Sarah drank her tea and was persuaded by Jarrod to lie down for a while. He lay with her, his back comfortably settled against the polished wooden headboard of their bed, his wife held tenderly in his arms, her wounded head pillowed on his shoulder. She fell asleep almost at once, an effect both of Silas's tisane and her own exhaustion. Jarrod didn't move, hardly daring to breathe for fear of waking her and an hour passed.

As she slept, Jarrod willed himself to remember all that he had tried so hard to forget about all they had gone through when they lost Martha. When he had almost lost Sarah. She had bled horribly from the wound. It was as if another man worked frantically to stem the flow of blood. He had done as much as he could and somehow was able to get her unconscious form back to the house. Back to this room. The labor pains had returned her to consciousness. It was too soon. She was only six or seven months pregnant. There was nothing in the world Sarah wanted more than that baby and that tiny infant shared her strength of will it seemed. The two of them fought mightily, defying those impossible odds and Martha came into the world ... too soon, too tiny, but so perfect ... perhaps too perfect. They had held her for one hour. Held her and held one another. And then the baby was gone. Sarah had not cried. She had only whispered in agony, "Oh, God." Then had slipped away into unconsciousness. He had screamed then, in terror and fury, sure he was losing his wife within a breath of losing his child. The doctor tried to reassure him. He could not remember the words. She finally regained consciousness -- in a way. He went to her and was confronted with cold silence and that haunting sadness in her eyes. Jarrod told her that they had made the arrangements to bury the baby by the lake where they had planned to build the house. She would live there, waiting for them. Sarah had turned her face to the wall then and another piece of his heart broke. Still she had not cried. He had asked them to give him a lock of Martha Sophia's jet black hair in a little locket. Jarrod had intended to give it to Sarah when the time was right. He found he could not part with it.

When Sarah woke again she felt considerably better, if her headache had not gone, it was certainly in abeyance and she no longer felt dizzy or sick. Jarrod suggested tea and she agreed readily. He went to ask Silas to fix a pot and bring it up to them.

Then he returned to her, thankfully avoiding his family and Danny. She was sitting by the fireplace studying the locket. She had clutched it tightly from the moment Jarrod had showed it to her. He watched her for several long moments and ached with both love and sadness. Sarah looked up at him then, and gave him a small, half-smile and held her hands out to him. Jarrod crossed to her and took her hands. "Sit with me, Jarrod." He did her bidding and watched as she looked at the locket again and stroked it, then she handed it back to him. "I'm glad she is always with you, darling." Her tone was hard to read, that troubled him. For so long, soon after they had met, they had been strangely in tune with one another. "I had it made for you. I was going to give it to you when the time was right, but ..." "There was never a right time," she finished for him. "And I did not want to part with it. That was selfish. Forgive me." "Stop!" she commanded, her voice surprisingly sharp. "Sarah, why does that make you angry?" "Why do you think wanting to keep something to remember your daughter by is selfish? For God's sake, Jarrod! You lost as much as I did! How could you think I would think it was selfish? That it was something to forgive?" "It was meant for you," he said softly. Jarrod's tone defused her sudden anger, and she collapsed into the corner of the little sofa, drawing away from him. "Will you take it now?" "No!" she flared again, then recovering, quietly repeated, "No. Jarrod, you keep it. Please. You want to don't you?" He looked at the locket and caressed it. Remembering how the baby's hair had felt when he had held her, tears brimmed in his eyes. Jarrod looked back at his wife, she was crying too. "Forever," he whispered. They were holding each other then, crying together over their lost baby. It was the first time. In all those months since Martha's death they had each mourned in their own way, but never together. They had talked about their loss, about how it had pushed each to the edge of a kind of madness. They admitted to one another they each felt guilty about the loss: Jarrod for the fact that Cass Hyatt had been gunning for him and what he had done about it; Sarah for the fact that she had not been strong enough to keep their baby alive. Just before Christmas they had even talked about putting it all behind them and trying to start their family anew. But they had never mourned their baby together until that moment.

hapter 29      A New Life.

It was doubtful that Danny Mathews had ever known a happier time in his short life, he adjusted rapidly to his exciting new world and free of the haunting shadows of his past deceit, he blossomed like a desert flower after rain.The contrast between the sullen, silent child the family had grown accustomed to and the sunny natured, cheerful, talkative boy he had become was startling and took a little getting used to. Not least because the new Danny and as Jarrod remarked, the new Danny was the real Danny, had an intrepid streak a mile wide.

He considered any tree he had not yet climbed a challenge, no matter how tricky a climb that tree might be. He attempted to ride any unbroken horse he came across, the meaner the better. In consequence of which he took a couple of nasty tosses and nearly broke his arm. He explored the extensive Barkley lands and was irresistibly drawn to such things as abandoned mine shafts, derelict buildings and the like. Anywhere in fact, as Nick and Heath Barkley informed their brother Jarrod, where he was the most likely to break his fool neck! Jarrod had listened sympathetically, he himself was hard at work on the Valley Farmers tax case and had largely left Danny to the supervision of his brothers whilst he completed his preparations for the Sacramento hearing, due soon. He promised to take his ward to task and try to curb his more adventurous tendencies.

The boy was quite incredibly noisy, he slammed doors, chattered nineteen to the dozen and seemed to run everywhere he went. One afternoon, he exploded into the house calling for Jarrod at the top of his voice. Victoria and Jarrod both came out of the library in answer to this summons and Jarrod told Danny peremptorily to stop yelling! The boy took no notice at all of this command, "oh Jarrod there you are! Good! Nick and Heath are going hunting and they say I can go, if I behave and do like they say and I will! But I have to ask you first, so I can, can't I? Please Jarrod?" He hadn't stopped to draw a single breath whilst making this speech and laughing at his enthusiasm Jarrod had agreed that he could go. The child turned at once and ran for the door, shouting his thank yous over his shoulder. As one, Jarrod and Victoria called, "don't slam the..." the word door being drowned by the vigorous slamming of the door behind the boy. Jarrod slipped an arm around his mother, "you know I never thought I'd say this, but I think that boy may be as noisy as Nick!"

"You may be right, " laughed Victoria adding, "oh well, we survived Nick's boyhood, I dare say we can live through Danny's too."

In a short space of time, Danny managed to get into an impressive number of scrapes. He had an adventurous nature, which had for too long been kept in check by the circumstances of his life. When his father had left the family, Danny had been a boy of nine, too young to take on the burden of hunting for meat and trying to keep the ramshackle ranch afloat. Nevertheless he had taken on that burden and helped his womenfolk as much as he could. It had left little time for play and none for education. He had been forced into a maturity beyond his years and had missed out on the simple pleasures of boyhood.His time at the Barkley ranch up to now had been a miserable guilt ridden ordeal from which he was now mercifully freed, he could be a boy again and kick over the traces. Kick them over he did, earning himself several stern lectures from his guardian, although truth to tell Jarrod hadn't the heart to be hard on him, understanding as he did, that the boy was revelling in his new life.

During the course of the next two weeks Danny received a number of things, some extremely nice, two of them far from nice and one positively painful! Among the nice things, he got a whole shower of presents, including a handsome saddle and bridle from Nick and Aunt Victoria. It was a smart rig, decorated with real silver and to his delight, the saddle bore his initials tooled into the leather. Under Nick's benevolent supervision Danny oiled the leather until it shone and rode proudly on his OWN horse JB with his grand new rig.

His present from Jarrod and Sarah trotted at the horse's side, for they had given him a dog, a white long haired German Shepherd that looked like a white wolf, it was only a pup but already big enough to play with, he called her DG, which he confided to Jarrod stood for Danny's Girl. Guardian and ward had developed a pleasant little ritual in the evenings, when Danny went up to bed Jarrod would drop in to his room for an hour before the boy settled down to sleep. The day's doings were talked over and many secrets and impressions exchanged. It was hard to say which of the two enjoyed these bonding sessions the most, the man or the boy.

Heath had given Danny a most exciting present, a magnificent rifle, just the right size and to his wonder and joy, it too had his initials on it, in the form of a brass plate. There were rules attached to this gift as Heath spelled out, he was on no account to go off on his own with it until he had satisfied Heath he could be trusted and had to ask permission to even handle it. Danny promised he would be good but before the day was out had sneaked off on his own with his prize possession. Encountering Heath as he returned to the gunroom he had learned that although Heath was a softly spoken, usually amiable young man, he could be quite formidable when required. The tall blond man had spoken very sternly to him, his cold blue eyes burning into the boy's face and Danny had penitently begged Heath's pardon.

Jarrod gave his ward a fine fishing rod to add to his growing hoard of treasures and one day, old Silas too gave the boy a gift. Danny tore the paper open eagerly and his face fell almost ludicrously when he realised that it contained a book. He didn't wish to hurt his friend's feelings but he smiled a little sheepishly and murmured that he wasn't much for reading. Silas was unperturbed, "name me a twelve year old boy who is? 'Cept Mr. Jarrod maybe," he added reflectively. He smiled at Danny, "this book was given to Jarrod by his father, it's a wonderful story by a distinguished Scotsman Sir Walter Scott. It is called Redgauntlet and it sure is a most exciting story," he ruffled Danny's hair, "especially when read by an expert like me, see you in the kitchen after dinner Sonny." Danny was delighted and eagerly agreed to join his friend for the reading later.

At dinner he prattled happily to Jarrod and mentioned Redgauntlet, whereupon Heath smiled and said, "Silas gave that book to me when I began reading just after I came here."

Nick smiled remembering, "Jarrod used to read that book to me when we were supposed to be asleep." To the amusement of Sarah and Victoria, not one but four boys repaired to the kitchen for the reading after dinner and Silas, seeing the three eldest Barkley brothers in young Danny's wake was unsurprised.

Less pleasantly, Danny sustained one walloping and was threatened with another. He had begged hard to be allowed to accompany Nick, Heath and the hands on the hunt for a dangerous bear that was ravaging the stock, forbidden to go he had shadowed the brothers, only to have his horse bolt when the men starting shooting at the bear. Nick the consummate horseman had galloped after him and plucked him from danger, promptly turning the boy over his saddle and whacking him a few times for good measure. Jerking the boy upright again, Nick had said, "don't you EVER do a crazy thing like that again!" Since he palliated this severity by hugging the life out of Danny, clearly relieved to have recovered the boy in one piece, Danny took the walloping in good part.But he wondered if Nick would tell Jarrod and decided that it might be better if he owned up himself. He had gone into the library and manfully confessed, Jarrod had hidden a smile, threatened a worse walloping if he did it again and that had been an end of the matter.

hapter 30      Clouds On The Horizon.

Life tasted very sweet to young Danny, there were indeed only two clouds on his horizon. One was the nagging fear in the back of his mind that his father might appear to claim him. Danny didn't remember Scott Mathews very well but what he did recall he didn't much like. He remembered an excitable discontented man, impatient with his little son and disinterested in him too. Danny didn't want to swop the loving guardianship of Jarrod Barkley for an uncertain life with the father he barely knew and he asked Jarrod from time to time whether there was any news of Scott. Jarrod was perceptive enough to understand the boy's concern and in fact it was an anxiety he shared to some extent. As little as Danny wanted to leave Jarrod did Jarrod want to give him up. The Lawyer thought however that he had a pretty fair measure of the type of man Scott Mathews was, it shouldn't be too hard, if he did appear, to induce him to surrender his rights to the boy.

The other cloud on Danny's horizon was the vexed question of his education. He had tentatively begun lessons with Victoria but she had been quick to realise that he needed more professional help than she could give him and had told Jarrod so. Sarah and Jarrod had discussed the boy's needs and had decided to let him have a brief period of freedom before hiring a tutor to work intensively with the boy. They had not yet told Danny of their plans and unbeknown to them, Danny had been doing some educational research of his own. He had asked Silas about Jarrod's school days and been dismayed to learn that Jarrod had gone away to a very fancy school indeed. It seemed likely to the boy that Jarrod might choose to send him there too and the thought of going to school at all was enough to fill him with dread, let alone having to be parted from Jarrod for long periods of time as well.

Danny made up his mind to talk to his guardian about school but was disappointed to learn that Jarrod wasn't expected home until very late. He resolved to sneak downstairs when everyone else was in bed and lie in wait for Jarrod, he really couldn't go to sleep with the prospect of a fancy boarding school hanging over him. He managed to slip down to the living room unobserved and settled down to wait for his guardian, however he had been in the saddle most of the day and it wasn't long before sleep overtook him. Jarrod didn't get home until nearly midnight and looked in surprise at the boy curled up in an armchair fast asleep. He crouched in front of the chair and flicked Danny's cheek with a finger, "wake up sleepy head," he whispered.

Danny opened his eyes, "Jarrod," he said sleepily but with definite pleasure.

"What are you doing down here Son?"

"I was waiting for you," answered the sleepy voice.

"Yes, I can see that, any special reason?"

"Uhh huh, I don't want to go."

Jarrod was a little lost but did his best to keep up, "go where exactly?"

Danny was still half asleep, "the boarding school."

"What boarding school?"

"The fancy school you went to," said the drowsy voice.

"What made you think I was going to send you there Danny?"

"I...don't know, I guess I just thought you would, cause it's where you went to school."

Jarrod smiled at him and smoothed the tousled hair out of his eyes, "I think we should talk about this tomorrow when you're a little more awake don't you?"

"Mmmm," murmured Danny, drifting back into sleep again.

Jarrod carried the boy up to bed and tucked him up before gratefully slipping into his own warm bed beside the sleeping Sarah.

The next morning, Jarrod and Danny lingered at the breakfast table after everyone else had gone about their daily work. "How did you find out where I went to school?" Jarrod's question made the boy blush, "I...I asked Silas," he answered shyly.

Jarrod smiled, "well, I wouldn't worry about it, my old school isn't a suitable place for you to catch up your education anyway."

"It isn't?" There was obvious relief in the boy's voice.

Jarrod stretched out a hand and squeezed the back of the boy's neck, "did you actually imagine that I meant to pack you off to a boarding school, miles away from here, away from me?"

"I ..I guess I did, yeah."

"Idiot child!" Jarrod's voice was full of love, "why did you think that?"

"Well, your Papa and Mama must have sent you!"

Jarrod laughed, "well yes," he acknowledged, "but I didn't go away from home until I was older than you are now and only then because it was what I wanted."

"I do have to go to school I suppose."

"You suppose right!" The Lawyer's voice was firm. He looked at his crestfallen ward, "look Danny, I know you don't want to go to school and at the moment you aren't able to go either, you need some special lessons here at home with a tutor."

"A tutor!" Danny was horrified.

Jarrod laughed at his consternation, "don't worry about it, it isn't going to happen for a little while and when it does, it won't be so bad."

Danny was not convinced, "so...I have this tutor man and then I get to go to school?" It was evident that he didn't think much of his guardian's plans.

"Yes, I have it in mind that you should attend Nick's old stamping ground, the Stockton Boy's School eventually."

Danny brightened a little, "you mean I can go to school right here in Stockton and keep living at home?"

The Lawyer's heart was warmed by the "at home" and he nodded "that's right, tell you what, why don't I take you to see the place this morning?"

Danny seemed about to protest but thought better of it and nodded, "alright Jarrod."

His guardian had noted the hesitation, "what is it Son?"

"Nothing, it's alright, Nick and Heath said I could go fishing with them this morning but I'd rather be with you."

Jarrod was touched by this handsome statement and grinned at Danny, "looking at a school?"

Danny nodded, not too convincingly.

"Well I'd rather go fishing," declared Jarrod.

Danny was visibly surprised, "you like fishing Jarrod?"

Jarrod leaned back in his chair and laughed out loud, "you really do think I live in a cupboard in my law office and just get wheeled out when I have a client don't you?"

Danny grinned at him, "I guess so."

Jarrod rose, "on your feet brat! I am about to show you how good a fisherman a lawyer can be, go and saddle the horses while I take my brothers to task for daring to go fishing without me!"

"What about the school?"

"We'll do that tomorrow," smiled Jarrod and followed the exuberant boy out to the barn.

They did spend the day fishing and in the suceeding days spent a fair amount of time getting better accquainted. Their obviously deepening relationship was plain for all to see but if it gave Sarah any pain she hid it well and she too furthered her relationship with the boy, accompanying Jarrod and Danny on the trip around the Stockton Boy's School. She and Danny behaved badly, getting the giggles when the Principal remarked that it was unkind of Jarrod to remind him of Nick's time at the school, which the Principal had spent many years trying to forget! On the whole the trip went as well as it could and if Danny wasn't wholly reconciled to attending school, he was at least resigned to the need to do so.

hapter 31      Discovery

The investigation into Scott Mathews disappearance had been underway practically since the day Jarrod returned from Maybury, Jarrod and Sarah had both made enquiries in San Francisco, he in legal circles, she in journalistic ones, but as time went on, both husband and wife were beginning to wonder if they were ever to learn the missing man's fate. One morning, the couple rode into town together, they often met for coffee in the middle of the morning but on this particular day had agreed not to do so but to work straight through to lunch, they could then finish work and have the afternoon free. So Jarrod was surprised when an errand boy from Sarah's office brought him a note asking him to meet her for coffee. Evidently, his wife has something to tell him that wouldn't wait. Jarrod lost no time in joining Sarah, she smiled at him, "sit down Darling, my sources have come up with the goods on Danny's father, you aren't going to like this Jarrod".

"That sounds ominous!"

She smiled, "it is and it isn't, first and foremost Scott Mathews is dead."

The Lawyer frowned, it seems unkind but I feel a certain sense of relief at that news."

"I have to confess to the same feeling," agreed his wife. She covered Jarrod's hand with hers, "the circumstances are pretty sordid Jarrod."

Jarrod sighed, "tell me."

Sarah did tell him and Jarrod's frown grew blacker.

"I wonder how the boy will take this news Sarah."

She reflected for a monent, sipping her coffee, "perhaps you shouldn't tell him all the facts now Jarrod?"

"I have to Sarah, I made the boy a promise that I would tell him the absolute truth about his father's fate."

She nodded her head, "I know Darling, I wasn't suggesting that you might lie to him, but perhaps not give him all the facts until he's a little older."

Jarrod considered, "no," he said at length, "I can't take the risk that he might find out some other way," he paused sighing, "I'll tell him this afternoon."

Sarah's hand covered his, "we'll tell him this afternoon," she corrected.

Jarrod carried her hand to his lips, "thank you Darling."

After lunch, everyone went about their business, leaving Jarrod, Sarah and Danny still sitting around the table. Jarrod spoke lightly, "well young man, what have you got planned for this afternoon?"

"Nick and Heath have important work to do and I can't go," he recited. "Aunt Victoria is going to visit ladies and I WON'T go!" Jarrod and Sarah both laughed as the boy went on, "Silas says you two both have work to do too so he and I are going to bake a surprise!"

Jarrod smiled, "well that sounds nice but first come into the library with Sarah and me will you? We need to have a little talk."

As they walked from the dining room to the library Danny glanced from Sarah to Jarrod, they sure did look serious, he mentally reviewed his activities of the last few days and could think of no reason why either should be cross with him. He peeped up at Jarrod, "am...am I in trouble?"

Jarrod looked at him with the ghost of a smile, "should you be?" There was a note of gentle teasing in his voice.

"I mean...did I do something bad?"

Jarrod ruffled his hair, "if you have I have yet to find out about it," he said dryly.

They had reached the library and Sarah sat on the settee, she patted the seat beside her, "come and sit down Sweetie," she smiled. Danny sat beside her, frowning with anxiety, he spoke to his guardian, "you and Sarah both look so serious."

It was Sarah who answered him taking one of his hands in both of hers, "Jarrod has something serious...and sad to tell you Danny but it isn't anything to worry about, truly."

Jarrod sat on the low table facing the boy, he put his hands on his knees , "we have some news about your father Danny."

The boy's eyes flew to his guardian's face then to Sarah and back, "he...he isn't coming for me! He isn't going to take me away is he?"

Jarrod squeezed his shoulder re-assuringly, "no Son," he said very gently, "I'm afraid your father is dead Danny."

The boy was very still, he simply said "oh."

The two adults exchanged glances, they hadn't been sure how the child would react but had expected a little more emotion than Danny had shown. The boy thought for a moment then asked, "how did he die?"

Jarrod sighed, he didn't want to do this but saw no alternative, he had given the boy his word after all. .

"Danny do you remember that night in the hotel when we were travelling here from Maybury?"

The boy nodded, "yes Sir, I remember."

"I promised you then that I would be absolutely honest with you didn't I?"

"Uh huh."

"In particular, I promised to tell you everything I was able to find out about what happened to your father."

Danny didn't speak but his eyes were fixed on his guardian's grave face. Jarrod spoke quietly, "I'm going to keep that promise Son, I'm going to tell you exactly what happened to your father, but I want you to try not to get upset, will you do that"

"I guess so."

Jarrod nodded, "good boy!" He hesitated, then said quietly, "I'm afraid your father was killed Danny."

The boy's eyes widened, "you mean...he was murdered?"

"I'm afraid so yes."

"How did it happen Jarrod?"

"Well, Scott was in San Francisco where he was supposed to be getting backing to develop his gold mine but he had lost all his money it seems."

Danny grimaced, "gambling I suppose?"

Sarah nodded, "it seems so Danny."

The boy looked at her, "he did that sometimes, he and Mama used to have fights about it."

Jarrod took up the story once more, "evidently Scott got involved with two men who were criminals, they persuaded him to help them rob an assay office. It wasn't a very clever crime and all three were caught. Your father stood trial and was sentenced to go to prison for ten years."

"Prison!" The boy's face was rigid with disgust and he reddened angrily as if the shame of his father's actions reflected on him personally. He drew a couple of shaky breaths while the two adults looked worriedly at each other.

"Are you alright Sweetheart, " asked Sarah gently.

The boy nodded, "so...how did he get murdered if he went to prison?"

Jarrod put a hand on the boy's knee, "he was murdered in prison Danny. He got into a fight in the prison yard with a violent, dangerous prisoner and he was killed before the guards could save him."

The boy was trembling visibly and Jarrod assumed he was distressed, he spoke gently and re-assuringly, "it must all have happened very quickly Danny, I don't believe your father would have suffered, he may not even have had time to be scared." He put his hand on the back of Danny's neck and squeezed, but the boy shook himself free and sprang up. It was not distress but raw anger that sparkled in his pale blue eyes, "a jailbird!" He spat the word vehemently, "a stinking rotten robber, murdered in prison, what sort of a m...man is THAT to have as a father?" He turned and ran from the library and seconds later Jarrod and Sarah heard the big front door slam behind him.

Jarrod got to his feet, "I'd better go after him."

Sarah shook her head, "no Jarrod, he's had quite a shock, he needs time to come to terms with what you've told him. Let him be for a while."

Jarrod glanced through the window, "I don't want him to wander too far, Nick says there's a storm coming up."

Sarah looked at the sunny day in surprise, "a storm? Really?"

Jarrod smiled, "believe me, Nick can smell bad weather a hundred miles away, so can Heath for that matter, if they say we're in for a storm, we are!"

hapter 32      Heath's Philosophy.

Danny didn't linger to saddle up his horse or call his dog, he ran full pelt across the meadow and into the trees beside the nearby waterhole, he needed time to think, time to get a grip on the cold fury that possessed him. He sat on the bank and hugged his knees, the strength of his rage made him feel sick he was so mad at his father. How could he? How could he leave Mama, Grandma and me for all that time and how could he be so...so STUPID? Danny was not an educated boy but he was no fool either, a ten year prison sentence meant that a serious crime had been committed, probably a violent crime too. Impossible to grieve for a man who would steal, maybe hurt folks as well. Besides thought the angry boy, it was HIS fault Mama lied to Dakota, made ME lie to him, my father hurt Jarrod not us! I hate him, I HATE him, he kicked savagely at a fallen tree trunk, he needed to vent his wrath on something.

When at last his rage cooled it was replaced by a grey tide of despair, he was doomed! For the rest of his life people would see him as the son of a jailbird, a robber, murdered in prison. His only comfort was that poor old Grandma was dead, she had loved Scott and she had stubbornly kept her faith in her son, this revelation would have broken her heart! The boy was bitterly upset but he didn't cry, Jarrod had wiped away Danny's tears in his office, he had said he hoped his ward wouldn't have cause for tears for a long time to come. Danny adored Jarrod...Dakota, he had vowed to himself then and there that he would never cry again, that if he was really Jarrod Barkley's boy then nothing bad could ever hurt him, ever be important enough for tears. He didn't cry but he was sunk deep in gloom, the stigma of his father seemed to bear down on him like an actual weight on his back.

He jumped as a familiar voice spoke behind him, "I wouldn't sit there too much longer if I were you, there's a storm comin'."

Danny wheeled around to see Heath Barkley leading his horse Charger to the water's edge to drink. He looked at the grey sky, it didn't seem very stormy, "how can you tell Heath?"

The fair haired cowboy smiled, "experience," he said.

Danny sighed as if the whole weight of the world was on his young shoulders. Heath let Charger drink his fill then looped the big horse's reins over a branch, he sat beside the dejected boy on the bank and gave his shoulder a friendly pat, "wanna talk about it?"

Danny told him the fate of Scott Mathews and confided his own fear of being marked ever after as the son of a convict. Shyly, the boy asked the man what he thought. Heath contemplated the still water of the lake for a while before he answered, then he said quietly, "you know Danny, when I came here, I had nothin', no name, no heritage, I felt like I had no stake in anything at all. I was proud when I became a member of the Barkley family, proud of my name and my birthright but it didn't change anything Danny."

"I don't understand Heath."

"What I mean is, I was still the same man I'd been before I became Heath Barkley, being a Barkley didn't make me what I am, I made me what I am."

Danny wrinkled his brow, "I heard Aunt Victoria tell Sarah that you had changed a lot in the last year."

Heath nodded, "yeah, I know what she means, I was kind of angry inside when I arrived here, you know what that feels like don't you Danny?"

"Yes Sir, I sure do!"

"Well if you let it, that feeling goes away and leaves you a better, happier person, I want you to think about that."

"I will Heath."

"As to your father, you aren't responsible for anything that he's done and you can't go through your life worrying whether people think badly of you because of him. You owe it to yourself to be the best person you can be, and if you're happy with who you are, I say to hell with what others think of you."

Danny reached for Heath and the blond cowboy gave him a hug, "thanks Heath."

"Feel better?"

"I sure do!"

"Good! What do you say we hightail it indoors before the storm hits?"

Jarrod was in the library writing letters at the big desk when Danny appeared in the doorway, he looked a little sheepishly at his guardian and hovered in the doorway uncertainly. Jarrod glanced at him and carried on with his letter remarking casually, "good, I hoped you might come home before the storm hits, I think we're in for a strong one."

Danny came over to the desk and stood beside the Lawyer, "are you mad at me?"

"Of course not."

"Sorry I stormed out like that Jarrod!"

"You were upset," the Lawyer laid down his pen and looked at his ward, "how do you feel now?"

Danny nodded his head positively, "better! I talked to Heath about it, he found me by the waterhole so I asked him what he thought and Heath says I'm not to let what my father did spoil my life."

Good for Heath! thought Jarrod and he turned his chair to face the boy a little more. Danny went on, "Heath says that I have to try to be the best person I can be and if I can live with myself then it doesn't much matter what other people might think." The boy edged closer to his guardian and put a tentative hand on Jarrod's arm, "do you think he's right Jarrod?" Jarrod's own hand covered the boy's, "I think Heath Barkley is a very wise young man and yes, he's absolutely right." He ruffled the boy's hair, "why don't you see if Silas needs any help, Mother isn't coming home to dinner and Sarah is helping in the kitchen too."

"I'm on my way," called Danny pelting from the library, his high spirits evidently fully restored.

Jarrod found Heath in the gunroom carefully cleaning his rifle, his younger brother looked up as the Lawyer entered the room.

"I was going to come find you Jarrod, I hope you don't mind but I had a talk with Danny about his father."

Jarrod smiled, "not only do I not mind Heath I came to thank you, the boy seems a whole lot easier in his mind now, I'm much obliged."

Heath's twisted smile dawned, "I just told him what I think," he said quietly.

Jarrod laid an affectionate hand on the younger man's shoulder, "well I think Heath Barkley's philosophy of life is pretty sound and I thank you."

Jarrod crossed to the decanters, "how about a drink?"

"Thanks."

The Lawyer glanced at the rapidly darkening sky, "won't be long before the bad weather hits, I expected Nick home sooner."

Heath didn't quite hide his grin and Jarrod looked shrewdly at his younger brother's too innocent expression, "alright," he sighed, "what have you done to him?"

"Nothin'!" Heath's tone of voice was virtuous, "I just told him I caught sight of that big buck he's been after for weeks, he CHOSE to go off after it instead of doing the sensible thing and gettin' home before the rain starts."

Jarrod bent a mock-paternal frown on his younger brother, "Heath! Tell me the truth, did you really spot that deer?"

"Well," conceded Heath, "I guess it could have been a trick of the light at that!"

Jarrod roared with laughter, "you are a BAD boy Heath Barkley! He's gonna kill you."

Heath shook his head, "I think he'll be too wet for that Jarrod." The two brothers laughed companionably together and contentedly drank their whisky while the first cracks of thunder boomed above the house and forked lightning rent the sky. Seconds later torrential rain began to batter the windows.

When Nick eventually arrived home he was wet to the bone, water streamed from his waterproof and his hat, settling in a substantial puddle around his feet, he regarded his younger brother with a fulminating eye, "not a damn sign of it, not one," he grated.

Heath was sympathetic, "no? Shame!"

Nick glared at him, "if I thought..."

The fair haired young man was all innocence, "thought what Nick?"

"Never mind!"

Jarrod and Danny came down the stairs together, "evening Nick, wet enough for you?" Jarrod crossed to the decanters and poured the wet man a drink, Nick grabbed it and tossed it back in one, handing the glass back to his older brother for a refill without a word.

Danny smiled at Nick, "Heath knew there was gonna be a storm Nick, didn't he tell you?"

"I KNEW that!"

Danny blinked and Nick stopped yelling, "you're right Danny, I should have listened to Heath!"

He shot his younger brother a look that promised ample vengeance at some future time.

Danny could see the tall dark cowboy was put out, "shall I go run you a hot bath Nick?"

Nick grinned at him, "thank you Boy, that would be nice!"

Danny pounded up the stairs two at a time, Jarrod closed his eyes, "I swear he's even noisier than you were at that age Nick!"

"Nothin' wrong with that," growled Nick finishing his second whisky and squelching damply after Danny up the stairs.

hapter 33      Friends and Brothers, Nick, Jarrod and Heath.

Two evenings later, a little before dinner, Nick and Jarrod Barkley were seated either side of the fire in Nick's splendid bedroom, glasses of brandy in their hands. This companionable getting together was an old established custom of the two men, it had begun very soon after their father's death, just after Nick had taken possession of Tom's room. It became the only place where either man felt able to display their true feelings, everywhere else it was necessary to be strong, with their grieving mother and bereft siblings, with the shaken ranch hands, in their dealings with business associates.This room was a haven in which they could relax, share their troubles with each other, seek each other's advice and be themselves. It had remained so till this day and as was their custom the two brothers were sharing a problem between them.

"So," said Nick, "the wire came this morning huh?"

"Yes the hearing is scheduled for four days hence in Sacramento, I need to leave tomorrow ideally."

Nick glanced at his older brother, he seemed fully fit now and the boy wasn't worrying him anymore either. "How do you feel about the case? You gonna win?"

Jarrod smiled slightly, "I'll have a rougher ride than I got in Stockton, but yes I'm confident I'll win."

"Sassy goin' with you?"

"I want her to but I'm afraid she's nominated herself to babysit Danny here at home"

"Why?"

"Well Mother's going to meet Minnie and Audra in San Francisco, I haven't the heart to stop her, she's missed Audra dreadfully."

Nick nodded, "she sure has, she needs the break!"

"I know it Nick and I also know Danny would be miserable on a female dominated shopping expedition!"

Nick grinned and got up to refill their glasses, "not to mention that he'd get up to God knows what mischief!"

"Exactly!"

Nick handed Jarrod his drink and sat down again, "I could take him to the cattle sale with me."

Jarrod shook his head, "and miss your poker festival with the other buyers? I wouldn't hear of it Nick!"

"I wonder if Heath can postpone his trip to the mines?"

"No Nick, you and Heath have both done more than your fair share of looking after the boy."

Nick frowned at Jarrod, "Sass will want to support you and I know you want her there too!"

"It can't be helped Nick," sighed Jarrod.

There was a knock on the door and Heath poked his head in, "sorry for interrupting," he said diffidently.

With a slight shock Nick realised that Heath had never been a part of the sessions he and Jarrod spent in this room, "what kind of foolish talk is that? Come in and have a brandy." He glanced around the room slightly embarrassed, "I ought to get another chair in here, Heath there are a couple in your room aren't there?"

"I'll get one," said Heath heading for the door.

Nick's voice stopped him, "I'll get it, you sit here, make yourself comfortable."

He indicated his armchair and Heath sat down. While Nick fetched the chair, Jarrod poured the younger man a drink. Nick returned and set his chair down between his brothers, facing the fire.

"That's better," said Nick as Jarrod handed him another drink.

"I didn't mean to disturb you both," said Heath quietly, "I just wanted a word with Jarrod."

Nick grinned rather sheepishly at Heath, "I don't know how it is but Jarrod and I got into kind of a habit of using this room as a meeting place in the early evenings. I guess I never actually invited you to join us, I know you sometimes like your own company and I suppose I figured if you wanted to join us you would."

"Nick's right Heath, we never intended to exclude you," agreed Jarrod.

Heath was a little embarrassed and Nick lightened the atmosphere, "just remember Little Brother, the bar opens about six alright?"

Heath smiled, "I'll remember that Nick, thanks."

"So," said Jarrod, "what's on your mind Heath?"

"Well it's about the boy,would I be right in thinkin' you don't know what to do with him while you're in Sacramento?"

Quite right, as a matter of fact we were just discussing it. Danny has offered to stay right here with Silas and he promises me he'll be good, I'm sure he means it too."

Heath grinned, "and you're equally sure that he'll get in trouble the second your back is turned?"

"Exactly right!"

Heath beamed at both his brothers, "well, I think I have a solution for you!"

Jarrod and Nick both said "you do?" in unison.

"Yeah, I have two trips I need to make, up to the high country and to the mines, I was going to leave for the mines tomorrow but what do you say I switch the trips around and take Danny with me up to the logging camp?"

Jarrod grinned broadly, "Heath that is a brainwave! The Bentells won't mind you having Danny with you I know."

"On the contrary," said Heath, "Lucinda loves kids and she'll spoil him rotten."

"Are you sure you don't mind Heath?" The Lawyer smiled at his younger brother gratefully.

"My pleasure Jarrod, I'll go and tell the boy."

Heath left the room and Nick smiled ruefully at Jarrod, you know it never occurred to me to invite Heath to join us, I feel kind of bad about that."

"No need Nick, like you said Heath has a solitary side and sometimes he prefers his own company, he knows he's welcome now, that's what matters."

Minutes later they heard the thunder of young feet down the landing outside the bedroom door, "brace yourself Jarrod," laughed Nick.

The door burst open and Danny flew across the room to his guardian's side, "Jarrod! Guess what?"

"Out!" The Lawyer's voice was terse, "knock on the door and wait until Nick tells you to come in."

Danny went quickly to the door and knocked, "come in," Nick called and the boy burst in again running straight to Jarrod, "Jarrod! Guess what?"

"I give up," sighed Jarrod, "I despair of ever teaching this brat any manners!"

Danny grinned at him, totally unabashed, "Jarrod! I want to TELL you!"

Jarrod relented, "I already know about your exciting invitation from Heath."

"Well can I go?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Please Sir, I promise to be good and may I go with Heath PLEASE Jarrod!"

"Yes you may."

"YIPPEE!" The boy erupted from Nick's room hugging Heath on the landing before galloping down the stairs, "Sarah, guess what, SARAH!"

Heath came back in to Nick's room and sat down again, "this is only a guess but I think he likes the idea."

Jarrod smiled, "I'm grateful Heath, Sarah and I need some time alone and this solves our dilemma nicely."

The fair haired cowboy smiled, "it's my pleasure Jarrod," his pale blue eyes flickered in Nick's direction, "besides, having the boy with me, well...it will help."

Jarrod's eyes twinkled, he could always tell when Heath was ribbing Nick.

"Help? Help what?" Nick's voice was puzzled.

Heath answered him with a show of earnestness, "well Nick I miss you so much when I'm away on a trip, but having that noisy badly behaved boy with me, why it'll be just like you were there, I won't miss you a bit!"

"Oh haha Heath very funny!"

Jarrod laughed, it was pleasant to feel so relaxed and happy, life hadn't been easy for the last few weeks, he looked forward eagerly to his court case, he would win, he felt certain of it, and now he could look forward to having Sarah with him while he did so.

hapter 34      A Trip To The High Country.

The next morning passed in a whirling bustle of departures, Nick set off early for the cattle sales, he would drive some hard bargains, do some good deals and more importantly play poker till he dropped! Jarrod and Sarah set off for the State Capital and the final round of Jarrod's fight on behalf of the Valley's small farmers, he was quietly confident that he would win and blissfully happy to have Sarah to himself for a few days. She was equally contented and determined to enjoy herself, she had been feeling queasy for days and told herself a change of air was all she needed to be well again.

Victoria went with her son and daughter in law to the station and they saw her onto the San Francisco train, she was to meet the redoubtable Minnie Perlman there with Audra at the end of their extended tour. This was the longest trip Audra had ever made without her mother and truth to tell Victoria had missed her terribly. More than she had expected to, dearly as she loved all her children, her daughter held a tender place in Victoria's heart and the house had seemed lonely without her constant companionship, despite Sarah's comforting presence.

As the train rattled along, Victoria had leisure to think about her converstion with Danny prior to leaving the house that morning. He had sought her out in her own room and asked if he might speak privately to her as he had something on his mind. "Of course Dear, come in and sit down."

The boy sat nervously beside her and Victoria patted his hand, "what can I do for you Danny?"

"Well Aunt Victoria, it's about Jarrod and Sarah, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"No Darling, ask me anything you want and I'll do my best to help you."

He had confided in her then, told her exactly what he was thinking and feeling and anxiously asking for her advice. She had responded as she always had with her own children, she had been completely honest and told him what she felt about the matter. They had been interrupted by a knock on the door and Sarah had entered the room. "Oh! I'm sorry," Sarah had smiled, "I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Actually Sarah we are rather glad you did, Danny has been asking my advice and since the matter concerns you I think you should hear what he has to say and what I have suggested too."

Sarah had sat, listened and largely agreed with her mother in law and Danny. "Better leave it to me to break it to Jarrod though," she had counselled, "I'll need to pick my moment and ensure that he understands how we all feel."

It had been agreed between the three of them that the subject would be left in abeyance until the family were all together again and Sarah had been able to tell Jarrod about the decision she, Victoria and Danny had come to. Victoria wondered if she, if they had done right, she hoped so, she fervently hoped so!

Danny and Heath saw everone else off on their travels and spent a pleasurable morning preparing their gear before an early lunch after which they too would set out. Danny had been subjecting Heath to a constant barrage of eager questions and enquiries about the logging operations, the Bentells and the trip up to the high country. Heath reflected that his joke to his brothers about not missing Nick was certainly coming true! Not even Nick at his most expansively verbose could rival Danny Mathews unbounded enthusiasm. Not that Heath really minded, he had felt desperately sorry for the orphaned boy when Danny had first arrived at the ranch and it was good to see him happy at last.

They set out right after lunch, waved off by Silas who stood watching until they were out of sight before letting out a sigh of relief at clearing the house for a few days and repaired to his peaceful kitchen for coffee and a slice of the cake he had baked himself that morning. A few days without anyone in this house was a rarity and Silas intended to relish every minute of it. He had been here many years now, rescued from a life of miserable terror and was content to serve the family he loved, he had been offered and refused the opportunity of a different kind of life but he knew what he wanted and that was to stay right here. He was an intelligent man and could have had greater aspirations, but he knew himself well and he was content to stay with the Barkleys for the rest of his days.

The Man and the boy made good progress on the first afternoon of their journey, Danny was a competent young horseman and JB was a fine horse, Heath could set a fair pace and the boy had no difficulties keeping up. They had left the dog DG at home, Danny had been keen to bring her but Heath had persuaded him that she was still a little young for such a long journey and reluctantly Danny had agreed, parting from DG with many hugs and kisses. Unbeknown to Danny it had been Heath who suggested to Jarrod and Sarah that they give the boy a dog. He had quietly told Jarrod that an orphan needs something to pour out his love on, the Lawyer had recognised the personal pain from which Heath's knowledge had come and he had promised to discuss it with his wife. It was not now Jarrod's practice to take any decision regarding the boy without consulting Sarah first and he related Heath's words to her, Sarah had agreed at once. She was far from being the lonely orphan Danny was, but her childhood had been spent in being passed from one reluctant family member to another and parts of her life had been bleak indeed. She too could see the sense in providing the boy with a pet to love.

At the end of a very long afternoon in the saddle, Heath had called a halt and Danny had helped him make camp. They dined sumptuously on the picnic provided for them by Silas and the amused Heath watching Danny consume the last of the apple cake reflected that in matters of appetite too there was little difference between travelling with Nick Barkley or Danny Mathews.When the boy had eaten his fill and they had squared away all their gear and tied the horses down for the night they turned in. "Best get plenty of rest, "smiled Heath, "we have a longer day in the saddle tomorrow and now you ate all the food we'll have to hunt up some more!"

Danny had promised his guardian faithfully that he would behave himself on the trip with Heath and Heath himself had told the boy he expected him to act like a young man not a child and that he must act responsibly at all times. Danny had every intention of doing so but he reckoned without two things, one was his burning desire to use his new rifle and the other was his wish to impress Heath Barkley. Danny had developed a lively admiration for Heath, he was drawn to the quiet, competent cowboy, who despite his quiet ways never backed down to anyone and usually got his way about things.Waking before Heath very early next morning, Danny took his rifle and set out to hunt up a rabbit or two for their evening meal that night. He had good fortune and returned to camp with two fat rabbits and feeling more than a little pleased with himself. He displayed his prizes to Heath Barkley expecting words of praise, "look Heath, I hunted these, we'll eat well tonight huh?"

"Well I guess I will anyway," said the fair haired man extending a hand for the rabbits.

Danny handed them over, "I don't understand," said the boy puzzled by Heath's stern expression and cold voice. Heath indicated the rifle in the boy's hands, "I guess I'd better take that too, since you can't be trusted to keep your word."

"But Heath..."

"Did I or did I not tell you that on no account were you to go out alone with this gun?"

"Yes Sir but..."

"No buts, I told you I was expecting a young man along on this trip not a naughty little boy, if I can't trust you Danny, you can't go with me."

The boy flushed under Heath's icy gaze, "I...I'm sorry I just wanted to show you I could handle the rifle is all."

Heath turned away and strapped the boy's rifle onto Charger's saddle, "you better get some breakfast inside you, it's a long ride back to the ranch."

Danny stared at him horrified, "you...you mean we're going back home, not...not to the logging camp?"

Heath shook his head, "no, I'm going on up to the camp, this is a business trip and I have my work to do but you can head home to the ranch by yourself"

Danny's jaw nearly hit the ground, "b...by myself?"

Heath nodded, his face and voice still stern, "it's an easy enough ride you won't get lost, tell Silas I said you weren't quite old enough to be on this trip."

Danny hung his head in shame, "please don't send me back Heath, I...I want to go with you," his voice trailed miserably away.

"you should have thought of that before you disobeyed me," said Heath uncompromisingly.

Breakfast was eaten in cold silence and Danny miserably rinsed the plates and cups in the nearby stream before saddling up JB. He turned from the horse to make a last appeal to Heath, "c...couldn't I go with you Sir, I promise to be good really I do."

Heath was implacable, "you better get going, it's a long ride home."

Danny gritted his teeth determined not to be a baby and cry, he murmured sadly "Yes Sir, goodbye Heath."

He mounted his horse and trotted sadly off down the track as Heath stood watching him go.

Under no circumstances would Heath have allowed a twelve year old boy to make a full day's ride by himself but Danny didn't know that and it was a dejected boy that rode his horse away, Heath let him get a full six hundred yards away, right to the bend in the track that would have taken the boy out of sight before he put his fingers to his mouth and let out a piercing whistle.

Danny turned and saw his mentor beckoning him back, eagerly, he turned JB and rode back.to their camp. He dismounted and stood before Heath, humbly but with hope in his heart. Heath spoke severely to him, "this had better be the first and last time you cross me on this trip, clear?"

"Yessir!"

"Alright you can go with me and later on we'll do a little more hunting and you can show me that I can trust you with your rifle, fair enough?"

"Yes Sir Heath, fair enough."

With soaring spirits Danny set off with his companion for the long day's ride. He was circumspect with Heath and carefully respectful, fearing that the blond man might have a down on him for the rest of the trip but to his relief Heath was his usual amiable self. During the course of that day Heath went hunting with Danny and pronounced himself satisfied that the boy could handle his rifle. They dined that night on a mess of rabbit stew that Heath perpetrated, it gave Danny indigestion but he ate it manfully. Before they had set out on this trip Nick Barkley had laughingly warned Danny that Heath was an awful trail cook, trying to sleep that night with his growling stomach for company, Danny was inclined to agree!

hapter 35      Lucinda.

Two days later, Heath Barkley and Danny Mathews rode into the logging camp. It had been a fascinating trip for the boy, he had never before been this high in the mountains and he had lost his heart to this high country, he loved everything about it, the magnificent peaks, the rushing rivers, the vivid and vibrant colours of the wildlife and vegetation. Above all he loved the trees, the soaring, splendid trees. He felt drawn to this place, felt in his heart that it was his place, his spiritual home. A little shyly, he had tried to explain these feelings to Heath and to his surprise Heath had understood exactly what he meant, confiding that he had experienced similar sensations himself on his first visit to this place.

They pulled up their horses in front of the Bentells modest house and Danny liked the look of that too, not an intimidating mansion like the Barkley ranch house nor a mean shack like he had shared with Mama and Grandma, but something in between, a comfortable little home, with flowers and a herb garden and a balcony with a swing and chairs set out comfortably on it. Danny felt that same sensation of being drawn to the place, of belonging, just as he had felt among the tall trees.

A lady appeared at the door of the little house and she came smilingly out to meet them, "Heath! Oh what a wonderful surprise, I thought you were coming next month!" She advanced toward them her arms held out and Heath caught her to him in a warm embrace, he kissed her cheeks too, "hello Lucinda, you look wonderful."

"Thank you Dear, I feel very well, I got through the winter without a single ailment I'm glad to say."

She turned to Danny, "and who is this handsome young man?"

"Lucinda I'd like you to meet Danny Mathews, he lives with us at the ranch since his mother and grandmother died, he's Jarrod's ward."

"Hello Danny," she smiled, "I'm very happy to meet you," she held out her hand and Danny shyly shook it and murmured that he was happy to meet her too. He thought she was a sweet lady, he liked her soft gentle voice and although she wasn't as tiny and delicate looking as Aunt Victoria or as beautiful as Sarah, he thought she was lovely. He liked her kind face and sweet smile, for some reason he could scarcely define he felt comfortable with her at once.

Lucinda smiled at the boy and he returned it, his own smile was sweet and amiable, a nice looking boy she thought, sturdily built, evidently he liked his food! "Are you hungry Danny?"

"Yes Ma'am a little."

"We ate on the trail Cinda," Heath assured her.

"Well if the poor boy has been eating your cooking Heath Barkley he must have a constitution of iron to still be alive!"

Danny laughed delightedly and willingly accompanied his hostess indoors while Heath rode off to find Mrs. Bentell's husband Matt who was in charge of this exciting place. The woman and the boy got along well, she fed him a substantial lunch including a large piece of apple pie which Danny ate with relish. "This sure is good Ma'am, my...my Mama made it this way, Mrs. Barkley's tastes kind of funny though."

"Cinnamon," said Lucinda at once, "I don't have any here and anyway I think it spoils the flavour of the apples, I use brown sugar that's all."

"Well I think it's just perfect," her new friend assured her with that peculiarly sweet smile of his. Just as Victoria Barkley had, Lucinda found herself thinking that this boy would be a breaker of hearts one day, there was something very charming and nice about him altogether.

After lunch Lucinda made them both some coffee and to her surprise the boy got up and did the dishes without the slightest prompting. She smiled at him, "did you do this for Mama Honey?"

He answered her with a shy yes, eyes bright with unshed tears, Lucinda's gentle heart went out to him and she tenderly smoothed his thick wavy brown hair. As if it were the most natural thing in the world he moved into her arms and held on tight, she cuddled him close and they clung together for a time.

Afterwards they talked, talked for hours! All afternoon they sat together on the verandah and Danny poured out his heart to his new friend, telling her all about his first meeting with Jarrod/ Dakota and his shame at having deceived the man he adored. The story of his mother and grandmother's death were haltingly told too and again the tender gentle woman comforted the bereaved boy. He told Lucinda of his unhappy beginnings in the Barkley house and she assured him she understood his actions during that miserable period. He explained how he had become reconciled with Jarrod and little though he knew it she had some inkling of how Sarah might have felt about Jarrod's adoption of a twelve year old boy.

Danny confided his educational difficuties to Lucinda and she listened intently as he told her about Jarrod's plans to engage a tutor and then to send Danny to the Stockton Boys School. She smiled at the boy, "you know Danny it isn't at all unusual for the education of children to be neglected because of their circumstances," she smiled.

"It isn't Ma'am?"

"No not at all, most of the children who live at this camp during the summer wouldn't go to school at all if I didn't have my own little school here."

Danny was surprised, "are you a teacher then Ma'am?"

"I used to be certainly."

"Well you sure are a whole lot nicer than any teacher I ever met!"

"Thank you Danny, I take that as a compliment." She looked appraisingly at her new friend, "you know Danny having had a neglected education is nothing to be ashamed of, but not taking the opportunity to change that situation, that would be a poor way to behave."

The boy's sigh was deep, "I guess you're right Ma'am, I just get so...plain embarrassed when I try to learn is all."

"I understand Honey, I really do, what you need is the right teacher," she smiled at the boy may I show you what I mean?"

"Alright Ma'am," said the boy doubtfully.

Lucinda went inside to a cupboard and returned with some sheets of paper, pencils and a ruler. The woman and the boy spent the next hour drawing a detailed floor plan of Jarrod Barkley's law office, to Danny it was an absorbing happy hour at the end of which they had together produced a detailed and neat piece of work good enough to show off to Heath when he returned. "So Honey", asked Lucinda, "what have we been doing for the last hour?"

"Playing!" Danny sounded positive.

"Are you sure we haven't been learning?"

"No Ma'am! I had FUN."

"Well I'm glad you did but we did some mathematical calculations to make our drawing to scale and we looked up the words we didn't know how to spell in the dictionary to be sure we had labelled everything correctly and we used the ruler to draw all our lines straight so, did we learn a little bit while we were having fun?"

The boy looked at her for a long minute, "yes Ma'am I guess we sure did. Mrs. Bentell?"

"Yes Dear?"

"You sure are a good teacher, real sneaky too!"

Lucinda laughed and hugged Danny, "I'll take that as a compliment too Young Man!"

When Heath returned, Danny said hello to Mr. Bentell politely then proudly displayed his floor plan to Heath. Heath was impressed, "that is a great piece of work Danny, bet you never knew you could do something like that did you?"

"No Sir. I sure didn't!"

Heath handed the paper to Matt Bentell, "what do you think Matt?"

Bentell studied the plan carefully, he smiled at the boy, "well now Danny, I would say maybe you're fixing to be an engineer like me huh?"

"D...do you think a boy like me could become an engineer Mr. Bentell?"

Matt smiled and patted the boy on the back, "judging by this young fellow I'd say you could do pretty well anything you wanted."

Danny beamed with happy pride, he was beginning to like Mr. Bentell almost as much as Mrs. Bentell!

hapter 36      Matthew.

Danny knew quite a lot more when he went to bed that night about the camp, the logging operation and the Bentells, he hadn't been the only one who had talked that afternoon, Lucinda Bentell had told him a great many interesting things about herself, Matt Bentell and about Heath Barkley too. Danny had been amazed to learn that only a year ago Matt Bentell and Heath had been deadly enemies. Lucinda had told him frankly about her husband's time as the commander of the Carterson prisoner of war camp and about Heath's imprisonment there. Danny already knew a little about the war service of Jarrod, Nick and Heath Barkley but Lucinda had been the first to mention Carterson to him. He now knew that his beloved Jarrod had played a major part in reconciling Heath with his former enemy Matt Bentell and Lucinda had explained to Danny that hate is a deadly poison and a sensible man shouldn't let it rule his life. She had gently pointed out to Danny that Heath had killed his hatred and in so doing found a new and very good friend in Matt. Danny had understood her and made her a promise that he would try not to think badly of his dead father Scott any more.

Next morning, Danny was permitted to accompany Matt Bentell and Heath on their survey of the logging operation. The boy was fascinated by the magnificent log flume that sent the great logs thundering down and into the rushing river below. He experienced again that strange sensation of belonging, of being in the place where he was meant to be and when they sat eating a brief picnic lunch he talked to Matt Bentell of his feelings. Mr. Bentell understood perfectly and told Danny many interesting things about the trees and the logging operations. Danny liked Matthew Bentell, he was a quiet but authoritative man who clearly loved his work and this high country, it crossed the boy's mind that Mr. Bentell was the kind of man he might have wished to have as a father, rather than the disinterested Scott Mathews.

Heath watched the growing intimacy between his friend and his brother's ward with interest and truth to tell with a little unease as well. It was not long since Jarrod and Danny had reconciled with each other and Heath was acutely aware that his brother was growing fonder of his ward with each passing day. Now, if Heath was reading the signs aright, it seemed that Danny might have a new future in mind, a future that excluded Jarrod Barkley from his life. Heath told himself he was making too much of the boy's pleasure and interest in his surroundings, after all, they were only staying a few more days and what could happen in that short time?

hapter 37      Teacher and pupil.

Over the next few days, Danny worked hard with Lucinda Bentell, she was a gifted teacher with a knack of engaging her pupil's interest and she helped the boy to make a remarkable amount of progress in the few days they worked together. She gave him a great deal of much needed confidence during these days and he began to believe that he could actually make up the education he had missed over the last few years. One afternoon as they sat companionably together, Danny impulsively reached for his hostess's hand and blurted out "I wish..."

Cinda squeezed his hand, "what is it Honey?"

"I wish I could stay awhile...with you."

Cinda's eyes were bright with unshed tears, "so do I Sweetheart," she whispered, bravely trying to smile. "Do you think perhaps Heath might let you, if you were to ask him?"

Danny was dubious, "I don't know Ma'am, you see I'm Jarrod's Boy and I'm not sure when he's due home, he'll expect me to be there I guess."

Cinda didn't push the matter, "well we will just have to see, won't we?"

The next time Danny got Heath on his own he tentatively broached the subject of his staying on at the camp for a while but found Heath non-committal on the matter. Heath in fact found himself in something of a quandary, he could sense how strongly his friends the Bentells had taken to the boy and there was no doubt that the boy reciprocated their feelings, but Heath didn't feel it right to take it on himself to agree to Danny's remaining here, even for a short stay. That was surely Jarrod's decision and no-one else's. Heath wished that he had someone else to discuss the matter with and that same day, to his astonishment, his wish was granted when Nick Barkley rode into the camp.

"Hey Heath!" Nick's voice boomed out as he trotted Coco up to the Bentell's barn door, he dismounted and shook hands with his brother.

"What happened to the cattle sales?"

"Anthrax!" Nick's voice was a growl, "not a beast I would have wanted there anyway!"

Heath grinned at him, "no poker either?"

Nick's face showed his disgust, "would you credit it Heath? Some interfering do-gooding busybodying prissy-faced women's league got up a petition and the Sheriff closed down the saloon!"

Heath burst out laughing, "you surely have suffered Big Brother!"

Nick grinned, "anyway the plans you and Matt were waiting on finally arrived at the ranch so I thought I might as well bring them up to you." He slapped his brother on the back, "how are you Boy?"

"Glad to see you Nick! I need to talk to you about the boy." Heath's anxiety was printed clearly on his handsome face.

"Danny? What in tarnation has that young rascal done now?"

While Nick rubbed Coco down and stabled him, Heath told his brother of the growing friendship between Danny and the Bentells and the schoolwork the boy had done with Lucinda Bentell. "The boy really likes it here Nick, I think he feels more at ease in the Bentell house than he does at the ranch and he seems to have a feel for this country."

Nick wasn't wholly convinced, "well so do you have a feeling for this place but it doesn't mean you want to spend the rest of your life here, now does it?"

"Dammit Nick! We're not talking about me! Danny is Jarrod's ward and his responsibility, you know as well as I do how fond Jarrod is of that boy, how's he gonna feel if Danny comes right out and tells him he wants to stay with the Bentells?"

Nick considered the matter, "I think you're making too much of this Heath," he said at last, "the boy hasn't said he wants to stay up here for good, he just wants to visit for a while, where's the harm in that?"

Heath shook his head, "you haven't seen Danny with Cinda, they're like mother and son Nick I'm telling you."

"How can that be? He's only known her a week or so and anyway, you can't have the same feeling for a woman who isn't your real mother!"

Heath's clear blue eyes showed his hurt, "what ever you say Nick," he said quietly and turning he walked out of the barn.

Too late Nick realised what he had said and cursed himself for a fool, he strode out of the barn and caught up with his brother, "wait up there Heath," he forced his brother to stop and gripped Heath's shoulder, "I'm sorry," he said simply, "I didn't mean that, you know I didn't."

"Forget it," smiled Heath, he sighed, "maybe you're right about Danny, I just don't want Jarrod to be hurt."

"Let's just see what happens," recommended Nick.

"Alright Nick, but I warn you the boy will ask you if he can stay for a visit the minute he sets eyes on you."

Heath proved to be right, Nick was sitting on the verandah of the Bentell house having been handsomely fed by his hostess and he had dozed away most of the afternoon when Danny returned home with Matt Bentell. Danny no sooner set eyes on Nick than he let out a cry of joy and launched himself at the tall dark cowboy. Nick caught him up and hugged him warmly, "how are you Danny?"

"Good Nick! I've had a great time here and you should SEE the work I've done with Mrs. Bentell!"

"So Heath's been telling me, good for you Boy!"

Nick and Matt shook hands, "how has this young man been behaving himself Matt?"

Matt smiled, "very well indeed Nick, I don't know who is enjoying Danny's visit the most, Cinda or me."

Danny broke in eagerly, "Nick, I asked Heath but he said he wasn't sure, do you think I could stay here for a little visit, Jarrod wouldn't mind would he?"

Nick hesitated, sitting back down and Matt Bentell quietly excused himself and went tactfully away leaving the man and the boy together. "Well Danny, I'm not too sure when Jarrod is due home so maybe it would be better if you came home with Heath and me huh?"

The boy was crestfallen, "do I have to Nick? I want to surprise Jarrod by how much I've learned, that's why I want to stay with the Bentells for a while," he stood before Nick, his hand on the dark man's arm, eyes beseeching. Nick was trying to decide what to do when Heath came out of the barn and crossed over to the verandah to join them. "Please Nick, please may I stay? Just for a short visit?" Nick's eyes met Heath's and the younger Barkley shook his head briefly, Nick looked at the boy but was powerless against that wounded puppy look, "well...I guess there wouldn't be any harm in a short visit," he conceded.

Danny was overjoyed, hugging Nick rapturously before pelting indoors to tell the Bentells he could stay.

Heath was deeply angry, his mouth was a hard line and he glared at Nick who shrugged defensively, "well what else could I do?"

"You could have said no," said Heath flatly.

"I did! At least I tried to, but when he looks at me that way...well it's done with now anyway."

"Is it? I think you just started something Big Brother!"

"For God's sake Heath! You heard the kid, he wants to surprise Jarrod with what he's learning with Cinda, that's why he wants to stay."

"I don't buy that Nick and if you're honest neither do you!"

"Meaning what?" Nick was on his feet agressively confronting his brother.

"Meaning go ahead Nick! Do what you want, you always do anyway but don't try to tell me that everything is alright because it's NOT. And another thing, you can damn well tell Jarrod you agreed to this, not me."

Heath turned and strode away from the house leaving his older brother seething on the verandah.

Nick sat down when he cooled off a little and thought about the situation but he still wasn't convinced that Heath was right, his younger brother had some set ideas about family and such, ten to one he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

But that evening, watching Cinda Bentell and Danny, talking and laughing together as they dried the dishes, Nick began to feel a little uneasy. There was a curious intimacy between the woman and the child, it was easy to imagine that they were mother and son so freely did they communicate. She was affectionate with the boy too and he was lapping it up. Nick was coming to the conclusion that Heath might have a point, but he was determined not to admit it! Heath was very quiet, not talking to Nick at all and only when addressed to anyone else, he slipped from the house towards bedtime and strolled down the track leading to the log flume.

Heath was a worried man, the introduction of Danny Mathews into the Barkley family had caused a deal of upset and unhappiness, now it seemed as if there might be more trouble to come and Heath would have given a great deal to spare Jarrod the hurt he feared awaited him. He saw his brother's tall figure walking towards him and sighed, he didn't want to fight with Nick about this. Nick came slowly up to the younger man and dug his hands in his belt, he fidgeted awkwardly, "I ...er...I think you were right, maybe."

Heath didn't answer, just stared at his brother, unsmilingly.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Dammit Heath I SAID you might be right, what do you want from me?"

Heath sighed, "nothin' Nick but I wish you hadn't let the boy stay that's all."

Nick scuffed the ground with his boot, "I'll tell Jarrod I agreed to it," he murmured.

"You bet you will!" Heath was determined on that.

"I SAID I will!"

Heath shook his head, "I have a bad feeling about this Nick, I really do."

Nick tried to make the best of things, "I expect the boy is just enjoying the different surroundings, it's the novelty is all."

Heath was sceptical but kept his thoughts to himself, "I hope you're right Nick, I hope you're right."

The Barkley brothers departed for the ranch next day, there was urgent work awaiting them but both promised to return to the logging camp in a couple of weeks to inspect the progress on Matt Bentell's latest feat of engineering, an extension to the log flume already in operation. Lucinda embarrassed both men by fervently thanking them for allowing Danny to stay at the camp. "I can't thank you both enough! Danny will be just fine here with Matt and me, he really wants to make some progress with his studies and impress Jarrod!"

Heath didn't answer her, just looked angrily at his brother, Nick ignored his gaze and spoke a little awkwardly to Cinda Bentell, "well of course it's only a visit you know Cinda."

"Oh yes Nick I realise that but it is SUCH a pleasant thing for me to have a child to spoil!"

Nick was sorry for the childless woman and smiled warmly at her, "I know we're leaving the boy in safe hands here with you and Matt Cinda."

Heath's voice was icy, "time we were leaving Nick," he turned to Lucinda and said quietly, "take care of yourself Cinda, see you soon," he kissed Lucinda's cheek and walked out of the house without waiting for Nick. The older Barkley also kissed Cinda and strode out to join Heath, "what the hell is wrong with you?"

Heath glared at him, "every time you open your mouth you make it worse! You can SEE what that poor woman is hoping for and it is never going to happen Nick! No way will Jarrod abandon his responsibility for Danny, I like Cinda Bentell and Matt too and all I can see ahead for them is unhappiness."

Nick was defensive, "I couldn't help myself, she was so...so damn grateful!"

Heath set off for the barn, "I don't want to hear it Nick," he snapped.

Lucinda didn't come outside to see them off but Danny and Matt were both coming down from the tree plantation and Danny ran to both men for a hug before they mounted up. Heath ruffled the boy's mop of wavy hair, "you be good for Mr. and Mrs. Bentell now you hear?"

"Yes Sir I will, I promise."

Nick patted the boy's back, "we'll both be back in a couple of weeks, you got any messages for home?"

"Yes Sir! A hug for Silas and Sarah and Aunt Victoria and TWO hugs for Jarrod from his boy!"

Nick smiled, "I'll see to it, you behave yourself Boy!"

"I WILL I already SAID I will Nick."

"See you do!" smiled Nick. Both Barkley men shook hands with Matt Bentell and at last they were allowed to ride away.