East Meets West

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.

She stood on the platform, her trunks stacked around her. She thought the school board was sending some one to meet her train. She guessed she was mistaken. She reached in her pursue and pulled out a small notebook. Flipping back a few pages, she refreshed her memory on the name of the person to whom she had been corresponding. William Bratt. She walked over to the station manger.

"Excuse me sir, but could you tell me if Mr. William Bratt is in the vicinity. I thought he was suppose to meet me here."

Charlie looked up and down the platform and then glanced into the waiting room before replying. "No Ma’am. I don’t see him. Can’t rightly say I’ve seen him at all today. If you’ll excuse me a minute I have to get something onto the train before she leaves." With that he hurried off leaving her alone again.

She wandered back to her pile of luggage and pondered what to do next. She flipped through her small notebook until she found the name of the boarding house were she was to stay. Martha’s Boarding House. Well, she would just have to find a way to get her and her luggage there.

If this had been New York, there would have been porters waiting to assist her to a cab. That did not seem to be an option here. She looked around her noting only one other man on the platform. He was dressed in what her Eastern mind labeled as "typical cowboy attire"; dark brown pants, light shirt, black leather vest, boots, wide brimmed cowboy hat and a gun belt slung low across his hips. He stood with his hands on his hips looking annoyed.

She glanced around for the station manger but he was no where to be seen. It appeared this cowboy was her only immediate source of information. She gathered her courage and approached the man.

Nick was annoyed. He was suppose to be getting a new shipment of vaccines from a San Francisco company for some sick cows. However, they had not arrived on this train as he had been promised. He swore under his breath that if these cows died, he would personally visit that company and have a word or two with them … Barkley style. He was turning to go when he heard a voice addressing him.

"Sir. Pardon me. I wonder if you could assist me."

Nick wiped the scowl off his face and replaced it with one of his best mannered smiles when he saw who was addressing him. She was gorgeous. She had deep auburn hair that flowed over her shoulders in a mass of loose curls. Her eyes were green made even more so by the emerald necklace at her neck. She was small in stature but not like some of those petite women that looked as if they would blow away in the wind. No this lady had some subsidence to her … not too much … not to little.

Nick touched a hand to the brim of his hat. "Ma’am. What can I do for you?"

The lady held out a hand, not as a lady would for a kiss, but as a man would for a shake. "My name is Christine Sherman. I am the new schoolteacher for Stockton. I thought a Mr. William Bratt was suppose to meet my train but it seems I erred. I am now in the predicament of getting my luggage and myself to Martha’s Boarding House. I wonder if you would be good enough to point me in the right direction for locating that establishment."

Nick found he could not stop staring at this vision of loveliness. Her voice was melodic and slightly husky. She spoke with a definite East Coast accent though he couldn’t tell exactly from where. He just knew it sound like music to his ears.

Christine waited. When it appeared no answer was forthcoming from the cowboy she verbally prodded him again. "Sir, Martha’s Boarding House?"

Nick snapped back into the real world from his daydream. "Ah yes. Of course, Martha’s is down two streets to the left. Can’t miss it. Has purple shades in the window and purple flowers in the yard."

"You are very observant Mr.…"

"Barkley, Ma’am. Nicholas Jonathon Barkley at your service," Nick said whipping his hat off and bowing slightly from the waist.

His antics brought a small laugh from her and Nick found it as enchanting as the rest of her.

"Barkley … that name sounds familiar." Chris consulted her notebook again. "Ah yes … Victoria Barkley is a key member of the school board that hired me. Is she of any relation to you?"

"She’s my mother Ma’am."

"Your mother, I see. Well she writes well and her questions were insightful. I hope to meet her someday."

Nick grinned. "I’m sure that can be arranged. Why don’t you come have supper with us tomorrow night? Being new in town you can’t have plans yet Ma’am."

"Please, Ma’am is what the little boys and girls call me at school. We’re not in school and you’re not a little boy. Please call me Christine, or Chris is you will."

Nick placed his hat back on his head. Was this schoolteacher flirting with him? "And I’m Nick."

Chris tilted her head slightly in acknowledgement.

Nick looked down the platform to the pile of luggage. Chris followed his gaze.

"Yes, I am afraid that rather monstrous mound of luggage does belong to me. I was unsure how well stocked the school would be so I brought along some of my more cherished books. After all reading is so very important for the young to learn."

"Well Christine." Nick savored the taste of her name rolling off his tongue. "Today is your lucky day. I happen to have a buckboard over there and I would be honored to take you and your luggage over to Martha’s."

"That would be very considerate of you. I accept your offer."

The trunks of books were heavy and Nick was sweating by the time he had them loaded into the wagon. He took off his neck kerchief and mopped his face with it.

"I fear I have made you sweat," Chris observed.

Was she flirting again Nick wondered? He decided to answer the comment lightly. "Ma’am, out here sometimes just thinkin’ makes a man sweat." He was rewarded with another one of her musical laughs. He handed her up to the buckboard and urged the team down the street.

Though it wasn’t far, Nick took the team slow and pointed out a few of the house and shops to Chris. His comments about some of the town’s people had her in stitches. She was sorry when the buckboard drew up in front of an establishment whose sign proclaimed it was "Martha’s Boarding House." And Nick was indeed correct; it did have purple curtains and purple flowers.

An older woman came flying out of the house. "Heavens be … don’t tell me you are the new school teacher. I was suppose to send Jimmy over to collect you and the time just plumb got away from me. What must you think of me? Goodness gracious you must think us a backwater town. My, oh my. Nick. Nick get down from that wagon and help the lady out and then carry her bags up to her room, second door, top of the stairs, on the right."

Nick grinned and did as he was told.

"Jimmy … Jimmy. Where is that boy," she muttered to herself. The lady took her hands and slapped them to her cheeks. "My goodness, here I am jammering away and I never introduced myself properly. I am Martha Rays."

It was all Chris could do not to laugh out loud. Martha’s hands had been covered with flour and when she slapped them to her cheeks she left two white floury handprints behind. Nick had no such compulsion and he started chuckling at her. Martha placed her hands on her hips transferring more floury prints there. Nick laughed even harder.

"Nick Barkley. What is wrong with you boy. You having a fit or something," Martha asked in a stern voice.

Nick leaned forward and brushed the flour from one of her cheeks with his black glove and then showed it to her.

Martha looked from his glove to her hands and then blushed. "Oh dear. I guess I have floured myself as well as those biscuits I was working on."

Nick reached forward and brushed the flour from her other cheek replacing it with a quick kiss.

Martha started flapping her arms (rather like a chicken Chris thought to herself). "Oh my aunt’s mule. You’re gonna fluster me boy. Now stop that and take those bags upstairs."

Chris admired the easy good nature between the two. She wondered how Nick and Martha knew each other. Obviously, it had been for a long time. Another mystery to undercover she thought.

Nick did as he was instructed. Martha practically dragged Chris into the house. She installed her in a chair in the kitchen with the promise of a cup of hot tea. Chris found it hard to get a word in edgewise with the never-ending flow of words that sprung forth from Martha’s lips. She sat back and let the woman go on, perfectly content to do so. Soon she heard the jingle of spurs on the back kitchen stairs and Nick appeared around the corner. Of course, she thought. Real cowboys wear spurs. She stood as he approached her.

"Dinner tomorrow night? Say I pick you up around 5:00?"

Chris wondered what she was getting herself into. This was awfully fast for her to go traipsing off to have dinner with a man she didn’t even know.

Martha overheard the invitation and as if reading her mind said, "Don’t you worry none. The Barkley’s are some of the most prominent people in the valley. Victoria Barkley is my dear friend. And you don’t have to worry about any of her boys. They are the handsomest young men in the valley. They are also polite and gentlemanly as far as the day is long."

Nick turned to Martha. "Would you like to join us too? I know mother would love to have you."

Martha patted Nick on the cheek and then winked at Chris. "I think an old bitty like me would spoil your ride. But Miss … I do declare I have forgot your name."

"Christine Sherman Ma’am."

"Christine. And I am Martha, not Ma’am. Now, don’t you go lettin' this here cowboy steal your heart until you check out the rest of the Barkley herd. All three, no make that four; there are four now, brothers are very good-lookin’ men if I do say so myself."

Chris found herself blushing and even Nick looked uncomfortable at Martha’s forth-rightness.

"Mother! Mother where are you?" Nick bellowed as he came through the front door.

Nick heard a thump and turned to see his younger brother sitting dazed on the floor.

"Boy, what are you doing?"

Heath slowly got to his feet while rubbing the back of his neck. "Boy howdy. You do have a voice like one of those foghorns out on the sound."

Nick grunted at his brother.

"I was just sitting here … musta dozed off … then you come bellowin’ through the door and knock me clean out of my chair," Heath said a little disjointedly.

Nick scowled at this brother. "Where is Mother?"

Heath stretched, shrugged his shoulders and sat down as Victoria appeared from around the corner.

"There you are Mother. I have invited a guest to dinner tomorrow night."

Victoria sat on the couch next to Heath noticing his sleepy appearance. She gave him a little grin and a pat on the leg. She looked up at Nick. "Oh? Who is it and what is the occasion?"

Nick kind of twitched his head to the side and raised his one shoulder, a movement his mother recognized. He used it when he was uncomfortable with something. This should be interesting she thought.

"Well, I was at the train station waitin’ for those vaccines to come, which they didn’t I might add, and I met the new school teacher. Seems she was left stranded so I took her over to Martha’s."

"Very chivalrous of you Nick," Heath tossed in.

Nick ignored his brother and went on. "She mentioned she liked to meet you and I thought to invite her here for dinner. Tomorrow. After all, she being new in town …"

"You want first dibs on her," Heath quipped.

Jarrod entered the room catching the tail end of the conversation. "New school teacher Nick? Just how pretty is she dear brother?" he teased.

Nick crossed his arms on his chest and straightened his back. "Well now, I didn’t really notice. I mean I suppose she was attractive…"

"Boy howdy Jarrod," Heath said as he gave a conspiratorial wink to his oldest brother. "The way Nick is carrying on, she must be a very pretty lady."

"Indeed," Jarrod added. "I think I’m going to enjoy dinner tomorrow night a whole lot more than usual."

"Me too. Whatda ya think Jarrod? Suit and tie?"

"Good idea Heath. Maybe I’ll stop in town and get a haircut."

"That is a good notion," Heath said running his hand through his dark blond hair. "Think I could use a trim myself."

"And a shave."

Heath ran a hand across his chin. "Shave’s a good idea too."

"I hear Jason’s got some of those new dress boots."

"Do tell."

"Yes. Said to be all the rage back East … where I assume this school teacher is from."

Nick glared at his two brothers as they continued their debate on what to wear.

Victoria laughed and then scolded her two sons. "That’s enough you two." She turned her attention back to Nick. "Nick, it was very nice of you to invite her for dinner. Christine wasn’t it?"

Nick nodded his head in agreement.

"I look forward to meeting her tomorrow night.

"As do I," Jarrod added.

"And I," Heath chimed in.

"Just see you two remember that I saw her first."

His two brothers laughed in a manner Nick wasn’t too sure he liked.

"Hey Nick. Where ya going? It ain’t quittin' time yet," though Heath knew exactly where his brother was headed.

"That’s right. It’s not quitting time … at least not for you boy. I expect you to finish this whole section before showing your face around the house tonight," Nick replied over his shoulder as he rode off. He had to go bathe, change and pick up the lovely Miss Christine. Won’t due to be late.

When he got back to the barn he instructed Ciego to groom and hitch up the chestnut mare to the formal carriage. That ought to impress her Nick thought as he went inside.

He debated after his bath what to wear. He decided to go with his best suit, one step down from his formal wear for fancy parties. He didn’t want his brothers to out shine him.

He got to Martha’s a few minutes early, sat and chatted with her, or rather was chatted to by her, while waiting for Christine to make an appearance. And it was certainly an appearance, when she graced the stairs. She wore a deep, rich purple gown with amethysts glowing on her ears and throat. Even Martha, for once in her life, was speechless.

"I tell you, if the school teacher was as pretty as you when I went to school I think I would have paid a whole lot more attention."

Chris smiled at Nick’s implied compliment. She offered him her arm and he escorted her to the buggy.

"Lovely evening Nicholas."

"Getting lovelier by the minute Ma’am," he teasingly replied.

"So, tell me about your family," she asked as they rode towards the ranch.

"Let’s see now. There are five of us plus Mother. Father was killed by some railroad men about 8 years ago now."

Chris lightly touched Nick on the arm. "I am sorry to hear that."

Nick felt electricity course through his veins at her touch. "Yes," he said as he cleared his throat. "Ah... anyway. My oldest brother is Jarrod. A lawyer. Has a practice here and in San Francisco."

"A lawyer, how interesting."

Nick wasn’t sure she liked the way she had accented interesting. He quickly moved on.

"I’m next in line. I run the old homestead here. This is a real working ranch you know. We run cattle, horses, and sheep, not to mention the olives, figs, oranges and the vineyards and mines. Keeps a man busy keeping this operation running smoothly."

"And I’m sure you do it superbly," Christine purred.

Nick grinned widely at her compliment. "I like to think so."

"And the rest of the family," Christine prodded.

"After me comes Heath."

"Heath. That name has a nice ring to it."

"I suppose. Anyway, he helps me run this ranch."

"I see."

"Our only sister comes next. She is rather spoiled with four brothers."

"I can imagine."

"Only you won’t be meeting her tonight. She is away in Europe."

"Exciting for her. Pity for me."

"And that brings us to Eugene, who you also will not meet as he is away at college."

"What college does he attend?"

"Berkeley."

"And he studies?"

Nick laughed. "Well now that is an interesting question. Lawyer, Doctor, Poet, you name he’s thought about it."

The drive seemed to end to quickly and soon the pillars to the gate came into view.

Chris caught her breath in surprise. She has no idea there were houses such as this out here. She assumed everything was rather plain, along the lines of a log cabin. Ciego came up and took the carriage back to the stable.

Christine was even more astonished when she walked inside and found it furnished as nicely as some of the homes back East. Oh, there were definite touches that said western frontier, but it was in no way backwards as some of her friends in the East had led her to believe.

A black butler met them at the door and took Nick’s hat and her wrap. He appeared to Chris to be a happy and jovial man unlike some of the stiff butler’s whom she had met over the years; the ones that seemed to look down on you as if they were the Lord and Master of the house. Silas, as she learned his name, smiled at her and welcomed her to the house in a manner that truly made her feel… well … welcome.

"Right this way Mr. Nick, Miss Sherman. Mrs. Barkley and Mr. Jarrod are waiting for you in the parlor."

Jarrod and Victoria stood as Nick and Christine entered. Jarrod’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. This lady was very pretty and certainly well dressed. Nick steered Chris over to his mother. "Mother, this is Christine Sherman."

"Miss Sherman, a pleasure to meet you."

"Christine, please or Chris if you prefer."

"And I’m Victoria."

"This is my older brother Jarrod."

"Miss Sherman," Jarrod acknowledged with a slight nod of his head.

"Please, feel free to use my Christian name."

"All right, Christine. Welcome to Stockton."

"Thank you."

They all settled onto the couches and Jarrod poured them drinks.

"Christine, your resume was very impressive," Victoria said. "If believe it said you had studied abroad?"

"Yes, I have. My father was a business man and where he went we went."

"Christine, I can’t quite place your accent, though I think it has a little of a Boston twang to it," Jarrod queried.

Christine laughed with that musical quality she possessed. "You have a good ear Jarrod. I have lived in Boston and fear picked up somewhat of an accent. But I have also lived in many cities on the East Coast and abroad. I fear my accent is a conglomeration of all those places."

"And what brings you West Christine, other than teaching school I mean. Why here and not somewhere else?" Jarrod asked.

"I told you he was a lawyer," Nick ribbed. "Always digging for facts."

Chris laughed. "I don’t mind Nick," she said as she turned her attentions back to Jarrod. "I have lived in a lot of places and have seen a lot of things. But I have never been any further west than Philadelphia. I had heard all sorts of things about what it was like out here in the ‘Wild West’ from the sensible to the down right silly. I am a person who likes to see truth for herself so when I heard about this teaching job I applied."

"And the rest of your family? How do they feel about your venture to the ‘Wild West’?" Victoria inquired.

"Well, there is only my father and brother left. My mother died of the fever 10 years ago. My brother will be taking over my father’s business, which basically leaves me free to pursue my own interests. Though I must say both my father and brother were concerned about my decision to teach out here. However, I confess to being headstrong and usually getting my way and here I am. As I explained to the school board in my letters, I only plan to take this position for one year and then head back East."

"Yes. I recall now that was on your application and it did give us some concern. However, your qualifications were excellent and you came to us with the highest recommendations; we figured we were lucky to get you if only for a year."

"Besides, who knows. You might just decide you like the ‘Wild West’ and decide to stay," Nick interjected with a mischievous grin. Christine smiled back at him warmly.

Heath rode Charger into the corral and threw the reins to Ciego. "I’m late. Curry him down for me would you."

"Sure thing Senior Heath. I take good care of him for you," Ciego said patting the horse on the neck. "I see Senior Nick brought a most attractive lady to the house."

"Yeah, and I got get cleaned up and down to dinner pronto."

"She is a very pretty lady."

"I’ll be sure to note that Ciego," Heath said with a grin as he hurried for the kitchen door. He didn’t think Mother would appreciate him appearing through the front door in his current dirty state. He entered the kitchen and headed up the back stairs.

"Mr. Heath. There you are. Your Mother wants to serve dinner. You best hurry up," Silas said.

"I’m hurrying."

Heath cleaned up as quickly as he could. He grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a shirt. He didn’t even bother putting on his good suit. He really didn’t feel he was cleaned up enough for that. He gave his wet head a few more swipes with the towel and ran a comb through it. He heard voices in the parlor and went down to join them.

"There you are," Nick chided his younger brother. "Finally decided to make an entrance."

"Well, boy howdy, seems like I was doing the work for two men out there today," Heath retorted.

Nick grinned good-naturedly at his brother. "Let me introduce you to Miss Christine Sherman."

Heath looked at the lady for the first time. Ciego was right. She was beautiful. He got a little nervous, as he tended to do in social situations. "Ma’am" with a quick smile was all he managed to get out.

Christine offered him a demure smile in return. She was well versed in the art of reading people and her instincts told her there was something different about this brother though she would be hard pressed to tell you what. It was true he was dressed more casually then his brothers but based on the comments, she gathered he had just gotten in from working and probably did not have time to fully change. She noticed that his dark-blond hair was damp indicating it must have recently been wet. He certainly did not have the easy sophistication of Jarrod, nor the outgoing nature of Nick. He seemed reserved, almost cautious and definitely a little nervous she noted as they all sat back down and he began to fiddle with his shirtsleeve. Another mystery to solve she decided, which reminded her of a previous one, still unresolved.

"Nick. You seem to know Martha very well. How did you come to meet her?" Christine asked.

"She use to be his nanny," Jarrod interjected.

Nick looked uncomfortable at the turn this conversation was taking.

Victoria took up the story. "Martha was a dear friend of mine. She and her husband traveled West with Tom, my husband, and I. We both settled in the valley, us starting this ranch and she and her husband running a hotel. When Nick was born I had some complications. I was unable to do much for a few months afterwards and dear Martha stepped right in and helped take care of Jarrod and Nick for me. A few years her son Jimmy was born but she still watched the boys for us frequently if Tom and I had to go out of town. " Victoria paused a moment before going on.

"Then came the night of the terrible fire. It started in the kitchen of their hotel and quickly spread. Two of the hotel’s guests perished in the fire along with Martha’s husband George. It was horrible. George had rushed back in to save Martha and Jimmy. He was carrying Jimmy and pushing Martha ahead of him when a beam broke and crushed him to the floor. Jimmy was flung to the floor, but free of the burning beam that trapped his father. There was nothing that could be done for George."

Christine shuddered. All this happened to that laughing, jovial women?

"She and Jimmy came to stay with us." Victoria sighed. "Though Jimmy was never quite right after that. He is a pleasant, happy boy, well man now, but it takes him a little longer to learn things and he easily forgets.

Martha threw herself into the raising of Jimmy, Jarrod and Nick when she stayed here. She was with us 5 years, leaving just before Audra was born. She was wonderful to the children and I was sorry to see her go."

Christine noticed Jarrod and Nick nodding fondly as Victoria reminisced. Interestingly, she noted Heath seemed more attentive to the actual story as if it were the first time he had ever heard it. She also noticed Victoria had not specifically listed his name among those children that Martha had helped raised yet she remembered Nick saying Heath was older than Audra. More clues to the mystery?

"But, Martha felt it was time she moved on with her life," Victoria went on. "She had a small amount of savings and decided to open a boarding house. A hotel was a bit much for a single woman but she felt a boarding house was achievable. Even after she moved back into town and established the place where you are now staying, the boys always loved to visit her and she spoiled them all though she always had a soft spot for Nick I believe."

Silas walked in and stood waiting to be noticed. When Victoria looked at him he announced dinner was ready. Nick took possession of Christine’s arm before any of his brothers could even contemplate the idea and escorted her to the table. Jarrod took Victoria’s and Heath trailed along behind.

Dinner was a lighthearted affair. The conversation flowed smoothly and even Heath started to relax and enjoy the affair. After dinner they retired back to the parlor for coffee.

"So Christine, do you ride?" Heath inquired.

"I have done quite a bit of it back East and in England. However, I am afraid I do not know much about your western ponies."

"Well Ma’am, a horse is a horse and…" Heath started to reply as Nick cut him off.

"And I would be happy to teach you about our western ponies if you like. There are some beautiful places in this valley I’d be honored to show you," Nick finished.

"I’d like that. I will take you up on that offer Nick."

"How about tomorrow afternoon?"

"Oh, I’m afraid not. I must get ready for school," she replied regretfully.

Heath spoke up again. "Boy howdy, I bet you have a lot of stuff to do, move around and such. Would you…"

Nick jumped in again. "Well, I gotta go into town tomorrow. I could drop by and help you out if you wanted."

"Nick, that is very nice of you but I can’t pull you away from your own work."

"Don’t worry about it. Heath can handle it."

Jarrod glanced over at Heath to see if he was getting annoyed because Nick kept jumping in. Heath caught Jarrod’s eye and threw him a fleeting smile. Jarrod suppressed his own smile. Ah, no, he thought. Heath wasn’t annoyed at all in fact he was having fun playing with Nick in this manner; making him volunteer to do things.

They conversed for awhile longer and then Christine suggested it was time she got back. The rest of the family bid Christine a fond farewell and Nick drove her back to her town.

Again, he thought the ride was too short. He helped her down from the carriage and they stood awkwardly. Nick touched her cheek with his hand and she tipped her head slightly and smiled at him. Taking that as an invitation, he slowly leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips. He felt that same electricity again as their lips parted.

"I look forward to seeing you again," he said softly.

----------------------2

Over the next few weeks Nick arranged many opportunities for him to see Christine.

He helped her get the school ready to open in a week’s time. Every little move she made seemed to fascinate him and he often found himself standing there staring at her rather then finishing the task he was assigned. Chris laughed at him and told him to get back to work.

Nick saw less of her after the school season began. She was busy with the children all day so his only opportunity to visit her was in the evenings.

Heath was glad when school started. It meant that Nick would at least be around the ranch to help out during the daylight hours.

The school children adored their new teacher. As a member of the school board, Victoria stopped by to see how the new teacher went about her job. She was suitably impressed. Christine had a flair for teaching and a true love for her job. It showed in her teaching style.

Oh, there had been some fuss in the town when she had started to teach the children French. The parents felt this was a waste of time. Christine fought saying that learning a foreign language helped the children develop other skills as well as gain an appreciation for other cultures. They finally reached a agreement that if Christine wanted to teach a foreign language, it had to be Spanish. At least that was something the children might use as adults. Christine relented and switched to Spanish, which she was also fluent in.

Nick finally was able to get Christine to come out to the ranch for her riding lesson on the fourth weekend after her arrival. Her first ride on a "western pony" turned out to be quite memorable.

"You’ll like this mare. She is a easy goer," Nick said.

"Actually, I am an accomplished horsewomen Nick.

Chris walked over, stepped up into the stirrup and swung on board the mare. She settled into the saddle trying to get the feel of it. It felt massive. She wasn’t even sure there was a horse under her there was so much leather between her and the mare. She went to place her feet in the stirrups. My goodness, they were so long. Surely this couldn’t be right. Her knee was barely bent"

"Nick, these stirrups seem awfully long."

Nick checked them out. "No, there about right I’d say."

Chris shook her head slightly but thrust her feet into them anyway. It felt so strange to sit with her legs straight. She gathered the reins in both hands noticing they were not a continuous loop but rather two individual pieces of leather. Hmmm. Seems like a good way to lose one rein she thought. She set her wrist parallel to the ground and threaded the reins between her pinky and ring finger on each hand and then up through her thumbs.

Nick watched her with interest. "Whadya doin’?"

"What do you mean? Please be more specific."

"The reins. You are holding them funny."

"Am I?"

"Yeah, they should be both in you left hand."

"I see," she said as she tried to transfer them as instructed. She got them both into her left hand but it felt very awkward. Between the straight stirrups and the one handed reins she felt quite silly. She wondered what else was different with these western ponies.

She squirmed again trying to find a comfortable position in the strange saddle. Nick swung onboard Coco and urged him forward. Chris urged her own mare to follow.

She soon discovered trying to steer the mare with the reins all in one hand was a problem. When she tried to pull on the right rein to get the mare to go right, she ended up pulling on both reins and bringing the mare to a halt. Chris urged her forward again and tried another right turn. Again, the mare came to a halt.

Nick stopped Coco and looked back at the Chris and the mare. They were taking a few steps forward. Stopping. Taking a few steps forward. Stopping. Nick frowned at the two of them. Accomplished horsewomen he snorted.

Unable to make the beast go right, Chris decided to try going left. She met with the same problem as going right. Every time she tried to pull on one rein she pulled on both and the horse stopped. In utter frustration, she switch back to holding the reins in two hands and that solved her problems, though the mare kept tossing her head, obviously still annoyed about something.

Nick rode over to Chris’ side. "All that jerking on her mouth you’re doing is bothering her," he said.

"Well what am I suppose to do? When you want a horse to turn, you gently pull back on that rein correct?"

Nick looked at her seriously and slowly shook his head.

"Oh, I get the feeling you’re about to tell me yet another quaint western custom for steering a horse."

"Neck rein them."

"Excuse me?"

Nick climbed off Coco. He ground tied him and walked over to Chris. "Take your foot out of the left stirrup."

Chris complied. Using the stirrup, Nick swung up behind her. He reached his arms around her and took the reins from her. He placed them all in his left hand.

"Now watch," he commanded. Nick laid his heels to the mare’s side and urged her forward. He circled her left by moving the rein against the side her neck, in the direction he wanted the mare to turn. Nick circled the mare left and then right again demonstrating the art of neck reining.

"See how it is done?"

Chris nodded her head yes, though added, "Perhaps you should show me a few more times." Chris was enjoying have the lean cowboy so close to her. She could smell his scent; a mixture of horse, leather and sweat, not the least bit unpleasant. She could also feel his powerful arms pressing her as he guided the mare around the field.

Nick too was enjoying this particular part of the lesson. He pressed closer to Christine and wrapped his free arm around her waist. He urged the mare into a lope as he held Chris firmly against him. Her hair whipped back in his face and he momentarily let go of her waist to tuck it between them. Then he firmly placed his arm back about her waist. They made a few lazy circles about the field before Nick regrettably drew the mare to a walk and finally a stop.

"So, do you understand about neck-reining?" Nick asked.

"Yes, I believe I do. A most enjoyable and enlightening lesson."

Nick gently kissed the side of her neck. Christine leaned back against him as much as this over-sized saddle would allow. He ran his hand though her thick red hair. He placed another tender kiss on her cheek. She kicked her feet free of the stirrups as he placed both hands around her waist and the two of them slid from the horse to the soft grass below. She tossed her hair out of the way as he smothered her face with passionate kisses. Finally, she gently pushed him back and sat up. Nick rolled on one elbow and gazed at her.

"And exactly what part of the riding lesson was that my dear Nick?" she innocently inquired.

"Why, how to fall off a horse safely of course," he returned with a lazy grin.

Chris laughed as she got to her feet. "Well, I did come out for a ride and I plan to have one. So get up off that ground Nicholas Jonathon Barkley and lets get going." Chris headed off to the mare and mounted.

Still grinning, Nick got to his feet and strolled over to Coco. He mounted and turned the gelding towards Chris.

"Ok, lets see you make a big circle around me on that mare of yours… just to make sure ya can turn her."

Chris compiled, slowly getting the hang of neck reining the mare. Nick called out instructions to her as she walked the horse in varying directions.

"OK, move her into a trot."

Chris pressed her heels to the mare’s side and the horse obediently moved into a rough trot. Chris checked the mare’s shoulders and then started to post on the right beat. It was an awkward thing to do with the long stirrups, even though she knew the main propulsion came from her thighs not her feet.

Nick watched in amazement as Chris, in his opinion, deliberately bounced up and down on the mare like a child’s ball.

"Pull up," he commanded as he walked Coco over to her. "Whadya you doing now?"

"Trotting. I believe that is what you said."

"I know the mare was trotting but what were you doing?"

Chris looked at Nick in puzzlement, unsure of what he was asking.

"The bouncing. Why were you bouncing up and down on the mare."

"Oh, you mean posting."

Now it was Nick’s turn to look confused.

Chris shook her head. "When you ride English style, it is customary to post to the trot though I gather by the look on your face that is not customary here."

Nick shook his head.

"I see. I suppose you sit to the trot."

Nick slowly shook his head yes.

"Very comfortable," Chris replied ruefully. "And what do you do for the canter? Stand on your head?"

"We call it lope and no, we do not stand on our head. We sit deep into the saddle."

Chris smiled. "Well, at last we come across common ground Mr. Barkley. East meets West so to speak. Shall we try that canter … I mean lope now?"

"Alright, if you think you can handle it," Nick replied. "Make a big circle around the field and remember the lesson in falling off … just in case."

"I don’t think I could forget that particular lesson," she muttered as she walked the mare off. Chris put the mare into a lope and settled deep into the saddle. Now this was something she was comfortable with. While it was a little different than English, it was still similar enough that she was sure she was finally making a good showing for herself.

Nick grunted to himself as Christine circled the mare about the field. She looked every bit the accomplished horsewomen she claimed. She sat the mare well and except for a little awkwardness with the one-handed rein position, she looked like a regular cowgirl.

Chris reined the mare in, remembering to sit through the trot and finally brought her down to a walk. She headed back over to where Nick and Coco stood.

"So, how did I do teacher."

"I’d say you’re one of the best pupils I have ever had," Nick answered with a grin. "Though perhaps you’d like a few more instructions in the proper art of falling off a horse?"

"Perhaps, under those trees over there, in the shade, I might be persuaded."

Nick and Chris rode the horses over to the trees and dismounted. Sitting on the ground Nick reached up and pulled Chris down next to him. "Now, where did we leave off on falling techniques," Nick said as he brushed his lips against her neck.

Chris knew she was falling but not off a horse. No she was falling in love with this handsome cowboy. And that was not something she had intended to do on her western expedition.

------------------3

"Have you dinner plans my Princess?" Nick asked appearing in the back of Christine’s schoolroom one October day after the children had been dismissed.

She looked up from the papers she was grading and smiled at him. "No my brave knight. I fear I do not, and cannot, as I am being held captive by a fearful dragon that will not let me go until all these papers are graded."

Nick walked over to her desk and slid his hand beneath her thick, curly, red hair and tickled the back of her neck. He brushed her hair aside and placed a gentle kiss on the nape of her neck.

"Perhaps the dragon could be persuaded to allow you to go, just this once. If not, then I shall be forced to slay it."

Christine put down her pen and turned in her chair. Nick gathered her in his arms, his lips seeking hers.

"I have a lovely supper awaiting in my coach Princess. My trusty sidekick Silas slaved all day to prepare such delicacies as you have never set eyes on. It seems to me the fearful dragon has fallen asleep and if I sweep you off your feet," which he did picking her up in his arms, "and quietly tiptoe out of here with you, the dragon will be none the wiser."

Nick carried her down the aisle and out the door to the front porch. He perched her on the porch rail and stood in front of her, steadying her with his hands on her waist.

"What say you Princess. Shall we go out to the enchanted pond for a scrumptious repast?"

Christine laughed. "Lead on my gallant knight. The dragon will surely keep for just this one night."

Nick helped her down off the rail and they strolled, hand in hand, to the carriage. He lifted her in and stole one last kiss before settling in beside her.

It was a beautiful evening and they arrived in time to see the sun set across the pond’s serene waters. Nick placed torches in the ground and lit them. They gave a cheery glow to the surrounding area where he had spread the blanket on the soft moss.

Silas had outdone himself with the dinner and Nick had thought to add a bottle of wine. As he poured Christine her second glass of the evening, she giggled and warned him. "Be gentle with filling my cup oh gallant knight. For I fear I may not be responsible for my actions lest you fill it too often."

Nick leaned over and kissed her luscious lips. "Well, I’ll take my chances on that my Princess."

The two laid, arm in arm as the moon rose and spread it’s golden light across the pond’s surface. It was a true harvest moon, large and bright as a Halloween pumpkin upon rising. As it crept further up into the heavens, it changed from a fiery orange, to a mellow yellow, finally settling on its normal white glow.

Nick could not recall ever being so content in his life. He also knew he was falling in love with this wonderful woman.

Over the next two months Nick and Chris were declared a couple by the town’s people. One was not seen without the other at any social functions. The other Nick hopefuls sighed and set their sights elsewhere. It appeared Christine had won the key to Nick’s heart and was not about to relinquish it.

The rest of the Barkley’s also came to think of Chris as Nick’s girl. She was included in family gathering and she learned quite a bit about the rest of Nick’s siblings.

One day when Victoria had been showing her the family photo album, she noted, out loud, that there were no pictures of young Heath. That was when she received the answer to the remaining one of her mysteries, why Heath always seemed a bit less polished than his brothers did.

Victoria had explained that he was Tom Barkley’s illegitimate son and told her how he came to be with them. It made her feel a little sad for Heath, having such a hard life. She decided the best way to make him comfortable was to treat him like a big brother. She started teasing him as she would her own brother and he came around. An easy friendship developed between the two and Heath helped fill a gap in her life. She dearly missed her brother as well as and her father back in the East.

"It was very kind of you to have me for Thanksgiving," Christine said as she and Victoria cleaned up the dishes.

"Nonsense. It was my pleasure. With Audra being in Europe I need some female companionship. Oh I love my sons but a woman needs another women to talk to."

Christine laughed.

The two women worked with Silas in companionable silence, cleaning up the remains of the big feast. The men had retired to the study to play pool, or at least that is what they said. Victoria knew her boys better than that though.

Heath would make a beeline for the nearest couch and be asleep in less than five minutes. She marveled at the boys' ability to fall asleep, in an instant, anywhere. It was also interesting to note that he would be wide-awake if the least thing was wrong in his surrounding. She had seen it a dozen times and had no idea how Heath did it. A sixth sense she guessed, highly developed from the type of life he lived before he came to them.

Nick and Jarrod would actually play pool, at least one game. Then they would settle into chairs with their cigars and drinks. Nick would be the next to drift off to sleep. He too could sleep near about anywhere.

Jarrod would be the last to nod off. His mind would keep him awake for a while puzzling on some subject. However, he too would eventually join his brothers in the dream world.

Victoria didn’t begrudge her sons the rest. They deserved it. They worked so hard each and every day and it was a rare moment when they took time out for themselves. Though, she thought looking at Christine, Nick had been taking more time these last three months since Christine had arrived. She knew her son was very taken with this beautiful lady. Oh Nick fell in and out of love quite easily, but this was something more. Nick had genuine feelings for this woman and Victoria couldn’t help wondering where it would all lead.

After the cleaning was done, the two ladies retired to the parlor. Victoria decided to broach the subject of Nick with Chris.

"Call me an old meddling mother but I know my son Nick has grown quite fond of you," Victoria opened.

Christine found this candor refreshing after the games played in the East. That was one thing she truly enjoyed in this western culture, their frankness. Christine decided to be equally frank back.

"And I too have grown quite fond of your son, though this leads me to a dilemma."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I have never made it any secret that I was only here for a year. I had not expected to get involved with any man while I was out here but somehow your charming son has swept me off my feet I’m afraid. He is a wonderful man. He is tough on the outside but one of the tenderest men I have ever met on the inside. He hides behind that gruff exterior but inside lurks the soul of a poet."

Victoria slowly nodded at Christine. She did know her son well indeed. Not many people could see past Nick’s outer self to the inner man within.

"Your son cares deeply about you, his brothers, this ranch and this valley. There in lies the problem. I too care deeply, about my family and my home... back East. I fear that should this relationship between Nick and I continue to grow, one of us will be forced to give up part of what they love and I just don’t know if either one of us can do that."

Victoria sat quietly for a few minutes thinking about what Christine said. Should Nick propose to this young lady, he would expect her to live here no doubt. Or would he be willing to leave this ranch and follow his love back East? Victoria did not honestly know. Chris was right about Nick being passionate about this ranch, but if he was as passionate about Christine, might he not give up everything for her? And in the years to come, would that love be enough? Or would Nick find himself yearning for his old life?

Christine sighed. "I guess we may be putting the cart before the horse here anyway. Let’s talk on something else."

The ladies steered he conversation to a new book they had both read. However, it was just surface conversation and both women were still pondering the subject of the future.

December entered the year with a hint of frost in the air. Christine and Nick attended all the parties of the season. Nick was splendid in his formal wear and Christine a vision of loveliness in her brocade, satin and velvet dresses in the seasonal colors. Her throat was always graced with a magnificent necklace bespeaking her family’s wealth. One day, a string of pearls not previously noted, lay about her slender, pale throat. Speculation said it was a early present from her handsome cowboy.

Heath and Nick rode into town in the buckboard to meet the train. They strolled down to lonely freight car and peered inside. Heath whistled at the contents. Nick climbed in, untied the horse and led her down the ramp.

"Boy howdy Nick. That is one fine looking animal," Heath drawled as the sunshine lit up her dapple-grey coat. "She was certainly worth the wait."

Nick grinned. He had sent all the way back East to get this horse and the appropriate English tack for Christine. It was going to be his Christmas present to her. She had adapted to the western riding style but Nick could see it was not what she preferred. He hoped this mare and the tack would help ease the longing that he knew Christine felt for her home back East.

"Grab the trunk in there. It has the saddle and the rest of the tack."

"How about I hold the horse and you grab the trunk," Heath suggested.

Nick ignored him and started leading the mare down the station platform.

"No, I suppose not," Heath said to himself as he went and lifted the heavy trunk onto his shoulder. He staggered down the ramp after his brother.

When they got to the wagon, Heath heaved the trunk in the rear while Nick tied the mare to the back. Both men climbed in, and Nick headed the buckboard towards the ranch. Every now and then Heath watched the mare over his shoulder.

"She sure moves nice," he commented. "Christine is gonna be mighty please with her. I gather you’re planning to give her the mare for Christmas in a few weeks?" Heath asked casually.

"That’s right," Nick replied.

Heath was a man of few words and he usually minded his own business. However, for once he let his curiosity get the better of him.

"You wouldn’t be thinking of giving the lady anything else special for Christmas now would you brother?"

"Maybe I’m and maybe I’m not. In either case, it is none of your business," Nick returned.

Heath nodded his head. Nick was right, it was none of his business. However, he had a piece to say and he was gonna say it. He loved his brother and didn’t want to see him make a mistake, a mistake that Heath had already made.

"You know Nick. I always got the impression Christine was headed back East when this school season was over."

"Yes, I do believe she said that when she first arrived," Nick agreed.

Heath sat quietly for a few minutes. "I don’t believe I have heard her state otherwise in these last few months," Heath continued.

Nick turned and looked at his brother. "Heath if you have something to say, say it," Nick commanded slightly agitated.

"All right Nick. I’m not blind, none of us are. I can see you have feelings for Christine and I would be willing to bet you have notions of marrying her. I also believe Christine has those same feelings for you. However, I don’t think that pretty lady is gonna stay here in the West. She has East coast written all over her. And quite frankly Nick, I can not see you moving back East and giving up this ranch."

Nick stared straight head, not reacting to Heath’s comments

Heath paused and then continued on. "I said my piece. I’ll say no more about this subject except this... Nick I have been there, I tried to change my life for a woman I thought I loved." Heath gazed off at the horizon. "Maybe I didn’t love her enough, maybe not as much as you love Christine. But Nick, in the end, I found I couldn’t change for her. I couldn’t give up certain things she asked. And what right did I have to ask her to give up her life to be with me? Nick, think carefully before going ahead. I don’t think you can give up this ranch anymore than Christine can give up her life back East."

Heath looked at his brother trying to gauge his reaction. Nick’s face was set in stone and they continued on the rest of the journey in deathly silence. Heath regretted what he said. He should have just left well enough alone.

Victoria watched as Nick and Heath headed out to work on the range. It had been another meal that had left Victoria feeling unsettled. She could not quite put her finger on what the problem was, but she knew there was something subtly wrong. She suspected it was between Heath and Nick. It seemed to her the joking camaraderie between the two of them was missing. Heath hadn’t baited his brother once in the last week that Victoria could remember. And Nick, well he seemed annoyed at Heath as well as preoccupied.

Yes, the more she thought about it the more she was sure there was something wrong. The two of them were … polite … yes, that is how she would characterize it. They were polite with each other, no more, no less. She decided to seek out Jarrod and see if he knew what was going on.

Victoria walked into his study without knocking. Jarrod hurriedly shoved something in his desk drawer and closed it with a resounding thump.

"Mother. You should know better than to come barging into a person’s private study, especially at the holiday season. You’re going to spoil all my hard work."

Jarrod led his mother over to one of the chairs and perched himself on one across from her. He crossed his arms on his chest and said, "So suppose you tell me what is wrong?"

"How do you know something is wrong?" she inquired out of curiosity.

"Mother dear, whenever you come barging into my study without knocking, it is because you’re so preoccupied with something that it doesn’t even occur to you to knock. "

Victoria chuckled. "My son, the lawyer."

"And let me even go further out on a limb here. If I had to hazard a guess I’d say you are here to ask me what is wrong between Nick and Heath."

"Guilty as charged Counselor."

"Well, my dear women. I haven’t the foggiest notion what is up with those two. I can tell you they are on the outs with each other but as to why…" Jarrod spread his hands and shrugged his shoulders.

"Give them time Mother. I’m sure they will resolve it themselves. Remember the time when they both were trying to catch the eye of the same pretty seamstress in town. I don’t think they spoke civilly for three weeks after she chose to go to the dance with Heath. Course in the end she dumped them both for the undertaker’s son. Go figure," Jarrod laughed.

"Anyway, I seem to recall it got pretty frosty around here between those two. Then one day Heath came in with that smile on his face, you know the one I mean. The one that says I just did something to Nick, that I know I shouldn’t have, I am probably gonna be beat to a pulp for doing it, but boy howdy was it fun."

Victoria smiled at her eldest son’s description.

"And like that, the skirmish was over and the two of them were thicker than thieves."

Jarrod walked over and kissed his Mother on the top of the head. "Give this time too Mother. It will blow over. Nick and Heath are too alike. They are both as stubborn as a mule and it takes them a while to see reason … a Barkley quality I am happy to say that I am not afflicted with."

Victoria really laughed this time. Jarrod was every bit as stubborn as his brothers were, the only thing was he was a little more sophisticated about it.

When Victoria left the study she was feeling a lot better. Jarrod was probably right. Time would take care of whatever their problem was.

-------------------4

Nick felt like a little kid again on Christmas. He was so excited about giving the horse and saddle to Christine. He could hardly wait until it was time to pick her up for dinner and as it was he arrived at the Boarding House 45 minutes early and had to sit and wait for Christine. He paced about the room driving Martha nuts until she finally told him to sit down or she’d glue him to the chair. Nick flung himself into a chair as requested, but he couldn’t seem to stop his foot from tapping impatiently on the floor. After what seemed like an eternity, Christine finally came downstairs. Nick rushed her, Martha and Jimmy out the door and into the carriage.

He didn’t have much of a chance to talk to Christine on the ride to the ranch. Martha dominated the conversation as usual. For once, Nick thought the ride to the ranch took too long and he kept hurrying the team along.

Victoria greeted them at the door giving Martha a big hug and Christine a kiss on the cheek.

"Is it time for presents yet?" Nick asked as he came into the house.

"I thought we would do that after dinner as we usually do," Victoria answered. Victoria almost laughed at the crest fallen look on her son’s face.

"After dinner," he practically whined.

"As usual," she said as she led Martha, Jimmy and Christine into the parlor where the rest of the family was assembled.

Nick suffered through the ‘social hour’ as he thought of it in his mind and then through dinner. At the conclusion of dinner he declared they would do presents before dessert.

Victoria laughed and tussled her son’s hair. "All right Nick. If it will make you happy we’ll do presents before dessert."

Nick hustled them into the living room.

"Who’s first?" he asked.

"I would thought that would be you Nicholas since you seem so determined to get us here," Victoria teased.

"Oh no. I want to go last."

"What!" Jarrod chided. "First you can’t wait to open presents and now you want to go last?"

Nick shook his head in concurrence and stood smugly behind Christine, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders.

"All right then," Jarrod said walking over to the pile of presents and selecting one. "This is for you Mother from me. Hopefully, it is still a surprise," he added alluding to the fact she had nearly seen it about two weeks ago when she burst into his office unannounced.

Victoria smiled at her son as she carefully unwrapped the pretty package. Inside was a pendant of exquisite craftsmanship.

"Oh Jarrod. This is very beautiful. The workmanship is so delicate," Victoria said in awe.

"It is by a new artist named Peter Carl Faberge. He owns a jewelry store in Russia and a few of his pieces have found their way to the States. They say he is the premier goldsmith of his country," Jarrod informed her.

"I can certainly see why," she said as she examined the pendant. She got up and kissed her son on the cheek. "Thank you Jarrod. I shall cherish this and think of you every time I wear it."

Jarrod blushed slightly. "Ah.. who’s next?" he said to cover his embarrassment.

The rest of the family exchanged gifts with one and other. Christine presented Nick with a pair of custom-made boots and fancy spurs.

"Your mother helped me by lending me a pair of your old boots to use as the model," Christine told Nick.

"So that is where they got too. I was looking all over the place for them the other day," Nick declared. "Well, it’s my turn to play Saint Nick now."

Christine looked at him expectantly. Nick handed her a big box with a pretty ribbon tied around it. Christine opened it and looked inside. She pulled out a pair of jophers, a shirt, riding jacket and even a pair of boots.

"I’m told this is what all the fashionable, Eastern, riders wear to sit a horse," Nick grinned. "And, I too asked Mother’s help in getting your correct size. Seems Mother was a regular little elf this year."

Christine smiled warmly at Nick. "These are wonderful Nick. You shouldn’t have."

Nick peered into the box. "There is a little box in the corner you missed."

Everyone got very silent as Christine pulled a small jewelry box out of the large box. She looked quickly at Nick. He shook his head at her to go on and she carefully flipped up the lid. The lid of the box hid the contents from the rest of the room.

"Oh Nick. It, it is beautiful." Christine delicately pulled out a stickpin encrusted with diamonds in the shape of a C.

An audible sigh went around the room Jarrod would swear as Christine displayed the pin and not the expected ring from the box. The person who looked most relieved was Heath, Jarrod noted.

"I understand all the fashionable lady riders wear such an accompaniment at their throat while out and about," he added.

Christine got up and flung her arms around Nick’s neck and gave him a big kiss right in front of his whole family. Nick was still grinning from ear to ear.

"Perhaps, you should save your expressions of gratitude for a few more minutes," he told Christine.

Christine stepped back and looked at her handsome cowboy in puzzlement. Nick grabbed her hand and practically dragged her out of the house to the corral. The rest of the family and friends trailed along behind them

"Wait here," Nick commanded as he disappeared into the barn. He came out a few minutes later leading the dapple-grey mare in full English tack.

"For you, my Princess," he said with a gallant little bow.

Christine was speechless. She kept running her hands over the beautiful mare’s coat and fingering the real English saddle.

"Oh Nick, this is too much … I mean how did you ever …". Christine flung her arms about Nick and gave him a most passionate kiss.

"I think we should adjourn back to the parlor for coffee," Victoria suggested tactfully. The family and friends headed back to the house leaving Christine and Nick alone in the paddock.

A short while later Nick and Chris came back into the house.

"Oh good, we can have dessert now," Victoria declared.

"Not us mother, we are going for a ride," Nick stated.

"We can go later or another day," Christine suggested tactfully to Nick. "Your Mother wishes to serve dessert. The ride will wait."

"No it won’t. I have been waiting two weeks to give that mare to you," Nick grumbled. "If we wait any longer it will get dark."

Victoria smiled at the two of them. "Go ahead for your ride. Dessert is not that important. I’m sure there will be some left when you get back."

Jarrod waited for Heath to contradict his Mother as he usually would when it involved he, Nick and food. When he didn’t say anything, Jarrod looked in his direction in surprise. Heath was fiddling with a new pocket knife he had received trying for all the world to look as if he wasn’t paying attention to what was going on. Jarrod mentally filed this away as Christine went upstairs to change into her new outfit. The rest of them filed into the dining room for desert.

Christine reached up to shorten the stirrups on the mare. Nick watched with interest as she measured the length of the stirrup against her arm length before selecting a hole. She placed her foot in the stirrup and smoothly mounted the grey mare. It felt so good, no natural, to settle into a English saddle again. She let her feet dangle and confirmed that the stirrups hit her anklebones. Perfect she thought. She gathered the circular reins up in her hands, instinctually sliding them between the proper fingers.

Nick watched as Chris’ whole demeanor changed as soon as she got in that English saddle. She instinctually straighten her back, turned in her toes, and set her wrists parallel to the ground. Nick could tell she was now in her element as she had never been on a western pony.

Christine beamed down at Nick. "I forgot to ask, does she have a name?"

"Her papers said she was Misty of the Hollow Hills. We have been calling her Misty."

"I like it," she declared.

Nick mounted Coco and the two of them cantered across the fields.

Christine was enjoying herself so much, she regretted when Nick pulled up beside their favorite pond to give the horses a breather. He helped Christine down, leaving his arm about her waist as the strolled along the pond’s edge. When they came to a fallen log, Christine sat on top of it and Nick plopped on the ground at her feet. Chris ran her fingers through his dark, thick hair, tickling his ear with one overly long strand. Nick turned around and pulled her down onto his lap. She leaned back against his raised knees and starred into his hazel eyes.

"Nicholas Jonathon Barkley. I think this is the most wonderful Christmas I have ever had. I don’t want this day to ever end."

Nick kissed her on the lips as he whispered, "Mine too. Maybe we should …"

Christine placed a finger over his lips to shush him and the she replaced a her fingers with a kiss.

As was custom, the men retired to the poolroom while the ladies stayed in the parlor after dessert. Jimmy opted to go outside to the barn to see the horses, which he so adored.

Jarrod thrust a pool stick into Heath’s hand before he could sack out on the couch. Jarrod want to have a little talk with his brother. Heath grunted but racked the balls. Jarrod offered Heath the break. Heath sent the cue ball crashing into the rest of them then stood back to see how the break would fallout. Jarrod decided to test the waters.

"I’d say Christine was rather pleased with Nick’s gifts," Jarrod ventured.

"Yep," was Heath’s answer as he lined up for his next shot.

"She certainly seems fond of our brother and he of her."

"Suppose so," came Heath’s monotone reply as he missed his shot and turned the table over to Jarrod.

Jarrod took his time scanning the table for a likely shot. He stopped to chalk his stick.

"Have to admit," Jarrod said as he bent over the table. He took his shot, straightened and looked over at Heath. "I thought she was gonna pull an engagement ring out of that box."

Jarrod watched Heath’s face for his reaction. His brother tried to hide it but Jarrod detected a slight wince at his comment. Jarrod laid his stick across the unfinished game and leaned both knuckles on the table’s edge as he addressed his brother.

"Heath. Do you want to tell me what is going on? It hasn’t escaped anyone’s notice in this family that you and Nick are out of sorts."

Heath walked over and placed his pool stick in the holder on the wall. When he didn’t seem inclined to answer Jarrod pushed him harder.

"Is it something with Christine? Do you have something against her?"

"No," came the monotone reply again.

"Well then did Nick do something?"

Heath shook his head no as he picked up the cue ball and examined it.

Jarrod was getting nowhere. He decided to voice the one thing he feared most. "Do you like Christine yourself?"

Heath rolled the ball back in forth in his hands. "Of course Jarrod. We all like her. You, Mother, Eugene …" Heath let his voice trail off.

Jarrod didn’t know whether his brother was being evasive with him or not. He certainly answered the question but not in the way Jarrod had intended. He fixed his piercing lawyer’s stare on his younger brother. "I don’t believe you answered my question Heath," he said in a cold voice. "Let me rephrase it to be perfectly clear. Do you love Christine Heath?"

"No, oh my god no Jarrod," Heath said in a panic. "Is that what you think? Is that why you thought Nick and I … oh no Jarrod, you couldn’t be more wrong."

"Then what is it," Jarrod exploded at his brother. He saw Heath cringe slightly at his tone of voice. His brother dropped the cue ball on the table and stalked across the room to the fireplace. He stood there for a moment, his back to Jarrod, gathering his thoughts. He sighed as he turned around and sat down in a chair. Jarrod leaned back against the pool table, arms crossed waiting for his brother to speak.

"It’s nothing so dire as that Jarrod. I hate to disappoint you."

"Trust me, I’m not disappointed," Jarrod replied.

"It’s stupid really. I … well … I think Nick is making a mistake with Christine. Don’t get me wrong, she is a beautiful, intelligent women. Any man would be proud to have her as a wife. But Jarrod, I have gotten to know her pretty well over these last few months, as a friend. She has no intentions of staying her in the West. That girl is East Coast through and through. It wouldn’t be right if Nick asked her to stay here. I don’t think she would or could. And if she asked Nick to …" Heath’s voice trailed off.

Jarrod walked over and sat down across from his brother. "And you don’t think Nick could be happy in the East anymore than she could be happy in the West."

Heath nodded his head.

"Well you never know Heath. People can change, love makes that possible."

"Not Nick. He can’t change his love for this ranch. Oh, he may think he can, for awhile, but a few years down the road he’s gonna regret what he did."

"You don’t know that."

"No, I don’t know that Jarrod. But I do know Nick loves this valley, this ranch, and his family. I do know that contrary to children’s fairy tales, love does not conquer all. And I do know, from personal experience, that trying to change yourself, and I don’t mean the superficial changes, but real changes, changes to who and what you, are never works out." Heath took a breath to gain his composure.

"And you said this to Nick didn’t you?"

Heath flashed a small grin at his brother. "Probably not one of the best ideas I have ever had," he said ruefully.

"So that is what it is all about."

Heath cocked an eyebrow at his brother and shook his head yes.

"Heath, there is nothing you can say or do to stop Nick, you realize that don’t you?"

Heath nodded in agreement.

"My advice to you is stay out of it. There is nothing you can say or do that will change Nick’s mind if it is made up. Don’t let his relationship with Christine spoil your relationship with him. Tell Nick you’re sorry Heath," Jarrod said as he clapped a friendly hand on Heath’s shoulder. "Now come on. Let’s finish the game so we can move on to drinks and cigars."

"And sleeping," Heath added.

---------------5

Jarrod assumed Heath must have taken his advice because by the start of the new year the two were back to their old ways. Both seemed at ease with each other and the ribbing and joking remade an appearance.

Nick had wanted to keep Misty stabled at the ranch but he realized that was inconvenient for Christine. He made arrangements for the horse to be stabled at Martha’s. Martha had a few stalls, though Christine insisted she pay for Jimmy to take care of the horse. Christine said it was above and beyond what she expected as part of her schoolteacher’s stipend.

With the holidays over, the Stockton social scene quieted down and moved back into a slower pace. Nick did not see Christine as often as he had before. She asked him not to drop by the schoolhouse when she was teaching as it disrupted the children and after all, she was being paid to teach.

Nick was also very busy around the ranch. They had a bunch of cattle to move down from the high elevations where they might get snowed in. That kept Nick and the ranch hands busy as some of the cattle also had to be branded. He found his time not his own and many a night, by the time they made the long ride back to the house, it was too late to go calling on Christine. Some nights they stayed out in the line shack. He fretted at the bit not being able to see his girl.

Christine folded the letter and laid it on the bureau. It was from her brother and was not good news. He said father had got pneumonia over the Christmas holidays. Her brother assured her was getting better but still Christine worried. Her father was not a young man. She wanted to go see him. She missed her home in the East.

Heath looked up from his card game in surprise when Nick walked into the saloon. Nick headed to the bar and demanded a whiskey from the bartender. Heath declared himself out and threw his cards on the table.

Nick watched out of the corner of his eye as Heath approached. He didn’t feel like talking to anyone and realized that coming in here had been a mistake. He tossed back his whiskey and motioned for the bartender to pour another.

"Thought you were seeing Chris tonight," Heath said as he joined Nick at the bar.

Nick had thought that too until he gotten to Martha’s. Christine had come down and informed him she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to stay home. Nick had been agreeable and said they could just sit at Martha’s if she preferred. But she had meant alone, she had asked him to leave. Alone, Nick thought as he angrily tossed back the second whiskey and motioned for a third.

"Whoa there Nick. You’d better take an easy. I don’t cotton to having to carry you home tonight,’ Heath said trying to lighten the mood.

"I don’t need you carrying me boy … ever. Mind your own business," Nick snapped as he tossed back the third drink, threw some money on the bar and stalked out of the saloon.

Heath picked his whiskey up and rejoined the card game. He resettled his hat on his head as the dealer passed out the cards. Heath didn’t know what had happened between Nick and Christine, but he knew one thing. He wasn’t getting involved this time.

Nick stormed out to where Coco was tied and jerked the horse loose from the rail. He mounted and rode hell bent for leather out of the town. When his temper cooled down he eased Coco back. He hadn’t meant to snap at Heath. He knew his brother was concerned. It wasn’t his brother he was mad at but himself. Nick didn’t understand what was going on between him and Christine.

It seemed like Christine was avoiding him. She had only accepted a few of his offers for dinner and the like; the rest of the times she had pleaded illness or a previous engagement. He didn’t understand what was wrong. He loved her and he thought she loved him too. Had he been wrong?

He tried to think back to when this avoidance started. As near as he could recollect, she cancelled her first engagement right around the start of the new year. That was when she had also asked him to stop visiting at the schoolhouse. Nick thought back to the last week of December. Had he done something? She had truly seemed overjoyed with the grey mare, the saddle and the like. He had seen her often enough wearing the initial stickpin.

The pin. Hadn’t Heath joked about that? Yes, when he had apologized to Nick for sticking his nose in Nick’s business, hadn’t Heath joked that he thought the pin was gonna be an ring? You don’t suppose … that perhaps Heath wasn’t the only one who thought that the pin was going to be a ring? Had Christine expected Nick to propose to her at Christmas?

Yes, thought Nick. Maybe that was it. She had expected a proposal and when she didn’t receive one… he had been a fool. She was pushing him away because she probably thought he wasn’t serious about her. What a damn fool he was. Well, he would make it up to her. Yes, Valentine’s Day was coming and he would make it up to her… and ask her to marry him.

Christine folded the recent letter from her brother and placed it in the box in her bureau with the rest of them. He had written that Father had taken a turn for the worse. The Doctor’s were suggesting that perhaps he should move to a warmer climate, like in the South. Her brother was going to make the arrangements and that she shouldn’t worry about it. But how could she not worry, she out here in the far West and her father, ill in the East. It prayed on her mind.

Christine sighed as she gazed out the window of her room. Her thoughts turned to her other problem, namely Nick. She had been overwhelmed by his generosity at Christmas. She had been so afraid that when she opened the jewelry box it would contain a ring. She didn’t know how she would have handled that. It wasn’t that she didn’t love Nick. In a way, she did, very deeply. However, receiving the letters from her brother only confirmed something she had tried to forget. She was an East Coast woman and try as she might, she knew she would never be happy in the West.

When she first met Nick and started to fall in love with the handsome cowboy, she told herself that she could learn to live out here. She know realized that for the lie it was. As someone once wrote, it was a nice place to visit but she didn’t want to live here.

She had tried to tell herself that if Nick loved her enough, surely he could move back East with her. As she got to know Nick better, she realized he loved the West as much as she loved the East. Oh, he might move back East with her, but she also knew in a few years, he would be pining for this valley. No, it would be no fairer to make him give up the West for her, anymore than it would be for her to have to give up the East for him.

She sighed again. She had been trying to cool the relationship off. She had come up with excuses to cancel their dates, hoping he would perhaps grow disenchanted with her and look elsewhere. It broke her heart to watch her handsome cowboy ride off alone. She was dying to run after him, begging him to stay. But, she was a practical girl; her father had raised her as such and she believe, in the end, their love was doomed. She chided herself for ever allowing it to go so far in the first place.

"Pappy, I want to talk to you," Nick announced as he strode into the study.

Jarrod looked up from his papers. This was serious if Nick was calling him Pappy. Jarrod came around his desk and faced his brother. "Yes Nick."

Nick came right to the punch. "I aim to marry Christine."

"I see," was all Jarrod said.

"Well now," Nick said looking closely at his brother. "You don’t seem very happy about my announcement."

Jarrod took his time in answering. He didn’t know what to say. He was happy for Nick but he also had what Heath had said a month ago in the back of his mind.

"I am happy for you Nick. Very happy. You just caught me off guard."

Nick grunted at his brother and crossed his arms. He no more believed that Jarrod was happy then he believed Coco had five legs.

"Have you proposed to her yet?"

"Thought I’d do it on Valentine’s Day. Romantic ya know."

"It is at that," Jarrod agreed with reluctance.

"Ok Jarrod, out with it. I know you better than that and I know you are not saying something. What is on your mind Pappy."

Jarrod hesitated before speaking. Knowing he was probably not making a wise decision he asked Nick, "Have you thought about where you are going to live?"

A smile slowly dawned across Nick’s face. He leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Ah, now I do see. You’ve been talking to a certain younger brother of ours."

Nick pushed off the wall and started pacing around the room. "I’d bet you had a hand in that apology of his too."

"Nick I…"

"Don’t bother to deny it Counselor. There are laws about that. I believe it is called perjury. Why is everyone so against Christine and I? I come to you, my brother, wanting to share the happiest news of my life and you try to shoot me down," Nick said bitterly.

"Nick, I am not trying to shoot you down. I’m just trying to make sure you thought this through."

"Ah yes… Nicholas Barkley, the impulsive one. The one who rushes in where others fear to tread."

"That’s not what I meant Nick."

"Well exactly what did you mean Counselor?"

"All right Nick. Where do you plan to live after you are married, here or back East?"

"Ah, so it is that again."

"Well answer the question Nick."

"Here of course."

"And if she doesn’t want to Nick?"

"Why wouldn’t she want to Jarrod. Oh I know she said she was only going to be here for a year, but now that she was lived here I am sure she has changed her mind."

"Are you Nick. Are you so sure she has changed her mind? Has she said so, or are you deluding yourself," Jarrod asked his brother hating every word he said.

Nick stared quietly at his brother. Jarrod could see the hurt in Nick’s eyes. It made Jarrod feel like a heel.

"No Jarrod. I can not say that she has specifically stated she wants to live here. But I love her Jarrod. And if she won’t stay here then I will move back East with her."

Jarrod was shocked to hear his brother say that in such a cavalier tone.

Knowing he was driving another nail in his own coffin, Jarrod asked, "Can you Nick? Can you honestly tell me you will be able to move East? To give up this ranch, this valley, your family. And before you answer too quickly, think about this. Will you be happy Nick? Is that how you want to spend the rest of your life? And if you grow discontented, what will that do to Christine and your marriage."

Jarrod walked over and put an arm on his brother’s shoulder.

"Nick, you more than any of us is tied to this ranch. I think this ranch and this valley make up a part of your soul."

"Heath can run the ranch if I leave Jarrod."

"I am not talking about someone running this ranch Nick. I am talking about you and what makes you the person you are. I do not think you can give up this life or the ranch anymore than I could give up the law. It is your lifeblood. And while you might be able to escape it for a while, I think, in the end, it will destroy you and everything you have."

Nick looked Jarrod straight in the eye. "I love her Jarrod, don’t you understand that?"

"I do understand that Nick. I’m just asking you to …I don’t know. Just be sure. Please, be very sure this is what you want and what she wants. And that both of you can live with the decision today as well as tomorrow."

Nick nodded his head at his brother and then left the room.

Jarrod sat down behind his desk, frustrated by the whole encounter and unable to decide if what he did was right. Oh it had been so easy for him to tell Heath to mind his own business but, Jarrod thought ruefully, I don’t think I took my own advice.

Nothing Jarrod said changed Nick’s mind in the least. He admitted, he hadn’t given a lot of thought to where they would live. He had assumed, as he told Jarrod, they would live here at the ranch. Surely Christine had grown to love this valley as much as he did. She was always saying how pretty it was and how Stockton wasn’t nearly as backwards as her Eastern friends had told her the West was. Surely that meant she could live here.

Nick paused his thoughts. Suppose, just suppose Jarrod and Heath were right and Christine would only live back East. Then what? Was what he told Jarrod true? Could he really leave this ranch and his family? Nick stood on the front porch letting his gaze sweep the vistas. Yes, he did love this place, but he also loved Christine. And where she went, he would follow.

The next week passed quickly for Nick. He was making plans for his Valentine’s Day proposal. He went into San Francisco and picked out a ring. He also stopped and brought a few bottle of some very special champagne he would use to toast the announcement of his engagement with his family. He made arrangements for a candle lit dinner for two at Stockton’s best restaurant. Everything was falling into place nicely.

Victoria knew Nick was very happy and that he was up to something. She also noticed that both Heath and Jarrod were unusually quiet. She believed she knew the cause of Nick’s happiness and perhaps the reason for her other son’s quietness.

Christine thanked the boy who brought the telegram to her at the schoolhouse. She gave him a coin for his trouble. Her heart beat faster as she unfolded the message. It could not be good news. She read it once, then read it again. She looked at the children who were still studying in their primers. She reread the telegram again as if that would change the news it contained, but it did not. It still said, Father dying … come home … hurry.

Christine held back the tears that threatened to fall. She cleared her throat and addressed the children.

"Ok children. That will be all for today. I am letting you out a little early. Please use your free time in a constructive manner."

The children yelled yippee, gathered their things and flew out the door. Soon Christine was sitting alone in the schoolhouse. She tidied her desk and left. She had a lot to do if she was going to catch the morning train East.

William Bratt, the head of the school board, was out of town his wife informed her. Christine thanked her and headed back to Martha’s. Victoria Barkley was the alternative on the school board when Mr. Bratt wasn’t around. Christine would have to go see her and explain she was leaving. She would also have to tell Nick.

Nick was thrilled to see the dapple-grey mare standing in front of the house. Christine must he here he thought cheerfully. This had to be a good sign. Nick whistled a gay little tune as he put Coco in the corral and headed for the house.

For once he didn’t bellow when he came in but followed the sound of voices to where Victoria and Christine sat. The minute Nick entered the room he knew something was wrong. He could tell by looking at Christine that she had been crying.

Victoria looked up at her son. Her eyes held untold sadness for him. Christine had just told her she was leaving on the morning train for the East. Christine said now that he was dying, she could not leave her father. She had gone on to tell Victoria that while she loved her son, it would never work out between them. She could not live in the West and while she loved Nick, she could not ask him to move East. He might go and Christine knew, it the end, it would be mistake that would hurt them both. Victoria felt sad for her son who’s hurt was about to be broken.

Christine stood as Nick entered the room.

"Nick, I need to talk to you."

Victoria rose to leave the room.

"You don’t have to leave Victoria. I would prefer if Nick and I went outside. Thank you for everything."

Victoria came over and took Christine’s hand briefly as she searched her eyes.

"Are you sure child?"

Christine quickly shook her head yes.

"Then farewell and best wishes," Victoria said in a husky voice.

Nick looked at his mother in confusion. Why was she bidding Christine farewell?

Christine took Nick’s arm and led him out to the porch. She sat on the bench and asked Nick to join her.

"Nick, this isn’t going to be easy so please, let me say what I have to without interruption."

Christine drew a deep breath before continuing. "Nick, my father is very ill and I have to go back East to him."

Nick sighed inwardly in relief. So that was why his mother had bid her farewell. He started to speak.

"Nick, I am not done yet. I am leaving Stockton on the morning train. I … I will not be returning."

Nick felt his heart sink to his boots. "But I love you," was all he could think to say.

Christine reached up a hand and touched his cheek tenderly. "And I love you to Nick. But it will not work out between us. My place is with my father, until he dies."

"I am sorry to her about your father Christine but after he … well … I mean … why won’t you come back?"

Christine lowered her eyes and stared at her hands. "I can’t Nick. I don’t fit here, in the West, in your world. I belong in the East. I can’t be happy here, never truly happy."

"I’ll move East with you," Nick pledged.

Christine smiled up at him, her eyes moist with tears. "Nick, you can no longer live in the East then I here. Shush," she said putting a finger to his lips. "I know you think you can now, because of your love for me, but in the end you would end up hating me for making you give this all up Nick. You are a part of this place and to take you away is the same as killing a piece of you."

Nick winced to hear her say the same things to him that Jarrod and Heath had. He couldn’t let her go … he couldn’t. He slid off the bench and dropped to one knee.

"Marry me Christine, here now, tonight. We’ll both go back East and take care of your father. After he is, well we have time to decide where our future lies."

Christine sprang from the bench. "No Nick, stop this. I won’t marry you, I can’t."

"Christine," Nick pleaded. "Please."

Christine pulled herself up tall and tried to put steel in her voice.

"No Nick. My answer is no. I have to leave now. I have a lot of packing to do," she said, her voice breaking.

She ran towards her mare and climbed into the saddle. She took one last look at the handsome cowboy as he slowly climbed to his feet. With her heart breaking, she wrenched the mare’s head around and spurred her into a gallop towards the town.

Nick stood still and watched as she rode out of sight. His heart felt like someone had stabbed a knife through it. He turned towards the front door and then changed his mind and headed for the corral. He mounted Coco and rode in the opposite direction from Christine. He needed to be alone.

Victoria watched as Nick rode off across the plains. Her heart wept for her middle son.

Nick found himself at the pond … their pond. He dismounted Coco and left him tied to a tree. Nick wandered along the pond’s edge stopping at the soft patch of moss they had used as a blanket many nights here. Nick dropped to his knees on the moss and ran a hand over its tender surface. He beat his fist into the ground. Why, why he screamed. He bowed his head and let tears of anger, fear and disappointment flow from his eyes to the moss below.

In her room, Christine cried too as she tried to pack her bags. Why did this have to happen to her? Why did she ever come to this place and let herself fall in love. And why, if what she was doing was right, did it hurt so much.

Victoria waited up long into the night for her son to return. She finally gave up hope that he would come home and headed off to bed. She didn’t know what she would have said or done if he had walked through the door. But she wanted to be there for him, just the same.

Nick showed up on the station platform. He was dirty and unshaven but he didn’t care. He had done a lot of thinking last night and he had to see Christine one more time before she left. He spotted her familiar red hair on the far end of the platform. He hurried her way.

"Christine, wait."

Christine stopped boarding the train and looked at Nick. She did not look much better than he did.

"Nick, there is nothing more to say. Please leave. You are making this harder."

"Christine, are you sure. Are you truly sure? I swear I will come East with you, or wait here or do whatever you want."

"No Nick. No today. No tomorrow. No forever."

Nick walked over and gathered her in his arms one last time. He kissed her roughly on the lips and muttered hoarsely. "I love you Christine. I always will. I will never forget you."

"Nor I you Nicholas Jonathan Barkley."

He released her as he told himself he would. He had to be sure. He had to give her one more chance to change her mind. And, he had told himself if her answer was still no, which it was, he would let her go, without any further scenes.

He released her slowly and stepped back.

She caught her bottom lip in her teeth and started to board the train. She hesitated at the top step and for a moment, Nick thought she would change her mind. Then she continued upwards and into the car.

Nick stood on the platform and watched the train pull out. He saw one last glimpse of her at the window. He raised his hand to wave as the train left the station. When it was gone, he turned and headed back to his horse. He mounted and turned Coco’s head towards the ranch. Home he thought though now it felt more like his prison.

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