Supper was over and everyone had moved into the living room for coffee and conversation when the grandfather clock striking eight had Doctor Merar rising to take his leave.

"I really must be getting back Victoria, Emily will be worried."

She rose to take his arm, "why don't you come out to see Heath on Sunday instead? That way you can bring Emily and stay for dinner. It's been far too long since we've gotten together. Say three o'clock?"

"She'd love to come, thank you Victoria."

He nodded to Jarrod and Audra and Victoria led him to the door. Billy was hovering on the door step when she opened it and the doctor greeted him as he crossed the veranda to his waiting buggy and drove away.

Billy snatched off his hat and stammered, "Mrs. Barkley ma'am, I...I just come to see how Heath's doin'." His green eyes looked at her hopefully, "do ya think I could see him?"

She bade him enter and answered, "I don't see why not, he just woke up and I'm sure he'd like to see you. Follow me."

"Thank you ma'am." His looked around in awe as they ascended the grand staircase.

Nick looked up from the paperwork he was working on when the door opened and his mother ushered Billy in, "you've got a visitor Heath."

Nick threw the papers on the floor and started out of the chair with a growl, "what's he doin' here? I don't want ..."

"NICK, that's enough." The sharp words cut him off in mid-sentence and she squeezed the boy's thin shoulder and took him over to the chair on the other side of the bed.

"You sit here and I'll come and get you a little later." She dropped a kiss on Heath's forehead then made her way to the door where she stopped and said in a steely voice, "Nick, I want to see you in the library."

He stopped fussing with the pillows that were propping Heath up and straightened with a grumble of resignation, "Yes Mother."

She nodded and left the room and Billy sat forward, his eyes taking in the bandages and bruises covering his friend. His lower lip started to tremble, "I'm so sorry Heath, it's all my fault."

Nick stood across from the boy with his fists planted on his hips, "YOU'RE SORRY?? YOU ALMOST ..."

Heath reached up and grabbed Nick's arm before he could say any more, "Nick, cool off, it was an accident."

He winced as the sudden movement sent pain shooting through his ribs and Nick immediately sat on the bed and reached for the pain medication.

"No Nick, I just moved too quick, I'm fine." He looked at his brother with pleading eyes, "please Nick, it was an accident. Don't blame the boy."

Nick knew better than to look into those blue eyes, but as usual he couldn't stop himself, "all right Heath,all right," he looked across at Billy sitting there with fear in his eyes, "but the next time someone tells ya something, maybe you'll LISTEN!"

The dark blond head nodded vigorously, "yes sir, I will sir, you can count on me."

Nick patted Heath's arm and stood up, "now I think I'll go downstairs and get yelled at by our mother." He rounded the bed and pointed at Heath before he went out the door, "I'll see YOU later."

Nick strode into the library and headed for the whiskey decanter where he poured a healthy measure, threw it back in one gulp, then took his refill and went to lean on the fireplace mantle.

His mother was seated on the sofa while Jarrod sat behind his desk, Audra had gone to her room to read.

Victoria placed her hands in her lap as she looked at her angry son, "Nick, I want to talk to you about what happened. I realize you're angry and want to blame someone," she spread her hands, "and if it had turned out differently, I might want to blame someone too." She cleared her throat and went on, "but it was an accident, regrettable, but still an accident. It could have been so much worse," her voice broke, "Heath could have..." Her small hands made a helpless gesture.

"I KNOW THAT!! DO YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT??" The whiskey glass came crashing down on top of the mantle as Nick's temper exploded.

"I WAS THE ONE WHO STOOD THERE AND WATCHED MY BROTHER GET TRAMPLED AND DID NOTHING."

His chest heaved and he pounded a clenched fist against the fireplace. "I WAS THE ONE WHO SAT UP THERE FOR HOURS," he waved his hand at the ceiling, "AND WATCHED HIM ALMOST BLEED TO DEATH RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME."

He threw the whiskey glass across the room, the fine crystal shattering against the wall, "DON'T TELL ME HOW IT COULD OF BEEN!!"

Victoria looked on helplessly and pleaded with him as his temper soared. "Nick, don't do this to yourself ... please."

Jarrod got up and made his way around the desk to stand behind his mother, "Nick, settle down now, he's going to be fine." His dark blue eyes looked at his brother in sympathy. "Heath isn't blaming anyone, why should you?"

"WELL IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD OF DONE SOMETHING."

He turned away and gripped the mantle with both hands then took a deep breath and his voice lowered to a harsh whisper. "I should have seen what was happening, yelled sooner, done something. He's my little brother, I'm supposed to take care of him."

Jarrod started to go to his brother when his mother's hand stopped him. She gave a little shake of the head, rose and walked up behind her son. This big, tough talking son of her's felt things so deeply, cared so much. She rubbed her hand over his back for a moment before she took his arm and gently pulled him around to face her. His hazel eyes were dark with anger and unshed tears and she reached up and cupped his cheek, her thumb moving back and forth in a comforting gesture.

"Nick, it was an accident. You are not to blame, there was nothing you could have done to prevent it, you know that." Grey eyes held hazel as her words sank in.

He took a shuddering breath and whispered, "I thought he was gonna die."

"Oh Nick."

She dropped her hand from his cheek and hugged him and he wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head to lay it against hers, his eyes squeezed tightly shut to hold back the tears.

The days turned into weeks as Heath slowly mended. He couldn't do much, riding was out of the question for the first month, so he had Nick turn Charger out with the remuda horses. Word had spread quickly about what had happened and visitors were a frequent occurance at the ranch. In the five years that Heath had lived in the valley almost everyone had come to know, like and respect the youngest Barkley son. Not because he was a Barkley but because he was a good man, a good friend and someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Those who didn't like him were the people who didn't like any of the Barkley family in general.

A frequent visitor to the ranch was Carl Wheeler, a neighbor who had courted Audra for some time a couple of years before. He had been a good friend of Nick's for many years, and after Heath arrived the threesome could often be found sharing a drink or playing poker at the local saloon. He and Audra had had a falling out over what was now referred to as 'the sheep incident'. Neither one could see the other's point of view, and so they had parted ways. Nick and Heath had mended their friendship with Carl after a time, but he had no longer come to the house.

On a Tuesday morning a little over a week after the accident there was a knock at the door. Audra had been reading to Heath who had insisted on coming downstairs and resting on the living room sofa. He couldn't stand to lay in his room all day, staring at the ceiling and so he had Nick and Jarrod help him down in the mornings. It made it so much easier too when callers came to see him, there seemed to be someone every day.

The knock sounded again and Audra called out, "I'll get it Silas." She pulled open the door and stood for a moment not knowing what to say or do while Carl took off his hat and flipped it back and forth in his hands.

"Audra." He gave her a nod and used the hat to point at the inside of the house. "I come to see Heath. I heard what happened and figured I'd drop by and see how he's doing."

She held the door nob and stared at him. Her heart had jumped a bit when she saw him and she took a deep breath to calm down as she continued to look at him.

He gestured with the hat again, "so ... can I come in?"

She pulled the door open wider and waved her hand at him, "yes ... yes, come in, I was just a little surprised to see you. Heath's in the living room, he'll be glad you came."

"Thank you." He stopped inside the door and looked at her, "you're looking mighty pretty today Audra, if ya don't mind my sayin' so."

Her face flushed in confusion before her chin lifted in what he always thought of as her 'haughty air'. She put her hands on her hips and answered him in a frosty tone as her blue eyes grew stormy.

"Well I do mind Mr. Wheeler and I'll thank you to keep your comments to yourself." She nodded towards the living room, "Heath's in there, I'll go make coffee for you."

He watched her storm away and grinned, she was wearing those tight riding pants that showed off her figure very nicely. He dragged his thoughts back and went into the living room.

He came every few days after that, ostensibly to see Heath, but he spent most of the time he was there gazing at Audra. Everyone noticed he never showed up on the days when he knew Audra wouldn't be home. She went from ignoring him completely, to making the odd comment and finally to joining in on the conversations he had with Heath, and Nick if he was there.

Nick came striding into the living room one Sunday afternoon about three weeks later expecting to see Carl, but the only ones in the room were Jarrod and Heath playing chess and his mother working on her needlepoint.

He stopped behind Heath's chair and leaned on the back of it, "I saw Carl's horse outside, where is he? I wanted to ask him about that new type of oats he's gonna try this spring."

He gave a small shake of the head as Jarrod prepared to move his piece and Jarrod in turn sent him a look that said, 'mind your own business', and placed his playing piece. Nick shrugged as Heath moved and said 'check' with a grin.

Victoria laid down her needle and smiled, "he and Audra took the buggy and went for a drive into town. They're having lunch at The Stockton House."

"Ohhhhhh ..."

"Yes, I think those two have finally settled their differences." She let out a satisfied sigh, "Carl asked her to the dance next Saturday and she accepted."

Jarrod sat back in his chair and stared at the board as he tried to find a way out of his predicament, "they do make a nice couple, I've always liked Carl. Good steady man, runs his ranch well and is always looking for ways to improve it. He's just what Audra needs to settle her down."

Heath watched Jarrod make a desperate move that had Nick rolling his eyes and sighing loudly behind him. He picked up his piece and glanced at his older brother, "checkmate." then settled back and added, "it doesn't hurt that he lives close by neither."

Nick waved Jarrod out of his seat, "let me show you how to play the game Jarrod, you have to know how this boys mind works." He settled into Jarrod's chair and leaned forward to set up the board, "well, I hope they get along better this time, Audra moped around here for weeks the last time they broke up."

Victoria sipped her tea and smiled, "oh I think it'll be different this time. Unless I'm very much mistaken, I believe those two will make a match of it one day."

Nick grunted and waved his hand at Heath to make the first move, "well I hope so, Carls a big improvement on some of the men she's brought around."

Everyone nodded their heads in silent agreement.

When Heath was able to come downstairs for any length of time, Nick had him take over all the ranch paperwork that Jarrod didn't handle. Between that and short trips to the corral near the barn to offer advice to Nick on training the Appaloosa mare, he managed to get through his days. He was becoming restless though, and after Thanksgiving , he started to talk about getting back in the saddle and riding out with Nick for awhile each day. His ribs still pained him off and on, but he tried not to let it show. He knew his mother wouldn't let him ride if she thought he wasn't healing properly, best not to say anything.

The front door slammed shut as the sound of spurs jangled across the foyer, "MOTHER!! MOTHER!!"

Victoria came from the back hall and gave her son an exasperated look, "Nick, stop shouting. Now what is it you want?"

He pulled off his hat and twirled it as he looked around, "where's Heath? He wanted to go with me and bring Charger back from the north pasture. I've got a horse saddled for him. Where is he?" Before she could answer he bellowed again, "HEATH!! ... HEATH!! COME ON, I'M READY TO GO."

"NICK!!"

"What?"

"If you would stop yelling for a minute I could tell you he's in the library."

"Oh." He turned towards the door leading to the library, "HEATH, LET'S GO."

Victoria rolled her eyes and shook her head as Heath came through the door rolling down his sleeves and buttoning his cuffs, "what are you yelling about Nick, I'm right here."

"I wasn't yelling." Two sets of eyebrows rose at his statement, "what were you doing? I've been ready for fifteen minutes now. Ya said ya'd be right out."

Heath picked up his hat and settled it on his dark blond hair, "I was trying to make sense of those feed bills ya gave me, half of 'em are so crumpled I can't even read 'em. Why can't you be a little neater?"

Nick put his hat back on and slapped him on the back, "never mind about that, let Jarrod figure it out. Now are ya comin' or not?"

Heath bent and kissed his mother on the cheek, "we'll see ya later Mother."

She gave him a hug and hung on to his arms as she looked up at him, "Heath, do you think you should be riding? It's only been a little over five weeks, maybe you should let your ribs heal a little longer."

"I'm fine Mother, Doc Merar said I could start doin' a bit of work and I can't get my strength back if I sit around this house all day." He gave her arms a squeeze, "we're not going far and I'll stop and rest before we come back, ok?"

"All right dear." She followed them to the door, "Nick, you make sure he doesn't over do it."

"I'll watch over him like a mother hen. Don't you worry," he reached up and pinched Heath's cheek, "I'll have your baby boy back in time for his afternoon nap."

"Niiiiickkkk," An embarrassed flush stained Heath's face as he limped after his laughing brother.

By the time they picked up Charger and returned to the house, Heath was more than ready for a nap. His chest hurt and he rubbed it absently as he made his way upstairs and Nick watched him with concern. He had missed having Heath by his side all these weeks and it had been more than a little lonely not having him to talk to and work beside every day but, he thought, 'maybe it is too soon for him to be out and about'.

Winter was upon them and Heath was able to do a little more every day. He took over training the Appaloosa mare and was well pleased with the way she was turning out and he and Nick had decided to give her to Audra as a Christmas present instead of waiting for her birthday.

Nick was sitting on the fence watching Heath put the mare through her paces. Nick was a good rider, but Heath, Nick thought about it for a minute. Yeah, that was it, Heath was what they called 'one with the horse', he knew what they were thinking, what they were going to do before they did it.

"Audra's gonna' win every ribbon at the spring fairs with this little lady Heath." He hopped down and crossed the corral to hold the mare while Heath unsaddled her. As Heath pulled the saddle off and threw it on top of the fence rail, he winced and rubbed his chest.

Nick eyed him with concern, "you all right Heath? Those ribs still painin' ya?"

Heath smiled at him from under his hat, "I'm fine Nick, just a little twinge. They're just takin' a bit longer to heal than I expected is all. It eases off after a few minutes, don't worry."

Nick's looked at him with narrowed eyes, "it's been nearly two months Heath, maybe ya been over doin' it," he waved his black gloved hand in the air, "maybe ya should slow down, take it a bit easy."

Heath smiled to himself and thought, 'that Nick, he hardly lets me out of his sight, let alone over doing it." A feeling of happiness swept through him, 'I wouldn't want it any other way though. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have a brother like Nick to care about me'. He threw him a lop-sided grin and took the reins from his hand, "I'm fine Nick, now let's put this girl away and go get lunch, I'm starvin'."

Nick walked beside him, their strides once again perfectly matched. Heath's leg had finally healed and he no longer limped along trying to keep up with Nick's ground eating stride.

Nick's hands were waving around again, "STARVIN'!! Heath, you ain't been doin' enough work to be STARVIN'." He dropped his hand onto Heath's shoulder, "why, just wait till ya see how many post holes I've been savin' for ya to dig come spring. Then you'll have a right to be starvin'."

Heath led the mare into her stall and picked up a brush, "I've done quite a bit this morning Nick. I was up long before you even crawled out of bed."

He didn't tell him he was up because his chest hurt so much he couldn't sleep. He had no intention of being confined to the house again if anyone found out his ribs were still giving him grief. Besides they didn't hurt all the time, just every few days. He could live with that until they healed completely.

Nick stood on the other side of the mare and looked at him suspiciously, "you were not, I would of heard ya."

Heath kept brushing the mare with rhythmic strokes, "I looked in on ya Nick to see if ya wanted to go with me, but ya were dead to the world." He stopped brushing and leaned on the mares back, "do ya know how loud ya snore Nick?"

"I don't snore."

"I think that's what woke me up, could hear it clean through the wall."

"I DON'T SNORE!" he picked up a brush in irritation and started on his side of the mare.

Heath dipped his head to hide the smile he was wearing and thought, 'that Nick, it's so easy to get him going'.

They brushed in silence for a few seconds before Nick's curiosity won out and he growled, "where were ya off to so early?"

Heath ran the brush over the white rump that was sprinkled with cinnamon spots, "oh, I went up to Lookout Peak to watch the sunrise. Then I cleaned the tack room when I got back."

Nick stopped brushing and put his arm across the mares back. He knew how much Heath loved to watch the sunrise, so did he and they often got up early just so they could see it. Heath said it was like a fresh, new page in a book, just waiting to be written on.

"Kinda cold up there wasn't it?" He resumed brushing, "ya should've got me up Heath, I don't like ya riding that far alone. You're still not completely healed and ya had to go to the far side of the canyon. What if something happened?"

"You were tired Nick, I didn't want to wake ya and it wasn't that cold."

Heath laid his brush on the partition and crossed his arms on the mares rump. His blue eyes were alive with excitement and he reached up to push his hat back on his forehead. "Boy howdy Nick, ya shouda' seen it! It was so quiet up there, I coulda swore I was the only one in the world. The grass and the trees were all covered in frost, and when the sun first peaked over the rim." His eyes took on a far away look, "it looked just like millions of tiny diamonds dancing across the meadow."

Nick smiled at the look of wonder on his brother's face, "I wish I had of been there." He put his brush down, "make sure ya wake me up next time."

"I will Nick. Now come on, I can smell Silas's beef stew from here."

They pulled the collars of their coats higher against the chilly December air and made their way to the warm house where a hot meal and roaring fire awaited them.

Christmas came and the house was bedecked in all it's holiday finery. Visitors came and went, and if the family wasn't entertaining, then they were themselves out visiting. The ranch work had slowed down considerably as winter set in and Nick and Heath did a lot of the chores so that their ranch hands that wanted to, could take a few days off and see their family's.

Jarrod had closed up his office in town for Christmas week and taken his mother and sister to San Francisco to shop for two days at the start of the week. They came home laden down with packages that, despite the two younger brothers best effort to find out what was in them, were whisked away to a secret hiding place.

Carl came by when they returned and had lunch with the family. He had to go to San Francisco himself in a couple of days to pick something up and wanted to see Audra before he went. It was a noisy table as Victoria, Jarrod and Audra discussed whom they should visit in the next couple of days and if they were going to the New Years eve party at The Cattleman's Club. Nick, Heath and Carl were having a spirited debate over the merits of their line of Herefords versus the new Black Angus breed Carl was getting into. Victoria watched them from her end of the table and gave a pleased smile. Carl fit in so well. He was not only friends with her sons, he was a fellow rancher and a good one, thus earning their respect. She turned her attention to her daughter who had joined in the debate, as the sister of ranchers she was well able to contribute her thoughts on the subject. Jarrod was attempting to mediate and Victoria smiled to herself, her son was always able to see both sides of an issue.

Lunch finally ended and while Victoria and Jarrod stayed behind to enjoy their coffee, Audra walked Carl to the door. He had a sick horse he had left in the care of his foreman and wanted to get back and see how it was doing.

"I'll see you when I get back Audra," he leaned close to give her a quick kiss.

Nick and Heath came from the back hall and stood behind them nudging each other and Audra blushed and stammered, "yes, I'll ... I'll see you when you get back."

The two tried to stifle their laughter and she shot them an exasperated glare, gave Carl a quick hug and fled up the stairs.

"We'll go out with ya Carl, we gotta check on our feed supplies before we place our next order." They grabbed their hats and coats off the hall rack and made their way out the door.

They stood chatting for a few minutes outside the barn before Carl mounted his horse and with a final good bye galloped out the gate and headed for home. They looked at each other for a moment with narrowed eyes and Nick jerked his head towards the house, "let's go, we can still get there before they close."

Victoria and Jarrod had finished their coffee and were on their way to the living room when the front door burst open and Nick and Heath ran across the foyer and raced up the stairs taking the steps two at a time.

Jarrod looked at his Mother with raised eyebrows as a bedroom door slammed shut, "what are those two up to now?"

She raised her hands and gave an 'I don't want to know' shake of the head. Jarrods brows lowered in a frown and he started up the stairs, "well I'm going to find out what's going on. Those two had better not be planning another one of their little schemes."

Victoria shook her head in resignation and went into the living room to finish a letter she had started.

Jarrod opened Heath's bedroom door and looked in, 'hmmm, empty' he proceeded next door to Nick's where the sound of his brother's voices could be heard through the door. He opened it without knocking and found the two sprawled across Nick's bed, crumpled bills and coins strewn around them.

They looked up as he came to a stop at the side of the bed and waved his hand to indicate the money and the empty sock lying beside them.

"What's all this?"

Nick continued to count as Heath answered, "this is the money we've been savin' up for a rainy day."

"A rainy day?"

"Yep, Carl just told us he was in town yesterday and Wilson's Mercantile has these new fishin' rods me and Nick here been wantin'. They've got a fancy new type of reel on 'em."

Nick looked up from straightening out the bills and Heath took over counting, "we saw 'em when we were in Sacramento last spring and we been savin' up the money we win at cards, playin' pool, doin' odd jobs and things so we could buy 'em when they got 'em here."

He watched Heath finish counting the money and frowned, "we got enough Heath?"

Heath reached across to pick up the money sock and shake some more wadded up bills from the toe, "just a second Nick, there's more in here."

Jarrod placed his fingers in his front pockets as he watched them. They looked like two little boys, lying sideways across the bed, heads bent close together as they counted their money. It made him think of children in a candy store, seeing if they had enough to buy that licorice whip they wanted.

His blue eyes held an amused twinkle and he gave a little shrug, "if you want to buy those fishing rods, why don't you just go get the money out of the bank?"

Two pairs of eyes looked up and stared at him as if he had lobsters crawling out of his ears.

"GO TO THE BANK?" Nick made a disgusted sound, "where's the challenge in that? If ya want somethin' real bad, it makes it all the sweeter if it doesn't come too easy. We been savin' up for month's, puttin' all our extra cash in this here sock."

Jarrod looked at the pile of money skeptically, "there isn't much there."

Nick looked down at their stash, "well ... we spent most of it buyin' that fancy saddle for Audra to use when she shows that Appaloosa mare. We're gonna' give it to her for Christmas along with the mare."

"I see."

Heath gave Jarrod a lop-sided grin, "when I was a boy, my mama and me used to have a sock and we'd put the extra money we made doin' odd jobs in it. I delivered fire wood after I was done at the livery and Mama washed and scrubbed the floors at Uncle Matt's Hotel every night after the dining room closed." His expressive eyes sparkled, "boy howdy was it worth it though when we counted out that money at the end of the month and were able to buy a roast of beef. My mouth still waters when I think of Hannah settin' that platter on the table."

He looked down and started counting the money again and Jarrod met Nick's eyes, both thinking the same thing, 'we grew up with so much while he suffered. How could Father not have know or even suspected'?

They looked at the bent blond head with pain in their eyes until Nick rolled against his brother's shoulder and bounced a bit sending the money across the bedspread, "WELL, WE GOT ENOUGH YET OR NOT?"

They both laid there propped up on their elbows, arms crossed in front of them as they looked at the money, "we're a dollar short Nick, guess we'll just have to wait till next week when Denby pays us for deliverin' them wagon wheels out to Henderson's."

They both had such a look of disappointment on their faces. Jarrod knew full well that they both had plenty of money in their pockets and it spoke highly of their integrity that neither was willing to cheat to get what they wanted. The money had to be earned by doing extra work.

He reached into his pocket and drew out a dollar coin which he threw on the bed, "no need to wait boys, I'll give you the dollar."

"Now hold on there Jarrod, you can't just give us money." Nick scowled at him and reached for the coin to give it back. "We have to earn it."

Heath looked at Nick and nodded, "yeah Jarrod, take it back."

Jarrod held up his hands and shook his head, "no, no, no, that's all right boys. The way I see it , I'm paying you two for a service."

Nick eyed him with suspicion, "ohhhhhhhh ... what service?"

Jarrod turned and headed for the door, "I'm paying you two not to pull any pranks on me for one whole month."

He glanced back and smiled as he saw a guilty look pass between them, then he went out and made his way downstairs to sit in the matching high backed brocade chair next to his mother's. With a satisfied air he sat back, lit a fragrant cigar and blew out the smoke in contentment.

Victoria put down her tea cup, "well Jarrod, did you find out what they're up to?"

He poured himself a cup of coffee and was about to answer when booted feet came pounding down the stairs and across the foyer. They both jumped when the big front door slammed shut.

Victoria picked up her cup and shook her head, "Heath used to be such a nice quiet young man, I think he's been hanging around Nick too much."

Jarrod reached out to squeeze her hand, "you know you wouldn't want either of them any other way Mother."

She smiled and nodded, "you're right Jarrod, I love them just the way they are."

Later that evening Victoria and Jarrod stopped at the entrance to the living room once again, only this time they both smiled indulgently as they watched the two brothers. They were sprawled on the rug in front of the roaring fire, propped up on their elbows facing each other as they tried out different lures on their new fishing rods and bantered back and forth good naturedly. Their handsome faces were animated with humor and each fishing story they told was more outlandish than the last.

Jarrod put his arm around his mother's shoulder and she sighed and whispered, "I wish they could have grown up together, they both missed so much."

"Yes, but they've got each other now and you know what Heath would say about wishes Mother."

She laid her head against his shoulder, "I know Jarrod, 'there's no sense wishing for things that are gone', but I'm a mother, I can't help wishing things had been different."

Christmas Eve arrived and the family invited Carl, Billy and Jim and Nancy North to join them for the traditional meal they always had before going to midnight mass. Victoria and Audra had been in the kitchen for the past two days helping Silas prepare the feast.

The dining room sparkled with silver, crystal and fine linens while tall polished candelabras graced each end of the laden table. Platters of roast beef, seafood and pork jockeyed for position on the groaning table alongside tureens filled with creamy white mashed potatoes, steaming hot carrots, green beans, asparagus and corn. Gravy boats filled to the brim sat cheek to jowl with fresh baked bread and newly churned butter.

The evening was filled with laughter and good conversation, Jim and Nancy had been married just over two years now, but still acted like newlyweds. While the women talked about the latest happenings in town and the things they had seen on their trip to San Francisco, the men as usual got into a spirited conversation on ranching. Billy for the most part was content to just sit and listen wide eyed as the conversation flowed around him. He had never seen anything like this, the food, the decorations and that tree in the living room, why it must have been twelve feet high!

Heath was telling Jim and Carl about how well the Appaloosa mare was turning out when Audra turned to them with sparkling eyes and nodded with excitement. "You haven't seen her for a few weeks Jim, she's such a beauty. Her coat is a deep cinnamon color now to match the spots on her rump." She frowned at her brothers sitting across from her, "I hope you don't intend to sell her, I know she's too delicate for you to ride but we could keep her for a broodmare."

Nick shrugged and bumped his knee against Heath's under the table, "well I don't know little sister, Jack Stewart was here the other day and saw her." He waved his hand at Heath "he offered us a good price for her, wants her for his daughter." He sliced another piece of beef and was about to put it in his mouth when Audra's gasp stopped him.

"Oh Nick, you can't. You know what Prissy Stewarts like. She's spoiled, how many horses has her father bought for her now?" She shook her blond head and twisted her napkin in agitation, "you've both seen her riding to town, she runs them into the ground, then has her father buy her another when they go lame." She looked across the table with pleading blue eyes, "oh Heath, please don't sell her to them."

Heath glanced at Nick and gave a wink, "well, we'll see Audra. You know this IS a working ranch and everything on it is for sale." He gave her a lop-sided grin, "I'll see if I can talk my partner here out of it."

Her face lit up and she smiled across at them, "oh thank you Heath. I still wish we could keep her though." She turned her gaze on her dark haired brother, "Nick?"

He continued to eat as he gruffed out a reply, "we'll see little sister."

Christmas morning dawned with a distinct nip in the air. Victoria went down the back stairs to the kitchen to make the coffee as Silas had left after supper the night before to go stay with friends in town for a couple of days. After the late night before, the rest of the household didn't start to stir until around seven when Jarrod and Nick made their way downstairs. Audra came along the landing and started down behind them.

"Where's Heath?"

Nick let out a huge yawn, "he must still be sleeping, I'll go rout him out after I have a cup of coffee."

Victoria met them at the entrance and they looked into the room in awe. The sun hadn't come up yet and the room was still bathed in darkness save for the flickering candles on the tree and the fire crackling in the hearth. The flames sent out a cheery warmth and a merry glow around the room.

Heath got up from where he had been sitting beside the fire, put his fingers in his back pockets and gave a little shrug, "I was up early so..."

Victoria and Audra swept across the room to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and his mother gave him an extra squeeze, "oh Heath, your father used to come down early and do the same thing. This brings back such wonderful memories for me."

She stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "thank you Heath, I'm so proud to have such a thoughtful son, Merry Christmas dear, I love you."

He wrapped his arms around her as he bent to answer, "I love you too Mother, Merry Christmas."

Jarrod and Nick slapped him on the back and they all wished each other a Merry Christmas before getting down to the serious business of opening presents. Wrapping paper, ribbon and boxes were strewn across the floor in every direction by eight o'clock and everyone sat back examining their gifts with happy smiles.

Nick had been sitting on the round marble table when he opened the gift Heath had given him. Heath sat on the floor in front of him watching as Nick lifted the lid on the small box and took out a solid gold pocket watch. Heath knew he had been coveting the timepiece ever since he had seen it in a San Francisco jewelry shop and refused to pay the outrageous asking price. Heath wanted him to have it. Everyone admired the beautiful piece as Nick thumbed open the lid and read the inscription engraved inside. He stared at it a moment before swallowing the lump in his throat and looking down to search his brothers face.

Heath reached up and gripped the back of his neck and gave it the little shake that had become so familiar and he looked into the hazel eyes and whispered, "it will always be true Nick, don't ever forget that."

Nick closed the lid carefully, "I know Heath ... I know."

Audra leaned forward in her chair, "well, what does it say Nick?"

Nick straightened up and cleared his throat, "it just says,'To Nick, Merry Christmas from Heath'."

Audra sat back with a huff and folded her arms,"oh it must say more than that Nick, now tell us what it really says."

Victoria and Jarrod had both seen the emotion in Nick's eyes when he read the inscription and knew the words inside were meant for his eyes only.

"Audra, what are you going to use that fancy saddle for, it's too showy for everyday riding." Victoria threw her eldest son a grateful look as he diverted his sisters attention from her brother.

"Oh, I was thinking of showing Brandy at the spring fairs. I know she's not really show material and we won't win anything, but it'll be fun. Maybe this fancy saddle will make her look better."

Victoria watched as Nick got up and gruffed out, "I'm gonna get fresh coffee."

He strode out of the room quickly and Heath followed him with his eyes. He looked back to find his mother and brother watching him and he gave them a smile and winked to let them know there was nothing to worry about. They both nodded and picked up their coffee cups as they listened to Audra's chatter.

Nick returned after about ten minutes and took a seat on the floor next to Heath. If anyone noticed he didn't bring any coffee back with him, they didn't say anything.

Jarrod leaned forward in his chair, placed his palms on his thighs and straightened his arms as he looked around the room. He shook his head in amusement at the chaos surrounding him, "well now, I guess it's time to start cleaning up this mess."

Victoria and Audra sighed in resignation and joined him as he started stacking gifts back under the tree.

They stopped after a few minutes and looked at the two men still sitting on the floor in front of the sofa. Jarrod waved his hand at them, "are you two just going to sit there, or are you going to help?"

"We're not done opening presents yet."

Jarrod looked around perplexed, "what are you talking about, there's nothing else here."

Nick stood up and reached a hand down to pull Heath to his feet. He planted his fists on his hips as he looked at Audra, "little sister here has one more gift to open." He headed for the coat rack in the hall, "follow us everyone."

She looked at him in confusion, "but Nick, you and Heath already gave me my present."

Heath walked over and put his arm around her shoulders as he guided her to the door and they all donned their coats against the early morning chill and headed towards the barn.

"Why are we going to the barn?"

"Because that's where we hid it."

"Well what is it?"

"You'll see."

When they reached the barn doors, Heath put his hand over her eyes and Nick led her inside and said, "now no peeking, I'm gonna bring the present out and you can open it here in the aisle."

Her voice rose with excitement, "oh, what is it? Is it that new trunk I've been wanting, or could it be that antique mirror I saw in San Francisco?"

Heath rolled his eyes, "why would we keep a mirror in the barn?"

She heard hoofbeats approaching and pulled Heath's hands away from her eyes. There in front of her stood the Appaloosa mare with a big red bow around her neck. She let out a squeal that had the mare tossing her head and backing up nervously. She flew at her brothers and gave them both a big hug and noisy kiss on the cheek.

Nick looked at Heath, "I guess ya were right brother Heath, she likes her."

"Told ya she would."

Victoria smiled at her sons as they both blushed in embarrassment. Audra was petting and talking a mile a minute to the mare as she reached for a brush and Jarrod looked on in amusement.

"Audra, if you brush that poor horse anymore than she's obviously all ready been brushed, you'll take her winter coat right off."

Nick took the brush from her hand, "that's right little sister, me and Heath spent two hours last night getting her ready." He led the mare back to her stall and pulled the bow off.

"Your brothers are right Audra, now let's go back inside and have a nice hot breakfast before we finish cleaning up. You can come out for awhile later before we start preparing Christmas dinner." Victoria turned and headed for the warmth of the house.

Audra had invited Carl for Christmas dinner and he arrived looking nervous and uncomfortable in his suit and tie. Everyone adjourned to the library for drinks after the simple but delicious meal and the ladies watched as the men played pool. Nick and Heath played against Jarrod and Carl.

After the fourth game they laid down their cues and Jarrod pulled out his wallet with a grimace, "ok you two, here's the ten dollars I owe you. I'm not letting you beat me out of any more."

Carl laid his ten on the felt top, "me neither."

He went over and sat down beside Audra on the sofa as Jarrod watched Nick pick up the money and put it in his pocket, "I suppose that will be going in the sock?"

Nick grinned at him, "you betcha' big brother, we gotta start savin' again."

"What are you saving for this time?"

Nick moved to stand beside Heath in front of the fire, "we don't know yet."

Heath handed him the drink he had poured for him and looked at Jarrod, "we'll know when we see it though."

Carl stood up and reached for Audras hand, "I've gotta get goin' now, will you walk with me to the barn while I get my horse?"

Audra rose to her feet, "all right, we can take a look at my new mare while we're there."

Carl nodded to everyone and thanked them for supper as he took Audra's arm and led her out the door.

It was about an hour later that she came back and entered the library with her eyes sparkling and her face flushed with excitement. She ran over to hug her mother, then collapsed against her in tears.

Victoria stroked the blond hair, "Audra what's wrong?"

She sat up and wiped her eyes, "oh Mother, it's Carl, he...he..."

Nick and Heath slammed down their glasses and started for the door, both stopping to grab their gunbelts as Nick growled out, "if he hurt her in any way..."

Heath finished the thought for him, "he'll wish he had never set foot on this ranch."

Jarrod raised a hand to halt their progress, "now just wait a second you two." He stood in front of his sister and hooked his thumbs in his vest pockets, "Audra, what happened?"

She sat up, sniffed and held her mother's hands, "oh Mother, he asked me to marry him!"

Victoria looked down at their joined hands and smiled, "I see you said yes."

She picked up Audra's hand to display the large diamond nestled on the third finger. Nick and Heath hung their guns back up and came over to look. Nick stood in front of her and placed his fists firmly on his hips.

"Wants to marry our little sister does he? Why didn't he come talk to us first?" Heath nodded in agreement.

Audra's blue eyes flashed at them, "because he was afraid you would beat him up. You two have run off every other suitor that's come around!"

Nick waved his fist in the air, "that's crazy."

Jarrod raised his eyebrows at them, "you were all ready to track him down and shoot him!"

They both shrugged and Heath mumbled, "that was when we thought ..."

Jarrod held up his hand, "never mind, just congratulate your sister, ok? She's marrying a good man."

They all nodded in agreement and mother and daughter started planning for an April wedding.

....Continued