He studied the morning sky, as Autumn unfurled her glorious cape and the wind rustled through the trees. His blue eyes were weary, from too little sleep and maybe a little anxiety. Sighing, he turned back to the barn and got to the job at hand. He embraced the solitude at this early hour, a favorite time of day. A small grin tugged at his lips as he thought of his family. He hid the eagerness in his heart as they prepared for their unexpected departure.

In the fourteen months he had been at the Barkley ranch, Heath had never really been alone to tend the homestead. He should be with Nick on a trip north to pick up two new breeding stallions. Plans changed when Monday’s attempt to break one of their horses found Heath in a heap against the corral fence. His right hip and leg had taken a good thrashing and with the bruising and stiffness he would not be able to make the trip. His “hard head”, as Nick would call it, had taken a good knock and he exaggerated the truth in telling Victoria that he no longer suffered with a headache or dizziness.

The brothers had been looking forward to this trip. A little time together on the trail would be relaxing compared to the normal grind. Things were busy, yet quiet around the ranch. The cattle drive was over and most of the hired hands were done for the season. On Tuesday morning much to Heath’s dismay, Nick rode out, taking Jenkins and Smitty along for the trip. Their going would allow Nick to return as quickly as possible to the ranch work that would be waiting.

Heath being the only Barkley male left in the house, found that two women could really drive a man crazy. They fussed and tended to him like he was dyin’. He was thrilled during Wednesday's check up, when Doc Merar suggested Victoria and Audra assist a nearby neighbor. Mrs. Mason was due with her third child at anytime and her husband had to make an unplanned trip regarding a family matter.

Doctor Merar knew that Victoria could help care for the mother- to- be and assist in the delivery, if he couldn’t get there in time. Audra would be wonderful caring for the young Mason children. Victoria declined at first, she pointed out the fact that even Rosa and Ciego had been given the week off. Since Jarrod was in San Francisco until Saturday and Nick and Heath were suppose to be leaving, it seemed an appropriate time for Ciego and Rosa to have a break. So last Saturday they left on the afternoon stage to visit some relatives, it had been over a year since the cousins had visited family. McCall and the rest of the full time crew were gone, moving the herd to the other side of the ranch Doctor Merar assured that if Heath listened to doctor’s orders he’d be fine. No riding, stick close to the house and get plenty of rest. Heath promised he could do that, he had taken care of himself long before he was a part of this fine family.

Early Thursday morning Heath had the buggy ready for their departure. Victoria hugged him and whispered while still in his embrace,

“I know your going to enjoy this solitude, please take care of yourself. I’ll return as soon as a Dan Mason arrives home.”

“Don’t worry Mother, I’m feeling better. I’ll be here when you get back!” Heath persuaded.

Heath watched them ride away with a new found freedom. Alone at last, no more hovering from those two! His brothers, along with Ciego and Rosa would return on Saturday. Heath hoped Mr. Mason might not arrive until that same day. He walked back to the house, feeling a little tired, his eyes squinting to relieve the building pressure in his head. A good book and a nap would be the solution.

The attempt to read proved to be a mistake. Not only did it cause Heath’s headache to build with a vengeance, but terrible nausea accompanied his pounding head. Even his eyes hurt as he tried to focus on the room around him. Just like earlier in the week, the objects in the room seemed to float and move. Heath closed his eyes trying to find relief. He needed to get upstairs and lay down. His body rebelled the effort to rise from the chair, his injured hip and leg feeling numb.

With great effort he made his way to the massive staircase. Today it looked as towering as the mountains that outlined the California hills. Gingerly, he made it to his room. Tugging out his watch, he saw that it was two o’clock. He had not realized the number of hours that had passed.

He was grateful that Victoria had made sure he had a full pitcher of water before she left. He poured a glass and took a few sips and stopped, afraid that his stomach might return the clear liquid. It took some doing but he got out of his clothes and into bed.

The soft mattress felt wonderful, he tried to stretch his sore leg and hip into a position that would help get the blood circulating. He spotted a cloth on his night stand and edging up on his elbow, he took the glass and spilled out a liberal amount of water into the cloth. Lying back onto the pillow, he took the damp cloth and draped it across his eyes. The coolness soothing his aching head, soon the dark quiet pacified him into a deep sleep.

The next time Heath’s eyes opened, night filled the room. He reached for his watch and with the aid of the bright moonlight, found it to be midnight. He couldn’t believe he had slept ten hours straight. The once moist cloth, laid dry on his bare chest. Trading his watch for the water glass, he drank the contents relieving his parched throat. The house seemed so quiet, he could sure use some hovering about now. Funny, his waking thoughts were of the two women he had hurried off this morning. Heath felt somewhat better. His headache had less intensity and the room stood still. Strange, ten hours of sleep and yet he found himself drifting off, his eyelids unwilling to stay open.

Sunrise found him in the kitchen, famished! He scrambled half a dozen eggs, then chopped up a couple hunks of ham and added it to the hot skillet. His stomach growled at the intense aroma that filled the room. As the meal continued to finish cooking, Heath finished his second glass of juice. Biscuits and homemade strawberry jam made the meal complete. Heath sat for a second as the meal settled in his stomach, thinking about the quiet day ahead.

“Funny how a man gets accustom to havin’ someone to talk to just about anytime of day around here.” Heath spoke out loud. “It’s just too peaceful,” He paused, like there was someone listening. “ Boy Howdy, Heath Barkley, who you talkin’ too?” He laughed shaking his head. “Folks will think you’ve lost you mind, talkin to yourself out loud.”

Heath had to admit, though this time he did not speak out, that he missed them. Truly missed them all. Without realizing it he had grown content with having the family around him. He still needed his quiet time... for thinking, and he got that. He could go to his room anytime he wanted and certainly a good many ranch chores gave him time alone. It was knowin’ that all he had to do was walk down those stairs, or ride over to when Nick was workin’, or make a trip into town to find Jarrod. Heath always found that they were as happy to see him, as he was to see his family. He was no longer the young man that made it his choice to be alone, blowin’ across the countryside like a leaf in the wind.

After the kitchen was cleaned up, he headed outside for a walk. The autumn sky was dark with low billowing clouds. The chilly breeze was coming from the west and seemed to be building in strength. Heath had to hold on to his hat, as the wind gust tried to steal it away.

The wind pushed at his back as he made his way to the barn. He opened the door and propped it open with a board, allowing daylight to filter inside. Heath made his way to Charger’s stall.

“Hey boy, there’s a storm brewin’ out there. Glad we aren’t up in Spring Meadow today mending fences.” Heath spoke softly, as he brushed Charger’s mane. After enough time spent tending to Charger, the limping cowboy checked the other family horses, making sure all had enough water and feed.

He was walking toward the door, when he heard the tiniest cry.

Heath turned, searching for the sound to come again. There, he heard it once more. The sound directed his eyes upward. There peering over the loft’s edge was a small black and white kitten.

“There you are, little one. Audra had us move your family down from there Sunday afternoon. She looked and looked for you, where were you hiding?”

Seeing the distressed kitten, reminded Heath of Sunday when Audra begged her brothers to help her find all the kittens and relocate the feline family to the barn floor. Nick was havin’ fits. He hates cats and Audra’s barn cats he truly despised. Heath laughed recalling Nick’s argument that they served no purpose, that they were always under foot and spooked the horses. Audra reminded the frustrated Nick, that there wasn’t a problem with rodents due to her barn cats.

They had retrieved them all from the loft, including the mother. The mama cat gave Nick a run for his money, as he tried to trap her in a corner in order to grab her. Turns out, the cat grabbed Nick and held on for all she was worth. Nick had claw and teeth marks to prove it. Audra warned that if he had treated her a little kinder, the feline wouldn’t have found it necessary to defend herself.

It was quite an afternoon, Nick and Audra bickering back and forth, while they searched for the last kitten, the runt of the liter. After a good search, they gave up. Audra was obviously upset, but how many hours do you look for one little kitten. She would be so thrilled that the little creature was found.

Though he knew better, Heath tried to get the kitten to jump down into a basket.

“Well, you’re smarter than old Nick gives you credit.”

Heath moved to the ladder, “Guess I couldn’t get you to climb down, could I?”

The kitten stared at Heath, as he moved toward the ladder and stopped.

“Okay, I’m comin’. You know, I shouldn’t be climbin’ this ladder. Guess I can’t leave you up here 'til Saturday.”

Heath started to climb. His hip and leg rebelled, letting him know that this was a bad idea. About half way up, he stopped as a wave of dizziness came.

“Give me a minute and I’ll get ya. You stay right there where I can reach ya, you hear me.” Heath spoke to the frightened kitten as he tried to focus for the rest of the climb.

Now at the top, he stretched to reach the little furry ball. The kitten was just out of reach and not moving.

“Here kitty, come on, help me out here cat.” Heath encouraged.

He looked at the scene trying to figure out how to make up the distance. If he put all his weight on his good leg and leaned to the left, he might be able to reach the cat. Anything would be easier than trying to get himself up into the loft and then back onto the ladder to come down. Best if he just work from the ladder.

Heath repositioned, his bad right leg was no longer supported by the ladder, it dangled into the air. He stretched, leaning to the left, now up on the toe of his foot to get his maximum reach. He had him, the kitten was in his hand. Suddenly, a huge gust of wind, slammed the barn door closed. The unexpected, loud noise startled both Heath and the kitten. Heath lost his balance and found himself falling backwards, toward the barn floor.

At first it was like he was moving in slow motion. He knew he was falling. He even felt a bit optimistic in knowing the distance to be only eighteen feet to the floor. He almost found humor in the fact that he was trying to judge the distance of the drop to the ground. He tried to turn to his left side, hoping to avoid landing on the already injured right hip and leg. He tried to pitch himself away from the stalls below, where a couple horses were housed. Midway down, he tossed the kitten to the ground, hoping that old saying was true that cats not only had nine lives, but they always land on their feet. It was too late for him to try to throw himself any other direction. He landed hard into a small stall that stored several bags of feed. The left side of his body slammed into the wooden divider breaking it down, taking it with him as he met the hard dirt floor.

Heath was not aware of the storm raging outside, nor the one now seething inside his body. He lay unmoving, in a heap, atop the debris he had created. As the heavy rain fell and lighting streaked the sky, hours passed. His guardian crawled up close to his face, snuggling in tight, and purred soothing encouragement.