Tom, Jarrod, and Nick stood up and ceased their pre-supper conversation as surprised as Victoria to see Mrs. Bushwood this close to the time most families took their evening meal. Audra moved over and made room when Mrs. Bushwood decided to sit with she and her mother on the couch.

"Please accept my apologies for choosing to visit at this particular hour, but I've been tied up in a meeting at the school and didn't feel I should wait to speak to you."

"No apology necessary, Mrs. Bushwood, our door is always open to our neighbors," Tom nodded the elderly woman's way and found his seat across from his wife.

"Mr. and Mrs. Barkley, I wonder if it would be possible to discuss my intentions in private," she smiled around at the children letting her eyes finally rest on Audra while the friendly woman drew out a smile from the young girl.

"Of course," Victoria nodded to Jarrod, "Why don't you children keep yourselves busy in the study for a few moments. Jarrod would you please let Silas know to hold dinner until I speak to him and he will need to set another place."

"Oh, no, but thank you, Mrs. Barkley. My family will be wondering were I am as it is."

Jarrod, Nick, and Audra exchanged courtesies with their guest and left the room. Mrs. Bushwood made certain they all entered the study and shut the door before she continued. Sara Bushwood and her recently deceased husband were some of the original ranchers in Stockton. They were very successful and Tom would miss Peter Bushwood's friendship and expertise, but the Bushwood's had three strong sons to run the ranch now. Their sons were the same age as Tom Barkley himself, but he never found them as friendly or knowledgeable as their father. The Barkley children were friends with a few of Sara Bushwood's grandchildren.

Mrs. Bushwood was considered a pillar in Stockton's society. She was one of the few matriarchs of the town to openly embrace Heath when he arrived nine years ago while making it known she felt Tom's sins were between he and his wife, plus more importantly Tom and his God. The Barkleys would never forget both the Bushwood's support even though Stockton still proved a tough home for their youngest son.

"Where is Heath this evening?" Mrs. Bushwood seemed to relax once the children left the room.

"Heath does his weekly chores for and then eats supper with his Aunt Rachel and Miss Hannah every Friday evening. He won't be home for another two hours or possibly more," Victoria offered with a proud smile.

"Mrs. Caufield is an amazing seamstress. We were lucky the day you and Mr. Barkley helped move her into Stockton."

Tom nodded and worked to hide his desire for their visitor to simply spit out what she was here to say. Victoria caught his eyes and gave him a look, which meant he must be calm and listen despite the older woman's tendency to prattle on.

"I'm afraid I don't know quite how to start this conversation. It all seemed so easy in the buggy on the way here from town."

The Barkleys sat back and knew they must wait. Tom finished his drink then got up for another shot of whiskey.

"May I offer you any refreshment, Mrs. Bushwood?"

"Oh, no thank you, Mr. Barkley."

Tom crossed back and shrugged his shoulders when Victoria caught his eyes. Mrs. Bushwood fussed with her small bag and the gloves she had folded in her lap. Finally she was ready.

"The school board meet this afternoon to make final decisions about next week's graduation. Can you believe we will have SEVEN graduates this year? This will be the largest class we've ever had in Stockton!"

Mrs. Bushwood looked up and smiled weakly. Victoria and Tom nodded and smiled back, but were greatly confused about what the woman could want to tell them, which drove Sara to their home at this hour.

"I'm afraid there was some unpleasantness during the meeting after school this afternoon," Mrs. Bushwood looked up and Tom dropped all his restlessness when he saw the true concern along with a hint of wetness in the woman eyes across from him, "More specifically ... There was a lot of more than unpleasantness this afternoon."

Victoria reached over and took Mrs. Bushwood's hand seeing the woman's growing distress.

"As you know Molly Green and your son, Heath, have been neck and neck for valedictorian of their class for a few years now," Mrs. Bushwood didn't look up so she missed the look of shock on each Barkley's face, "Miss Trimble felt the only way to break the tie was to have each young person take a standardized test. She chose the entrance exam for Stanford, which the university gladly provided. As you know Stanford is a private institution with extremely high standards ... The board agreed Stanford's test would be difficult and fair. The results were forwarded to Miss Trimble and she presented them to the board after school this evening."

Mrs. Bushwood seemed to be getting more upset the farther she went in her story. She removed a handkerchief from her small bag and dabbed her eyes. When she looked up Mrs. Bushwood meekly smiled at Tom.

"Mr. Barkley, I'll take you up on that drink if you don't mind," she turned to Victoria, "Would you join me, Victoria?"

"Certainly," Victoria nodded to Tom who was already turning over glasses.

"Sweet sherry, Mrs. Bushwood," Tom offered Victoria's favorite.

"No, I'd enjoy a shot of your fine whiskey, Tom," Mrs. Bushwood chuckled when she saw Victoria's smile.

"Let's skip the formality here," Mrs. Bushwood nodded her gratitude when she accepted her glass from Tom's hand, "Victoria, you and Tom have been wonderful citizens of Stockton for years now. I know there is a large difference in our ages, but, please, call me Sara."

"Thank you, Sara."

"Now, we have a problem here and I can't be fussing around with manners and gentility."

Sara downed her shot in one gulp. The Barkleys both loved Pete Bushwood's straight talk and now were about to find his wife intended on carrying forth his traditions.

"The test results came back and were reported at today's meeting. Molly Green," Sara stopped to make a face to show her dislike without saying a word, "scored a 82 in math and a 87 in reading/language. Nice to see a young woman do well on a university level exam."

Victoria and Sara shared a smile.

"Your Heath did well too," Sara moved her smile to Tom, "In fact, I think that young man should reconsider his decision not to further his education. A letter came from Stanford stating the same ... I'm sure Miss Trimble will forward it to you. Heath scored a 98 in math and a 99 in reading/language. Absolutely amazing stuff from that quiet boy of yours!"

Tom sat forward. Heath always received above average grades, but never showed much interest in school. Their shy, quiet, and reserved son loved to read, but never mentioned anything about taking extra tests or being valedictorian. Victoria and Tom expected above average schoolwork from all their children and never pushed them if their school reports reflected they were working hard.

"Heath should be the valedictorian of his class, but he won't be. There was a heated argument stimulated by Howard Green and the board changed the rules saying they would go back and compare the two candidates grades from first year on to make their decision. They changed the rules because Heath won the original battle over Molly and as you know Heath hasn't even been in Stockton's school since his first year."

Tom and Victoria raced to digest the multitude of information being thrown at them.

"This bickering would be bad enough, but the reason I'm hear tonight is this ... The arguments became wretchedly ugly, terribly personal, and full of the narrow minded hatred your poor Heath has faced here in Stockton since the day you and Tom brought him home after the loss of his mother. The devil reared his ugly head in that room and I'm afraid I was terribly outnumbered and out-shouted despite my efforts to demand justice and fairness for a young man who has more than earned an evening to wear the school's gold sash for valedictorian."

Sara began to lose her temper and stopped for a moment to calm down. Victoria once again offered her hand and it was gladly taken.

"Miss Trimble has never been my favorite and this evening she proved me correct. She sat throughout that meeting and didn't raise a hand to defend your son or insist the original agreement be honored. After all contacting Stanford was her idea," Sara leveled her stare at Tom Barkley, "Miss Trimble also failed to inform the board of her instructions to the two students involved to wait in her small office on the side of the building while the board made their decision. I'm sorry, Tom ... Victoria ... But I'm certain poor Heath heard every single hate filled word. When we realized the children were there ... I didn't see Heath, but Molly Green walked by with her father all stuck up and pleased with her. I am terribly, terribly, sorry, but I thought I should ride out and inform you of these events."

The Barkleys were at a loss for words. Each of his parents let their imaginations review the various members of the board and started to think through the horrible words their son might have endured hearing. Victoria couldn't help feeling nauseated and wiped a tear from her cheek. Tom bit his lip to fight back his anger. A few minutes later Sara Bushwood was on her way home with Nick and Jarrod riding behind. Tom Barkley offered his hand after Victoria hugged the woman and then the older Barkley boys were instructed to see Mrs. Bushwood home and return immediately.

Audra stood holding her mother's hand and wondering what could have upset her parents so much. Victoria and Tom asked her about Heath's taking the Stanford test and competing with Molly. The young girl admitted knowing these events were taking place and promising to keep silent at Heath's insistence. Tom and Victoria never faulted their children for sticking together and imagined Audra was sworn to silence on many things , which occurred at school.

"Heath is so much smarter than Molly. I don't think anybody ever doubted he would wear the sash ... Just like Jarrod did. My goodness, the kids can't stand Molly, but Heath ... Well, he's quiet mother, but Heath has so many friends. Heath doesn't even realize how popular he has become in the last nine years. Just because their parents might not approve of Heath doesn't mean the kids don't like him. Why Danielle and Charlene would simply die if Heath would even smile at them!"

Tom kissed his daughter's forehead and hugged both women. He smiled at Audra knowing she broke a few sibling promises talking to her parents with so much honesty.

"I'm going into town. I'll ride back out with Heath."

Tom kissed and held Victoria for a long time before he left. After he put a kiss on his finger and planted it on the tip of Audra's nose the two women turned for the dining room and would enjoy a few cups of tea while they waited for Nick and Jarrod to return. Then Silas served supper, but Victoria wasn't hungry. She told her children a brief summary of what happened and instructed them all to wait for their father and Heath before the family decided on a reaction. They adjourned to the study to wait for the rest of their family to join them.

BVBVBVBVBVBVBBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBVBV

Tom Barkley tied his horse next to Heath's and walked around to the side entrance to the dress shop. Rachel and Hannah lived in a two-bedroom apartment behind Rachel's store. He smiled hearing laughter and voices coming from beyond the door, took a deep breath, and then knocked.

"Why, Tom?" Rachel drew him through the door and into a large embrace.

Hannah and Heath looked up from the floor where they were playing with Hannah's small dog, but neither tried to hide their surprise. Heath stood up first and helped Hannah to her feet.

"Tom," Hannah walked over and he gladly embraced her, "What a surprise ... Yes, a surprise. Heath's father is here ... Heath's father."

She moved away to stand with Rachel while continuing to mumble. Heath accepted a brief embrace and stood with his father's arm draped around his shoulders.

"To what do we owe this honor, Tom?"

Rachel smiled, but Heath jumped in.

"I bet he heard about Hannah making sheet cake for dessert tonight!"

Hannah smiled at Heath and shook her head.

"Boy, you surely loves chocolate. You surely do. Do you Tom?"

Tom smiled at the two women who gladly transplanted themselves and their lives miles and miles for his son. The years had made them valued members of the entire Barkley family, but Heath still shared a special relationship with them. They loved him and provided Heath with a connection to another life ... A life which included his mother, Leah Thomson.

"I do, but your sheet cake is my favorite Hannah."

Hannah's delight showed before she put her head down and went to set another place at the table. Whatever the group enjoyed for supper still smelled wonderful, but Tom didn't mention his hunger. Instead he nonchalantly pulled Heath tight and walked with him to the table.

"What can we do for you tonight, Tom? Victoria and the children are ..."

"Everyone is fine," Tom nodded his gratitude to Hannah for an extremely large piece of her famous chocolate sheet cake, continuing to answer Rachel's question, "I had some business in town and thought I'd ride home with Heath."

The conversation moved away from Tom and back to the shorthand type chitchat between family members. Tom joined in and the evening ended with finalized plans for next Wednesday night's graduation festivities. Heath adamantly refused a party, but he did want Rachel and Hannah to come out for a small celebration after the ceremony. They were excited and each made a new dress for the occasion. As the two women the entire Barkley family considered wonderful aunties did at Christmas and other major holidays the ladies would be staying overnight at the ranch which they loved and so did Heath and the rest of his family.

When Heath finished the dishes the men bid farewell for the evening. Tom waited in the street while Rachel and Hannah held on tight to his boy for a few moments. Hannah quoted Heath a message from Proverbs and sent him on his way. They walked in silence to their horses, mounted, and headed for home. Tom waited knowing Heath more than likely understood his unexpected arrival on Rachel's doorstep. When they got to Dobson's stream Heath turned and Tom followed. They dismounted and watered the horses while Heath took some deep breaths and counted a few stars.

"I don't suppose you really had any business in town tonight did you, pa?"

Tom bent down to check the temperature of the water in the stream, "No, son, I didn't except to see you home safe".

Heath smiled. He visited with Rachel and Hannah every Friday night since he was ten years old and his father helped them relocate and open their shop. Tom never worried about him riding home alone before.

"How did you find out?"

"Mrs. Bushwood stopped by," Tom stood up and waved Heath over to sit with him on a tree stump, "She was very concerned about what happened, but more importantly Mrs. Bushwood was concerned you might be hurt and upset by the things she feels you overheard."

Heath thought for a minute, quietly answering, "I won't lie and say words don't hurt sometimes ... You wouldn't believe me if I did. I admit it's never easy, pa, but they didn't have anything new or even remotely original to say."

Tom once again threw an arm over Heath's shoulder and felt good when Heath leaned in and accepted his father's offer of comfort.

"Those people ... That particular group ... Their words don't hurt me anymore. Not deep down inside where it counts anyway. I know who I am, what I am, and who my friends are. At one point this afternoon I think Molly Green decided I was crazy because I couldn't help chuckling realizing Reverend Brown and more than one elder from the churches around Stockton were the people throwing the most stones."

They sat quietly for a moment before Heath continued.

"I never expected to be valedictorian ... Actually I would die a million deaths if I had to get up there and talk in front of all those people next week. I just couldn't see letting Molly get the nod without anyone giving her competition and making her earn the sash honestly. That's all I wanted to do and I did that, pa."

Tom thought through Heath's words. His son wasn't a little boy Tom could protect anymore. Perhaps Heath was right ... He would always hear those words and maybe they didn't sting like they used to, but they cut Tom Barkley to the core and always would.

"I don't know how to answer, Heath. I think you should want what you worked for and from what I can tell you must have worked mighty hard to grab the top spot in your class."

Tom measured Heath's silence and his new son was done talking.

"We all love you ... I love you, Heath. I'm so proud of you I can never put it into words and maybe I should try harder to make you understand ..."

Heath stood up and the moonlight bounced off his smile.

"You don't have to make me understand anything, pa. I know you love me and I hope you know I love you too. Don't let those idiots in town get you down ... I work very hard to make sure they get darn frustrated since they can't stop me from living and being happy. Of course I leave the punching up to Nick. Gotta admit I should have stopped him a few times, but I was so enjoying his handiwork on a few faces!"

Tom and Heath laughed and walked back to their horses. They rode in silence to the house and rejoined the family in the study.

"So, what should we do, brother Heath?"

Jarrod listened to all the details with the others and was the first to turn his attention back to his youngest brother. Heath gazed into the small fire feeling his family staring at the back of his head.

"Nothing ... Not a thing. It isn't a line in the sand for me," Heath sighed hearing Nick's disgusted grumble, "Get Jarrod's permission to look at a university other than his alma mater, I suppose?"

Heath turned and Jarrod winked gladly offering a chuckle to his brother's attempt to break the tension in the room. Tom and Victoria found each other's eyes, but knew this was an argument for another day. Neither had any success convincing Heath to attend university, but both sensed it was because Heath refused to give himself credit for being smart enough to go. Their youngest son idolized his older brothers. Jarrod mostly for his intelligence and Nick for his confidence and talent around the ranch. Heath easily matched either of them in talent, but simply did not believe he was their equal.

The group broke up. Audra talked to Heath in the hallway before they went to their rooms and Victoria gathered it concerned the various peer groups at school. When the house quieted and Tom had long drifted off to sleep Victoria got out of bed and walked quietly to Heath's room. She opened the door and wandered inside until she came to rest sitting beside Heath. He was lying on his side watching out the window and didn't move when he felt Victoria sit down and begin to rub his shoulders, back, and run her fingers through his hair.

These two people spent many hours of their relationship conversing in silence. Tonight was no different. Victoria stayed until she felt the tension begin to ease from Heath's muscles then she leaned over and kissed his cheek. Victoria did this the first night Heath arrived from Strawberry and it was her way of conveying her feelings for her youngest son without the need for Heath to be involved in a conversation.

Victoria turned at the door, whispering, "I love you, Heath, and I'm proud of you. There will never, ever, be a day when I don't hold my head high when I call you son".

Wednesday evening's graduation was almost over. The majority of the crowd remained silent, but there were a few murmurs when Heath walked in with Tom on one side and Victoria on the other. All Stockton's graduates where walked into the ceremony with their parents and Heath and his family never questioned their entrance to the gathering would be any different. Hannah and Rachel looked wonderful while entertaining the Barkleys with their grandmotherly sobs during the entire program.

Molly Green made sure everyone took note of her gold sash and gave a high-pitched, low energy, droning message that made the entire crowd fidget and giggle. When Molly glared at them insisting she remain the center of everyone's attention the sneakers became louder. The response when she finally sat back down was generally quiet except for Molly's family who clapped long after Miss Trimble was ready to move on with the ceremony.

The five women's names were called alphabetically as the ceremony moved on and the diplomas were handed out. Next Miss Trimble moved to honoring the two men in Heath's class. Brian Applegate went first and then it was Heath's turn to stand.

"Heath Morgan Barkley," Mr. Rogers the president of the school board called out.

Heath walked across the small outdoor stage and accepted his diploma. Then stood still and began to talk to Mr. Rogers. It turned out Heath was correcting the school board president. The man straightened his tie, meekly smiled at Heath who stood still glaring at the man obviously having no intention of leaving center stage until Heath got what he wanted, and finally the president sighed loudly before announcing Heath's full name.

"Excuse me folks, I was in error. The name is Heath Morgan THOMSON Barkley."

Heath smiled and returned to his seat while mostly his family clapped along with Mrs. Bushwood and a few others in the crowd. Victoria reached for Tom's hand and knew their quiet boy had made his point, in his own way, and with his own satisfaction gained. Heath's father felt as if he would burst with pride. Hannah and Rachel stood and applauded making sure to find Heath's eyes to express their support and love.

Miss Trimble was bringing the ceremony to a close as she explained the seven graduates would file out toward the reception area and greet their guests there. Suddenly five of the seven students on stage joined her at the podium. Their teacher blushed and turned her head trying to understand, but Brian offered her an arm and escorted Miss Trimble to her seat next to the school board president. Heath and Molly were left seating towards the back of the stage wondering what was going on along with the rest of the crowd.

"Pardon us, ladies and gentlemen," Sara Anderson spoke for the group, "We will only keep you another moment, but this ceremony can not be completed without a word from the majority of our class."

The kids turned in unison and stared at Molly. She looked as if about to have a stroke and sat fumbling with her sash.

"Heath," the group parted and Lauren pulled Heath from his seat, "Would you join us, please?"

Sara waited until the now crimson-faced blonde was forced to stand next to her as Heath's classmates surrounded him. Brian stepped forward to the podium while the four girls who arranged the surprise with him held Heath in place.

"I'd like to read a letter we ... Actually I ... Stole from Heath's saddlebags earlier this week.

Mr. Heath Barkley

Stockton, California

Dear Sir,

Congratulations on the outstanding scores you recently achieved on Stanford University's entrance exam. Your scores place you well within the mere one percent of the students to take this exam who have received near perfect scores in both areas of our test. We feel this is an achievement you and your entire family should view with great pride.

I would like to offer you entrance in Stanford University's fall class. Please contact me to arrange a tour for you and your family or if I may be of assistance in any way. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Very truly,

Dr Harvey Campbell Dean of Admissions Stanford University Palo Alto, California

Thank you, folks," Brian was smiling from ear to ear as he moved back into the group surrounding Heath.

The crowd remained silent while the kids giggled and rearranged themselves being sure to keep a good grip on Heath. Suddenly Lauren pulled a hand made gold sash out of her dress pocket and walked forward to speak after giving the sash to her classmates.

"Heath Barkley consistently outscored, outworked, and fulfilled every requirement to be the top student academically and otherwise in our class. Despite many obstacles laid in his path Heath has always done everything possible to honorably represent our class, our school, and our community. Due to a few ...," Lauren stopped, flushed with anger, and shook herself back on task, "We the student MAJORITY do hereby declare Heath our honorary valedictorian."

Lauren turned and joined the other graduates as they looped the sash over Heath's head and left it lying across his right shoulder to his waist. The group led the shocked young man from the stage and they walked together up the aisle towards the reception area. Molly sobbed and her parents rushed up on stage. Miss Trimble and Mr. Rogers quickly walked forward to the podium. Heath's classmates could be heard cheering when they got away from the crowd.

"Thank you for joining us tonight," Mr. Rogers stumbled through his words, "Good night and see you next year."

The presenters rushed back to comfort Molly and her family. Some of the crowd remained silent, but a large number of people jumped up and rushed back to the area where the graduates could be heard cheering loudly. Most looked around dazed before retiring to the reception. The Barkley group stood up with shocked looks very similar to Heath's plastered on their faces except Nick who had never been happier in his life. They followed Audra's lead and rushed back to the reception area.

They Barkley group waited their turns to work through a large crowd of people to congratulate Heath. Victoria and Tom watched the yellow sash show off the various colors of red their son's face, neck, and ears could be. Nick, Audra, and Jarrod broke away and joined their friends. Hannah and Rachel stuck with the Barkleys. Hannah pulled on Tom's sleeve.

"This place ... This Stanford," Hannah's eyes were full of tears, "Is it far, terribly far, Mr. Tom?"

Tom and Victoria moved from their place in line and pulled the two older women towards a more comfortable place to stand. They looked around and decided this was as good a place as any to watch the reception and Heath.

"No, Hannah," Tom moved close so all the women could hear his answer, "Palo Alto is south of San Francisco ... Heath would be only a day away from home."

"A day away, a day away," Hannah still seemed concerned.

"Don't worry, Hannah," Victoria patted her small shoulder and smiled, "Heath hasn't decided if he wants to go to school next year."

"HE HASN'T DECIDED?" Rachel laughed, "Don't you think this letter changes everything?"

"Heath be a college man," Hannah chimed in, "Oh, Miss Leah ... Miss Leah must be smiling down on us today. Heath went and got himself going to college."

Rachel wrapped an arm around Hannah as she continued to mumble about Heath and his mother. Tom and Victoria smiled and gazed back over at Heath. Rachel leaned forward so they could hear, but tried not to disturb Hannah who remained lost in her thoughts.

"Thank you, Victoria and Thomas," they turned and found Rachel's most sincere eyes gazing at them, "You've provided Heath with a family, love, and a wonderful home. Hannah is absolutely correct about one thing ... I'm sure Leah is smiling down on us all tonight."

They hugged and enjoyed the reception. When their group arrived home Silas served apples pies instead of graduation cake. The celebrating went on long into the night. Heath couldn't get over the gold pocket watch he received as a graduation present. It was the same as Jarrod and Nick's except it had Heath's initials engraved boldly on the front. Tom and Victoria later agreed the watch had been worth every penny simply to see Heath's eyes when he opened the box. It was a spectacular evening in the Barkley home.

Heath finally crawled into bed, but the young man was too excited to fall asleep. He got back up, sat in his favorite spot by the window, and prayed his thanks. Heath couldn't get over how lucky he was living in Stockton with his family, plus Rachel and Hannah were nearby. Hours later when Heath finally let himself lean back, close his eyes, and sleep his sincere hope was for his mother to somehow sense his happiness. The following morning before breakfast Heath mentioned his prayers and thoughts to his Aunt Rachel.

Rachel smiled and only needed a moment to find words to reassure Heath, "I'm absolutely certain your mother knows, Heath. Sometimes I feel her presence very close when you are near Hannah and I. Leah knows you are happy, healthy, and loved. Never doubt that."

Heath embraced Rachel and then they joined the rest of their family in the dining room for breakfast. The conversation this beautiful morning centered on a family trip north of the valley to visit a small sleepy college town named Palo Alto.