Jarrod was helping himself to a whisky when the front door opened a little later to reveal an exhausted, frozen and quite incredibly dirty Eugene. He surveyed his erring young brother with a raised eyebrow and a somewhat sardonic expression. Gene was not thrilled to see his eldest brother, "hello Jarrod," he ventured rather sheepishly.

Well! there seems to be more mud on you than in the ditch."

Gene grinned, "I have truly suffered, you don't need to make me sorry I promise."

"Fortunately for you I haven't the energy to get on your tail." He poured his younger brother a drink smiling, "I suggest you drink that standing up unless you want to incur Mother's displeasure by laying mud on the furniture."

Eugene stood beside Jarrod, "actually Jarrod, I wanted to say I'm sorry, I know it's high time

I settled down to work...the thing is..."

Jarrod gave his shoulder a friendly slap, "I know what the thing is."

"You do?"

"Uh huh, you got so sick of the Dean and all my old professors telling you what a model student I was and how much you have to live up to, am I right?"

Gene nodded, "something like that, yeah."

Jarrod laid a hand on his brother's shoulder, "listen Gene, you have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone here at home, so do me a favour please? Relax, enjoy college and be yourself."

Eugene smiled at Jarrod affectionately, "I will, and no more trouble, I swear it!"

Jarrod grinned at him, "don't make promises you might have trouble keeping!"

"Eugene dear!" Victoria came and kissed the cleanest part of her youngest son that she could see. "What on earth?" She lifted his right hand and examined the palm, it was calloused to blood raw blisters and his other hand was worse. "When I get hold of Nick!" Victoria coaxed Gene up the stairs with promises of a hot bath and bandages. Jarrod watched them go, smiling, his little brother would be alright, nothing to worry over, if only Danny presented that small a problem!

When they had a quiet moment alone, Jarrod thanked Sarah for her skillful bestowing of the horse on Danny. Sarah smiled naughtily at her husband, "dazzled him didn't I?"

Jarrod gallantly kissed her hand, "you have that effect on a lot of men my dear!"

Sarah grinned, "I can't take all the credit, Nick and I sort of plotted it together."

Jarrod felt a serpent of jealousy twist in his guts and was instantly ashamed of it, "I didn't know you and Nick had spoken about it," his voice was light and casual.

"Just when we arrived home, he mentioned it in the barn, he thought maybe I could entice Danny out to at least see the horses."

Jarrod smiled, "well good for Nick and you, it's a start at least."

"Actually Jarrod, I was waiting to talk to you privately, to tell you that I've done something rather more useful in connection with Danny today."

"Oh yes?"

"Yes, I know that you've sent some wires to San Francisco, to start investigating the disappearance of Scott Mathews and it occurred to me that I could probably help. After all if he has been killed or something else sensational has happened to him, my journalist friends should be able to dig out the details. So I've sent a few wires myself." Her eyes searched her husband's face, seeking his approval for her actions.

Jarrod was touched by her thoughtfulness and her concern, he kissed her warmly, "thank you Darling, that was well done of you." It was indeed well done, he reflected inwardly, and more than he deserved after his cavalier treatment of her. Not for the first time, Jarrod Barkley silently thanked God for bringing Sarah Faires into his life.

It was the custom in the Barkley family to share problems and troubles and if necessary to face them as a united group of people. So it was natural that late that evening, with Danny safely tucked up in bed, the family were gathered together in the library, enjoying their last coffee of the day and discussing Danny's situation. Jarrod had told them that he had made it plain to the boy that he was here to stay and that no further argument would be brooked.

"It's a puzzle Jarrod," sighed Victoria, "didn't you tell me that you and the boy got on fine when you lived with them?"

"Yes, that's why I felt I could adopt him, I was even arrogant enough to imagine that he would be pleased about it."

Victoria smiled at Jarrod, "we'll all help you as much as we can Dear, you know that."

"I do know," Jarrod looked at them all, "I want all of you to know that I appreciate your support, I hope you'll all continue to be patient with the boy."

Heath took advantage of a lull in the general conversation to take Jarrod to one side, "you know Jarrod I've been thinking, if I were Danny, after the talk you two had this afternoon, I know what I'd be planning on doing tonight."

"What might that be Heath?"

"I'd be planning on running away," said Heath bluntly.

Jarrod was thoughtful for a moment then he smiled ruefully at his younger brother, "much obliged Heath, I hadn't given it any thought, but you may well be right."

"Want any help keeping an eye on him tonight?"

Jarrod sighed, "no thanks Heath, I have work to do anyway, I'll take care of it, but thanks for the advance warning!"

"My pleasure," said Heath quietly, "God knows you've done enough for me since the day I came here."

Jarrod was rather touched and laid an affectionate hand on the blond young man's shoulder, "the day you came here was a good day for this family Little Brother."

hapter 7      Flight

Jarrod's trip to Maybury had interrupted his preparatory work on his latest case. The matter was one dear to his heart as he was defending the rights of some of the poorest farmers in the Valley and though it was not a case from which he expected to make any money, there was an important principle at stake. He relished the forthcoming courtroom battle in which he would be fighting for some decent and deserving people against the might of the State Government. Staying up late to deter any break for freedom by his protégé would give him an opportunity to catch up with his preparation on the case.

After everyone else had gone to bed, Jarrod settled himself in his favourite arm chair, it had been his father's favourite also, he spread his papers on the low table in front of him and set to work. He had considered whether Danny would choose to exit by the front or back door and had reasoned that the boy would choose the front door. Silas had comfortable quarters behind the kitchen and Jarrod felt that Danny would not want to get his new friend involved in his escape attempt by going out the back way.

He worked steadily for a time, pausing only to help himself to an occasional brandy and was beginning to think that he and Heath had perhaps been wrong, when he distinctly heard the sound of stealthy footsteps on the stairs. Jarrod glanced at the clock, it was almost midnight. A moment later Danny's tiptoing figure came into view, headed straight for the front door. He didn't glance Jarrod's way and Jarrod stood up silently and moved to the centre of the foyer. Danny was reaching for the door handle when Jarrod's voice froze him in his tracks, "going somewhere Danny?"

The boy turned around and glared resentfully at Jarrod, he didn't answer the question. Suddenly he made a grab for the door and Jarrod spoke more sharply, "don't make me come and fetch you boy!"

Danny stood irresolute and Jarrod softened his voice a little, "close the door and come and sit down Son."

Reluctantly, Danny came and sat in the chair next to Jarrod's, he stared at the floor, his face a sullen mask. Jarrod began to sort and tidy the papers in front of him, "where were you going to go?"

"Don't know, just away I guess."

"That doesn't sound like much of a scheme, how did you plan on taking care of yourself, making your living?"

There was only a shrug in reply to this.

Jarrod went on, "well it doesn't much matter Danny, I won't permit you to run away anyway." His voice was pleasant but Danny didn't doubt that he meant what he said. He looked at the papers on the table, "I thought everyone would be asleep," his voice was sad and weary, Jarrod felt sorry for him. "I have a case coming into court soon, I have a lot of preparation to do for it."

Danny grimaced, "it sure looks hard!"

"Not for me, I love my work." Some words of Sarah's from earlier in the day came back to Jarrod, she had suggested that Danny needed to get to know Jarrod the man, as the man he knew was Dakota.

"Tell you what, why don't you come to court with Sarah next week and see what a lawyer does, would you like that?"

Danny was about to nod eagerly, bethought him of his policy of non co-operation and shrugged indifferently instead. Jarrod was not deceived, "I'll arrange it," he said cheerfully. Danny shot him an angry look and scowled sulkily, resuming his study of the floor.

Jarrod had finished tidying his work and put the documents into his leather case, he smiled at the glowering boy, "back to sleep for you young man, go and get undressed and into bed, I'll be there in a minute."

Danny went slowly back to his room and was sitting up in bed when Jarrod came in and sat on the chair beside the bed. The boy looked forlorn and miserable and Jarrod patted him on the shoulder sympathetically, "Danny I know you feel sad and lonely and that this ranch seems very strange and scary to you. It's only natural that you should feel that way, you've been through a great deal, more than any boy should have to face. I want you to try not to worry too much, everything will settle down and in time you'll start to feel at home." he pushed up Danny's chin and smiled, "who knows you might even like it here."

The boy pulled away, "I...won't!"

Jarrod hid his irritation, "I hope you will, but whether you do or not, you ARE staying here Danny. I don't intend to stand guard every night to prevent you running off but if you do, I'll have all forty men on this ranch looking for you and they will find you, I can promise you that" He considered the boy for a moment, "I'd like you to promise me that you won't run away again."

Danny scowled and shook his head. Jarrod spoke more sternly, "there are locks on your bedroom door and the windows Danny, I hope you don't force me to use them."

Danny thought this over for a moment then whispered reluctantly, "I promise I won't run off."

Jarrod ruffled his mop of light brown hair, "glad to hear it, get some rest now."

He turned and had reached the door when the boy spoke again, "but I won't stay with you, I'll...I'll MAKE you send me away!" He cast himself face down in his bed and pulled the bedclothes over his head. Jarrod didn't respond just went quietly away.

hapter 8      A campaign begins

It had sounded like an empty threat, just childish petulance, certainly that is what Jarrod took it for but the very next morning provided him with a demonsration of Danny's new strategy. Jarrod had left his leather attache case, containing his opening speech to the jury, on the living room table, where he had been working the previous night. About to leave for Stockton, he was checking his case ensuring all was in order, to his surprise, the papers were not in the case. Jarrod thought for a moment, running over the previous evening, no, he was certain the speech was in the case. He checked with Silas that he hadn't cleared any paperwork away, knowing quite well that he wouldn't have done so. It was Silas who drew his attention to the little pile of untidy ashes spilled on the hearth.

A cold fury gripped Jarrod for a moment, so his ward had decided on a new course of action had he? He crossed to the stairs and shouted "Daniel! Come down here immediately!"

Danny came, pale and grim, well aware of what had provoked Jarrod's wrath.

Jarrod indicated the ashes, "Did you burn my papers?"

The boy looked at his guardian with defiant eyes,"yes Sir."

Jarrod was sorely tempted to wallop him, but a different lesson might be more effective, "very well, you've just condemned yourself to a very boring morning, wait for me in the library!"

Heath and Nick had ridden out before it was light to set the men working on some much needed fence repair work. They returned mid morning and were dismounting outside the barn when a high pitched animal squeal startled them. Heath looked at Nick, "that sounds like Wiley's old mule Jenny!"

The brothers made their way to the grassy pasture behind the barn, where it was their practice to keep those of their horses now too old to work. Animals past working age were not disposed of on the Barkley ranch, rather they were treated to a comfortable retirement. Horses were Nick Barkley's passion, a passion Heath shared. It was one of the many things they had found in common since Heath's arrival the year before. Horses had been one of the things that had helped to forge the strong bond between the two brothers.

As the pasture came in sight, Nick and Heath could see Eugene rubbing the old mule's nose, and tickling her ears, an activity she enjoyed enough to sqeal with delight. Gene turned to his brothers, "where did this old gal come from?"

Nick grunted and indicated Heath, "Heath and Jarrod seem to think I'm runnin' a rest home for every stray animal in Stockton!" He turned and strode away to the barn.

Heath grinned at Eugene, "ignore him, he sneaks out here every day feeding old Jenny sugar!"

Gene laughed, "I believe it!"

hapter 9      Friends and Brothers, Heath and Eugene

Heath looked appraisingly at his younger brother, "missed you on the fence mending crew this morning."

Gene triumphantly brandished his bandaged hands, "Mother says I can't," his voice was too smug for Heath's liking and he looked austerely at Eugene, "in that case shouldn't you be catching up on your neglected study?"

Gene's usually amiable face wore a frown, "I don't think that's any of your business Heath," his body had stiffened and he faced Heath challengingly. Both pairs of pale blue eyes locked in a glare. Their very similar eyes clearly marked these two as brothers, as did the challenge in both men's expressions.

Gene spoke fiercely, "I've had all the lecturing I'm gonna take from Nick and Jarrod, I'm not taking it from you!"

Heath held the younger man's gaze an instant longer, "you know you're right, it isn't my concern," he said quietly and walked away.

Eugene headed toward the barn, still seething and met Nick there, "what's eating you?" demanded Nick looking keenly at his youngest brother.

"Nothin!" Eugene was glaring indignantly at Heath's retreating figure.

"Don't give me that nothin' hogwash, out with it!"

"Oh, it doesn't matter I guess, but I already have you and Jarrod at me about college and I sure as hell don't need it from him as well! I mean, why is he so worked up about it anyway?"

Nick looked sternly at his youngest brother, "well now, for a college boy you're not awfully smart are you?"

"What does THAT mean?"

Nick jabbed Eugene's shoulder with a hard hand, "ask yourself Baby Brother, if you had a dirt poor start in life like Heath's and little or no educational opportunities since then, how would you feel about a spoiled little rich kid who wasted his?"

Eugene digested this blighting remark for a minute, then he nodded sheepishly, "so I guess an apology wouldn't come amiss huh?"

Nick nodded curtly, "he's in his room, working on the accounts," he turned away from Gene and gathered up Coco's reins.

Eugene went indoors and up to Heath's room where he found his brother wrestling with the stock accounts.

"I can come back if you're busy," Gene said hastily.

Heath slow smile dawned, "please, any break from this torture is welcome!"

"Well, I just wanted to apologise for biting your head off, sorry Big Brother."

Heath shook his head, "forget it."

Gene indicated the welter of paper in front of Heath on his desk, "what is all that?"

Heath sighed, "stock accounts, Nick makes me do em and I'm no damn good at it!"

Eugene frowned, "then why does Nick make you do them?"

Heath shrugged, "well I'm not gonna get any better at it if I don't try."

Gene flushed slightly, "you know Heath, sometimes you make me feel ashamed," he said quietly.

"ME?" Heath was astonished.

"Move over," smiled Eugene pulling up a chair, "you look like you could use a hand"

"Little Brother, I can use all the help I can get!"

The two young men sat companionably together and commenced their attack on the outstanding paperwork.

hapter 10      Defiance

In the library, Jarrod had been reworking his speech for well over an hour, fortunately for him he possessed an excellent memory and it wasn't a difficult task. He had ordered Danny to stand beside the big desk and to stay still.The child was heartily bored, as the Lawyer had intended he should be, but he thought it might be a good idea to let the boy see the amount of work it took to prepare a case for court. At length, he sat back satisfied that he had captured the essence of his previous night's work. "How does this sound to you Daniel?" Jarrod read his speech aloud, he had a compelling voice when he wanted to and his impassioned plea on behalf of the valley's small farmers was stirring stuff. He could sense that Danny was listening intently. He came to the end and smiled at the boy, "well?"

Danny hid his admiration behind a sulky shrug. Jarrod laughed at him, "I hope the judge is more impressed tomorrow young man." He glanced at his watch, "I think you've served your punishment now, why don't you get some fresh air."

At lunchtime, Victoria's kitchen was invaded by the perpetually ravenous Nick and he proceeded to get in her way as she prepared lunch, stealing food and chatting to her as she worked. She had seen the small confrontation between Heath and Gene and quietly asked Nick what is was about. He told her and her brow cleared. "Oh I see! That explains why Gene has been in Heath's room with him all the morning, he must be helping him." She kissed Nick's cheek.

"What did I do?" Nick asked, filching another cake from under his mother's nose.

"More than you know Nick, as usual," answered his mother cryptically.

She looked at her tall handsome son, in so many ways, the image of his father re-born, how anyone could ever think Nick insensitive or boorish, she couldn't think. Indeed, the very thought of trying to run the ranch or cope with the escapades of Audra and Eugene without Nick's strong dependable presence made her feel almost afraid. She comforted herself, one good thing about Nick was that he never strayed far from his beloved ranch!

(Author's note, my next long story Migration From Mexico will show that Victoria is wrong about Nick!)

There was a sudden commotion from outside, Silas could be heard shouting and there was a general bustle of activity.

"What the devil is going on?" Nick headed for the back door, closely followed by Victoria. The reason for all the noise was soon made clear. Danny Mathews had celebrated the end of his incarceration in the study with Jarrod by releasing all the chickens from the hen run, Silas was distractedly trying to re-capture them whilst Ciego got in his way trying to assist him. The culprit was standing helpless with laughter at the devastation he had wrought and didn't spot Nemesis until Nick Barkley seized him by the collar and hauled him off to Jarrod again.

Jarrod sighed as Nick marched the recalcitrant boy up to the desk, "trouble?"

Nick looked sternly at Danny, "are you going to tell him or am I?"

The boy glared resentfully at both Barkley men before resuming his study of the floor.

Jarrod's voice was as cold as ice, "well someone had better tell me and fast!"

Nick told him what had occurred and the harrasses guardian looked at his ward in exasperation. "Can't you stay out of trouble for five minutes together?"

Danny had his stone face on and Jarrod gave it up. "Very well, if you can't behave out of doors or in, you can spend the afternoon in here in disgrace. I can see I need to keep both my eyes on you! Now get washed up for lunch before I decide not to feed you!"

Danny went slowly out and Jarrod leaned back in his chair, "you know Nick, I have a feeling this isn't going to be easy!"

Nick nodded, "I wouldn't have said Danny was the kind of kid to do something like this."

"I don't think he is, I think this is a scheme he has in train to convince me that he's a bad child, so I'll send him away."

Nick grinned, "someone should tell him he's under-estimating you."

Jarrod smiled ruefully, "I wonder what his next trick will be!"

During the afternoon, Sarah arrived home and learned from her mother in law of Danny's misdemeanours. She brought the coffee tray into the library and she and Jarrod sat together on the settee. Danny was standing in the corner by the desk, face to the wall, a dejected figure. On entering Sarah had asked her husband if he wanted his coffee in the library or the living room. Jarrod had raised his voice so Danny could hear the reply, "I'm afraid it needs to be here Sarah, this young man can't be trusted without constant supervision."

They drank their coffee and then Sarah noticed that Danny was surreptitiously wiping away a few tears. "Jarrod, he's had enough," she told her husband quietly.

"Daniel, come here," ordered Jarrod.

The boy came and stood shamefaced before them.

"Danny?" Sarah's voice was soft and gentle.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Who is ma'am?"

"Yes S...Sarah?"

"Would you please saddle our horses and take me riding?"

Danny looked at Jarrod who nodded.

"I'll just be a minute ," the boy smiled at Sarah. He went to the door and looked back, "J..Jarrod?"

"Hhmm?"

"It was a very good speech" He turned and left, leaving Jarrod looking thoughtfully after him.

hapter 11      The Jailbird

It was a few days before Danny's next transgression, not that the intervening period was easy. Danny was sullen, silent and difficult. He was polite and obedient with both Victoria and Sarah but the boy never uttered a spontaneous remark and answered only in monosyllables when he was addressed. He kept his promise though and made no attempt to run off again. With Jarrod himself he was reticent and seemed almost nervous, invariably stammering over his name, calling his mentor J..Jarrod. The Lawyer was becoming increasingly concerned that he was not going to be able to achieve any kind of workable relationship with his difficult charge.

A few days after the burning of Jarrod's speech and the release of the chickens, Jarrod took Danny into town with him, leaving him at the home of an old friend of his mother's, Miss Prentiss, a retired teacher. She had agreed to spend an afternoon with Danny, discovering the precise stage his education had reached, she would then advise The Barkleys about how to tackle the problem of Danny's future schooling. His guardian had warned Danny to behave with Miss Prentiss and the boy had been docile enough when Jarrod left them. He went to his office and busied himself in his work until his office door opened suddenly in the middle of the afternoon to reveal Sheriff Fred Madden.

Jarrod was surprised, "afternon Fred, what can I do for you?"

The Sheriff scratched his head, "well I don't quite know how to tell you this Jarrod, but I have the Mathews boy over in the jail."

"Jail?"

"It seems he got upset at the Prentiss house and ran off, Miss Prentiss was coming to tell you when I met her in the street, she asked me to keep an eye out for the boy and right that minute we saw him. He was running along the street smashing windows with a stick as he went."

"What?"

"I grabbed him and he bit me!" The Sheriff displayed a mauled hand and Jarrod frowned with annoyance.

"He was fighting mad so I thought my best course was to lock him up to cool off while I came to see you."

Jarrod stood up, "thank you Fred, I appreciate it. Naturally I'll pay for any damage he's done and I'd be grateful if you'll help me to teach him a lesson."

"Anything I can do Jarrod, you know that."

The culprit was sitting forlornly in a cell and he looked only briefly into Jarrod's stern face when he and the Sheriff came through from the office.

"Well? What have you got to say for yourself young man?"

Danny cast a swift resentful look at Jarrod but didn't answer.

"I believe you owe Sheriff Madden an apology."

Danny shyly told the Sheriff he was sorry.

Jarrod turned to the law man, "Fred, what is the penalty for smashing windows in the town?"

"I believe it's a night in jail Jarrod."

Danny's eyes were wide with shock, he looked a startled query at Jarrod but his guardian's blue eyes were cold and stern.

"In that case I'll see you in the morning Daniel!"

"J...Jarrod?" it was a sad whisper.

"Yes?"

"I...I'm sorry, please don't leave me here."

The Lawyer walked up to the bars of the cell and pushed Danny's chin up, forcing the boy to meet his eyes, "you have a lesson to learn Boy, actions have consequences, if you continue to behave as you have today, you may wind up spending a lot of time in places like this."

Danny was trembling and trying manfully to hold back tears. Jarrod turned to the sheriff, "keep him locked up this afternoon Fred and IF he behaves himself I may...just may come get him this evening." So saying Jarrod walked from the room, leaving his ward to reflect on his conduct.

A conversation with Miss Prentiss revealed that Danny had become agitated with her gentle questioning and had rushed from her house in a fury. Miss Prentiss told Jarrod that as far as she could tell Danny was an intelligent but largely uneducated child, she felt careful tuition would be needed before he could be expected to cope in a classroom amongst other children. Jarrod had thanked her for her efforts and extended his apologies for Danny's behaviour.

As dusk fell, Jarrod returned to the Sheriff's office and collected his charge. The boy was subdued and silent all the way home and as soon as they arrived, Jarrod dismissed him to his room in disgrace. His reaction to his brief imprisonment encouraged Jarrod to hope that the campaign of bad behaviour might now be at an end. However, the very next day dashed any such hope.

Jarrod had told his wife and mother how neglected Danny's education had been and it had been agreed between the three of them that Victoria would talk to the boy and tactfully suggest some lessons at home with her. Jarrod had already tentatively tried some gentle lessons with Danny himself, but had shrewdly guessed that he was the very last person before whom Danny wished to display his ignorance, so he had abandoned the project.Victoria had broached the matter as kindly as she possibly could but immediately Danny had flown off the handle bouncing up out of his chair, shouting at her that he wouldn't learn, couldn't learn! Then he had seized her beloved music box, a rare seventeenth century piece bestowed on her by the whole family last Christmas, and had hurled it at the marble fireplace. It had hit the fireplace then crashed to the floor, surviving in one piece but dented and with the mechanism broken, it was whole but spoiled. Victoria had been visibly upset and Silas, who had picked up the damaged music box, cast a look of burning reproach at Danny as he carried the box away to his own quarters with him.

hapter 12      Fever

On the morning of Jarrod's big case, Danny was almost animated at the breakfast table when Sarah asked him if he would like to accompany her to court to see Jarrod in action. Jarrod kept his own manner casual and his voice light, but secretly he was pleased and relieved. Perhaps the boy was beginning to take some interest in his new life and in discovering what kind of man his guardian was.

The whole day went well for Jarrod, he felt a little strange, rather light headed and over-exhilarated but full of energy and with a clarity of thought that surprised him, for he knew himself to be over-tired. He performed brilliantly in court, trapping the State Government spokesman into a corner in which he mercilessly pinned him down. The poor man had uttered only one slightly unwary word and Jarrod had picked it up and thinking on his feet, pursued the theme until he forced the government man to reveal the machinations and with them, the basic unfairness of the State's plans to over-tax the Valley's poorest farmers. The spokesman had blustered about the Stockton court not having the right to rule on the matter and the judge bridling at the insult had ruled in Jarrod's favour.

Throughout the proceedings, Danny had sat with Sarah, tense and excited, his blazing blue eyes never leaving Jarrod. He had held Sarah's hand so tightly during the verdict that he hurt her, leaping to his feet to cheer along with the rest of Jarrod's supporters when the victory was won.

The swelling tide of well-wishers and his exuberant, grateful clients swept Jarrod from the court and away from Sarah's outstretched hand.The whole cavalcade spilled onto the square , with the triumphant lawyer's wife watching the procession with joyful pride, her nagging fears drowned out for the moment.

Sarah had been concerned about Jarrod all day, his colour was flushed and unhealthy looking and he seemed to her loving eye to be feverish. As she left the court with the boy her heart lurched with fright as she saw Jarrod, still receiving the congratulations of his friends suddenly keel over in a dead faint. There was uproar and through it a small figure raced to Jarrod's side crying out his name "Jarrod! Jarrod! Jarrod." over and again, casting himself down beside his stricken guardian.

Sarah herself felt as though her limbs would not obey her and was only saved from fainting herself by Eugene's firm grip on her elbow. All three Barkley brothers seemed to have appeared from nowhere, Nick's stentorian roar cleared the swathe of concerned citizens away from his brother and Heath had miraculously found and brought Doc Merar in what seemed like only an instant.

Quicker than she would have thought possible, Sarah found herself home at the ranch, with Jarrod in their room, anxiously watching the Doctor's careful examination of her husband. In later days, Sarah could never quite piece together the exact sequence of events on that journey back to the ranch, she remembered it only as a series of images, frozen as she was with shock and a greater fear than she had ever known.

Standing in the chaotic square, watching Danny cradle Jarrod's head to his chest sobbing "Jarrod, don't die...please...Jarrod!"

The same thought drumming in her own brain, he will die...will die...he has that Mathews woman's fever...no! Gene had her in a firm grip and she knew he was talking re-assuringly to her but his words couldn't penetrate the frozen terror in her mind.

Then Victoria was with her and Sarah came back to life and gave voice to her terrified lament, "Victoria, he will die! That woman, the fever..."

Then the tiny Barkley matriarch was stiffly shaking her and sternly ordering, "that's enough Sarah! You can't fall apart now, your husband needs you!"

Heath had somehow produced a carriage and she was suddenly in it, Jarrod's beloved head in her lap. Her hands smoothing back the tumbled dark hair from his burning face. She forced her hands to obey her, undoing and removing his tie, opening his fine shirt collar. He was dreadfully hot, but dry! No trace of sweat and her brain told her that was bad...fatal! The Doctor ministered to her stricken husband all the way to the ranch, talking soothingly to Sarah all the time, she didn't hear a single word he said.

Victoria had taken Danny, fighting like a wild cat, with her in her own carriage. Eugene held him and she did her best to soothe the hysteria that gripped the boy, with the result that by the time they reached the ranch, he was relatively calm, although pale with distress. By the time Heath and Nick drove the carriage containing the Doctor, Sarah and Jarrod up to the front door, Victoria had flung open the doors and shouted her orders to the instantly responsive Silas. Nick and Heath carried their stricken brother up to his room and soon Sarah and Doctor Merar were alone with him.

Doctor Merar pressed Sarah into a chair and she looked on stunned, terror gripping her very soul as the good Doctor treated Jarrod. Then Doctor Merar turned his attention to Sarah herself, administering a mild restorative to her, it worked wonders and she felt with considerable relief her power of thought and reason returning to her once more. Doctor Merar was mixing and administering a draught of some kind to Jarrod and by the time the kindly Doctor had finished with his patient, she was her calm composed self and was able to comprehend what was said to her.

"Well Sarah, you are quite right, not a doubt of it, he has contracted the fever that the Mathews women suffered from." He squeezed Sarah's icy cold hand, "but I want you to remember certain things. When the boy's mother caught it, the fever would have been at the height of it's virulence and that is how it killed her. If the old woman had been a little younger, she might have beaten it, since it was already losing some of it's power. Your Jarrod has contracted it at the end of it's strength, plus he is a strong and healthy man, I firmly expect this dry heat to break soon and though it may leave him weak and tired, I have NO fears for his recovery."

His certainty was convincing and Sarah shed tears of relief and thanked him for his kindness. She assisted Doctor Merar to strip Jarrod and they got him into his nightshirt, Sarah's eyes ran over Jarrod's naked body and absurdly she felt a tug of attraction despite how ill he was. Her carressing hand traced the firm line of his Barkley jaw, they all had that, the Barkley men. She stroked his cheek and her hands ran over the planes of his torso, her smoky eyes filled with love. She felt the Doctor's eyes upon her and stepped away from her husband but the Doc's face showed only understanding and he pressed her hand. "I know I'm leaving him in safe hands my dear."

The door was flung open and Nick strode in, his mouth a tightly anxious line, "sorry! I couldn't wait any longer, how is he?"

Doc Merar left Sarah to explain to Nick and went to re-assure the rest of the family. Sarah stood beside the bed weary and pale, Nick opened his arms to her and as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she walked into them His strong embrace soothed her immeasurably and she clung to him, her head resting on his solid chest. Struggling back to consciousness and sudden awareness in that instant, their entwined bodies were the first thing Jarrod saw. Fed by the fever, his small doubts were fired into rage and he fought to rise from the bed, his voice an angry roar. Then he collapsed again, lost in the smothering blackness of his malady.

Downstairs Victoria sat on the settee Danny's hand in hers, Eugene and Heath were standing by the fireplace, tense and anxious. Nick now re-joined the family group, having helped Sarah settle Jarrod and he had left her sitting beside Jarrod's bed, his hand in hers whilst she applied cool damp cloths to his feverish head. The Doctor repeated the re-assurance about Jarrod's eventual recovery and Victoria patted Danny's cheek, "there dear, didn't I say he would get well!"

Unfortunately Eugene spoke up, with a total lack of tact, "did Jarrod get this fever from Danny's grandmother Doc?"

"Yes he..." The good Doctor got no further, as with a shriek of "NO!" Danny launched himself at him, knocking Doc Merar off his feet completely. Before the boy could use his fists, Nick Barkley had seized him, setting him on his feet. He dealt the boy one hard admonitary spank and sternly commanded him to stand still or else! Heath helped the Doctor to his feet and he was allowed to complete his explanation that the fever had, by now, lost much of it's power. Nick glared at Gene, "try and do something useful! Get the Doc a drink!"

Sarah appeared at the bottom of the stairs, she stretched out a welcoming hand, "Danny?" He turned eagerly toward her, "please come and help me look after Jarrod?"

Danny looked at Nick who was still very stern, "are you gonna behave?"

"Yes Sir!"

"Go on then, git!"

Danny took Sarah's hand and the pair went back up the stairs. Heath brought his mother a sherry, she sipped it gratefully, feeling the tension ooze out of her now that her mind was easy about Jarrod.Victoria invited the Doctor to join the family for dinner but he declined, having patients in Stockton needing his attention. Anxious to avoid a lecture from Nick, Gene was only too glad to absent himself for a while and he volunteered to drive the Doctor back to town.

Late that night, Danny safely tucked into bed and deeply asleep, Victoria sitting with the restless but dozing Jarrod, Sarah had leisure to think. She was beginning to see a pattern to Danny's peculiar conduct since he had joined the family. Sarah knew that Jarrod was afraid that Danny, far from liking his old friend Dakota, actually hated him. Sarah found this impossible to accept. Danny's distress at Jarrod's sudden illness spoke to his holding his guardian in affection, therefore his persistent bad behaviour, so clearly designed to induce Jarrod to reject him, had some other explanation. The Barkleys, so secure and warm-hearted a family, couldn't begin to fathom how this orphaned child might be thinking, but Sarah, whose own youth had been bleak in some ways thought that perhaps she could. She needed to talk to Nick, tomorrow would do, but if she was right, she would need Nick's help to unlock the mystery.

Jarrod remained hot and restless until after midnight and then the fever broke, sweat pouring from his body, drenching him and his bedclothes. Victoria helped Sarah to change the bed and Jarrod's nightshirt. Their patient had fallen into a deep and natural sleep and it was evident that, as swiftly as it had struck him down, so the fever had left him. Victoria went thankfully off to bed but Sarah lingered by Jarrod's side, hardly able to believe that the crisis had passed so easily and so soon. She felt weary but enormously content, her beloved husband had been spared to her. Sarah felt confident that she could face whatever the future held as long as she and Jarrod faced it together.

At about ten the next morning, Jarrod awoke from his long restorative sleep and sat up in bed, announcing that he was hungry. He was tired and weak but so obviously on the mend that the whole Barkley family heaved a collective sigh of relief. The beaming Silas hastened to the kitchen to prepare a huge plateful of scrambled eggs, just the way Jarrod liked them and Eugene helped his brother to take a refreshing bath. He shaved Jarrod too and was just helping him back into bed by the time Silas carried a loaded tray into the room. Jarrod made a hearty breakfast and announced his intention of getting dressed.

Sarah shook her head, "Not a chance Counselor!"

Sarah, the State are going to appeal, I'll be in Sacramento by the end of the week, I HAVE to prepare! Please darling, this case means a great deal to me."

"And YOU mean a great deal to me! If you promise to work quietly here at home, I'll help you."

Jarrod meekly agreed to do so and Sarah, as good as her word, sat with him, looking up precedents and generally assisting her husband in his endeavours. Jarrod thanked providence for blessing him with a clever wife, as smart as she was beautiful, other men had wives as charming, but none that he knew had one who could prepare a court case as well.

They worked steadily all afternoon. The house was quiet, Victoria was visiting a friend and Heath and Eugene were still in Heath's room locked in combat with the accounts. Jarrod remarked dryly that this was the longest continuous amount of work that Gene had done in a long while. Sarah was covertly watching her husband but he seemed well enough, although he pressed his hand to his temple occasionally, as if his head were aching. She was well aware of how much the case meant to Jarrod so she forebore to stop him working but tried to take some of the strain off him by helping all she could.

Nick was out on the range, he intended spending the day checking the fence repairs and had taken young Danny with him. Sarah had tried to talk to Jarrod about Danny, she mentioned the depth of his distress at Jarrod's collapse but her husband shook his head.

"It doesn't mean he has any affection for me Sarah."

"Of course it does, you should have seen him!"

"Guilt, Sarah! He couldn't bear the thought that his mother or grandmother passed their illness to me, I can see now that I did the boy a disservice bringing him here."

Sarah squeezed Jarrod's hand, her eyes intent on his white strained face, he smiled sadly at her and when he spoke again his voice was soft and sad, "I honestly thought that Danny could settle and be happy here but I was arrogant to think so, I have to find a solution to this situation but God help me I can't see one yet. That boy is afraid of me Sarah, I don't know why but I can sense it."

She had tried to argue but the subject was obviously distressing Jarrod so she held her piece and resolved to speak to Nick at the earliest possible opportunity.

Sarah had made coffee and she carried a tray up to Heath's room, she laughed when she saw the mass of papers before the brothers, "well! You two certainly have your hands full."

Gene grimaced at her, "it wouldn't be such a mammoth task if Heath hadn't lost half the paperwork!"

Heath was indignant, "I told you, this is everything!" He paused, "no, wait, I remember now, I gave Jarrod some figures to check, I just couldn't get them to balance right! Be right back."

He hurried out and Gene buried his face in his hands, he emerged grinning, "you know Sarah I think I've aged ten years in the last two days."

Sarah looked thoughtfully at Eugene, "Gene may I ask you something please?"

"Sure you can Sarah!"

"It's personal," she warned him.

The first time Eugene Barkley had ever met Sarah Faires, she had rescued him from an embarrassing social situation at one of Minnie Perlman's parties. He had been dazzled by her beauty and grateful for her kindness, he would probably have lost his youthful heart to her had it not been made plain to him by Nick that Sarah and Jarrod were already involved. Gene still admired his lovely sister in law and he smiled at her now, "ask away Sarah, if I can help in any way I will."

Sarah wandered over to the window, "Gene, how old were you when your father died?"

"About Danny's age I guess," he answered quietly.

"Jarrod has played father to you ever since I suppose."

Gene nodded, "yes, Nick too really, they both had to be there for Sis and me."

Sarah took a deep breath, "Gene, have you ever been afraid of Jarrod?"

He answered her without hesitation, "never!"

She nodded satisfied, "I thought that would be your answer."

Eugene thought for a moment, "I've been afraid to face Jarrod at times, but not because I feared him, more because I was afraid of letting him down, does that make any sense?"

Sarah thought it did, she could see that whilst being a Barkley scion had many advantages and privileges, it also carried with it heavy responsibilities.

"Yes, it makes sense to me Gene."

Gene smiled at her, "the great thing about Jarrod is that he understands things without having to have them spelled out to him, it makes him easy to approach or confide in, I've always counted myself lucky to have him for my eldest brother."

Sarah flashed her devastating smile at him, "thank you Gene, that helps a lot!"

"You're welcome."

Heath returned waving the missing paperwork triumphantly and Sarah left them to it.

"What was all that about?"

Gene shook his head puzzled, "I'm not sure I know Heath, I think Sarah is trying to understand what makes the Mathews kid tick."

Heath smiled wryly, "I think we'd all like to know the answer to that one!"

When they had drunk their coffee, Sarah suggested a stroll in the fresh air to try and clear Jarrod's head-ache. The weather was spring-like and mild and they had a pleasant walk through the rose-garden and the shrubbery. Jarrod was yawning massively by the time they returned to the house and didn't need much persuasion to lie down on his bed until dinner. Sarah saw him settled and went downstairs again, hoping that Nick would come home early, so that she could talk privately to him about her theory on how to reach Danny Mathews and unlock the boy's secrets.

An hour later, Sarah was realising that getting a private word with her brother in law was not going to be an easy feat to accomplish. The Barkley house was a large one, but it was also busy, Victoria was at home again, drinking tea in the living room and Heath and Eugene had gravitated from Heath's room to the library as they finished their work on the accounts. When Nick arrived home it was all Sarah could do to whisper that she needed a quiet word before they were interrupted by Silas asking to know if Nick wanted coffee.

At length, after whispering in corners and attracting the attention of Victoria more than once, Nick told Sarah he had had enough and she should meet him upstairs in five minutes. She was doubtful but did so and he proceeded to pull her into his own room. Sarah dithered on the threshold.

"Nick this is not a good idea!"

"I KNOW that!"

"Keep your voice down!"

"Look Sarah, how the devil am I supposed to get any privacy with you anywhere else?"

Sarah sighed, "I suppose you're right." She took Nick's outstretched hand and let him draw her inside and close the door.

Standing as if rooted to the spot, having just retrieved some papers from his brother Heath's room was Eugene Barkley. He watched as his beloved older brother Nick drew his adored and respected eldest brother Jarrod's wife into his bedroom.How the devil am I to get any privacy with you, that was what Nick had said. But why did he need to be private with Sarah? Gene tried hard not to think the worst, but truth to tell, he was a very worried young man as he went slowly downstairs again.

When he got downstairs, Heath and Victoria were sitting together in the living room and she was pouring coffee. Reluctantly Gene joined them, fervently hoping that his mother, whom he sometimes thought was clairvoyant, didn't ask him why he was so quiet. Now and again Gene glanced anxiously at the stairs but it was not Nick and Sarah who eventually came down but Jarrod, refreshed by his nap and smilingly declaring that his head-ache was gone. Victoria poured coffee for Jarrod and he glanced round the room and asked the question Gene had earnestly hoped he wouldn't.

"Where is Sarah?"

It wasn't necessary for Eugene to answer and he really wasn't sure why he did but he heard himself saying, "In Nick's room with him...they..."

"They?" Jarrod's smile was rather rigid.

"They wanted some privacy," finished Gene lamely.

Jarrod's voice was ominously quiet, "excuse me please mother." He went swiftly up the stairs, leaving Victoria looking anxiously after him, "oh Lord, what now?" Her voice was weary.

Heath looked hard at Eugene and shook his head in resignation, "Gene tell me something, why is it every time you open your mouth it's only to change feet?"

Eugene was apologetic, "I didn't mean to tell him, I don't know why I did, I'm sorry!"

"Don't be sorry another time, be smart instead!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that there is nothing going on between Nick and Sarah is what I mean!"

Victoria looked intently at her fair haired son, as dear to her as the sons to whom she had given birth. "You're sure of that Heath?"

"Quite sure mother!"

His mother nodded firmly, "then that's good enough for me," she said decidedly.

Heath gestured towards the stairs, "question is will it be good enough for Jarrod?"

Nick handed Sarah to a chair and himself stood leaning an arm on the mantelpiece, he grinned at his lovely sister in law. "Well? Talk fast Sassy, before my big brother finds us and challenges me to a duel!"

"Nick, I need your help, Jarrod is worrying himself sick over Danny and he's convinced himself that HE is the problem."

Nick frowned in puzzlement, "that makes no sense, the boy obviously worships Jarrod!"

"You can see that Nick and so can I, but Jarrod can't and won't believe it."

Nick thought for a moment, "it is odd though Sarah, the kid refuses point blank to stay with Jarrod and he won't behave either, what does it all mean?"

"I believe that you and I may be the ones who can find that out Nick, I want to talk to Danny and I need your help."

"Me? What can I do?"

"I have a theory Nick, if I'm right, you can help me to unlock the pain that this poor child is carrying around with him."

Nick was doubtful, he shuffled his feet uncomfortably, "I don't know Sass, Jarrod doesn't take kindly to interference in his affairs," he grinned deprecatingly, "he's the smart one you know, I don't interfere with his doings as a rule."

Nick! I've heard you fighting up hill and down dale with Jarrod when you think he's wrong about something!"

"Ranch business! That's a different matter Sass."

Sarah rose and laid her hand on Nick's arm, her voice was breaking, "Nick this situation is tearing him apart, he may not want our help but he needs it, believe me Nick he does."

Nick was not proof against her luminous beauty, her fine eyes and pleading look, he patted her hand, "sure! I'll help, if you really think I can. Tell me your theory Sarah."

Sarah did tell him, Nick listened intently and when she had finished he nodded decidedly. "You have something there Sass, this could work, but I have to say I think there's more to it than that. When I was Danny's age I was in trouble more often than I wasn't! My mother could always get to me, she could..." he paused searching for a word, "she could....crack me open somehow, worm it all out of me." He stopped, smiling at his memories and looked rather sheepishly at Sarah.

"I understand Nick, let's hope I can do with Danny what Victoria could do with you. But I can't do it without you Nick!"

Nick carried her hand to his lips, "I'll do anything for you Sassy, you know that!"

Nick's bedroom door was flung open and Jarrod came in, he surveyed his brother and his wife sardonically.

"Oh lord!" Nick cast his eyes heavenwards, he looked absurdly guilty which irritated Sarah. She herself met Jarrod's angry blue eyes unfalteringly.

"Forgive me for not knocking!" Jarrod's tone was heavily ironic and this too annoyed Sarah,

"I'm glad you're here Jarrod," she said calmly.

Her husband's eyebrows lifted slightly, "are you?"

Sarah swallowed down the anger she felt, although her fine eyes sparkled with it. "Yes! Nick and I have been talking about Danny and we want you to let us help you."

Jarrod was weary, still weak from the fever and tired with the work he had done on his case. He was a prey to suspicions that he didn't truly believe but which tormented him in his innermost being, suspicions of the wife he adored and the brother who had been close to him from birth. He was in no mood to listen to anyone, not even Sarah.

"Danny is my responsibility!" His tone was brusque and Sarah was conscious of Nick's clenching hands and her own rising anger.

She looked Jarrod fearlessly in the eye, and spoke in a voice of cold hard anger, "Jarrod, your decision to bring that child here, to make him a part of this family affects each and every one of us! We have all given you our support and our understanding, you cannot deny that Danny's behaviour since he got here has touched all of us in some way!"

Her husband acknowledged the truth of this, "I don't deny that," his voice was low and mortified.

Sarah came to him laying her hand on his arm, "then let us help, please Jarrod."

He smiled sadly at her, visibly weakening, "what do you want to do?"

Sarah rushed her fence, "let Nick and I talk to him, I believe we can get to the bottom of this mystery."

Jarrod moved impatiently away from her, "you and Nick?"

Sarah was definite, "yes Jarrod, I need Nick's help on this," her deep smoky blue eyes held his own gaze, "I need your trust Jarrod."

He was hesitating and she thought she had won, Nick decided to try and help, "come on Pappy! What have you got to lose? Things can't go on as they are, who knows what that brat may do next?" He slipped his arm around Sarah, "let us try having a talk with Danny huh?"

Jarrod looked at his wife and brother, he felt dizzy with the strain of his illness, with the strain of everything, but he was a Barkley, Barkleys don't give up on things and all of this was his fault! His face hardened, he turned away from them, "Danny is my responsibility," he repeated.

Nick raised his voice, "Jarrod for heaven's sake!"

Jarrod turned on him and spoke with icy hauteur, "if you have work to do, I suggest you get to it!" He knew he was being arrogant and stupid, virtually dismissing Nick from his own room as though he were a hired hand and he half expected his brother to throw a punch at him. Nick didn't, obedient to Sarah's insistent grip on his sleeve. He covered her hand with his own for a moment and without a glance at Jarrod he strode out of the room.

Jarrod turned to face his wife, prepared to endure the onslaught of her anger but it didn't come. Sometimes, when Sarah was at her angriest, silence was her most potent weapon, she cast a look of withering contempt at Jarrod and swept from the room, leaving him to slump tiredly into the nearest chair, his head in his hands.

hapter 14      Vigil

Dinner that evening was one of the most uncomfortable meals Victoria could ever remember in her home. It was rather reminiscent of the first time Heath had dined as a member of the family, no-one knew what to say or where to look. The tension between Jarrod and Nick, Jarrod and Sarah and Nick and Sarah was palpable and made them all uncomfortable. Poor Eugene, feeling guilty for causing trouble was afraid to open his mouth for fear of making another gaffe. Danny had relapsed into his sulky monosyllabic posture again. Of them all, only Heath was at all at his ease, placidly eating and relieving the strain on his mother by talking to her of Audra and Denver. She was grateful for his gentle concern, reflecting, not for the first time, that he had found a place in her heart, equally dear to her as her own three sons.

It was with a sense of relief that Victoria went up to bed that night, she didn't expect to rest there were too many shadows across her family for sleep to come easily, but nothing could be worse than sitting in such a tense and unhappy family group. She found that she was wrong, sitting alone in her room worrying was worse, she rose and went out onto the landing,if she knew her Jarrod.... Yes! The light still burned in the living room, he was seeking answers in the flames of the fire. A brief and awkward conversation with Sarah had accquainted Victoria with her daughter in law's wish to tackle Danny with Nick's help.

Victoria Barkley glided silently down the curving staircase, she could see her eldest son, glass in hand, staring into the fire. How many times, she wondered, have I come down here in the small hours to comfort one or other of my family when they were troubled? She crossed the foyer and seated herself on the edge of the table facing Jarrod.

He smiled a little sadly at her, "you should be asleep mother."

"So should you!"

"I can't," he handed his mother the glass he held.

"Another?"

"No, too much already, it doesn't help."

"Does staying up worrying help either?"

Jarrod ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, "I've made a total mess of things Mother,

God knows I've made mistakes in my life, but this!"

Victoria set down the glass and covered Jarrod's hand with her own. "Don't be so hard on yourself Darling, you did what you thought was right, nothing more than that."

Jarrod stood up restlessly and leaned an arm on the mantelpiece. "With what results? I've imposed a home and a way of life on a boy who hates me for it! I've injured the feelings of the wife I adore, if she ever forgives me , it will be better than I deserve. More likely....." Jarrod broke off abruptly and turned his head away from Victoria's shrewd eyes.

"More likely?"

Jarrod didn't answer and his mother rose and came to him, laying a gentle hand on his arm. He sighed, as if the weight of the whole world was on his shoulders.

When he spoke again, there was a world of weariness and pain in his quiet low voice, "I wouldn't blame Sarah...or Nick..."

Victoria put both her small insistent hands on his arms and made him face her. "Now you listen to me Jarrod Barkley, your wife loves you with all her heart and soul! Have you hurt her? You bet you have! Sarah felt betrayed when you showed up here with Danny, you will have to work hard to regain her trust and to convince her that she is your wife! A companion in life, to be consulted and considered in everything you do. But don't doubt her love for you Jarrod, she doesn't deserve that." Victoria paused, studying the effect of her words, Jarrod's clear blue eyes were fixed on her face, his expression was painfully intense.

Victoria spoke again, very quietly, "don't doubt your brother either Jarrod, you have had Nick's love and his loyalty since the day he was born, I know Nick, better than anyone else has ever known him, I know that it isn't in him to betray you." She paused, reaching up a hand to tenderly stroke Jarrod's cheek, "you know that too Darling."

Jarrod closed his eyes and caught her hand holding it to his face, remembering the torrents of childish tears it had brushed away, the stern lectures it had helped him face. His eyes still shut, with a heavy sigh, he released all his pent up distress and grief. He brought his mother's hand to his lips and kissed her palm. Then opening his striking blue eyes whispered "thank you."

Mother and son sat together and Jarrod spoke softly, "you're right Mother, I've sat down here so long fretting I let things get out of proportion in my mind." He raised Victoria's hand to his lips, "forgive me."

She shook her head, "forgive you? For needing my help for once? You, who spends your whole life trying to help family and stranger alike." Victoria kissed her son, "I've lectured you finely since I came downstairs, may I give you one more piece of advice?"

Jarrod nodded, "of course."

"Let your wife and your brother help you! I know they feel they can reach Danny if they try, perhaps they can unlock all the pain he is carrying. Don't shut your family out Jarrod, let us all try to find a way through this. We've always tried to do that haven't we, whenever trouble came our way?"

Jarrod nodded, "yes we have, I'll think about it Mother, I promise."

Victoria knew she could do no more and she rose, "goodnight my Darling."

Jarrod rose and kissed her tenderly, "goodnight Lovely Lady."

As Victoria climbed the stairs again, she could see Jarrod once more sitting staring into the fire. Have I done any good, she wondered, please God I have.

Jarrod sat on, long into the watches of the night. His heart was less sore since the talk with his mother. He knew in the depths of his being that she was right, about Sarah and Nick, theirs was a deep and loving friendship, nothing more than that. Jarrod knew he had the love and loyalty of both of them, what was less certain perhaps, was that he could ever make up to Sarah the wrong he had done her. As to the boy? Well perhaps Victoria was right about that too, maybe Nick and Sarah could reach him, where Jarrod has so patently failed to do. But Danny was HIS responsibility, Jarrod felt deeply that it was up to him to solve this puzzle. He lingered by the fire, seeing out the remainder of the night, no nearer a solution and becoming more exhausted with every hour that passed.

Lying in his bed Danny too was wide awake, aware that his behaviour when Jarrod was taken ill had totally betrayed him, revealing all too clearly the affection he had for his guardian. With a sense of despair he wondered how he was ever going to convince the Barkleys now that they had no choice but to send him away. He wasn't sure exactly how or when the idea came to him, it was he knew, a quite wicked idea, a crime that would ensure that every member of the Barkley family would hold him in contempt. Because what he intended to do was, quite simply, unforgiveable. He shed tears of shame and wondered if he could actually make himself do it, but he had to, Jarrod must never know the very worst of him and so he must steel himself to this wicked act.

hapter 15      A change of heart

All four Barkley brothers breakfasted together very early next day, Jarrod hadn't been to bed at all but he was washed, shaved and dressed in fresh clothes, he looked white and strained and from time to time Eugene glanced worriedly at him. Nick and Heath had more inspections and fence mending to do, there had been more stormy weather and the damage needed swift repair to prevent the stock from straying.

Jarrod had expected a frosty greeting from Nick but all he got was a gentle, "mornin' Jarrod, you get any sleep at all?"

"No, but I'm alright, thanks Nick." Jarrod was grateful for his hot tempered brother's forebearance and was suddenly hungry, to the satisfaction of his three brothers he managed to eat a decent meal.

Gene displayed his healed hands, "I guess I have no excuse for not pitching in on the fence detail today huh?"

Nick shook his head, "Got another job for you brat!"

Gene grimaced, "not another ditch Nick! Please?"

Nick grinned at him, "no, not today, I want you to stick with him instead," he indicated Jarrod with a jerk of his head.

Eugene was surprised, "why?"

Nick's blue-grey eyes looked into Jarrod's deeper blue ones, "because if I know Counselor Barkley, he's headed for his office this morning, determined to cross swords with the suits in Sacremento! Am I right?"

Jarrod smiled affectionately at him, "quite right Nick, I haven't a minute to lose."

"Well a smart college kid ought to be able to help you, and at least he can make sure you don't kill yourself!" Nick's tone was brusque but Gene knew what was expected of him and swiftly answered, "I'll take good care of him Nick!"

Heath spoke quietly, "Jarrod? Are you sure you're up to this?"

Jarrod smiled, "quite sure Heath, thank you," he smiled around the table, "thank you all."

Nick broke the tension by changing his voice to a growl, "anyway Jarrod, it's your turn to babysit Gene, Heath and I have done our share!"

There was general laughter as Gene spluttered a protest and the brothers finished their repast amicably. As the breakfast party broke up, Gene was despatched to the stables to saddle all four horses, his protest cut short by Nick's well aimed slap to his behind, Heath headed for the library to collect a boundary map he and Nick needed and the two eldest brothers headed for the stairs together.

"Now you listen to me Pappy, no working yourself into another fever today, you hear me?"

They were mounting the stairs together, "you know me too well Nick!"

Nick shot a swift look at his brother, "Yeah I do," he said quietly, "but I'm beginning to wonder if you know me at all Jarrod."

He took the remaining stairs two at a time, leaving Jarrod staring after him, an arrested expression on his face

It had become a small ritual between the ladies of the Barkley family that on mornings when they were in no particular hurry, they had morning tea in Victoria's room. Sarah was there in her dressing gown and Victoria wasn't dressed either. Silas brought them a tray and Victoria smiled at him, "Silas what a perfect white rose!"

He beamed, "isn't he a beauty? In the middle of February too, I think he got his seasons mixed up! Soon as I saw him I knew I had to place him on your morning tray!" He left the ladies and was headed for the stairs as Nick and Jarrod emerged simultaneously from their rooms.

As Silas had entered Victoria's room, Danny's silent figure had crept to the stairs, he knelt swiftly down and ten seconds later, as his guardian, and Nick came out of their rooms, Danny was back in the nursery, peeping around the door.

Jarrod spoke quietly to his brother, "Nick, have you got a minute?"

Both men stopped and Silas passed them with a smile of greeting. Spotting Danny, skulking in the nursery doorway, Silas smiled at him too. "Morning Sonny." The old man headed toward the head of the stairs, a sweet old man from whom Danny had received nothing but kindness, and in that instant Danny knew he couldn't go through with it.

"Silas stop!" The boy's voice was a deperate cry and Silas did stop, dead in his tracks, his foot only an inch away from the deadly tripwire Danny had stretched across the stairs.

"Don't move!" Danny sobbed as he hurried to the old man's side and untied the cord. Tears were running down the boy's face as he knelt in front of Silas, "I...I'm s...sorry S...Silas," he wept. The old man gently lifted the child to his feet soothing him, "easy now, easy Danny," he looked at the shocked faces of Nick and Jarrod, both men rooted to the spot for the moment. Nick was the first to snap out of it, advancing wrathfully on Danny, seizing him and shaking him fiercely "why you little..."

"Nick!" Jarrod's voice held a warning note and Nick released the boy, glaring at the trembling Danny before turning to Silas and speaking gently, "are you alright Silas?"

Danny cast one scared look at Jarrod before hanging his head, still gulping back tears. Sarah and Victoria had appeared and Heath too came up the stairs at the run. Jarrod was looking very stern and when he spoke to Danny his voice was ominously quiet, "you will go to your room at once Daniel!"

Danny didn't move, just stood miserably before his angry guardian, "J...Jarrod..I..."

Jarrod's voice cut him short, "not a word young man! I'm far too angry to even speak to you at the moment." He turned to his brother, "Nick, lock him in!"

Nick took Danny by the scruff of his neck and propelled him along the passage, "cmon boy, git!" He turned the key, locking Danny into the nursery.

Heath took Silas by the arm, "come with me Silas, you could use a glass of brandy," he guided the shaken black man down the stairs. Jarrod was showing his wife and mother the trip wire, both women were shocked, "why would he even contemplate doing such a thing?" Victoria's eyes were agonised and she was visibly upset. Sarah looked very levelly at her husband and spoke in a low urgent voice, "Jarrod, this cannot go on."

Her husband sighed, "I know," he sounded defeated and Sarah felt sorry for him, she put her hand on his arm, "we all want to help you know."

Victoria pulled herself together, "we all need to talk this over, as a family, come Sarah, we should dress, perhaps you boys would check that Silas is alright and make some coffee."

Half an hour later the discussion in the living room was becoming heated, "I say he needs a damn good licking!" Nick declared glaring at Jarrod, "If Silas had tripped over that cord he could have broken his neck!"

Jarrod jammed his hands into his vest pockets, "aren't you missing the important point Nick?"

"What?"

"He didn't go through with it, he couldn't bring himself to hurt Silas, that speaks to his basic decency don't you think?"

"What I think is that Danny Mathews is pretty nearly as stubborn as you are Big Brother! He's determined to make you get rid of him and who knows what other tricks he has up his sleeve!"

Heath spoke up, "I agree with Nick Jarrod, until this situation is resolved we can't leave him running around free."

Jarrod sighed, "I can't keep him locked in his room all the time either Heath."

Sarah and Nick exchanged glances and he nodded briefly. Sarah turned to her husband, "have you considered what Nick and I asked you yesterday?"

Jarrod nodded gravely, "I need time to think all of this over,I feel responsible for bringing Danny here and for everything that's happened as well, I want to ask you all to let me have a few more hours to decide what to do next." He glanced at his watch, "I have to get to Stockton, there are matters which I must deal with this morning, can we leave the issue of Danny's future until later in the day?"

Victoria spoke for them all, "very well dear, but please don't take all this on yourself, remember we are all one family."

Jarrod smiled, I will mother I promise."

Nick looked at Heath, "best if we take the boy with us, work the devilment out of him?"

Heath nodded, "I'll go get him."

Jarrod walked with Sarah to the door, there was constraint between them but she was conscious of his weariness, his tired and pale face and she knew he hadn't slept at all. She kissed him with more tenderness than he had expected, "come home as soon as you can darling?"

"I will," he promised shutting the big front door behind him.

Nick was mending a broken section of fence, assisted by the subdued and silent Danny. He was obedient to the orders Nick rapped at him, quick to do whatever he was bid. Nick had been seething in silence most of the morning but he eventually he could stand it no longer and glared at the boy. "I never would have dreamed you would even THINK of hurting Silas!"

"I didn't hurt him," protested Danny half-heartedly.

Nick ignored this, pointing the hammer he was using at the boy, "that old man has shown you nothing but kindness since the day you got here boy!"

Danny hung his head and whispered, "I know."

Nick glared at him, "how could you Danny, how could you even think of hurting him?"

Danny couldn't answer him, tears were rolling down his face.

Nick let out an exasperated sigh, "for God's sake boy! If you care enough to cry over it, why do you behave this way?"

Danny's tears were falling fast now and Nick, always soft-hearted with youngsters spoke more gently, "easy now, that'll be enough of that." He slipped an arm around Danny and led him to the wagon containing the replacement fence posts. They sat together on the backboard and Nick gave Danny a handkerchief to dry his tears. He looked appraisingly at the tear-stained boy.

"That was a pretty lethal tripwire, it would have broken that old man's neck if you had gone through with it."

Danny hung his head and whispered, "I know...I couldn't do it to him."

"Where did you learn how to set a trap that good?"

"My pa taught me and I had to hunt for my mother and grandma when he left us."

Nick was curious, "you miss your pa boy?"

"No Sir, I...didn't know him very well, he didn't ever have much time for me, only taught me to hunt so he wouldn't have to."

Nick was beginning to get a picture of the missing and clearly worthless Scott Mathews. He changed the subject back to Silas.

"Did Jarrod ever tell you that Silas saved his life?"

Danny shook his head, "no Sir."

Nick nodded "I was two years old when Silas came to live with us, Jarrod was six, he had pneumonia, he's prone to it, had it several times. Anyway, this particular time he was very sick, my father had been away and my mother was worn out, trying to keep me out of trouble and take care of Jarrod too." Nick noted that Danny was listening to him intently, no use for the boy to pretend indifference to his guardian, he loved Jarrod! That much was as plain as day.

"What did Silas do?" the boy's voice was eager.

"He made a special medicine, he knows a lot about herbs and stuff like that, he fed it to Jarrod and nursed him back to health."

"I guess that's why you all love Silas so much huh?"

Nick nodded, "that and the many other good things he's done for all of us over the years."

He looked hard at Danny, "you thought it was the worst thing you could do didn't you? Something so bad Jarrod would send you away?"

Danny hung his head whispering "yes."

Nick ruffled Danny's hair and smiled at him, "well, take it from someone who knows Jarrod Barkley better than most, he will NEVER give up on you or send you away and that is a fact! and the sooner you accept that the better it will be for all of us!"

hapter 16      Confrontation

Jarrod spent a difficult but successful morning at his desk, he filed the necessary documents to ensure that all was in train for the new hearing of the farmers case which would be in Sacramento. Gene helped as much as he could and the two brothers were able to head for home at lunchtime. Jarrod wouldn't admit it but his head was aching and he felt near to exhaustion, he was still uncertain what to do next about Danny and wondered what he was going to say to the family.

When they got home, Victoria was nowhere to be seen, in fact she was upstairs, finding Danny fresh clothes since Nick had brought him back filthy from the fence mending work. Danny himself was in the bath. Jarrod dropped his case on the hall table and walked into the library looking for Sarah, he found her, sitting on the sofa, her head pillowed on Nick Barkley's shoulder, Nick's arm around her. A stab of jealousy twisted in Jarrod's heart, sharp as a lance, he stood still, silent and rigid.

"This isn't how it looks Jarrod," said Nick removing his arm from around Sarah and standing up. "She's been worried sick about you, she needed a little comfort is all," he broke off embarrassed by the situation and by the hurt look on his brother's face. Sarah also stood and faced her husband squarely, her lovely face held a distinct challenge, "Nick doesn't need to explain does he Jarrod?"

For a long moment Jarrod's intense blue eyes locked gazes with Sarah's smoky blue eyes, then he looked at his brother's anxious face, "no, he doesn't need to explain," said Jarrod quietly, turning and walking quickly away.

After lunch, Danny diffidently asked if he might visit with Silas in the kitchen. Jarrod surveyed him coldly, "why?"

"I...I wanted to say I was sorry."

Jarrod considered for a moment, "very well, you may visit Silas and you are on your honour to behave yourself, understood?"

"Yes Sir."

The boy left the dining room and Jarrod looked up to find his mother's eyes upon him. He sighed, "I'm sorry, I'm no nearer a solution I'm afraid, I can't seem to think straight today, I guess I'm tired out."

Victoria spoke gently, "perhaps we should leave the matter until tomorrow." She glanced at the faces of Sarah and Nick, she didn't know what had happened but there was obviously constraint between Jarrod and his wife and Jarrod and Nick too. She felt weary with it all and had a sudden longing for a gallop in the fresh air.

"I think I'll go for a ride, I feel the need of some fresh air and sunshine," Victoria glanced at the stony faces of her sons, no-one answered her and she pushed her chair back from the table with a wry smile. "Very well, I suppose I can saddle my own horse," she said dulcetly. Gene snapped out of his trance, "sorry Mother! I was miles away, I'll saddle Misty Girl right away."

"Thank you Dear."

Sarah smiled, "may I go with you Victoria, I need a little air myself!" This was said in a bitter tone and with a swift scowl at her husband.

The two women left the table and Heath rose, "how about a drink?" He walked out of the dining room to the drinks tray in the living room and his two brothers followed. They sat sipping their drinks in awkward silence until Nick could stand the tension no longer and began to prowl restlessly around the room. Heath looked appraisingly at the lawyer and the cowboy, he didn't know what had occurred this day but he knew with certainty that there was trouble coming and he thought the sooner the better.

"Either of you got anything to tell me?"

Nick shot him an angry look and said "ask him!"

Jarrod shook his head and Heath sighed, "I can wait!" He refilled the glasses and handed Gene a drink too when he rejoined them, having seen the ladies off on their ride.

The tense atmosphere was not lost on the youngest Barkley brother, "what's up?"

Heath's lop-sided smile dawned, "not sure yet," he drawled, "but when the trouble breaks you grab Jarrod and leave Nick to me, alright Little Brother?"

Gene hoped that Heath was kidding, you never could tell with Heath and it seemed at first as though it would be alright. The brothers finished their drinks and Nick announced that it was high time they got back to work. Danny had briefly re-appeared to ask humbly if he might stay with Silas that afternoon.

"Why?" Jarrod was still very stern.

"Please Sir, it's a special secret, Silas needs me to help him!"

Jarrod looked unconvinced but Silas himself appeared and smiled, "Danny and I are preparing a little surprise for Mrs. Barkley Sir."

Jarrod's brilliant blue eyes looked deep into Danny's pale blue eyes, anxiously fixed on his face, willing him to agree to his helping Silas.

"Very well Silas, I have to say I think it's more than good of you to have anything to do with this young man!" Danny blushed fiery red and hung his head. Jarrod relented, "you may spend the afternoon with Silas and I expect to hear from him that your behaviour has been perfect, am I understood?"

"Yes Sir!"

The boy and the servant departed hand in hand and Jarrod turned to his brothers. "I'll give you boys a hand."

Nick scowled but didn't speak, Gene and Heath both protested that Jarrod wasn't up to ranch work.

"Stop fussing you two! Gene, if you're that concerned about the state of my health, feel free to saddle Jingo for me!"

The four men went out to the barn together but Gene never did get around to saddling Jingo because the tension crackling between Jarrod and Nick reached a sudden flashpoint.

It was poor Eugene, the master of the unfortunate phrase that started it, trying to break the dark mood of his older brothers he grinned at Jarrod and said, "I bet I know why you're comin' with us, you want to keep an eye on us all seeing as Sarah's out on the range too."

Heath looked heavenwards, God preserve me from kid brothers, he thought.

Nick wheeled on Jarrod glaring at him fiercely, "is that it?" His voice was a growl.

Jarrod was tired, ill and sick at heart, he knew he was wrong but he heard himself saying, "You've given me cause enough, BOTH of you!"

Then Nick's fist connected neatly with his jaw and he crashed to the barn floor, he lay half dazed for a few seconds, during which time Heath leapt on Nick holding him back, his hands gripping Nick by the arms.

"Dammit Heath you let me loose!" Nick was fuming with rage and struggled to free himself. He was a strong man, but Heath was powerfully built and his grip on Nick gave him the advantage.

"I will let you go Nick, just a soon as you simmer down and right after Jarrod gives you the apology he KNOWS he owes you!"

Jarrod had struggled to his feet, and was holding his bruised jaw, Gene obedient to Heath's orders promptly gripped Jarrod's arm but was angrily shaken off. Heath's words brought Jarrod's head up, an arrested expression in his striking blue eyes, he gazed into Heath's cool pale blue eyes and then looked at the furious Nick, still pinioned by Heath's powerful hands. The mad jealous rage had left him now and he felt a tide of bitter shame, galling to a man who prided himself on his intellect and his reason. Jarrod met Nick's angry blue-grey eyes and when he spoke his voice was low and contrite, "Heath's absolutely right Nick! I do owe you an apology, I don't know what came over me, I'm sorry."

Heath immediately released Nick and stepped away from his brother, Nick's fists had clenched again but he made no move to attack Jarrod, exhaling sharply and frowning at his eldest brother in mingled exasperation and pity.

"Forget it!" His tone was terse but there was rough affection in his voice, he looked sternly at Jarrod, "the person you DO owe an apology to is your wife!"

Jarrod nodded and drew a shaky breath, he staggered slightly and would perhaps have fallen but for Eugene solicitously grabbing his arm again.

Nick shook his head and turned to Heath, "two days out of bed after a fever and he wants to play cowboy!" He glanced at the weary Jarrod and spoke to Gene, "tuck him up in bed Brat and if he argues....hit him again!"

The brothers parted then, Nick and Heath heading for the range and their work and Gene escorting Jarrod back to the house. Heath was satisfied that they had all gotten through this awkward situation as well as possible.He felt that Jarrod and Nick understood each other at last and was optimistic that that this whole unpleasant state of affairs might improve from now on.