The boy's name was Jarrod Thomas Barkley Jr. His eyes were a penetrating blue. His mouth was a thin, angular line. He had a mother and sister, but both were sick with diphtheria.

Jarrod was named after his father. Most folks called him Jaddy. When his little sister, Kristina was three, she couldn't say Jarrod, so she called him Jaddy and it stuck.

Jaddy's mother left his father 4 months before Kristina was born. When the diphtheria struck the house, Beth Barkley told her son the truth.

As he mopped his mother's forehead with a cool cloth, she struggled to talk to him.

"Jarrod?" Beth asked, moaning in pain.

"Mama?" Jaddy asked.

"Jarrod, go to your father. He can help you. Your father's a good man. And take care of Kristina," Beth said.

"What if he doesn’t accept me, Mama? The man hasn't seen me since I was three," Jaddy said.

"He'll accept you, Son. You and Kristina take after your father. If he doesn't, take the wedding picture and my ring. He'll recognize them," Beth said.

Jaddy walked out the door and to Mamacita. Mamacita was the town nurse. While Jaddy was away in Stockton, she would look after Beth and Kristina.

Jaddy arrived in Stockton on a warm, rainy day. He was wet through and ready for a warm bed and meal. He went to the livery stable to bed down his horse, Slingshot.

Besides himself there were two more customers. One had dark hair, hazel eyes and was wearing tan and black clothing.

The other was blond haired, blue eyed, and wore brown pants and a blue shirt. Even his hat was a whitish brown.

The stable owner looked over at Jaddy. He looked disgustedly at Jaddy's faded brown jacket and clothes. Jaddy really did look like a street urchin.

"Got money, Boy," The owner snapped.

Jaddy turned to face the rude man, his eyes like blue icicles under the brim of his green hat. "My name is Jaddy Bar. Not Boy," Jaddy's voice was low and angry.

"Young man, I can't stable your horse without money," the owner said, taken aback by Jaddy's imperious manner.

"I'll work to pay for my horse, Sir," Jaddy said.

The blond-haired man looked at Jaddy. "Son, do you have a job?" The man asked.

"No Sir. I am going to look for one," Jaddy said.

"How'd you like to get a job in an orchard on our ranch?" The dark-haired man asked.

"What ranch is that?" Jaddy asked.

"The Barkley Ranch," the blond-haired man said.

Jaddy's heart nearly stopped at the name. His last name. "You got yourself a ranch hand," Jaddy said.

"Good. I'm Heath Barkley. This is my brother Nick," Heath said.

"I'm Jaddy Bar," Jaddy said.

"That can't be your real name," Nick growled.

"Actually my name's Jarrod. But my sister gave me the name Jaddy. She couldn't say Jarrod," Jaddy said.

"We have a brother named Jarrod," Heath said.

At that moment a man in an elegant gray suit entered the livery. At 44 years old, Jarrod Barkley was as handsome and debonair as when he married Jaddy's mother. A few gray hairs were in his black hair, and if you looked closer at him you'd see the weight of sadness in his eyes. If Jaddy had removed his hat, you could see the uncanny resemblance between the father and son.

"Well, Brother Nick, Brother Heath shouldn't we be going home?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, this is our new ranch hand, Jaddy Bar," Heath said.

"Jaddy Bar. It's a pleasure to meet you. Aren't you a little young for ranch work?" Jarrod asked.

"No Sir. I've been doin' a hard day's work since I was 5," Jaddy looked his father in the eyes as he talked to him for the first time since he was 3.

"What about school?" Jarrod asked.

"Don't go to school. 'Sides don't need school. I'm a hard worker," Jaddy said.

"What about your father? What does he say?" Nick asked.

"Nothin.' My mama left my father when I was 3 and my sister wasn't born yet for another 5 months," Jaddy said.

"Did your father abuse you?" Jarrod asked.

"Nope. My ma said he was a fancy city lawyer. She said she didn't want us growin' up that fancy," Jaddy said.

"If your father was a good man, your mother kidnapped you and your sister," Jarrod said.

'She didn't kidnap my sister! Kristina wasn't even born yet!" Jaddy yelped.

"By not letting your father know about your sister's birth and taking you, she kidnapped you," Jarrod said.

"My mama and baby sister's real sick," Jaddy said.

"What do they got?' Heath asked.

"Membranous croup. I'm the only one still standing in my family," Jaddy said.

"You left them alone?" Nick asked.

"No. I left a Mexican nurse with them. Mamacita would telegraph me if I was needed in PineWood," Jaddy said.

"Why are you here, Son?" Heath asked.

"My mama sent me to look for my father. He lives here in Stockton," Jaddy said.

The words hit Jarrod like blows. "Jarrod?" Jarrod asked quietly.

Jaddy's eyes filled with tears as he removed his hat that was pulled down over his eyes. In the past 2 days his hat had rarely come off. Jaddy's black hair was matted and dirty looking.

"Nick, when you hired this boy, did you know you hired my son?" Jarrod asked.

"I didn't hire him! Heath asked if Jaddy here had a job!" Nick yelled.

"Young man, you come with me. I need to talk to you," Jarrod said.

"You can't tell me what to do. You haven't been my father since I was a stupid three-year old," Jaddy said.

"I can tell you what to do, Jarrod. Even though I didn't raise you for the past 13 or 14 years I'm still your father, Boy," Jarrod said.

Jaddy's face was stalled between anger and weariness. "I am not a two-year old," He finally grated out. Jaddy mounted his horse and rode out.

The rain had made the air considerably cooler. Jaddy started to hum a song that Beth had taught him to sing. He rode out to the river. The river was swollen and fast-paced.

He stepped into the river, the cold water lapping at his ankles. A rig came up the road. Jarrod Barkley followed, by Heath and Nick, stopped at the bridge.

"Jarrod, I still want to talk to you," Jarrod barked over the flowing water.

Jaddy pulled the bit on the horse and pulled Slingshot over the river.

"Boy Howdy, is it cold!"" Jaddy exclaimed.

Jaddy braved the cold water. As he walked across the water, he tripped on a rock. A current stronger than him pulled him under. The only part of him that showed was his hands clasping the reins.

Heath climbed into the water, grabbed his nephew's cold hands, and carried him to shore. Jaddy was practically unconscious and shivering with the cold.

Nick and Heath put Jaddy in the rig. Jarrod pulled away, driving with great speed, every so often looking at his son.

Jaddy woke up halfway back to the Barkley ranch. Jaddy pushed back his wet black hair. Jarrod looked back in time to see Jaddy move.

Jarrod touched his son's head with his hand. Jaddy fell back asleep with his father's warm hand on his head.

A few hours later, Jaddy woke up in a warm room with his hair completely dry. Jaddy looked down at the nightshirt he was wearing.

An elderly black man in servant's clothes was pouring a pitcher of steaming water in a bowl. Jaddy struggled to sit up. The black man turned to face Jaddy.

"Easy, Mr. Jarrod. You're not well enough to move," The man said.

"Who are you? Where am I?""" Jaddy asked.

"I'm Silas Whiting and you're at the Barkley Ranch, Mr. Jarrod," Silas said.

"Barkley Ranch,"" Jaddy said. He pushed himself out of the bed.

"Sir, you should lay down. You spent quite awhile in the river until Mr. Heath pulled you out,"" Silas said.

"Where are my clothes?" Jaddy asked.

"Drying, Mr. Jarrod. Your Uncle Eugene was your size when he was your age," Silas said, indicating a flannel shirt and pants. Silas went outside the door while Jaddy changed clothes.

While Silas waited outside Jaddy's room, Jarrod walked down the hallway.

"Silas, is my son awake yet?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes Sir, Mr. Barkley. Mr. Jarrod is dressing in the clothes you left," Silas said.

Meanwhile Jaddy was dressed and was slithering out the window. He slipped out into the muggy warmth and ran for the orchard.

He climbed into the trees and vineyards, pulling grapes and oranges off branches and vines. In ten minutes Jaddy's fingers were stained with grape juice. The juice was sour when Jaddy tried to lick off the juice on his fingers. Jaddy pushed a lock of dark hair out of his eyes.

Meanwhile back at the big house, Jarrod was getting impatient waiting for his son to step out of his room.

Jarrod's lawyer impatience got the better of him. He opened the door to his son's room. The room was empty. The only sign of life in the room was the rumpled bedcovers and cotten nightshirt. The window on the East Side of the house was open.

Jarrod stalked outside to where his two brothers were fixing the fence.

"Nick, Heath where's Jarrod?" Jarrod asked.

“We haven’t seen him, Pappy. We thought he was sleepin' off the little swim he had in the river," Nick said.

"He was. He woke up and Silas left the room so he could change his clothes. When I walked in there Jarrod was gone and his nightclothes and bed sheets were rumpled," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, that boy is a Barkley. He's hot-tempered like Nick here. We offered him a job. Knowin' Jaddy, he'd be outside workin' in the orchards," Heath said.

"Heath, my son's name is Jarrod. Not Jaddy," Jarrod said.

"Pappy, what about when that daughter of yours comes out here?" Nick asked.

"What about it?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, that girl grew up calling her brother Jaddy. What are you going to do when the girl comes here and insists on calling him that?" Heath asked.

"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Tomorrow I'll go fetch Kristina with Jarrod's help and let Mother help in healing her weakened state," Jarrod said.

"What about Beth?" Nick asked.

Jarrod turned around as the fruit pickers came around with their ladders. Jaddy was standing next to a hired hand, both whistling "Dixie." Jaddy stopped in mid-whistle when his eyes locked with his father's the stern look in Jarrod's eyes made Jaddy look away.

Duke McCall, the foreman, steps between the two. "Come along, Jaddy Boy. We got fences to mend,"" Duke said.

"Coming!" Jaddy yelled. He lugged the ladder to the barn, keeping his eyes on Jarrod. As he lugged the ladder a pain hit his stomach and chest. Jaddy screamed in pain as he clutched his chest and fell to the ground. Jarrod went to his son and touched his forehead.

"Jarrod Barkley Jr., you're burning up," Jarrod said.

"I'm okay. Just leave me alone, Mr. Barkley," Jaddy said angrily, pushing his father's uncallused hand away.

Jarrod pulled his son into a big hug. Jaddy's face was buried in the soft linen of his father's gray vest. Jarrod was stroking Jaddy's head and thin shoulder, but Jaddy was pounding his father's chest.

His rough hands hurt Jarrod's chest, but Jarrod didn't care. Jarrod lifted his son up to his feet and wrapped one of Jaddy's arms over his broad shoulders and walked him back to the house

"Let go!" Jaddy whispered fiercely.

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley, you're my son. You are a very ill, Young man. And no matter what your mother says about me, I love you very much. I loved you when you were three. I'll always love you," Jarrod said.

"You did love me?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes Jarrod. I did," Jarrod said.

Jaddy stopped walking so he could contemplate Jarrod's words. He threw his other arm around Jarrod's neck and buried his face into his father's chest. The pain in Jaddy's chest was so intense he started to cry. Jarrod walked his ill son to Jaddy's bedroom.

In the hour that it took for Dr. Merar to arrive Jarrod and his son had a talk.

"Papa, I'm sorry. All these years I believed everything Mama said to me about you. You were right. It was the same as if Mama kidnapped me and Kristina," Jaddy said.

"Yes, Son. While you are recuperating, I'll go to Pinewood and get your sister," Jarrod said, methodically massaging Jaddy's hand with his hands.

Jaddy pulled his father's hand to his cold lips and kissed it. Jaddy crumpled into his pillow, falling asleep.

The Next morning after Jarrod fed Jaddy some soup, Jarrod, Heath, and Victoria hitched a wagon and some horses. Audra and Nick would stay at the ranch and take care of Jaddy.

"Audra, remember what Dr. Merar said about the course of Jarrod's diphtheria. Make sure he eats the fluids and change his bed sheets," Victoria said.

"Don't worry, Pappy we'll take care of that boy of yours. Godspeed on getting Kristina," Nick said.

"The way my son described the cabin they were living in has me worried," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, don't worry. You have a daughter waiting for her father to come get her. She'll get advantages being a part of our family," Audra said.

"Thank you, Audra. I like the idea of having a daughter around," Jarrod said.

Jarrod, Heath, and Victoria pulled away in the wagon; Heath's horse was tied to the wagon.

It took two days to reach Pinewood. At the general store Jarrod and Heath stepped inside to ask directions. The potbellied storeowner looked up at Heath and Jarrod.

"May I help you, Gentlemen?" The man asked.

"I'm looking for a woman and a girl. I was told they lived here," Jarrod said.

"What's their names?" The man asked.

"Kristina and Beth Barkley," Heath said.

"I know them. What do you want with the Barkleys?" The man asked.

"Beth's my wife and Kristina's my daughter," Jarrod said.

"Well why didn't you say that? As far as I know the Mexican midwife, Mamacita, is takin' care of both of 'em. They have the croup," the man said.

"Look, my brother just wants to know where my niece is. Where's their cabin?" Heath asked impatiently.

"They live up on the ridge about 5 miles. Good luck trying to convince Mamacita you're decent folk. And give Kristina this horehound candy. That girl loves candy," the man said.

Jarrod put the stick of candy in his vest pocket. Jarrod and Heath walked out of the store. Jarrod climbed into the wagon, next to Victoria.

"Well Jarrod?" Victoria asked.

"Up the ridge about 5 miles. Heath, I need you to talk to that Mexican nurse. You know Spanish and I don't know enough to save my life," Jarrod said.

"I'll do what I can, Big brother," Heath said.

The wagon slowly climbed the ridge to the Barkley cabin.

Outside the cabin Mamacita was boiling sheets. She looked up as the Barkleys drove up. Heath talked to her in Spanish. She offered a reply. Heath turned to his mother and brother.

"Ask her if they are still alive," Jarrod said.

Heath asked the question. She answered and asked a question.

"She says Beth is alive, but barely. And Kristina is holding on tight. She wants to know who you are," Heath said.

"Heath tell her I'm Kristina's father and Beth's husband," Jarrod said.

Heath told the woman. An excited look entered Mamacita's dark eyes. She rattled off her answer.

"She says that you can go in," Heath said.

Jarrod rushed into the cabin. He noted the cold air in the cabin and the hard dirt floor. His eyes went over to the three beds in the room. One of the beds was empty.

It must be Jarrod's bed, Jarrod thought.

A slight moan caught Jarrod's attention. Beth was observing Jarrod.

"Jarrod, you came," Beth said.

"Yes Beth," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, where's Jaddy? Is he with you?" Beth asked, breathlessly.

"No. He's not with me. He's at the house in Stockton sick with diphtheria," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, your son and daughter need their father," Beth said.

"But why? Why did you take my son? And why did you ever tell me I had a daughter?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, when I discovered I was pregnant again with your baby girl, I was scared. Jarrod, you live that lawyer's life. I was afraid Kristina would grow up thinking her father was too busy for her," Beth said.

"Beth, your fears were unfounded. I would have loved her as much as I love Jarrod," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, take her to Stockton. I'm dying. She deserves a chance to know and love her father. She's over there, Jarrod, sleeping. God is giving her the strength to go on. And tell Jaddy and Kristina that I love them," Beth said.

Beth pulled her husband's hand to her lips and kissed it. Jarrod stood up and went over to his daughter's bed. Kristina's hair was raven black like his and apparently she looked like everyone on Victoria Barkley's side of the family.

He touched her head and rubbed it gently. Kristina woke up to her father's gentle fingers on her sweaty forehead. Her blue eyes took in her father's kind face. She turned her eyes to her mother.

"Mama, where's Jaddy?" Kristina asked, hoarsely.

"Your brother is at our house in Stockton, Kristina," Jarrod said.

"Who are you?" Kristina asked.

"I'm your father, Kristina," Jarrod said.

"That's a lie. My father died before I was born," Kristina said.

"No, Baby! I am your father! I didn't die. Your mother hid you from me, Kristina," Jarrod said, stroking her tangled black hair.

"May I have a drink of water?" She asked.

"Of course, Kristina," Jarrod poured some water into a tin cup and held it to her lips. Kristina put her hand on her father's wrist to keep the cup from shaking.

Heath and Victoria walked into the cabin. Victoria looked at Jarrod, then her eyes took in her youngest granddaughter.

Kristina pulled away from the cup and released her grip on Jarrod's wrist. She coughed slightly as she drifted off to sleep.

Jarrod took the blankets from Heath and handed them to Victoria and Victoria put the blankets on Kristina.

When Victoria got done, Jarrod lifted Kristina into his strong arms and carried her out.

"Jarrod, thank you," Beth rasped weakly.

Jarrod grinned faintly at his wife as he carried Kristina out the door

"Mother, Heath I need your help. One of you needs to be in the wagon when I put her in," Jarrod said, rubbing Kristina's thin shoulder.

"I'll do it, Big brother," Heath said.

"Thank you, Heath," Jarrod said.

Victoria and Jarrod flank Kristina and hand her up to Heath. Heath grabbed Kristina's hands and laid her on the bed in the back of the wagon. Victoria took a quilt and covered her with it. The whole time Kristina was asleep.

A few hours later Kristina woke up in the jarring wagon. She rubbed her eyes with her hands. She then looked up at the tall dark-haired man driving the wagon.

She touched her aching head and laid her other hand on her aching, constricted throat and she coughed, hard.

Jarrod stoped the wagon and Victoria and Jarrod looked down at her. Jarred climbed into the back of the wagon.

"Shh Kristina. Rest, Honey," Jarrod said, pushing her tangled black hair out of her blue eyes.

"Who are you?" Kristina asked groggily.

"Don't you remember? I'm your father, Jarrod Barkley," Jarrod said, putting his hand on Kristina's sweaty forehead.

"I don't feel good," Kristina said.

"I know. I'm taking you to my house in Stockton. You'll be well cared for there. And your brother is already there waiting for us," Jarrod said.

"Jaddy?" Kristina asked.

"Shh! Just rest. We'll be in Stockton by tomorrow. And your grandmother and Aunt Audra will help you get well," Jarrod said.

Kristina coughed again, one hand against her mouth, the other on her throat.

Jarrod took her into his arms and rubbed her back and head with his hands. She coughed into her father's shoulder, too tired to pull away from his hug. Her father kissed her forehead and laid her back down on the bed.

"Try sleeping, Honey. It's a long way to the ranch," Jarrod said.

"Ranch? Do you have horses?" Kristina asked.

"Of course. Your Uncle Heath and Uncle Nick can probably teach you to ride when you get well," Jarrod said.

"Already know how to ride. Jaddy taught me to ride his horse, Slingshot," Kristina said.

She fell asleep, the warm sunshine on her face.

Kristina slept the whole trip to Stockton. During that time she woke up and to the relief of Jarrod and Victoria was able to eat some soup and drink some water. At least she's able to take in nourishment, Jarrod thought as he watched her eat once during the trip.

It was late at night when Jarrod, Victoria, and Heath arrived at the ranch. Kristina was dozing lightly in the back of the wagon. When the wagon stopped Jarrod went to Kristina's bed.

He pushed a stray lock of her long dark hair behind her ear. He lifted her out of the bed gently. He handed her to Heath.

"Here, Brother Heath. Hold her while I climb down and help Mother down," Jarrod said.

After Jarrod helped Victoria down, he took Kristina in his arms and carried her to the house. Heath opened the door to the house.

As the three adults, with Kristina, entered the house, Nick and Audra walked out of the billiard room. Tom Barkley, Jarrod, Nick, Heath, and Audra’s father came out of the study.

Victoria kissed her husband on the lips. He looked over at his granddaughter, sleeping blissfully, her face against Jarrod's chest.

"Son, is this my granddaughter?" Tom asked, touching Kristina's dark hair.

"Yes. Beth insisted I take her and bring her home with me," Jarrod said.

"How's Jarrod feeling? When we left he was a very ill young man?" Victoria asked.

"Oh, Jaddy's fine. That boy has a strong constitution. His fever broke last night," Nick said.

"Jarrod, we should get Kristina upstairs to take a bath. She's covered in trail dust," Victoria said.

"I know," Jarrod said.

"Audra and myself will clean her up. Heath, Sweetheart get one of your nightshirts for her to wear. Jarrod, you, your father, and brothers wait outside while we give her a bath," Victoria said.

"Yes Mother," Heath said.

"And Nick go fetch Howard Merar,"" Tom said.

Jarrod, Heath, Victoria, Audra, Tom, and Kristina all went upstairs to the bathroom. Jarrod gave Kristina's hand to Victoria and he left the bathroom with his father and brothers.

An hour later Kristina was in bed in her own bedroom on the Barkley ranch. Jarrod and the others watched as Dr. Merar listened to her heart with his stethoscope, examined her eyes, and listened to her erratic breathing.

"This child does have diphtheria. Considering how cold you said the cabin was Jarrod, it's a miracle of God she held on as long as she did," Dr. Merar said.

"What about the trip here, Howard? Was that the wrong thing for me to do?" Jarrod asked.

"I don't think she breathed in much dirt. Jarrod, have you seen her feet and hands? They're tough as leather. This child has done a lot of hard work in her life. If you hadn't taken her out of that cabin she would have died," Dr. Merar said.

"You mean it was that bad?" Tom asked.

"Yes. Here's a bottle of ipecac. Jarrod, give her the whole bottle, a teaspoon at a time every time she wakes up," Dr. Merar said.

Jarrod nods and puts the medicine in his vest pocket.

“What will this medicine do for her?” Nick asked.

"Clear out her chest and throat. That's why she coughs and her breathing is bad. One swallow of ipecac, she'll start to throw up all the drainage in her chest and throat," Dr. Merar.

"How much do we owe you, Howard?" Jarrod asked.

"We'll discuss the price later, Jarrod. We just need to get this girl of yours all well. Besides how's Jarrod Jr.?" Howard asked.

"Jarrod seems to be all right. He was taken good care of while I was gone," Jarrod said.

The next morning Jaddy woke up bright and early. He put on his brown pants, light brown chambray shirt and light brown vest.

As he walked out of his room, Aunt Audra nearly ran over his feet with a bucket in her hands.

"Aunt Audra, where's the fire?" Jaddy asked.

"Your father is back with your sister, so I need to bring him a bucket," Audra said.

"How is she?" Jaddy asked.

"Tired and weak. Your father is trying to clear out the drainage in her chest and throat," Audra said.

"How?" Jaddy asked.

"Ipecac," Audra said.

"I'm coming with you," Jaddy said.

"No! Your grandmother said I was to keep you out of Kristina's room, Boy!" Nick yelled coming up the stairs.

"Who died and appointed you king?" Jaddy mumbled angrily under his breath.

Jaddy bolted down the hallway to his sister's bedroom. He pushed open the door. What he saw was pretty awful.

Kristina was coughing hard and Jarrod was hugging her. Her face was buried in her father's shoulder. Jaddy barged into the room, like a bull in a china closet. Jarrod looked at his teenage son. Victoria stood in the corner, her eyes watering with tears.

"Jarrod, I thought your Uncle Nick was to keep you out of this room?" Jarrod asked.

"I just had to make sure she was all right," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy?" Kristina asked, weakly.

Jaddy crouched next to his father and sister. "I'm here, Kris. You're going to be all right. Don't worry. Grandmother's a good nurse. And with Father forcing ipecac down your throat you'll be well soon," Jaddy said in a good mood.

"Jaddy, are the Barkleys telling me the truth? Are we the same as them or are we just two people with the same last name?" Kristina asked.

"Why are you asking me?" Jaddy asked.

" 'Cause you've never lied to me, Big Brother," Kristina said.

"I knew she had a reason. Listen Sis, before I tell you anything, I want you to hang on. Hang on with all your strength. Think about what you said you wanted to do with your life," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, I forgot what I want to do with my life," Kristina admitted.

"I remember the night that you said it. You want to be a lawyer," Jaddy said. Jaddy looked at his father's face. Jarrod's blue eyes glistened with tears and a faint smile touched his lips as he heard what his youngest daughter wanted to be when she grew up.

"Jaddy, you think I can be a lawyer?" Kristina asked.

"I know you can, Sis. We've never given up on anything. And in answer to your question, YES! You and me are a part of the Stockton Barkleys. But first thing for you, Runt is sleep," Jaddy said.

"All right Jaddy. Jaddy, I love you," Kristina said, faintly.

"Right back at ya, Sis," Jaddy said, his voice breaking.

She closed her eyes, a small smile teasing her thin lips. Jarrod laid her back down on her pillow and covered her shoulders with a blanket.

The ipecac was evidently strong. In two days time all the drainage was gone out of her chest and throat. In her weakened state Jarrod carried her around the house and outside. For a temporary time Kristina made a truce with her father, but she still called him Mr. Barkley.

On the 5th day she woke up before her aunt and grandmother came in and got out of bed. Her legs shook violently under her weight. She leaned against the wall and walked to the closet.

In the closet was a few dresses that Victoria bought for her and a pair of boy's pants, dark blue shirt, and a vest. She pulled them out of her closet and shuffled back to her bed. She sat down and pulled her clothes on. She tied the laces of her shoes and stood dizzily to her feet.

She stepped out of her bedroom, just as Jarrod, Jaddy, Victoria, Audra, Tom, Nick, and Heath walked down the hall.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING, GIRL? 1" Nick yelled.

"Nicholas, don't yell," Tom said.

"I'm trying to get downstairs without help," Kristina said.

"Kris, you're still too weak to go downstairs without help," Jaddy exclaimed.

"Jarrod Barkley Jr., you're my brother, not my father. So stop bossing me around," Kristina said, stiffly.

"But I AM your father, so I'll help you," Jarrod said.

"And another thing Jaddy, if you were my father I'd put myself up for adoption," Kristina said, icily.

"You'd do that anyway if you knew a good lawyer and you could get away," Jaddy teased his sister.

"You're right. If I were strong enough I would go back to Pinewood," Kristina said. She rubbed her eyes tentatively.

"Actually we do know a lawyer,"" Jaddy said.

"Who?" Kristina asked.

Jaddy indicated their father. "Our father,"" Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, don't tease an ill person," Kristina said.

"I'm not teasing," Jaddy said.

Kristina looked at her father. "He's telling the truth, right, Mr. Barkley?" Kristina asked.

"Right. He's telling you the truth. I'm a lawyer,""" Jarrod said.

"I'm in trouble. I wonder if fresh air would help me feel not so dizzy," Kristina said.

"Well, you always liked being outside best. Even before you got sick," Jaddy teased.

"So did you," Kristina said.

"Father, I think I got busted," Jaddy said, an amused grin across his face.

Kristina grinned as she moved slowly through the hallway. As he legs moved like deadweights, she collapsed halfway to the stairs.

Jarrod rushed over to help her up. She tried to stand up, but she fell down again. Jarrod took her arm and wrapped it around his neck. He lifted her up into his strong arms and carried her down the stairs. He put her down when they reached the bottom step.

"Honey, I would suggest that you take it easy. I don't want the doctor to come out again," Jarrod said.

"Yes, Mr. Barkley," Kristina said.

Jaddy came down the stairs. "Hey, Sis you need help getting to the dining room?" Jaddy asked.

"No, Big Brother, I'm not hungry. I just want to go outside for a moment," Kristina said.

"You're going to relapse if you don't eat," Victoria said.

"Here's a thought. Why don't y'all eat? I'm just not too hungry right now," Kristina said.

She moved slowly to the door and opened it. The warm July wind blew in her face. The salt-sea air and warm smell to it. She started to walk out over the Barkley Ranch; She walked well into the day. As she walked past the line shacks, she didn't see the rattlesnake. The rattle of the snake penetrated the air.

A young boy with blond hair was riding through the Barkley spread. His eyes took in the snake and the girl with the black walking straight toward it. His heart stopped in fear. He urged his horse to a gallop and reached down and grabbed Kristina by the wrist.

Kristina swung up behind him, he face in his back, her arms around his neck. The boy stopped the horse as soon as they were out of danger.

He got down. He stretched out his hand to her. Kristina grabbed it.

"Who are you? Why did you grab me?" Kristina asked.

"I thought you were going to be bitten by the rattlesnake, Miss," the boy said.

"Rattlesnake?" Kristina asked.

"Yep. I don't think you heard the rattle or saw it," the boy said.

"You're right. I had a lot on my mind," Kristina said.

"I'm David Leonard. What's your name?" The boy asked.

"Kristina Barkley," Kristina said.

"Barkley? Are you related to the Stockton Barkleys?" David asked.

“ My brother Jaddy said that Jarrod Barkley was my father,” Kristina said.

"Are you hungry?" David asked.

"I guess," Kristina said.

David pulled a few pieces of beef jerky from a sack. Kristina ate the beef jerky hungrily. David's eyebrows quirked up in surprise.

"When was the last time you ate?" David asked.

"A few days ago," Kristina said.

"I thought the Barkleys had everything?" David asked.

"I wasn't hungry. I recently go over the croup so my appetite is really non-existent," Kristina said.

"Sorry I asked," David said.

"It's okay. Are you from around here?" Kristina asked.

"I'm from Sonora. I'm lookin' for a job," David said.

"If you take me back to the ranch Mr. Barkley could probably give you a job," Kristina said.

"Well, here's hoping," David mounted his horse and extended his hand. Kristina grabbed his hand and got behind him.

It was completely dark when Kristina and David reached the ranch house. In the billiard room Jarrod, Heath, Tom, Nick, and Jaddy were playing pool.

"Son, from the look on your face I can tell you're worried," Tom said to Jarrod.

"I am worried, Father. Kristina is out there by herself. I hope she's all right," Jarrod said, taking a deep draw of his cigar.

Jaddy stood next to his father. "Father, don't worry. I'm sure she's all right. I know her pretty well. She's very levelheaded and calm," Jaddy said.

Jarrod put his arms around his son's shoulders and kissed his forehead.

Outside David and Kristina walked up the stone steps of the mansion. "Thank you, Mr. Leonard. I'll come down to the creek if Mr. Barkley says yes," Kristina said.

"I hope you don't get in trouble," David said.

"Thanks. I hope not," Kristina said.

Kristina opened the door quietly and walked into the expansive foyer: just as the Barkley men walked out of the billiard room.

Jarrod grabbed Kristina by the arm and half-dragged, half-carried her to the study. He pointed her to a chair and ordered her to sit.

"Kristina Elizabeth Barkley, where were you?" Jarrod asked angrily.

"Out," Kristina said sullenly.

"OUT! I don't accept that answer, Kristina. Now when I ask you a question young lady, I expect a direct answer. Now where were you?" Jarrod asked.

"I told you. I was out," Kristina said.

"Don't you care that I've been worried half to death over you? That I thought you could be lying dead in a ditch somewhere?" Jarrod yelled.

"Look, nothing happened, Mr. Barkley," Kristina said.

"I didn't know that! Look I am your father and you're never going to pull that same stunt again. Do I make myself clear?" Jarrod asked

Kristina avoided his eyes and looked down, nodding her head.

"Look at me when I talk to you, Girl!" Jarrod snapped. He placed his hand under her chin and forced her eyes to meet his.

"I said, do I make myself clear?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes Sir. Crystal," Kristina said.

"Good. Now go into the kitchen and eat your dinner. Then go upstairs to bed," Jarrod said, releasing her chin.

"Yes Sir," Kristina said.

She stood up, not looking at her father. "Hold it, Kristina. How about a hug for me?" Jarrod asked.

"Do I have a choice, Mr. Barkley?" Kristina asked stiffly.

"No you don't have a choice. I've spent over a decade worrying about your brother. You are my daughter and I want to be your father and worry about you," Jarrod said.

Kristina bit her lip as her father hugged her. He rubbed her back with one hand and her head with the other.

He kissed her ear tenderly then smiled at her. Kristina fought the urge to wipe off her ear in front of him. She left Jarrod's study and ran to the kitchen as hard as she could.

She wiped the kiss off her ear, hard and the tears started to run down her face. The sobs caught in her throat, making her hiccup.

She collapsed to the floor, burying her face in her knees. She fell asleep on the cold, wooden floor. She woke up in the middle of the night, disoriented. She looked down at the blanket covering her. Silas must have given her a blanket when he went to bed.

She rubbed her eyes and snuck upstairs to her bedroom. All the lights were out in the house. She opened the door gently and plopped on her bed, to tired to change into a nightshirt

...Continued