The next morning at breakfast, Jarrod's front door received a sharp knock. Jarrod looked at his daughter picking at her eggs.

"Honey, don't play with your food,"Jarrod said.

"I'm not hungry, Sir. Please don't make me eat it,"Kristina said in a low voice.

Jarrod looked at his forlorn child and gently patted her hand. "Have I ever forced you to eat anything when you didn't want to?"Jarrod asked.

"No. I thought that maybe you would," Kristina said, her eyes on her plate.

Jarrod pushed his daughter's chin up. She looked at him, a pained expression in her light blue eyes.

"Child, I wouldn't make you eat anything you don't want to eat. What kind of father am I if I got finicky about the food you eat?"Jarrod said.

"Father, I'm sorry. What I said yesterday about you treating me like a two-year old,"Kristina said.

"No, Sweetheart. I should be more understanding. You were upset and tired and I shouldn't have lost my temper," Jarrod said.

"Yeah, I was tired and upset. But Mama taught me to have more respect for my elders. And yesterday I let Mama down,"Kristina said, tears coming to her eyes.

"Then let's just say both of us were wrong. I was wrong to hit your hand and you were wrong to backtalk to your father,"Jarrod said.

"You got yourself a deal, Counselor,"Kristina said. She leaned over and hugged her father, the argument and strain forgotten.

Kristina got back to eating her breakfast when the door got rattled on.

Jarrod answered the door. Not only were Heath and Nick there but so was Grandfather and Grandmother and Aunt Audra.

"Mother! Father! Audra! What are you all doing here? I asked for Heath and Nick,"Jarrod said.

"Son, you're not alone on this. Cass Hyatt has hurt this family for the last time. So has Rizley,"Tom said.

"We may need Kristina to help us. I lost all sense of direction with trying to keep up with her,"Jarrod said.

The morning was spent making plans for Jaddy's rescue from his ordeal. Kristina ate her breakfast for strength and Audra and Victoria helped her wash her hair while the men talked.

After the plans were made, the Barkley clan got on a trolley to the Fisherman's Wharf district. The wind was still bitterly cold, but not as bad as the day before. Kristina was wearing a coat. So that helped some.

Kristina sat down next to Uncle Heath, while Jarrod talked in whispers to Uncle Nick and Grandfather. Two ladies entered the trolley at one of the stops.

When the ladies saw Kristina, one of them chattered excitedly in Swedish. Kristina recognized her as the woman who was nice to her yesterday.

"I don't believe it!"Kristina exclaimed.

The woman patted her head gently and kissed her head gently. She and her friend sat down across from Heath and Kristina.

"Friend of yours?"Heath asked.

"Yes Uncle Heath. I met her yesterday when I disobeyed Father. She sang to me a lullaby in her language. And when the trolley stopped, I nearly lost my seat and she grabbed my shoulder so I wouldn't crash to the floorboard,"Kristina said.

"Nice of her,"Heath said.

"Yeah. I haven't known many foreigners, except Mamacita,"Kristina said.

"I met Mamacita when me, your father, and grandmother came and got you. I was the only one who could talk to her. Since I know Spanish,"Heath said.

"Me and Jaddy know it. In Pine hollow it was absolutely necessary to know Spanish,"Kristina said.

The two sat in silence for a few moments in silence.

"Uncle Heath, what did Grandfather mean when he said that Hyatt and Risley had hurt our family enough?"Kristina said.

"Before you were born Risley and Hyatt were sent to prison for things they had done to our family. I was on a cattle buying trip with Uncle Nick, when we were put in prison for stealing cattle. Which we didn't do. The man in charge of the prison was named Risley,"Heath said.

"Does Risley beat up people?"Kristina asked.

"Yes. Before you father came to find us. I had burned my leg, and been whipped by Risley. When he found out that me and Uncle Nick were Barkleys he put me in an iron box to dehydrate me,"Heath said.

"What about Hyatt?"Kristina asked.

"Attempted murder. When your father and mother first got married a year before Jaddy's birth, a man named Cass Hyatt intended to hurt your father. He hurt your mother instead. She was paralyzed for a long time. Hyatt was sent to San Quentin. Somehow he got out,"Heath said.

"Why didn't Mama and Father tell us about this?"Kristina said.

"I can't speak for your mother. I don't know her reasoning. But your father, I guess it just never came up. Or maybe Jarrod didn't want to hurt you,"Heath said.

Kristina thought about it in silence for the rest of the trip. Mama must have forgiven Hyatt for nearly killing her. Oh Mama, if only you knew how much we're in trouble over this. You had God on your side. You never hated anyone. Jesus help me to have Mama's forgiving nature, Amen, Kristina thought and prayed quietly to herself as the trolley bumped along the road.

The trolley stopped outside Fisherman's Wharf. The Barkleys got of the trolley. Jarrod looked at his daughter and went into a stern lawyer's voice.

Kristina, as soon as you show us the alley, I want you to go back to my office and wait,"Jarrod said.

"No. I can't. I have to make sure Jaddy's all right before I leave,"Kristina said.

Jarrod cupped his daughter's thin cheeks in his hands and made her look at him. "Sweetheart, you're going to have to do as I say. Risley and Hyatt are dangerous men and I don't want to see you get hurt,"Jarrod said.

"I know. Uncle Heath told me what they did. What Risley did to him and Uncle Nick and what Hyatt did to you and Mama,"Kristina said.

"So do you see why I have to protect you? Your mother told me to take care of you and I'm going to do that. Can I trust you to leave when I tell you to?"Jarrod said.

Kristina nodded her head. All the Barkley men followed Kristina down an alley. Kristina stopped at the grills she discovered the day before.

"Jaddy? Are you there? Answer me!"Kristina's voice got desperate.

"I'm here, Baby sister,"Jaddy said faintly.

"Jaddy are you all right? Are you dead?"Kristina asked.

"No, but I did find out Risley and Hyatt's plan,"Jaddy said.

"Jarrod what is there plan?“ Jarrod asked.

"I'm too cold to think about it. They took my coat and it's very cold in this basement," Jaddy said.

"Don't worry, Boy we'll get you out,"Nick said.

"Uncle Nick? I thought you were home letting Uncle Heath win again at pool?"Jaddy said, his tired voice full of amusement.

"Would I let my favorite nephew get hurt? Nick growled.

Kristina giggled in spite of herself. "Jaddy are you still tied up?"Kristina asked.

"No. Hyatt and Risley saw I wasn't going to run with broken ribs so they untied me,"Jaddy said.

Kristina looked at the bars on the grill. I wonder if these metal bars can be bent, she thought.

She looked around and saw a lead pipe. On a brilliant idea, she picked up the dirty pipe and swung at the metal bars.

As Kristina swung Nick grabbed the lead pipe before it impacted with the bars. Her father breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Kristina Barkley what do you think you're doing?"Jarrod demanded.

"Getting Jaddy out?"Kristina said.

"Kristina we have to find the opening. And you hitting those bars could cause Risley and Hyatt to hear if they are close,"Jarrod said.

"But Father we have to get him out!"Kristina protested.

"We will. But Honey, I suggest it was time you left for my office. I'll come get you when we get Jaddy out,"Jarrod said.

"What if you're late?"Kristina asked.

"Then go to my apartment instead. I wouldn't want your grandmother and aunt to worry,"Jarrod said.

"Okay. Here take my coat. Jaddy may need it if he's freezing,"Kristina said, peeling her coat off.

"Sweetheart, I can give Jarrod my coat. So you keep yours on,"Jarrod said.

"It's all right. I know what it means to be cold. Living in that cabin in Pine hollow I had to. Jaddy needs it more than me,"Kristina said, pushing her coat back into his hands.

She kissed his cheek lightly. She ran through the slush and waited for a trolley. When one arrived she gave him her father's address and sat down.

Kristina got off the trolley and walked over the substantial area. She walked up the narrow steps and knocked on the door.

Aunt Audra answered the door. "Kristina! Where's Jarrod and the others?"Audra asked.

"They're still trying to get Jaddy out. Father told me to come here,"Kristina said. So that began the afternoon of waiting for the three Barkley females.

Jaddy lay there shivering in the basement of the building, his ribs hurting where Hyatt had hit him with the butt of a rifle. The cold was making it worse since Risley had taken his coat. I guess to aid pneumonia, Jaddy thought grimly.

He heard Jarrod talking to his grandfather and his uncles. He furtively hoped Kristina got back to Nob Hill all right. "Papa? Papa?"Jaddy called weakly.

Jarrod's face appeared where the grating was. "Jarrod, what's wrong?"Jarrod asked.

"Did Kristina leave?"Jaddy asked.

"Yes. She left me her coat. Son, are you all right?"Jarrod asked.

"Father, I'm fine. I just feel a little cold. Risley took my coat and it's not very warm in here,"Jaddy said.

"Don't worry, Son. We'll get you out of here. I promised your mother that I'd take care of you, Jaddy,"Jarrod said.

"Boy Howdy, that's the first time you've ever called me by that nickname of Kristina's,"Jaddy said.

"Don't get used to it, Boy,"Jarrod said.

"I won't, Father,"Jarrod said.

Jaddy was quiet for a few moments. "Jarrod, We need you to talk to Jaddy. Keep him awake while we go look for the entrance,"Tom said.

"I'll do that, Father,"Jarrod said.

Jarrod turned back to the grate."Jarrod, you need to stay awake,"Jarrod said.

"Father, I can't. I'm so cold,"Jaddy said.

"Try, Son. Jarrod tell me how your sister came up with that name Jaddy again,"Jarrod said.

"When Kristina was learning how to talk she couldn't say Jarrod like anyone else. So she came up with Jaddy. Everyone in Pine Hollow liked it so much they started calling me Jaddy too,"Jaddy said.

"And Kristina she has hardly ever called you Jarrod?"Jarrod said.

"Nope. She said that Jaddy's the name she's used to,"Jaddy said.

Jarrod tried for an hour to keep his boy awake. Jaddy fell asleep despite his father's trying to keep him awake.

Nick, Heath, and Tom looked around the alleys and side streets looking for an entrance to Jaddy's prison to no avail.

The street was crowded with people as the Barkleys searched. Heath was about to turn a corner when Tom stopped him. "Heath, look,"Tom held his son back.

Risley and Hyatt were coming out of a secret door."That boy of the counselor's is strong. Did you notice Hyatt that he didn't even scream when I broke his nose?"Risley said.

"He's as stubborn as his Pa is,"Hyatt said, his voice full of contempt for Jarrod.

"I thought he was more like his uncles 597and 370. When they were in my camp, I beat up 597 and he didn't even scream either,"Risley said.

Heath knew Risley was talking about him. In spite of the fever that wracked his body, he remembered that Risley horsewhipped him and stuffed him in that iron box. He knew that he never screamed. Since he was young boy he knew how to deal with pain. It was ironic that his nephew, his own half-brother's son was the same way.

He remembered what Jarrod told him when the Sturges kidnapped Kristina. That his niece was also the same way. She managed to forget any pain and force herself to be on top of everything.

The three men waited until Risley and Hyatt left. Then Heath and Nick pushed on the secret paneling. It gave way to reveal a cold, drafty warehouse.

"Boys, let's hurry. The cold air I feel could kill that boy if we don't get him out,"Tom said.

The men went through the warehouse looking for Jaddy's prison.

Tom, Nick, and Heath pushed through the dark warehouse until they reached a door. Ironically it wasn't locked. Heath pushed open the door. His nephew's prone body lay on the floor where Risley and Hyatt had left him.

Jaddy appeared to be unconscious. His lips were blue. His face was pale under the bruises and scratches.

Heath, Nick, and Tom could vaguely see Jarrod peeking through the grate. Heath walked over to his nephew and touched a lock of his black hair.

"He's alive. But we have to get him out of here. This cold could kill him and he doesn't have a coat on,"Heath said.

Heath took off his coat and wrapped around his nephew's shoulders. Then he and Nick put their arms under his jutting shoulder blades and carried him through the door.

When they reached Jarrod, he hugged his son and then lifted him up in his strong arms, like he did Kristina and Jaddy when they were sick with diphtheria.

They rushed to the nearest trolley. Jarrod spent the trip pushing back Jaddy's hair from his eyes.

....Continued