled, "what happened?"

"You’ve been on morphine again," she told him. "A man gave you a large dose of it and you’ve been very sick. Can I get you anything?"

"No," he got out.

"Close your eyes and rest," she said. "You’ll feel better after you rest."

Jarrod closed his tired eyes and slept. Tom was irate. He paced the floor anger showing in his features.

"Tom," Victoria said, "calm down. You’re not helping Jarrod by being this upset. Your son needs you."

"I can’t help it," he replied. "I want to kill Jordan for what he did to my boy."

"You can’t," she told him. "Please calm down."

"Look Victoria," Tom said, "I am going to get Jordan one way or the other. He won’t leave my oldest son alone. He wants Jarrod dead and I’m not about to let that happen."

"I understand how you feel Tom," she replied. "I want him to pay for what he’s done to Jarrod too but not now. Our son needs us. He’s still a very sick boy. You saw his face. He can barely hold his eyes open. Tom please help me take care of him."

"All right," Tom told her. "Jarrod comes first but I will get even with Hanibal Jordan and is a promise."

Later that afternoon, Jarrod opened his eyes. He looked around. He tried to get up but he didn’t have the strength. Victoria noticed that he was awake and walked over to the bed. She sat down. Tom came over too. He propped Jarrod up on several pillows. The boy couldn’t lift his head at all.

"Son," he said, "how do you feel?"

"I’m so sore and I don’t feel well at all," Jarrod replied.

"You’ve had a rough time," Victoria told him. "You’ve been a very sick boy."

"What happened?" Jarrod asked.

"A man walked in here," Tom began. "He said that he wanted to kill you. He gave you a syringe full of morphine. You’re a very lucky boy."

"When can I get up?" Jarrod asked.

"Not for a while," Victoria told him. "You’re too weak honey. You need to gain some of your strength back."

"Jarrod," Nick said, "he knocked me out before he got to you."

"Are you all right?" Jarrod asked.

"Yeah," Nick told him. "I’ve just got a headache."

"I’m glad," Jarrod said and smiled.

"Me too," Nick agreed.

Jarrod began to close his eyes and soon he was asleep. He was so weak that he needed the rest.

The inspector of the San Francisco police force came to the hospital later that day. He spoke to a number of different nurses on staff about the man who had attacked the Barkley boy. Finally, he stopped by to talk to Jarrod. Tom met him when he walked in.

"Inspector," Tom said, "I’m Tom Barkley. My son, Jarrod, is the one the man was after."

"Can I speak to your son?" he asked.

"He’s asleep right now," Tom told him. "He’s had a very rough time."

"I can understand that," the inspector replied. "But I need to question him about the man."

"My wife and I both saw him," Tom said. "He held a gun on us and gave my boy the injection. He’s still feeling the effects of that medication."

All right," the inspector replied. "Can you describe him to me?"

"He was tall," Tom began. "He had black hair and dark hazel eyes. He must have known about medicine. He threatened to kill my wife if Jarrod didn’t go with him."

"Thank you," he replied. "I’ll come back when your son is able to talk."

"That will be fine," Tom answered and the inspector left.

Late Tuesday night Jarrod opened his eyes. He was still bothered by the morphine injection. He didn’t have much strength left. He also couldn’t move a whole lot. His father and mother sat down on each side of his bed and smiled down at him. He tried to smile at them but couldn’t.

"Son," Tom said, "you’re looking better. How do you feel?"

"I’m so tired and I can’t seem to move much," Jarrod replied.

"You’ll get better," Victoria told him. "You had so much of that medicine in you. I know you don’t feel very well. You need to rest and sleep as much as possible."

"I don’t want to sleep," Jarrod said. "I want to read my notes the professor gave me."

"Son," Tom replied, "you’re not ready to start studying. You can barely hold your eyes open."

"Please," Jarrod pleaded. "I need to study."

"All right," Victoria told him. "But not for very long. You need to rest and sleep is the best medicine."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied.

Victoria handed him the papers. Jarrod could barely hold them in his hands. His eyes kept drooping. Finally after about thirty minutes of reading, Jarrod’s eyes closed. Victoria took the papers from his hands and covered Jarrod up. He was still feeling the effects of that medication. Tom also looked down at his young son.

"Fight son," he said. "You can win if you just continue to fight. You’re a Barkley and Barkleys never give up."

"That’s right big brother," Nick replied. "You fight this and you’ll be a lawyer before you know it."

"Honey," Victoria said and stroked her hand through his brown hair, "you can do this. You show Hanibal Jordan that he can’t scare you."

The three of them sat down around the bed. Tom stayed awake on guard duty in case someone else tried to kill his boy. Victoria, Nick and Jarrod slept. Jarrod would awaken with a start and then go back to sleep. Tom knew he was reliving the injection. But he knew his son was a fighter.

Early Wednesday morning Jarrod opened his eyes. He looked around. He was still woozy and a little disoriented. He wasn’t sick and that was a good sign. Tom noticed his son was awake and walked over to the bed.

"Son," he asked, "how do you feel?"

"I’m still woozy but I’ll be all right," Jarrod replied. "I’m not sick right now."

"That’s a good sign," he told him. "You had a rough time after that man injected you with that morphine."

"Man?" Jarrod asked trying to remember.

"Yes," Tom answered. "A man walked in here and injected you with three times more morphine than you needed."

"I think I remember father," Jarrod said. "He was tall, dark hair and very dark eyes."

"That’s right," he replied. "He wanted to kill you."

"Jordan hired him," Jarrod told him.

"Yes he did," Tom agreed. "But you don’t have to worry son. I won’t let anything happen to you."

"I know you won’t," Jarrod said. "I just can’t understand why Jordan wants me dead."

"I can," Tom replied. "You’re going to be a lawyer soon. You can cause a great deal of trouble for Jordan and the railroad. But if you don’t live, you can’t become one."

"I will father," Jarrod told him. "Don’t you worry about that."

"I know you will son," Tom said.

Victoria woke up and walked over to the bed.

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

"I’m woozy and a little disoriented," he answered.

"You’ll feel better very soon," she told him. "You need to rest and build up your strength."

"All right," he said. "I’m tired."

"You close your eyes and sleep," she replied.

Jarrod closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Jarrod," Brett said, "I thought you were out of bed."

"I was," Jarrod replied. "But a man attacked me and I’ve got to spend a few days in bed. I had a overdose of morphine."

"Morphine," Nat repeated. "You’re lucky Jarrod. Most people who get too much end up dead."

"I know," Jarrod told them. "But luckily I was in the hospital and the doctor helped me through it."

"How long will it be before you get to leave?" Brett asked.

"Hopefully very soon," Jarrod answered. "I won’t be able to come back to the dorm room for a while."

"I can understand that," Brett said. "You come back when you are strong enough. I’ll wait."

"I know you will," Jarrod told him. "But I have to stay with my parents in a hotel suite until I can maneuver by myself."

"We’ll survive without you Jarrod," Nat replied and smiled. "You know we are the three musketeers."

"I know," Jarrod replied and smiled.

"Well, Mr. Schyler and Mr. Springer," the professor said, "we better go and let Mr. Barkley rest. I will be back on Monday."

"That will be fine sir," Jarrod told him. "Brett, you and Nat come back again. I really miss you two."

"We will Jarrod," Brett said. "You get well."

The three of them left and Jarrod laid his head on the pillow. He was so weak and so tired. He tried to keep his eyes from closing but he has having a very hard time.

"Jarrod," Victoria said as she walked over to the bed, "close your eyes and rest honey. You’re still very weak. You need to regain your strength."

"All right mother," he replied and dozed off.

Victoria covered him up and turned to Tom.

"He’s still very weak," she said.

"I know," Tom agreed. "He’s had to fight to survive all this. It’s taken its toll on my boy. But he’s a fighter and he’ll win this battle."

"Yes he will," Victoria agreed.

Later Wednesday evening, Jarrod woke up. He looked a whole lot better. He was still very weak. He looked around and spotted Nick. He smiled at his younger brother and Nick smiled back. Finally, Nick walked over to the bed and sat down. He looked down at his big brother. Jarrod’s head was almost healed and his hair had started to grow back where it had been cut. He had lost a lot of weight but their mother would take care of that when he was able to get out of the hospital. Jarrod was very pale and his normally vibrant blue eyes were dull in color.

"Well," Nick said, "big brother I see you finally woke up. I thought maybe you were going to sleep the rest of the day away."

"I’m sorry Nick," Jarrod replied. "I can’t seem to hold my eyes open for very long."

"After what you’ve been through I’m not surprised," Nick told him. "Give yourself some more time. You’ve been through a major operation and then you were given too much morphine. Most people would have died from all that but not my big brother. You’re a fighter and I’m very proud of you."

"Thanks Nick," Jarrod said. "I’m proud to have a brother like you. Sometimes you don’t listen to reason and I know you are definitely a fighter."

"Thanks Jarrod," Nick replied. "When you get out of here and come home, we’re going to do something fun. Just the two of us."

"That sounds great," Jarrod told him. "What did you have in mind."

"I dunno," Nick said. "We’ll decide later on."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

Tom and Victoria heard the conversation between two of their sons and smiled. They were proud of all their children but they had a special feeling for their oldest son. He had overcome so many obstacles in his quest to become a lawyer. Jarrod had always been smart but during his years of studying law, they had seen a side of him that they had never seen before. He was so determined and that determination showed up in his grades, which were very good. He never gave up his quest for that degree. And Hanibal Jordan would never stop him from achieving his goal. They walked over to the bed. Tom put a hand on Nick’s shoulder and looked down at Jarrod. Victoria sat on the other side of the bed.

"Son," Tom said, "let me prop you up some."

Tom propped his son up on several pillows.

"You’re looking so much better this evening," Tom replied. "How do you feel?"

"I’m tired and still weak but I’ll do," Jarrod told him.

"Can I get you anything?" Victoria asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "Not right now. My stomach’s not settled down enough to put solid food on it yet. And I’m still a little shaky."

"You’re going to be fine son," Tom said. "Pretty soon you’ll be up and moving. You’ll put all this behind you and get your degree."

"I hope so," Jarrod replied.

"You will," Tom told him and smiled.

Tom looked at his oldest son. Jarrod had overcome so much in the last three and a half years. He was on the verge of graduating with a degree in law. Tom couldn’t wait to help him set up an office in Stockton. No doubt Jarrod would also want to have an office here in San Francisco. He felt sure his son would be very busy with plenty of work. He was so proud of Jarrod. And Hanibal Jordan would never touch him again not as long as Tom was alive to stop him.

Victoria looked over at Jarrod. She was thrilled that he was now able to sit up. It wouldn’t be long before he would be released from the hospital. She was so proud of him. His quest to become a lawyer was almost over. She knew he would make a wonderful lawyer.

Nick looked at his brother. He was amazed after all Jarrod had been through that he was able to sit up. He knew that Jarrod would make a terrific lawyer. He was so proud of his brother.

Jarrod sat there and read his notes but he didn’t miss the looks of encouragement he received from each member of his family. They had stuck by him through all of this. He was happy to have such a wonderful family. A family who really cared about him. He knew he would have to live up to being best lawyer the state had ever seen according to his family.

Jarrod began to get very tired. He dropped the papers to his lap as he dozed off. When his mother noticed that he was falling asleep she told Tom.

"Tom," she said, "Jarrod’s falling asleep. We need to get him back into bed."

"All right," Tom replied.

Tom moved over to his son’s side. He tapped the boy lightly on the shoulder.

"Jarrod," he said, "come on son. You’re falling asleep. You need to lay down and rest."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

Tom helped him over to the bed. He climbed in and laid his head on the pillows. His eyes finally closed and he fell asleep. Victoria covered him up and kissed him on the cheek.

"He’s still so helpless," Tom said after he had put Jarrod to bed. "I wish this had never happened to him. He didn’t deserve this. It was all because of me. Jordan wanted to get even with me so he went after the one thing he knew I prized, my son."

"Yes," Victoria replied. "But he’s going to be fine. He’s got to regain his strength before he can go back to school. We’re going to have to be very patient with him. He’s going to get easily frustrated and upset because he won’t be able to do a lot of things when he first gets released from the hospital."

"That’s why I wanted to get that hotel suite," Tom told her. "Both of us are going to be needed to help him. He’s come a long way but he still has a long way to go. And he will make it."

"Yes he will," she said, "because he has the love and encouragement of his family."

"You are so right," Tom replied.

Friday evening, Jarrod woke up. He was still very weak and so tired. He looked around his room. Nick, Tom and Victoria walked over to the bed.

"How do you feel honey?" she asked.

"I’ll do," Jarrod answered. "What time is it?"

"Late," Tom told him. "You’ve been asleep for several hours."

"I wish I could stay awake longer," Jarrod said.

"You will son," Tom replied. "You just have to give yourself time."

"I know," Jarrod said. "It’s just that I have been in here so long. I want to be outside enjoying the weather not cooped up in here."

"Jarrod," his mother replied, "you’ll be out of here very soon."

Jarrod laid there and thought about Brett and Nat. He wanted to be in class with them. Anywhere but here. Tom and Victoria noticed his expression and smiled.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "you are a wonderful son. You are smart, handsome, caring and you reason everything out before you act. A father couldn’t ask for a better son. And you’re going to make a great lawyer."

"I couldn’t ask for a better father than you sir," Jarrod replied. "You have always been there when I needed you. You taught me right and wrong. And you weren’t upset when I told you that I wanted to become a lawyer. Thank you."

"No thanks necessary," Tom told him. "Jarrod when you first told your mother and me that you wanted to study law, I was somewhat surprised. But after I sat down and thought about it, I knew that you would make a really good lawyer. Now I know you will son."

"You’re looking very well Jarrod," he said. "I bet you’re ready to get out of here."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied and smiled. "I’ve been ready for a while."

"Well," he told him, "you’ll have to wait one more week. I want you to be stronger before you leave. Then you’re going to have to take it easy for a while. Nothing strenuous. You can possibly go back to class in another two maybe three weeks if you keep doing as well as you have been."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod said. "I miss my two friends."

"I’ll bet you do," he replied. "You try walking a little more today and we’ll see how you do."

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him.

Tom helped Jarrod ease out of bed. He held onto him as he guided him around the room. Victoria smiled at her son and so did Nick. After two rounds Jarrod was exhausted. Tom gently guided him over to a chair and he sat down. He leaned back and rested his head against the back of the big chair. Jarrod still had trouble holding his head up but he was determined to succeed and go back to class.

"Honey," Victoria said after Jarrod had sat down, "can I get you anything?"

"Yes," he answered. "I would like something to eat."

"You need to eat boy," Nick replied. "You’re nothing but skin and bones."

"Nick," Tom said, "be nice to your brother."

"He knows I’m just joking," Nick told his father. "But he really does need some good food."

"I’ll go get you something," Victoria replied and left the room.

"Son," Tom said, "you have come a long way in the six weeks you’ve been here. I’m very proud of you and so is your mother."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied. "Nick, I’ll bet you a steak dinner at the cattlemen’s hotel that I’ll be able to whip you in a game of pool when I get home."

"You’re on big brother," Nick agreed. "Get ready to buy dinner."

"Oh really," Jarrod told him. "You get ready to buy dinner because I’ll beat you."

"No you won’t big brother," Nick said.

"All right you two," Tom replied and smiled. "Calm down. Jarrod you need to take it easy."

"Yes sir," Jarrod said.

Victoria returned with some soup and fixed a table in front of Jarrod. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until he began to eat. His parents were happy that his appetite had begun to return.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "you’ve eaten all of the soup. That’s very good. I’ll get you fattened up very soon."

"Not too fat mother," Jarrod replied. "I don’t want to scare all the pretty girls away."

"You won’t honey," she told him. "All the girls will be saying who’s that handsome young man with the big, bright blue eyes?"

"Mother," Nick said, "don’t be telling him that. He won’t never do any work if you tell him that."

"Yes I will," Jarrod shot back. "I could out work you little brother. And mother stop referring to me as the handsome boy with the big, bright blue eyes. I sometimes get angry when all people notice about me are my blue eyes. I want them to notice my other characteristics too."

"Oh yeah," Nick replied. "You couldn’t do half of what I do."

"Yes I can," Jarrod told him.

"Boys," Tom said and smiled, "that’s enough you two. And what is wrong with having blue eyes."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "Nothing father. I just don’t want to be known all my life by my eyes. I want to be know as a lawyer."

"Sorry father," Nick told him. "What are you getting so worked up about Jarrod? You have blue eyes and I have hazel. Ain’t nobody going to notice your eyes."

"Oh really," Jarrod shot back. "I’ll have you know that Rachel Hodges noticed. She told me that she loved my blue eyes."

"Well," Nick replied, "why are you fussing about your eyes then?"

"I’m not fussing about my eyes," Jarrod told him. "I’m just saying I wish people wouldn’t notice them first."

"Jarrod," Nick remarked, "just hush about your eyes."

"All right," Jarrod replied.

"I’m happy to see you two cutting at each other," Tom said. "It’s wonderful. Jarrod has come a long way and it’s nice to see him smiling again."

"Yes it is," Nick replied. "I hadn’t realized how much I enjoy Jarrod’s company until he was badly injured and we almost lost him. Welcome back big brother with the magnificent blue eyes."

"Thank you little brother and will you let it rest about my eyes," Jarrod told him and smiled. "Father, what are you going to do about Hanibal Jordan?"

"I don’t know son," Tom answered. "The inspector of the police force came by while you were asleep right after your were drugged and he said he would try to get a line on the man who tried to kill you here in hospital. He said he would be back to talk to you. But I haven’t seen him since. I’m afraid that maybe Jordan got to him."

"Maybe Harry can do something," Nick suggested.

"Nick," Jarrod replied, "Harry is the sheriff in Stockton. He doesn’t have any jurisdiction in San Francisco. The inspector has probably been warned by Jordan not to investigate or else."

"You might be right son," Tom told him. "We’ll have to wait and see."

Jarrod visibly shook with terror when he remembered all the morphine that was injected into his system. Tom walked over and put an arm around his oldest son.

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "Everything is going to be fine. You don’t need to worry about Jordan. You just concentrate on getting better. I’ll take care of Jordan when the time comes."

"Tom," Victoria told him, "you leave Jordan alone. He’s too powerful. He’ll kill you next."

"Mother I agree with you," Jarrod replied. " Father you need to be extremely careful about Jordan. He will hire men that just don’t care what they do to their captives. Don’t forget I was a captive of three of his hit men. But I just can’t figure out why Jordan wants me dead."

"It’s very simple," Tom told him. "You are going to be a lawyer. You are also my oldest son. Jordan wants to stop you from getting your degree so you can’t cause any trouble for him. He’s wants to stop me by taking you away but he never will. You see he looks at you as a way to rid himself of two problems at the same time. He kills you and you can’t become a lawyer. And if he does kill you I won’t help the farmers and ranchers anymore. So don’t you worry about Jordan."

"I can’t help it father," Jarrod said. "He’s tried to kill me so many times. I’m afraid he’ll try again."

"He won’t," Tom replied. "I promise you son, he won’t. I will not let him touch you."

"Thank you father," Jarrod told him.

"Tom," Victoria said as she sat down close to her husband, "our son is getting better. He’ll be out of here very soon."

"Yes he will," Tom replied. "He’s come so far since the day that I brought him in. He was in so much pain then."

"Jarrod’s a very tough boy," Victoria told him. "He takes that from his father."

"Father," Nick said, "you know Hanibal Jordan won’t stop trying to kill Jarrod."

"I know," Tom replied. "But there’s no reason to worry your brother right now. I’ll keep a close watch on Jarrod. Once Jordan sets his mind to rid himself of someone he usually carries it through. I know he’ll try again and this time I’m going to be ready."

"Father," Nick told him, "you know that Jordan wants you dead as well."

"Yes," Tom said. "Jordan is trying to be a big man. The only problem is that he is stepping on too many toes. My toes, the farmers and ranchers whose land he is trying to steal for the railroad. And of course your brother’s. I know he wants your brother dead. I don’t want Jarrod to worry about that right now. You and I can protect him son. As for me, I’m not that worried."

"Tom," Victoria told him, "you should be worried. I don’t want to lose you to a man like Jordan."

"You won’t," Tom said. "It will take more that Jordan has up his sleeve to get rid of me."

"Don’t you worry father," Nick replied. "Nothing’s ever going to happen to my big brother. Jordan will have to go through me to get to him."

"Thanks son," Tom told him. "I am so lucky to have two wonderful sons like you and Jarrod. You two are my legacy along with your brother, Gene and sister, Audra. I am so proud of all of you."

"Yes," Victoria said. "You are the best children a mother could ask for. I am so proud of all of you but your brother, Jarrod, has a special bond with me. He has inherited my mannerisms and he’s a lot more like me than my other children. He inherited his father’s stubbornness but you Nick are the most like your father. You fight first and then ask questions. But your brother questions everything and then acts accordingly and I am sure when he passes his bar exam that gift will be a wonderful asset to him."

"Yes Victoria," Tom replied. "My boy is a lot like his mother and I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Jarrod slept all night. He woke up early on Monday morning. He eased out of bed and tried to walk on his own. He staggered and Nick grabbed him before he fell to the floor. He helped Jarrod walk around the room. He was definitely improving but he was still weak. Finally Nick helped Jarrod to the chair and he sat down. He smiled up at Nick.

"Listen," Nick said, "you keep walking like that and you’ll be out of here tomorrow."

"I wish," Jarrod replied. "But I do appreciate the comment."

"You’re welcome," Nick told him. "Jarrod, pretty soon I’ll bet you’ll be walking outside."

"If I do," Jarrod said, "I want my clothes on. I don’t want to be seen outside in my nightshirt."

"Oh very funny," Nick replied. "What’s the matter? You afraid to be seen in your nightshirt?"

"No," Jarrod told him. "I would just feel better if I could have my clothes on before I go outside that’s all."

"I don’t see why not," Tom said. "I wouldn’t want to be the one to make my oldest boy nervous."

"Thank you father," Jarrod replied. "Do you think it might be possible?"

"What?" Tom asked.

"Do you think I might actually get a chance to walk outside in the sunshine?" Jarrod inquired.

"I don’t see why not honey," Victoria answered. "We’ll have to check with the doctor. But if he says it’s all right then we’ll help you dress."

"Thank you mother," Jarrod told her.

The doctor walked in the room. He was very pleased with Jarrod’s progress. He examined the boy and smiled.

"Jarrod," he said, "you’ll be able to leave here on Friday."

"Thank you sir," Jarrod replied. "I can’t believe I’ve almost reached one goal."

"What’s that?" the doctor asked.

"To get out of the hospital," Jarrod told him. "The next one would be walking outside."

"I don’t see why you can’t do that too," he replied. "You’ll probably want to put your clothes on before you do."

"How did you know?" Jarrod asked.

"Most young men your age are a little leery about going outside in their nightshirts," the doctor said. "You can try maybe tomorrow."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied.

"You continue to rest three or four times a day till you leave and then when you are home at least twice a day. I want you to continue to get stronger."

"I will," Jarrod told him.

"Thank you Dr. Taylor," Victoria said. "You are the one responsible for giving Tom and me our son back."

"I can’t take all the credit," he replied. "A great deal needs to go to your son. His will to live is what helped him fight through all the pain. A lot of people would have given in but not Jarrod. I’m proud to know your son. He has been an inspiration to all of us here at the hospital. We remember what he looked like when he first arrived. He’s a very lucky boy to have lived through the torture that Carter put him through. But he also had you two. You kept his spirits up and pushed him to fight harder. He’s very lucky to have two wonderful parents like you."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

"I’ll come back later in the day," he replied and left the room.

"What do think about that?" Nick asked. "It’s like he read Jarrod’s mind."

"He knew from experience what Jarrod wanted to do," Tom told him. "He could see that Jarrod is feeling better and is in a hurry to get out of here."

"I know one thing," Jarrod said.

"What’s that honey?" Victoria asked.

"I want to go home," he said.

"I know you do but you still have a couple of months in this term before you can," Tom told him. "But it will go fast."

"I miss Gene and Audra," he said.

"I know you do honey," Victoria replied. "You’ll see them soon."

"I hope so," Jarrod told her.

Jarrod slept for several hours. When he finally opened his eyes, he looked around the room. His parents were still sitting in chairs resting and his brother was guarding him. He smiled over at Nick.

"I’m just making sure no one hurts you again," Nick said. "I don’t want Jordan to get another chance at you."

"Do you really think he would come after me again?" Jarrod asked.

"It’s possible," Nick replied. "But not probable. I’m just not taking any chances."

"Thanks little brother," Jarrod told him.

"You’re welcome big brother," Nick said.

"Nick," Jarrod requested, "would you help me walk over to the chair?"

"Sure," Nick told him and grabbed his arm to help guide him.

Jarrod walked over and sat down in the chair. He was still very weak but he was getting there. Once seated, Jarrod reached over to the table and picked up his notes. He began to read. Nick walked back to his chair and sat down. Jarrod read for the next two hours. Then he began to get very tired. He dozed off in the chair until Tom noticed that he was asleep and woke him up.

"Jarrod," he said, "let’s get you back to bed."

He helped guide Jarrod back to the bed where he laid down and fell asleep. Victoria reached over and covered him up.

"Tom," she said, "do you really think Jordan will come after him again?"

"I don’t know," he replied. "He’s seems bound and determined to kill Jarrod one way or the other."

"Can’t we get any protection from the law?" she asked.

"I don’t know," he answered. "I’m not sure how much of the law Jordan owns. The marshal seemed genuine in his quest to find the man who tried to kill our boy. I’ll have to decide if that’s the best way to go."

"I just don’t want anything to happen to Jarrod," she replied. "He has been through so much and he deserves to be happy."

"Yes he does," Tom agreed.

Later that afternoon, Professor Hamilton walked into the room to tutor Jarrod. He sat down in a chair and waited until Jarrod woke up.

"Professor," Tom said, "I’m sorry he was asleep. He was looking forward to your visit."

"That’s all right Mr. Barkley," he replied. "I have plenty of time. Your son has had a rather rough time. He needs plenty of rest."

Jarrod stirred and opened his eyes. When he saw the professor, he smiled.

"Professor," he said, "I’m sorry. I guess I dozed off."

"That’s perfectly fine Mr. Barkley," he told him.

Jarrod got up out of bed and with Tom’s help he walked over to the chair. The professor moved closer and the two of them began to go over lessons. Tom, Victoria and Nick moved back against one wall out of the way. After a couple of hours, the professor handed Jarrod some more papers and left. Jarrod began to read. A short time later Tom noticed that his son was having difficulty holding his eyes open. He walked over and helped Jarrod back to bed.

Jarrod slept the entire night. The next morning he awoke and got up. This time he made it over to the chair by himself. He was smiling by the time he sat down. His parents and brother were also smiling because he had conquered another hurdle in his quest to get better. The doctor came by.

"Jarrod," he said, "you can get dressed and walk outside if you feel like it."

"Thank you," Jarrod said and stood up.

He stood up a little too fast and nearly fell had Tom not grabbed his arm.

"Easy son," Tom replied. "Take it easy. You’ve got plenty of time."

"I know," Jarrod told him. "I’m just thrilled."

"I know you are Jarrod," the doctor said. "Just take it easy. Don’t overdo."

"I won’t sir," Jarrod replied.

"Good," he said and left.

Tom helped Jarrod dress. It took longer than Jarrod thought. He was still weak. Finally he was finished. His pants hung loosely on him because of all the weight he had lost. Victoria took one look at her son and knew he needed to start eating more.

"Jarrod," she said, "your weight will come back after I get you home. Don’t worry about that."

"I’m not," he replied. "I just haven’t wanted much to eat. Actually I haven’t felt like eating because I felt ill to my stomach."

"That’s all over now," she told him. "You’re on your way now honey."

"Yeah," Nick said. "You are almost back to your old boring self."

"What do you mean boring?" Jarrod asked with a slight smile showing.

"Well," Nick told him, "you were a bookworm before you came in here. I suppose you’ll be a bookworm when you get out of here."

"And what is wrong with being a bookworm?" Jarrod asked. "You know I’ve always liked to read."

"I know but sometimes that’s all you want to do," Nick shot back. "You’re just not a rancher."

"I’ve known that all of my life Nick," Jarrod replied. "I just wasn’t cut out to be one. But I could be one if I had too. I can do manual labor but it’s just that I choose not to do it."

"Now listen here big brother," Nick said. "I wasn’t insulting you Jarrod. I was just stating a fact."

"Fine," Jarrod told him.

"All right you two," Tom replied. "Calm down."

"Yes sir," Jarrod said.

"All right," Nick replied.

Finally after six long weeks in the hospital, Jarrod was able to walk outside. He had almost forgotten what fresh air smelled like. He was completely immersed in the beauty. He sat down and enjoyed the sun on his face. Nick took him for a short walk and he was worn out when they returned. Then it was time to go back inside. Jarrod knew it wouldn’t be long before he would be able to get out of the hospital.

Over the remainder of the week, Jarrod continued to improve. He had gotten to the point where he was ready to leave the hospital. The doctor came by to give final instructions before the Barkley family left.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "I want you to continue to walk. But I don’t want you to do anything strenuous. You still need to rest at least twice a day. I want to see you again in one week."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I’ll be here."

"Good luck son," he told him. "We’ll miss you around here."

"Thank you doctor for everything," Victoria said.

"I can’t believe that I’m finally out of the hospital," he said as he walked toward the buggy. "It’s been so long and there were some times I didn’t think I would ever get out of there."

"Oh Jarrod hush," Nick replied. "You’re tough as nails. I knew you would be up and going very soon. You’re too ornery to stay in a hospital for very long."

"Well thanks Nick," Jarrod told him. "I think. I hope that was a compliment."

"It was big brother," Nick said.

Tom helped Jarrod into the buggy and the four of them rode down to the hotel. Tom again helped Jarrod climb down and walk inside the hotel. Tom registered. He had asked for a large suite so the four of them could stay together. Nick helped his brother up the stairs and down the long hall to the room. When he opened the door, he was surprised at just how big it was. It had an enormous sitting room or parlor with three bedrooms off to the sides of it. Tom walked in behind his wife and sons.

"Well," he asked, "what do you think of it?"

"It’s huge," Nick said.

"I like it father," Jarrod replied.

"It will do till we can get our son home," Victoria told him.

They walked inside. Tom pointed to one of the rooms and Nick helped Jarrod inside. Victoria followed them in. She turned down the bed covers and looked at her oldest son.

"Honey," she said, "why don’t you lay down and rest for a while. You’ve had a big morning. I bet you’re tired."

"Yes," Jarrod replied. "I am tired. I still don’t have a whole lot of energy."

He walked over to the bed and sat down. Nick helped him take his boots off. Jarrod climbed in and laid his head on the pillow.

"Mother," he asked, "would you mind propping my head up?"

"No," she answered and put another pillow under his head. "You rest."

Jarrod nodded and closed his eyes. She and Nick tiptoed out of the room and closed the door.

"Did you get him settled?" Tom asked when they came out.

"Yes," Victoria told him. "He’s resting. That short a trip wore him out. He’s got a long way to go before he can do much on his own."

"Jarrod’s well on his way though," Tom replied. "He’s finally out of the hospital."

"That’s true," Victoria said. "But I wonder if he might have left too early. Maybe he should have stayed a few more days."

"If Jarrod had stayed any longer mother," Nick replied, "he would have gone crazy. You saw his face when he finally went outside. He was absolutely thrilled."

"I know honey," she told him. "But your brother went through so much. I just want to be sure that he is ready to get out of the hospital. I don’t want him to have a relapse."

"I think the boy will be fine," Tom said. "This will do him good. He needed a change in scenery."

"I hope you’re right Tom," she replied.

"Will you stop worrying Victoria," Tom told her. "He’s going to be fine."

Nick came into the parlor from his room after he had unpacked his bag.

"When do we eat lunch?" he asked.

"We’ll wait until your brother wakes up," Victoria answered. "I want to see what he would like to have to eat and then we’ll have some lunch."

"OK," Nick said. "I hope he wakes up soon. I’m starved."

"Easy son," Tom replied. "Your brother has been through so much. Let’s not rush him to wake up."

"All right," Nick told them. "I’ll be patient or at least I’ll try."

Jarrod had been asleep for several hours and Nick was getting anxious.

"Nicholas," Victoria said, "will you please sit down and relax? You’re going to wear a hole in the carpet."

"I can’t help it," he replied. "This waiting around is driving me crazy."

"Son," Tom said, "why don’t you take a walk outside? We’ll let you know when your brother wakes up."

"All right," Nick agreed. "I’ll go down to the lobby and wait."

"That will be fine," Tom said. "We’ll be down as soon as your brother wakes up."

Nick left the room and Tom looked over at Victoria. She looked very worried.

"Victoria," he said, "what’s bothering you?"

"It’s Jarrod," she replied. "He’s been asleep too long. I’m afraid something is wrong with him."

"Do you want me to wake him up?" Tom asked.

"No," she told him. "Let’s wake a little longer."

Two hours later, Jarrod still had not come out of his room. Victoria was really getting worried and so was Tom.

"I’m going to check on Jarrod," he said.

He walked to the door to Jarrod’s room. He opened it and went inside. He slowly walked over to the bed. He reached over to tap his son on the shoulder and was shocked by what he saw.

"Victoria!" he called. "Come in here!"

Victoria appeared a few minutes later. She walked over to the bed and saw the same sight that Tom had.

"Oh Tom!" she screamed. "Where is he?"

"I don’t know," he said. "How could anyone have gotten in here without us hearing them."

"We have to go the marshal," she replied.

"No!" Tom said loudly. "Nick and I will find him."

He left the room and the suite. He spotted Nick in the lobby. When Nick saw his father he knew something was wrong.

"Father," he said as he walked up to him, "what’s wrong?"

"Your brother’s missing," Tom replied.

"What do you mean missing?" Nick asked knowing what his father’s answer would be.

"I’m afraid Jordan has him," Tom told him.

"Let’s find him," Nick said.

Jarrod woke up but he wasn’t in the bed. He was on a dirt floor in a very small room without any windows. He had no idea how he had gotten here. He tried to stand up but he was very dizzy. Then he realized why he couldn’t remember and why he was so dizzy. He had been drugged. He sat for a few minutes and the dizziness soon went away. He stood up gingerly and looked around the room. There were no windows and only one door. He tried to open it but it was locked. A few minutes later, a very familiar face walked into the room. Dr. Taylor came inside the room.

"Hello Barkley," he said. "I bet you didn’t think you would see me again so soon."

"You," Jarrod replied. "What are you doing here?"

"I have been slowly drugging you since you first stepped foot in the hospital," he told him. "You could have been released from the hospital three or four weeks ago. I needed to keep you around for a while. So I had a colleague of mine drug you to throw suspicion off of me. I have been keeping you on a steady dose of morphine since you were first admitted. I would have killed you then but you had already proved that your will to survive was strong. And Jordan didn’t want you dead."

"What are you going to do with me?" Jarrod asked.

"What else," he said. "Kill you. But not before your father sees you die."

"You leave my father out of this," Jarrod shot back.

"I’d be very careful Barkley," he replied. "Your family can die in a matter of just a few minutes with this opium. Your father will be joining this little party soon."

"I won’t let you harm my father," Jarrod told him and lunged for the doctor.

Two men grabbed him and held him. The doctor grinned at the young man. Then he pulled a syringe out of his black bag. Jarrod tried to pull away but the two men held him tightly. Taylor just smiled at the boy.

"You remember this boy," he said. "It’s opium not morphine. You’re going to die a horrible death just as soon as your father is brought here."

"No," Jarrod replied. "I won’t let you drug me anymore."

"You are in no position to stop anyone boy," Taylor told him.

The doctor walked over to Jarrod, pushed up his shirtsleeve and stuck the syringe into Jarrod’s arm. He flinched and then began to get very drowsy. He saw beautiful visions and was extremely happy. He passed out and was dropped to the floor.

"That’ll start the ball rolling," he told them. "Go and bring the boy’s father here."

"What about his brother?" one of them asked.

"Get rid of him," he said.

The two men left and Taylor walked out of the room. On the other side of town, Tom and Nick weren’t having any luck finding Jarrod.

"Nick," Tom said, "we’re going to have to split up. You go east and I’ll go west. We’ll meet back here in two hours."

"Yes sir," Nick replied and took off.

Tom began to walk. Who had taken his oldest son? He had no idea. He didn’t notice the two men behind him until one of them stuck a gun in his back.

"All right old man," one of them said, "let’s go."

"Where are we going?" Tom asked.

"To meet your son," the other one remarked. "Get moving."

Tom accompanied the two men to a small building behind a granary. The door to the small room was opened and Tom was pushed in. He saw his son and hurried over to him. He knew the minute he saw Jarrod that he had been drugged. He wasn’t ready for the next shock however. Taylor walked into the room.

"Doc," Tom asked confused, "what are you doing here?"

"I’m going to kill your son old man," he said and smiled. "I’ve kept him weak and drowsy since the first day you brought him in the hospital. He was well enough after the second or third week to be released but I kept him there and kept drugging him."

"But the man who gave him the overdose," Tom began.

"Was a colleague of mine," he told him. "Your son has been given opium. In fact, he is going to be given more until he becomes an addict. Then I’m going to take it away from him cold turkey. The withdrawal should kill him."

"You can’t," Tom replied. "Jarrod can’t take anything like morphine. It made him very ill."

"I know," he said. "That’s why I want him to become addicted. He can’t tolerate it and will die."

"You’re insane," Tom spat.

"No," he replied calmly. "I’m just being paid a lot of money to get rid of your son."

Taylor left the room and Tom went to his son. He knew that Jarrod would be very sick when he woke up. He sat down and laid his son’s head in his lap. Then he waited.

"Jarrod," he said, "listen to me. You’ve been drugged. It’s opium son. Fight boy with all you’ve got."

Jarrod barely nodded. The door to the room opened again and Taylor walked in.

"Well," he said, "I see he’s awake. Bring him to me."

The two men walked over and grabbed Jarrod and pulled him to his feet. He was too drugged to stand up on his own and he was also having a hard time holding his head up. They dragged him over to the doctor. Tom tried to keep them from taking his boy but was pushed hard into the wall and stunned. Tom watched in horror as Taylor gave him more of the drug.

"How do you feel boy?" he asked and smiled. "I’ll make you feel even better. This is another syringe of opium. You will have a high and then the low will be your death."

"Please," Tom said, "don’t give him that drug."

"Shut up old man," he replied. "Hold him."

Taylor filled the syringe and then rolled up Jarrod’s shirtsleeve. He stuck the needle in his arm. The two men held onto the boy as he began to see more visions and feel even more happiness. Then Jarrod fell asleep and the two men dropped him to the floor.

"It won’t be long now old man," he told him.

"Taylor," Tom said, "I’ll kill you for this."

"I’m not worried old man," Taylor told him and left the room.

Tom rushed over to his son. Jarrod was out. If he didn’t figure a way out of here his son would die. Several hours later, Jarrod came too. He was wild eyed and was breathing very erratically.

"Jarrod," he said, "listen to me. You’ve been drugged. You’ve got to fight son."

"I’ll try," Jarrod barely got out before the drug began to work on him.

Tom knew his son was addicted and would need more of the drug. He tried to think of a way out of this. Taylor paid another visit to the room. He opened the door and walked in flanked by the two men.

"Well," he said, "I see that the drug is having an effect on the boy."

"You haven’t won yet," Jarrod got out before the drug kicked in again.

"I’ll win boy," he told them. "Bring him to me."

The two men went over and grabbed Jarrod by an arm. He tried to fight them off but he was too weak. He couldn’t even stand on his own. Tom tried to come to his son’s aid but was punched in the ribs. They brought Jarrod over to Taylor. He smiled at the boy and pulled out another syringe. Jarrod tried to break loose.

"Don’t fight it Barkley," Taylor told him. "It won’t be long now."

"Please don’t do this," Jarrod got out. "I’m so sick."

"You’re going to be even sicker," Taylor said and smiled.

He walked over to the boy and pushed his shirtsleeve up. Then he stuck the syringe into his arm. Jarrod cringed as he could feel the drug inside of him. He tried to struggle but couldn’t and he finally passed out and was thrown to the ground.

"That should be enough," Taylor said and they left the room.

Tom rushed over to his son. He cradled him in his arms.

"Oh son," he said with tears in his eyes. "Please be all right."

He continued to hold Jarrod and hoped help would come very soon.

Nick arrived to meet his father. When he looked around, he didn’t see him. He began to get worried. Finally, Nick decided to go to the police station and see the inspector. Maybe he could help.

Back in the small room, Jarrod was beginning to get worse. He was talking out of his head and he was vomiting because he was allergic to morphine. Tom held his head as he continued to vomit. He continued to talk to his son in hopes that some of the words would get through.

"Jarrod," he said, "you’ve been drugged son. You don’t have any idea what you’re saying."

"I know," Jarrod barely got out.

Tom tried to comfort him.

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "I’m right here. Fight it."

Meanwhile in the hotel Victoria waited for word on her son. A nurse walked into the lobby and came over to her.

"I’m a nurse at the hospital," she began. "Your son has been kidnapped by Dr. Taylor."

"What?" Victoria asked. "He was Jarrod’s doctor."

"I know," she answered. "He kept your son drugged with morphine from the day he was admitted. Now he intends to kill him with opium. I only discovered that the doctor assigned to your son was moved to another area of the hospital so Taylor could drug your son. I heard Taylor say something about a building behind the old granary on Bates Street. That’s all I can tell you."

She left and Victoria hurried to the police station where she ran into Nick.

"Nick," she said, "where’s your father?"

"I don’t know," he replied. "We were searching for Jarrod and we decided to split up. We were supposed to meet back in two hours but he never came."

"I know where your brother is," she told him.

"Where?" he asked.

"Follow me into the police station and I’ll tell you," she said.

The two of them walked inside. The inspector saw them enter and rose from behind his desk.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Inspector," Victoria said, "I’m Victoria Barkley. My son, Jarrod, and my husband, Tom, are missing. A doctor at the hospital, Dr. Taylor, has been drugging my son for the past six weeks. He was finally released and then he disappeared from the hotel room. I know where he is. There is a building behind a granary on Bates Street. We must go."

"All right," he replied. "Mrs. Barkley, I tried to come back and talk to your son after the drugging incident but Taylor wouldn’t let me in. Now I know why. Let’s go and save your boy’s life."

The three of them headed for the building. When they arrived, Nick and the marshal eased up behind the two men and knocked both of them out. They looked around for Taylor. They found him in another part of the building with the opium laid out on the table.

"That’s all of that medicine you’re going to give the Barkley boy," the inspector said from behind him.

Taylor turned around.

"He has to die," Taylor replied. "He has to."

"Jarrod won’t die," Nick told him. "I’m going to make sure of that."

Nick walked over to the table, picked the doctor up by the front of his shirt and punched him right in the face. The inspector stopped Nick from doing any more damage to him.

"Easy son," he said. "We’ll let the law take care of this. Come on. We need to find your brother and father."

They hurried into the locked room. When the door was opened, Jarrod was vomiting and talking out of his head about the visions he was seeing. Tom grabbed his son and helped him to his feet. Jarrod tried to stop him but he wasn’t strong enough.

"Victoria," Tom said, "we’ve got to get Jarrod back to the hospital. He’s been drugged."

"I know," she replied. "Let’s go."

They left the building and took Jarrod straight to the hospital. When they arrived, Tom went in and asked for a doctor to help his son. He was trying to hold on to his boy but Jarrod was so sick and was still talking out of his head.

"I need help," he said.

"What seems to be the problem?" a nurse asked.

"My son has been given three syringes full of opium," Tom told her. "He’s vomiting, talking out of his head, and seeing visions."

"Wait here just a moment," she said and disappeared.

The doctor who had operated on the boy and then was not allowed to see him again came out to have a look at Jarrod. Tom still had a hold of his son. Jarrod was so sick from the drug.

"He’s been drugged all right," he said. "Let’s get him in back and I’ll do my best to save his life and then try to get him off the medicine.

Two orderlies took Jarrod to a room.

"It would be better if you waited here," he told them. "It’s not going to be a pleasant experience for him or you. I’ll let you know what happens."

"Please help him doc," Tom begged.

"I’ll do everything I can for him," he said and left.

The doctor began to work on Jarrod.

"Son," the doctor said, "listen to me. You have to get this drug out of your system. I’m not going to give you anything to stop the vomiting. Do you understand?"

Jarrod barely nodded. The doctor held him as he vomited. The boy didn’t have hardly any strength. After over an hour of vomiting, he finally stopped. The doctor checked him.

"Son," he said, "how do you feel?"

"I’m so sore and very woozy," Jarrod managed to say.

"You’re going to be fine," he told him. "You just rest."

Jarrod nodded and drifted off to sleep. After several hours of working with the boy the doctor finally breathed a sigh of relief. He gave Jarrod some medicine to help him rest. But he knew that the boy was not over the effects of the opium. He would probably get sick several more times before it was all out of his system. Then he walked out to the waiting room where Tom, Victoria and Nick were. They rose when he came out.

"How is he?" Tom asked.

"He’s going to be fine," the doctor replied. "He’s asleep right now. He vomited for over an hour. That really helped plus I gave him some medicine to help him rest. He’ll sleep for a while but you can see him. He will have more vomiting spells until this drug is completely out of his system."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria told him.

They slowly walked back to a room. Inside asleep on the bed was Jarrod. He was pale and very thin. Victoria hurried over to the bed. She sat down beside of her son.

"Jarrod," she said, "it’s mother honey. Everything’s going to be all right. You just rest."

Tom also walked over to the bed. He looked down at his oldest son.

"Son," he replied, "forgive me for not seeing this coming. I should have realized something wasn’t right. You’re going to be fine son."

Nick looked at both of his parents and knew that they blamed themselves for what had happened. He walked over and put a hand on both of their shoulders.

"Jarrod’s going to be fine," he told them. "I know he is."

"Son," he asked, "how do you feel?"

"My head is very woozy and I can’t think straight," he replied. "What happened?"

"You were drugged by Dr. Taylor," Tom told him. "He had kept you in the hospital on purpose and had been slowly drugging you. Then when you were finally released, he put his final plan into operation. He had you taken from the hotel and then he drugged you. But you’re all right now."

"Oh," Jarrod said, "I’m so sore and tired."

"You vomited for over an hour," Tom replied.

The doctor walked in and Tom rose from the bed. He walked over to check on his patient.

"Jarrod," he asked, "how are you feeling?"

"I’m woozy," Jarrod answered. "I’m also tired and sore."

"I’m Dr. Webber," he replied. "I’m the doctor who operated on you when you were brought in six weeks ago. Dr. Taylor wouldn’t let me see you after the surgery. You’ll be able to get out of here in a few days. I just want to make sure there’s no problems."

"All right," Jarrod answered.

"You rest son," he said. "You need plenty of rest."

Jarrod slowly closed his eyes and slept. Dr. Webber looked at the boy’s parents.

"He’s going to be fine," he told them. "But like I told you earlier, he’s in for some more vomiting spells. He had so much of that drug in his system. He will recover but he is going to be very sick for a while."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said.

"How did a man like Taylor get in here?" Tom asked.

"Dr. Taylor was on staff here," Webber began. "He had been a very good doctor up until you brought your son in. Somehow and I’m not sure how Taylor had been bought by someone to kill your son. I started to realize there was something amiss when he wouldn’t let me see Jarrod after I had operated on him. If I had I’m sure I would have found out that Taylor was drugging him all along."

"Jordan," Tom said. "It had to be Hanibal Jordan."

"You’re right Tom," Victoria replied.

"You mean the man who runs the Coastal and Western Railroad?" Webber asked.

"Yes," Tom answered. "He’s been trying to stop me from helping the farmers and ranchers in the San Joaquin Valley who bought their land at auction from the railroad. Now Jordan is claiming that the land was only leased not sold. I’ve been trying to advise the farmers and ranchers. Jordan wanted me out of the way. He had tried to kill two of my sons but it didn’t work. Then he went after Jarrod because he’s studying to be a lawyer. And when he gets his degree and then takes the exam, he can really cause problems for Jordan. He’s tried to kill him on numerous occasions over the last two years."

"So that’s the reason," Webber said. "I won’t let anything happen to your son. He’ll sleep for a few hours and then he can start getting up if he feels like it. He may be in the bed for a couple of days if he’s as sick as I think he will be. We’ll take it from there on how long he’ll have to remain in the hospital."

"Thanks doc," Tom replied and the doctor left the room.

Jarrod slept all night. The next morning he began to come around. He moaned and finally his eyes opened.

"Honey," Victoria said, "easy. Take it easy. You’ve been a very sick boy."

"I thought I was out of the hospital," Jarrod replied.

"You were son," Tom told him. "But the doctor that had been treating you had you kidnapped and drugged."

"Oh my head," Jarrod said. "It really hurts."

"I can understand why," Tom replied. "You have been on a drug since right after you were brought in son."

"I don’t feel well," Jarrod told him and he began to vomit again.

Victoria rushed over to the bed and sat down. She held his head in her hands.

"Tom," she said. "get someone please."

"Right away," he replied and left the room.

Tom returned shortly with Dr. Webber. He walked over to the bed and looked down at his patient.

"It’s all right Mrs. Barkley," he said. "Jarrod is still feeling the effects of the opium. He’ll stop in a little while. Remember I warned you that he was going to be very sick. I’ll give him some medicine to help stop the vomiting."

He left the room and Victoria looked at Tom. He knew what she was thinking. The doctor arrived a few minutes later with a nurse and syringe.

"Wait," Tom said. "How do we know you’re not going to pump my boy full of drugs?"

"I can prove who I am Mr. Barkley," Webber replied.

He stepped out of the room and returned a short time later with the hospital administrator.

"This is Mr. Mark Holmes," Webber told them. "He is the head of this hospital."

"Hello," Holmes said. "You don’t have to worry about Dr. Webber. He’s here to help your son. I understand how you feel. The nurses that worked with Taylor were threatened if they tried to tell you what was going on. This is a syringe that contains only medicine that will relieve your boy’s vomiting. I promise."

"All right," Tom replied.

Dr. Webber walked over to the bed and injected Jarrod. After several minutes, he stopped vomiting. Victoria laid his head on the pillows. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.

"I’m sorry about this doc," Tom told him. "But after what’s happened to my boy, I had to be sure."

"I completely understand Mr. Barkley," Webber said. "I would feel the same way if I were in your shoes. Your son’s going to be fine. It’s just going to take a little time."

"Thanks," Tom replied and the two men left.

Tom went over to the bed and his oldest son. Jarrod was so pale. Tom sat down and put his face in his hands. He knew he had failed his son again. Victoria walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It’s all right Tom," she said. "Jarrod’s going to be fine."

"No," Tom replied. "I’ve failed to protect my son again."

"Tom," she told him, "you can’t keep blaming yourself for this. This was none of your fault."

"I just pray that my boy is going to be all right," Tom said.

"Father," he mumbled, "why do I feel so funny?"

"You’ve been heavily drugged son," Tom said. "Dr. Taylor gave you opium in three separate doses. You’ve been very sick. Dr. Webber has been helping you."

"I don’t remember," he mumbled. "Oh I don’t feel good."

"Take it easy son," Tom replied. "You’ve got to get all that medicine out of your system."

"Mother," he mumbled.

"I’m right here honey," she told him.

"I think I’m going to be sick," he got out and began to vomit again.

Victoria grabbed his head and held it.

"Tom," she said, "he’s burning up. Go get the doctor."

"Right away," he replied and left the room.

"It’s all right honey," she told him. "Get it all out of your system."

Tom and Dr. Webber arrived several minutes later. The doctor walked over to the bed and checked his patient.

"Jarrod," he said, "it’s going to be all right. You’re running a fever because of the medication. I’ll give you something to help you feel better."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria replied.

"It’s no problem," he told them. "Jarrod was given so much of that drug that he’s probably going to feel bad for several days. He will improve. The nurse will be in with the medicine."

He left and a few minutes later a nurse entered the room. She gave Jarrod an injection and he finally stopped vomiting. Victoria laid his head on the pillows. He was so pale and weak.

"Rest honey," she said. "Mother’s right here."

"I’m so hot," he mumbled.

"You’re running a fever son," Tom replied. "Just close your eyes and rest."

Jarrod slowly closed his eyes. Tom and Victoria looked at each other.

"He’s a very sick boy," she said. "He’s had that drug in him for about six weeks."

"Yes," Tom replied. "I could beat a hole in that Taylor for what he did to my boy."

"Now Tom," she told him. "Take it easy."

"I’m not going to do it Victoria," he said. "I just said I could."

"Luckily," the marshal replied as he walked in and surprised them, "the doctor will be in prison for attempted murder."

"Marshal," Tom said, "my boy’s going to make it."

"I know," the marshal told them. "I just talked to his doctor. When your son is better there will be a hearing. He will have to testify."

"Not for a while," Victoria said. "He’s got to regain his strength. He’s already behind on his studies but that will have to wait until he is stronger."

"I understand," the marshal replied. "I’ll need to talk to him when he is better."

"That will be fine," Victoria told him. "We’ll let you know."

"All right," he said and left.

Victoria went back to looking after her son. Jarrod slept all night. The next morning he woke up. He looked around the room. When he tried to move he groaned. Tom was at his side.

"Easy son," he said. "You’ve been very sick. You need to rest."

"I remember some of it," Jarrod replied. "I remember being in that little room and a needle sticking my arm. I’m still woozy."

"That’s to be expected," Tom told him. "You just close your eyes and sleep."

Jarrod let his eyes close. Tom stayed right beside the bed. He even held his son’s hand.

"Tom," Victoria said, "you need to rest. You’re exhausted."

"I’m not going to leave my son," he replied. "He needs me."

"All right," she agreed. "Please just sit down and close your eyes."

"No!" he told her. "I’m not going to sleep so that Jordan can get his hands on my boy. I’ll stay awake until Jarrod is feeling better."

"I understand," she said.

Tom sat beside his son. Periodically, he would take his hand and push Jarrod’s hair back out of his face. Victoria watched her husband and smiled. She knew he loved and cared so much for his oldest son. He would not rest until Jarrod was completely healed.

About lunchtime, Jarrod began to stir. Tom sat down on the side of the bed and talked to his boy.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "come on. Wake up."

"Father," he barely whispered, "where am I?"

"You’re in the hospital son," Tom replied. "You’ve been very sick. How do you feel?"

"I’m so tired and sore," he got out.

"It’s no wonder," Tom told him. "You’re going to feel better."

"Honey," Victoria asked, "can I get you anything?"

"No," Jarrod said.

"You close your eyes and rest," she replied.

Jarrod’s eyes closed and he was out.

"At least he didn’t vomit anymore," Tom said.

"That’s a good sign," Victoria replied. "Before long all this will be a very bad memory."

"Yeah," Tom told her, "but for right now it’s a nightmare."

"That’s for sure," she agreed.

"Mother," he said, "I’m hungry."

"Oh honey," she replied. "That’s the best news I’ve heard in days. I’ll go get you something right now."

"Jarrod," Tom said as he walked around where Jarrod could see him, "you know you’re going to have to testify against Dr. Taylor."

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "I want to. He made me sicker than I have ever felt in my entire life. He deserves to go to prison."

"That’s my boy," Tom said and smiled. "Don’t you worry about that now. You just concentrate on getting better."

"I will," Jarrod replied.

Victoria returned with some soup. She and Tom propped Jarrod up so he could eat. The soup tasted good and he ate every drop. When he was finished he looked at both his parents.

"Thank you for everything you’ve done for me while I’ve been sick," he said.

"You’re very welcome son," Tom replied. "You are my son and I’m going to take good care of you until you are able to return to class."

"It is something a mother has to do honey," she told him. "I don’t like to see my children sick but I’ll be there when you are."

Jarrod was able to sit up in the chair the following Monday. It was the last week in September. He was still weak but he was up. The doctor was very impressed with his recovery.

"Jarrod," Webber said, "you’ve made excellent progress. I’m very proud of you. But you’re still going to have to take it easy."

"I will Dr. Webber," Jarrod replied.

"Don’t worry doc," Tom told him. "My boy won’t overdo."

"Very good," Webber said.

Jarrod continued to improve and by Wednesday he was able to leave the hospital. The doctor came by that morning.

"Jarrod," Webber said, "I’m going to let you leave the hospital. But I want you to take it very easy for at least a week. You are still very weak and your system needs to get used to not having any morphine and opium in it. That will take time also. I want to see you back here in one week to see how you are progressing."

"Don’t worry doc," Tom replied. "He’ll take it easy and we’ll have him back here."

"Good," Webber said and left.

Tom and Nick had to support Jarrod because he was so weak but he walked out of the hospital. They got in a buggy and rode to the hotel where they were still registered. Tom helped his son up to the room and took him in his room. Victoria put Jarrod to bed and sat down right beside his bed.

"I’m not going to take any chances," she said. "I’m going to stay right here until he wakes up."

"I don’t blame you Victoria," Tom replied. "He disappeared the last time we left him. I’ll stay here too. Nothing’s going to happen to Jarrod anymore."

"I know," she told him.

Jarrod slept all afternoon and all night. At one point Tom and Victoria were worried about him but they realized that he had been on drugs for over six weeks and was exhausted. On Thursday morning, he woke up feeling the best he had felt in weeks. His color was better and he had a smile on his face. However, he was still very weak. He tried to get out of bed and nearly fell in the floor had Tom not been there to grab him. Tom then helped him to the parlor and he sat down in one of the nice comfy chairs.

"Father," he said, "I wish I could stand up without almost screaming. My head just won’t let me get up."

"That’s understandable son," Tom replied. "You’ve been on drugs so long that your system expects them and then when you don’t get them it screams out. And remember you had that severe blow to your head that put you in the hospital in the first place. Just give it some time and you’ll be up and going before you know it."

"I hope so," he told him. "I’m anxious to get back to class as soon as possible. I graduate in May."

"You’ll make it honey," Victoria said. "But you can’t push yourself."

"I know," he replied.

Jarrod continued to improve and was finally allowed to return to his classes the middle of October. He was thrilled.

"Jarrod," Brett said when his friend walked in the classroom, "it’s great to have you back."

"It’s great to be back," Jarrod replied. "It’s been too long."

"You look so thin," Nat told him. "But it’s good to see you."

"The same here," Jarrod said.

His parents stayed in San Francisco at the hotel and Jarrod stayed with them at night until he was through with his term in November.

"Mother," Gene said as he hurried to the group, "it’s so good to have you and father home."

"I’m glad to be home Gene," she replied. "It’s been a long three months."

"Jarrod," Audra shouted, "welcome home."

"Thanks honey," he said.

"Father," Audra replied and ran to her father, "I’m so glad you’re home."

"I’m glad to be home," he told her.

"Nick," Gene said and slapped his brother on the back.

"Gene," Nick replied.

The first thing Jarrod did after he unpacked was to mount his horse, Seneca and take a ride. Victoria was very apprehensive at first but she realized that her oldest son had been cooped up in a hospital for six long weeks. He needed to enjoy himself.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "you be very careful. You’re still awfully weak."

"I will mother," he replied. "I’ll only be gone an hour."

Jarrod walked out to the barn and saddled Seneca. Then he mounted up and rode off. He decided to ride along a stretch of road that was above a deep ravine. It was called Eagle’s Pass. All of a sudden Jarrod heard rocks falling and looked up. He saw the rocks coming toward him and tried to spur Seneca to get out of the way. He was knocked from his horse and down into the ravine. One large boulder landed on his right hip and upper leg pinning him to the ground. He was trapped. He tried to get loose but the boulder was too big to move. Jarrod looked around and spotted Seneca a few feet up from where the rockslide had come from. He wasn’t wearing his gun and he doubted that anyone would hear him if he yelled. It was early afternoon and before long it would get dark and cold. He knew he was in trouble.

Nick was also thrilled to be home. He checked in with the foreman to see what all had transpired since they had been away. Tom and Victoria spent time with their two youngest children and themselves.

It was getting dark and Jarrod had still not returned home. Victoria was starting to get very worried. She walked into the library where Tom was working. He looked up as she entered.

"It certainly is good to be home," he said.

"Yes," she replied. "Tom, I worried about Jarrod."

"What now?" Tom asked. "Has he not been a good boy and minded you?"

"Tom," she said, "I’m serious. He went riding right after he got home and he still isn’t home."

"I don’t think there’s anything to worry about Victoria," Tom told her. "He’s probably just enjoying himself. He’ll be along any minute."

"I hope you’re right," she said.

Jarrod could feel the air starting to get colder. He hadn’t put on his heavy coat so he was starting to get cold. He tried again to free himself but couldn’t. He looked up and saw that Seneca was gone.

"Maybe he’s gone home," Jarrod thought. "Even if he has, they won’t know where to look for me. I’m on my own."

He tried again to free himself from the boulder but he couldn’t get enough leverage. His leg was numb but he didn’t think it was broken. He turned the collar of his coat up to protect him from the cold air. He couldn’t rest because of his hip and leg. Even if he went to sleep he would probably freeze to death by morning. He knew he had to stay awake and try to figure a way out of this.

Back at the ranch, Nick was finishing up in the barn when Seneca rode in. He heard the hoof beats and knew his brother was home. Nick walked outside to see Jarrod but all he saw was the horse. He examined Seneca and noticed that he was bruised. Nick finally decided that Seneca had been hit by debris of some kind. He knew that Jarrod was in deep trouble. He rushed into the house. He looked for his parents and soon found them in the library.

"Son," Tom asked, "is something wrong?"

"I’m not sure," Nick replied. "Seneca rode in a few minutes ago alone. He looked to be bruised by rocks from possibly a rockslide. Jarrod was not with him."

"Oh Tom," she said. "My poor boy. We’ve got to find him."

"We can’t Victoria," Tom told her. "It’s too dark and we have no idea where to look."

"You can’t leave him out there all night," she said. "He’ll freeze to death."

"Jarrod’s a smart boy," Tom replied. "He’ll make it. If we try to look at night, we could end up at the bottom of some ravine."

"But Tom," she pleaded.

"Nick and I will go out at first light," he told her. "Try not to worry."

Jarrod tried his best to stay warm. He was beginning to shiver. He tried to stay awake but he was beginning to fall asleep. He knew the reason. He was still weak and his strength was almost gone. Finally, after several hours he passed out.

"Nick," Tom asked, "do you have any idea where Jarrod might have gone?"

"Well," Nick answered, "he might have gone riding up through Eagle’s Pass. There is a deep ravine and sometimes rock slides."

"Let’s take a look," Tom replied and the two of them rode off.

They arrived at Eagle’s Pass an hour later. They looked up and noticed that it looked like rocks had possibly been loosened and fell. Nick rushed over to the side of the road and looked down into the ravine. At the bottom under a huge boulder was Jarrod.

"Father!" Nick yelled. "I see him!"

Tom hurried over and looked down.

"He’s trapped under a boulder," he said. "We’ve got to get to him."

They searched for the easiest way to the bottom. Then they began their descent down to Jarrod. After thirty minutes, they finally reached the bottom and began to walk to Jarrod. Tom arrived first. He kneeled down and looked at his oldest son. He was still alive but was unconscious. He was very cold. Nick looked at the boulder resting on his right hip and leg.

"We’ve got to get this boulder off of him," Nick said.

"We need something to use as leverage," Tom replied.

They looked around and finally found a large stick. They eased it under the boulder and then heaved it up. Nick held on to the stick while Tom pulled Jarrod free. Nick let go of the stick and rushed over to his brother. Tom checked his son.

"He’s alive but his body temperature is very low," Tom said. "We need to get him home and warm him up."

"How are we going to get him out of this ravine?" Nick asked.

"You go back up to the top and throw a rope down," Tom told him. Then I’ll wrap Jarrod up in a blanket that you will send down with the rope and you can pull him up very easy so you don’t injure him any more than he already is."

"All right," Nick replied and started up.

He finally arrived at the top and hurried over to the horses. He took the rope loose and threw it down to his father along with the blanket. Then he waited.

Tom covered Jarrod in the blanket and then tied the rope around him. He then pulled lightly on the rope and Nick began to pull using one of the horses. Tom watched as his son was lifted up to safety. After Nick got Jarrod to the top, Tom climbed up himself. Then he rushed over to Jarrod.

"He’s still unconscious," Tom said. "We’ve got to get him back to the ranch. I’ll mount up and you hand him up to me."

"All right," Nick replied.

Tom mounted up and Nick handed his older brother up to his father. Tom fixed Jarrod as comfortably as he could on the saddle. Then he held onto him and rode just as fast as he could toward the ranch.

"Victoria," Tom said, "he’s alive but he’s very cold."

"I’ll go and bring the doctor," Nick replied and rode off toward Stockton."

Gene came out and helped his mother ease Jarrod down from the saddle. Tom dismounted and they carried Jarrod into the house. Tom took him straight up to his room. He undressed his son and put a nightshirt on him. Then he put him in bed under as many blankets as they could find. Then they waited for Nick and the doctor.

"Tom," Victoria said, "do you think he will be all right?"

"I don’t know," Tom replied. "He’s so cold."

The doctor walked in and went over to the bed. He examined Jarrod.

"Victoria," he said, "I need warm water and as many towels as you can find."

Victoria nodded and went to do what the doctor had asked.

"Is he going to be all right?" Tom asked.

"I’ve got to warm him up," Merrar answered.

Victoria returned a short time later with towels and the boiling water. The doctor dipped the towels in the water and then laid them over Jarrod’s body. He did this several times. Finally after several hours, Jarrod’s body temperature had improved to near normal but he still hadn’t come to. They waited.

About mid afternoon, Jarrod began to stir. Tom was beside his son and began talking to him.

"Son," he said very softly, "come on. You’re going to be all right."

Jarrod’s eyes finally opened. He was still shivering and Victoria pulled the covers tightly around his neck. He looked around and finally his gaze fell on his father.

"What happened?" he asked.

"You were knocked from your horse and fell into a ravine," Tom told him. "You were trapped under a huge boulder. How do you feel?"

"I hurt everywhere," he mumbled.

"I’m not surprised," the doctor said. "You have a lot of bruises. You’re going to be all right but you need to stay in bed a few days. And your right leg will be stiff. It’s not broken but badly bruised."

"Don’t worry doctor," Victoria replied. "He’s not moving."

"Good," the doctor told them. "Keep him warm and give him plenty of warm liquids. He might end up with a cold but I believe he will be all right. I’ll check back in a couple of days."

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said and the doctor left.

"Honey," she replied, "I’ll have Silas fix you some warm broth and you can eat some."

Jarrod barely nodded between shivers. He closed his eyes and slept. Victoria returned a short time later with the broth. She shook his shoulders and he woke up. She sat down on the edge of the bed and fed him the broth. After he had eaten most of it, she covered him up and he went back to sleep.

"Mother," he said, "I can’t stop shivering."

"It’s all right honey," she replied. "Your body is still cold. You’ll stop shortly."

"I hope so," he told her.

He closed his eyes and went back to sleep. Later that afternoon, he woke up. He wasn’t shivering as bad and he felt better. He smiled at his parents and they smiled back.

"You gave us quite a scare young man," Victoria said. "From now on I’m going to keep a closer eye on you."

"But mother," Jarrod replied, "it was an accident. I didn’t intend to fall down that ravine."

"I know you didn’t," she told him. "But you haven’t completely recovered from the drugs you were given."

"I know I haven’t but I just wanted to enjoy myself," he said. "I’m sorry. I’ve been nothing but trouble to you for the past three years."

"Wait just a minute Jarrod Barkley," Victoria replied. "You’re not trouble. You have been placed in deadly situations. You’re our son and we love you very much. Nothing will ever change that. You’re going to make a fine lawyer."

"That’s right son," Tom told him. "You’ve just been put in life and death struggles because of Hanibal Jordan and his big ego. He wants to be the biggest man in California and he doesn’t care how he achieves it."

"I know," Jarrod said quietly. "I just wish I could graduate in peace."

"You will," Victoria replied. "You only have one term left to go."

"That’s right son," Tom told him. "You just concentrate on getting your law degree and let me worry about Jordan."

"All right," Jarrod said.

The next day Jarrod was able to get out of bed. He couldn’t walk very well because his right leg was very sore. But he hobbled around. He spent some time with Nick while he worked in the barn. Tom and Victoria were thankful that Jarrod had not been injured any worse.

"Jarrod was extremely lucky," Victoria said.

"Yes he was," Tom replied. "He could have easily ended up dead."

"I don’t know Tom," she told him. "I wish Jordan would leave my son alone."

"He won’t ever bother any of my children again," Tom said. "I won’t let him. Our son is going to graduate from law school in May and then I am going to help him set up a practice right here in Stockton."

"I know you will Tom," she replied. "We’re very fortunate to have a son like Jarrod. He is kind, considerate, caring, smart, and gentle. Traits that Hanibal Jordan knows nothing about."

"I agree with you," Tom told her. "And one more thing, he is now a man. After all he’s been through he has proved to everyone that he is a man."

"Yes he has," Victoria said. "But he’s still my little boy."

"And mine," Tom replied and smiled.

Out in the barn, two of the Barkley brothers were enjoying each other’s company.

"Jarrod," Nick asked, "why in the world would you ride up Eagle’s Pass. You know that area is bad for rockslides."

"I don’t know," Jarrod answered. "I just wanted to get outside and enjoy myself that I guess I just didn’t think."

"Well not thinking almost got you killed big brother," Nick said.

"I know," Jarrod replied. "The entire time I was pinned under that boulder I had only one thought."

"What was that?" Nick asked curious.

"That you would never let me forget it," Jarrod told him and laughed.

"You were exactly right," Nick said. "I’m never going to let you forget it."

"I was afraid you’d say that," Jarrod replied and they both laughed.

Jarrod continued to improve and by the time he was ready to return to school, it was only a distant memory.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "you take care of yourself and study hard. We’ll look forward to your graduation in May."

"I will mother," he replied. "Don’t worry. I’m going to enjoy myself this time."

"Son," Tom said, "you make us proud."

"I will father," Jarrod told him.

"Jarrod," Nick replied, "I look forward to having you back here for good."

"Well," Jarrod said, "it won’t be for good but for most of the time."

"Jarrod," Gene replied, "good luck and I love you."

"Thanks Gene," Jarrod told him.

"Jarrod," Audra said, "I love you too."

"I love my little sister," he replied and hugged Audra tightly.

Jarrod headed out the door and rode into Stockton with one of the hands who had supplies to pick up. He boarded the train and returned to San Francisco. When he walked into his dorm room Brett and Nat met him.

"Welcome back Jarrod," Brett said as Jarrod walked in. "I thought you were never going to come back."

"I made it," Jarrod replied. "Part of the time I never thought I’d make it back either."

"Jarrod," Nat said, "it’s good to see you."

"Nat," Jarrod replied. "It’s good to be back."

"I’ve got an idea how to leave a indelible mark on Professor Hamilton," Brett said. "He’ll never forget us after this."

"So what is your idea Brett?" Nat asked.

"I’ll paint zebra strips on his mare and Jarrod, you put lineament in his bath oil," Brett replied.

"Sounds good to me," Jarrod told them. "I wanted to thank him for all he did to help him and this seems to me to be a great thank you."

"Good," Brett said.

"What about me?" Nat asked.

"You’re the lookout," Brett answered. "If you see him coming you let us know."

"OK," Nat agreed.

"To celebrate let’s get out that jug of whiskey Jarrod and I have and have a toast," Brett said.

"All right," Jarrod replied and pulled the jug out from under the bed. "Here’s to good friends, good times and graduation."

"Here here," Brett said.

"Yes indeed," Nat told them.

They drank until they were a little sloshed. Nat went back to his room to wait for Brett and Jarrod to do their good deed for Professor Hamilton.

The next day in class, they found out.

"I want to know who painted my old mare like a zebra," Professor Hamilton said to the class.

No one said a word.

"I also want to know who put the lineament in my bath oil," he replied. "I had to scrub for two hours to get the smell off."

The class remained silent.

"When I find out whom it was I promise they will not enjoy the consequences," he told them.

After class was over, Professor Hamilton stopped Brett, Nat and Jarrod.

"Mr. Schyler, Mr. Springer and Mr. Barkley," he said, "a word please."

The three young men walked up to his desk and stood before the professor.

"Gentlemen," he replied, "I think the four of us know who did those two pranks don’t we?"

"We do professor?" Brett asked. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I think you do Mr. Schyler," Hamilton told him. "I believe you are the ringleader and probably planned this little prank. Let me tell you one thing. If you want to graduate from law school you had better straighten up your act because one low mark and I will flunk all of you. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Brett said.

"Yes professor," Nat replied.

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "And we’re very sorry sir. "I know it was a childish prank. I also wanted to thank you for all your help while I was in the hospital."

"You’re welcome Mr. Barkley," he said. "You three are on probation for the remainder of the term. You’re excused."

The three boys left the classroom. When they were outside, Brett let out a sigh of relief.

"He took it better than I thought he would," he said.

"Yeah," Nat replied. "I thought he might expel us for sure."

"Well," Jarrod told them, "we were wrong and now we have to answer for what we did but it certainly was fun."

"That it was," Brett said and smiled.

They returned to the dorm and got back into studying.

"Well," Brett said, "it’s almost over. What do you two say to drinking up the rest of the jug of whiskey?"

"I say let’s do it," Nat replied. "We’ve really got something to celebrate now."

"Yeah," Jarrod agreed. "Let’s have a toast."

They poured the whiskey into three cups and Jarrod proposed the toast.

"To good friends, good grades and goodbye to school forever," Jarrod said.

"Absolutely," Brett replied.

"Here, here," Nat agreed.

They drank and enjoyed.

"Jarrod," Tom said as they walked up to him, "it’s almost over son. I am so proud of you boy."

"Thank you father," Jarrod replied.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "your dream is about to become a reality. I can’t believe that you will soon have your law degree."

"Thank you mother," Jarrod told her.

"We feel the same way big brother," Nick said for Gene, Audra and himself.

"Thank you," Jarrod replied.

The family went to the auditorium and sat down. The graduates walked in and took their seats. The head of the university, Dr. Richard Bentley, spoke to the assembled graduates.

"I am very happy to stand here before the 1869 graduating class of the University of San Francisco. You have come a long way in the last four or six years you have attended the university. I am proud of each and every one of you and I wish you good luck in whatever you decide to do after graduation. Now, Professor William Hamilton will hand out the diplomas."

Professor Hamilton walked up to the podium and laid the list of names down. Then he began to call the names.

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley," he said and Jarrod stood up.

He walked up to the professor and shook hands with him. Then he was handed his diploma and he returned to his seat.

"Brett David Schyler," he said and Brett stood up.

He walked up to the professor and shook his hand. Then he was handed his diploma and he returned to his seat.

"Nathan Douglas Springer," he said and Nat stood up.

He walked up to the professor and shook hands. Then he was handed his diploma and he returned to his seat.

"I give you the 1869 graduating class," the professor said after he had handed out the diplomas.

After the ceremony, Brett, Nat and Jarrod packed up their belongings and said goodbye to each other.

"Brett," Nat said, "it’s been a pleasure to know you. I will never forget you and our days here at the university."

"Nat," Brett replied, "I have enjoyed my time here with you. I wish you well in whatever you decide to do."

They hugged each other.

"Jarrod," Nat said," it’s been a pleasure. I will never forget our times together. You take care and good luck."

"Thank you Nat," Jarrod replied. "I want to wish you the best. You are a wonderful person and a true friend."

Nat left and headed home.

"Brett," Jarrod said, "I don’t know where to start. You have been a wonderful friend and a great roommate. You take care of yourself and try to stay in touch."

"I will," Brett replied. "You are a great friend Jarrod and I will never forget you. Good luck in Stockton."

The two boys hugged, picked up their belongings and walked out for the final time. Jarrod’s family met him outside and they headed for the train and home.