When Jarrod, Victoria, Audra, and Kristina entered the hospital it was all Kristina could do not to run to her brother's hospital room. Heath, Tom, and Nick were waiting outside the room when the foursome arrived.

"Grandfather, is Jaddy all right?"Those were the first words out of Kristina's mouth when they approached Nick, Heath, and Tom.

"He's fine, Child. A few broken ribs and a broken nose. He's sleeping right now, but he'll be all right,"Tom said to the granddaughter he didn't even know existed until last July.

"May I see him?"Kristina asked.

"Kristina, he's very weak and tired. I would suggest you wait until he wakes up,"Jarrod said gently.

"But Father he's my brother,"Kristina said.

"Sweetheart, we know how you feel but Jarrod needs his rest,"Victoria said.

"No you don't know how I feel. None of you will know how I feel until this kind of thing happens to you,"Kristina said.

"Kristina!"Jarrod said sharply.

Kristina looked at her father, tears brimming in her blue eyes. Before anyone could stop her she rushed into Jaddy's room and sat on the edge of the bed. She pushed back a shock of black hair out of his eyes. His battered face surprised her. He had dark rings under his eyes. His nose was slightly crooked from a break and there were bruises covering his face.

Jarrod walked behind his daughter and rubbed her shoulder gently. Kristina leaned over and kissed Jaddy's pale cheek. She put her hand on his and started to rub it methodically

It wasn't Kristina's massaging Jaddy's hand that woke him up. It was the excruciating pain in his ribs that woke him up. Jaddy's eyelids fluttered painfully open as he took a deep breath of oxygen.

He looked around, disoriented, at his surroundings. He was on a comfortable bed in an unknown place. He remembered being in the cold basement of that building and that as he got used to the cold, he felt surprisingly tired. His grandfather and uncles must have found an entrance.

Jarrod was standing next to the doctor, talking to him. Kristina wasn't even looking at him. She was busy stroking his hair and hand at the same time.

He flipped his hand around and squeezed her hand gently.

Kristina looked down. Jaddy's blue eyes were open and he was holding her hand. He breathing was shallow and painful-sounding.

"Father, Jaddy's awake!"Kristina exclaimed.

Jarrod came over to his injured son's bedside. "Jarrod are you all right, Son?"Jarrod asked.

It was a struggle to try to talk through the broken ribs, but Jaddy tried to answer his father.

"Yes Father. My ribs hurt and it hurts to breathe or talk,"Jaddy whispered hoarsely.

“Young man, when your grandfather, uncles, and myself brought you in you were asleep. I would suggest you rest. Don't try to talk, Son. Just rest and relax,"Jarrod said.

"I can't. I have to make sure Risley and Hyatt get punished by the law for what they've done to me,"Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, you can't. Not now. Not ever. Jaddy, I learned something today while me and Uncle Heath were talking. You remember how we always said Mama was a forgiving person? Now I know why,"Kristina said.

"Why?"Jaddy asked.

"Before you were born Mama got into a big mess with Hyatt and Hyatt hurt Mama. She, I guess got shot. She could have detested him, but she forgave him for doing it. Remember she said if we don't forgive our enemies God won't forgive us,"Kristina said.

"Thanks, Sis. You always bring me back to all of Mama's words at just the right time,"Jaddy said.

"Don't give me the credit, Jaddy. Mama said that it's never a person who says Christian words. Remember when we were talkin' about The Bible how she said that men wrote it but God inspired them to?"Kristina said.

Jaddy nodded his head to worn out to talk anymore. He fell into a peaceful sleep. Kristina folded her hands under her chin. "God help Jaddy's ribs to heal. Thank you for helping us forgive Hyatt and Risley for hurting us. And also forgive them for hurting us. And thanks for helping both of us remember that love is stronger than hate. In Jesus name amen,"Kristina said.

Jarrod took his daughter down to the hospital cafe and they ate a quiet meal.

Kristina picked at the steak in front of her with a keen sadness. Even Jarrod stopped eating his food to stare at his daughter with interest.

Jarrod took his left hand and covered her hand with it. Kristina looked up at him her bright blue eyes tired.

Jarrod was surprised by the worn-out look on his girl's face. She looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Kristina, after you eat, I'm taking you back to my house,"Jarrod said.

"No. I'll be all right. I'm just a little sleepy is all,"Kristina said.

"Kristina you can't go on like this. You're tired and worn-out. You need a proper night's sleep,"Jarrod said.

"I can't leave. What if Jaddy wakes up and I'm not there?"Kristina asked, her voice ragged-sounding.

"I'll tell Jarrod that you're worn out and that you're back at my apartment getting a well-deserved sleep,"Jarrod said.

"I can't. Please Father, don't make me leave,"Kristina said.

"Kristina you are going to sleep. I hope you don't decide to argue this,"Jarrod said, sternly.

"I noticed a bed next to Jaddy's. May I sleep there? It'll kill two birds with one stone. I'll still get the sleep you want me to have and still be there if Jaddy wakes up,"Kristina said.

Jarrod looked at his daughter. He knew she was right so he nodded his head. "All right. I'll let you stay here with us. But promise me Kristina that you'll go straight to sleep, and not give me a reason to take you home," Jarrod said.

Kristina nodded her head tiredly. "Yes Sir,"She said, and tried to force herself to eat the food on her plate. When she finished Jarrod helped her walk back to the room Jaddy was in and she collapsed wearily on the bed.

Victoria covered her with a blanket and Kristina slept the evening away. Jody was sleeping also, but it was not a pain-induced sleep, but a drug-induced sleep. While Jarrod and Kristina were eating, Jaddy woke up with sharp pains in his stomach so the doctor gave him a shot of chloroform. So both the children slept under the watchful eye of their father and their family.

While Jarrod's children slept, the adults made plans. Nick was ready to tear Risley and Hyatt limb from limb, but Jarrod in no-uncertain terms to calm down.

"Don't tell me to calm down, Pappy! Those two men tried to kill my nephew!"Nick roared.

"Nicholas, don't yell. You'll wake the children,"Victoria said.

"Anyway, Kristina was right. Getting revenge, Brother Nick is not the way to accomplish anything,"Jarrod said.

"So what you suggest we do, Jarrod?"Heath said.

"Well, Risley and Hyatt will notice Jarrod's gone. They'll probably think that he'll try to get back to me. So they'll search hospitals and try to locate my apartment,"Jarrod said.

Kristina woke up while the grownups were planning. "How about planning a trap?"Kristina said, from her hospital bed.

Jarrod turned to his daughter in surprise. "Kristina, I thought you were asleep,"Jarrod said, sitting on the bed next to Kristina.

"I was until Uncle Nick started to shout,"Kristina said.

"Nick, Mother told you you'd wake the children,"Jarrod accused.

"Father, I'm all right. I'm glad I heard what you're planning. And I can help you in capturing Risley and Hyatt,"Kristina said.

"No. You're not going to help us capture Risley and Hyatt. Sweet heart I want you to stay here with your grandmother and aunt,"Jarrod said.

"Father, what if you don't come back?"Kristina said, her voice small-sounding.

Jarrod hugged his daughter and whispered through her long dark hair, "I'll be back, Kristina. I promise."

Jarrod kissed his daughter on the cheek and watched her drift back to sleep.

As soon as she fell asleep, Heath, Jarrod, Tom, and Nick continued with their plans.

After Kristina drifted back to sleep Jarrod, Heath, Nick, and Tom went to Jarrod's office. Considering the men who'd beaten up Jarrod's son, it was thought of they knew almost everything about the Barkley family.

Jarrod spent the afternoon working on some briefs. Jarrod knew he was doing this for his son and daughter. He also knew he couldn't die after making that promise to his tired little girl.

His only comfort about this mess was that Jaddy and Kristina would be safe from Risley and Hyatt.

Wrong again.

When Risley and Hyatt came back to the room that was Jaddy Barkley's prison, they saw through the dimness of the interior, that he was gone.

"The boy's gone Risley!"Hyatt exclaimed angrily.

"I can see that Hyatt!"Risley snapped.

"Where could he have gone? I broke his ribs. No one could get far on broken ribs,"Hyatt said.

"You're forgetting who his pa and uncles are. He's a Christian also. I heard him praying last night. If he got out on his own he'd go to Counselor Barkley or the hospital,"Risley said.

"Where do we search first?"Hyatt asked.

"The hospital,"Risley said.

So the two men went looking for Jaddy in the hospitals of San Francisco, putting both children in danger.

When Kristina woke up a few hours later, Jaddy was already awake. Victoria had some chicken broth and was feeding it to her grandson a spoonful at a time.

The bruises that he sustained from Hyatt and Risley were healing on his face beautifully. They looked greenish instead of purple. His color looked better from the previous hours. When Kristina first saw her brother he was pale as ice.

Kristina pushed up on her hands and planted her feet on the floor. She took in her wrinkled clothes and tried to brush the lint from them.

"Jaddy, are you all right?"Kristina asked.

"Yeah, Sis. I'm fine. It still hurts to breathe. But I'll be fine,"Jaddy said.

"That's good. I was so worried about you. At one point I got upset and Father swatted my hand,"Kristina said.

"Father hit you?"Jaddy asked.

"Yeah. But that's because I wouldn't mind him when he said I was to stay at his office,"Kristina said.

"Kris, this trip has turned kinda dangerous. I sorta would like to go home,"Jaddy said.

"To Pine Hollow or Stockton?"Kristina asked.

Pine Hollow actually. I never got in this much trouble in Pine Hollow. Since we moved to Stockton, trouble has seemed to be all we're in,"Jaddy said.

"We can't go back to Pine Hollow. Father said it would be impossible. There's nothing there to go back to. And anyway I kinda like living with Father and our family and if it's home you want I want to go back to Stockton,"Kristina said.

"I didn't think you'd like it so much,"Jaddy said.

Victoria listened to the conversation between her two grandchildren. She spoke quietly at a break in the conversation. "If I wrote your father a note, I could take you children home to Stockton,"Victoria said.

"Grandmother, could you?"Kristina asked.

"Of course, Sweetheart. Audra, run get me some paper. Kristina gets me some clothes for your brother to wear and I'll go fetch the doctor,"Victoria instructed.

"Yes Mother, Grandmother,"Audra and Kristina said in unison.

The female Barkley family members and Jaddy managed to get away from the hospital before Risley and Hyatt got there.

When Jarrod arrived at the hospital after a fruitless day of waiting Risley and Hyatt out he read the note Victoria left him. He breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"What is it, Jarrod?"Heath asked.

"Mother took my children back to Stockton. My mind can rest easier knowing that the children are safe. Mother and Audra can take care of them on the ranch and the country air is better for Jarrod's lungs than breathing in the city smog,"Jarrod said.

"Victoria is one brave woman. If Risley and Hyatt come out there your mother can stop them,"Tom said.

"I guess the only thing to do is go home ourselves. Now that the children are safe,"Jarrod said.

"What about Risley and Hyatt, Jarrod?"Heath asked.

"I'm not going to be vengeful for what they did to my boy. I'm going home to spend my first Christmas with my best girl and my best boy,"Jarrod said, a note of pride entering his voice.

The four men left the hospital and went back to Jarrod's apartment and gathered Jarrod's clothes and his children's clothes that they weren't able to take with them.

The weather was still snowy and cold when Jarrod and they others arrived. They stopped by the livery stable and picked up one of the Barkley rigs and Heath and Nick's horses, Thunderbolt and Current.

When they reached the house, the smell of gingerbread floated out to the Barkley men. Jarrod inhaled a deep breath and saw his son walk over to the wood box. Clutching his ribcage painfully Jaddy was, to Jarrod's relief, up and about.

Christmas Eve was cold and snowy. When Jarrod came back to the ranch, his children were busy helping Victoria and Silas hang up Christmas decorations. Every so often Jarrod had to tell his son to stop and slow down on account of his ribs.

Jarrod was in his study when Jaddy stumbled into the room tied and clutching his side. Jarrod didn't look up for a few seconds.

"Father?"Jaddy said in a ragged voice.

Jarrod looked up from his paperwork and practically rushed his son over to the leather couch.

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

"Helping Grandmother, Aunt Audra, and Kris put up Christmas decorations,"Jaddy said.

"I thought I told you to take it easy?"Jarrod said.

"Ya did. I just stopped. Father, I'm so tired, and my ribs hurt. Sis, likes being in here. So I want to stay in here for a few minutes. I'll just lay here on your couch. Please Papa, can't I stay?"Jaddy asked.

"Of course you can stay. Just lay back and relax,"Jarrod put his hands on Jaddy's shoulders and pushed him back on the couch.

Jarrod spent a few minutes stroking his son's hair until he fell asleep. Jaddy fell asleep with a peaceful look on his face. Father and son didn't know the trouble that would come that night.

Jaddy woke up with a sharp pain in his side an hour later. Since Rizley had broken his ribs with that rifle butt Jaddy felt he hadn't lived.

Jaddy sat up and braced his hands on the armrest of his father's leather couch. Jarrod looked up from his papers.

"Jarrod, what are you doing?" Jarrod asked his son, the corners of his mouth pulling down into a frown.

"Trying to get up without killing myself first," Jaddy said.

Jarrod stood up, walked over to his son, and pushed him back onto the couch. "Jarrod, sit down. You're in no condition to move, young man," Jarrod said.

"I have chores I need to do, Father," Jaddy said.

"They can wait. Heath or Nick can do them," Jarrod said.

"I'm sorry. I have to go. I only wanted to stay here for a few minutes," Jaddy said, trying to get back on his feet.

Jarrod pushed him back down again. "Look Boy, I didn't risk everything getting out of that building in San Francisco to watch you puncture a lung. You sit down and rest here or I'll take you over my knee!" Jarrod said.

"Just you try it!" Jaddy said, his face red with anger.

"Don't tempt me, Boy!" Jarrod snapped.

"Don't call me, Boy!" Jaddy snarled.

Kristina entered the room just then. Her father and brother both looked upset. She nearly flinched under her brother's steely gaze.

"Boy Howdy, am I glad I'm not the one you're mad at!" Kristina said.

"Kristina, shut up!" Jaddy snapped at his sister.

"Jarrod Barkley, I never want to hear you say that to anyone!" Jarrod reprimanded.

"What are you doing here, Sis?" Jaddy asked.

"Keeping you and father company?" Kristina asked.

She set a checkerboard in front of Jaddy and played checkers all afternoon.

4 hours later, after Kristina had beaten her brother in checkers for the 7th or eighth time, Jarrod looked up at his children.

"Well, my children it's time for dinner," Jarrod said, in that slightly patronizing voice Kristina and Jaddy found annoying sometimes.

Jaddy winced slightly as he tried to stand up. His ribs were healing, but the pain was not very comfortable.

"Jaddy, do you need help?" Kristina asked her older brother.

"Do I look like I need help, Little Sister?" Jaddy asked.

"Well, you do look rather pathetic," Kristina said.

"Not any more pathetic than you looked 6 months ago when the Sturges brothers kidnapped you," Jaddy said.

"Son, you are hurt worse than what your sister was. She was getting over the aftereffects of breathing chloroform," Jarrod said.

"I just hate the fact I have to stay inside all the time. If I wasn't stupid enough to let Rizley or Hyatt get me, I'd be going out with Uncle Heath, Grandfather, and Uncle Nick to find a Christmas Tree," Jaddy said.

"I see. Then answer me this Jaddy. Was Mama stupid to let herself get shot by Hyatt? Or were Uncle Heath and Uncle Nick stupid enough to be in Rizley's prison camp?" Kristina asked.

"No. I was just stupid, Kris," Jaddy said.

"Young man, I suggest you sit still until your ribs heal. And Son, you were not stupid. I was stupid. I should have known something was wrong after you didn't show up after 5 minutes in the restaurant," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Kristina put their arms under Jaddy's shoulders and lifted.

"Ouch! Watch it!" Jaddy yelped as Kristina and Jarrod carried him out of the study. None of them knew what was about to happen.

Jarrod, Jaddy, and Kristina stopped in horror at the entrance to the dining room. Rizley and Hyatt were there. Silas sat on the couch, putting a handkerchief to his bloody lip.

"Counselor Barkley," Rizley sneered.

"What do you want?" Jarrod asked.

"We've come calling to wish you a Merry Christmas, Lawyer," Hyatt said.

"Why don't you just go away? You two have done enough damage already," Jarrod said, pushing his children behind him.

"Mr. Rizley, You and your friends are beasts. What kind of man hits a sixteen-year-old boy?" Kristina said.

"Rizley, leave my children alone. My life for my children's. If you want to kill someone, kill me," Jarrod said.

"Father, no!" Kristina said, shocked.

"Kristina, I have to. If they kill you I might do what I did when your mother got shot. I nearly killed Hyatt myself," Jarrod said.

"Father, I love you," Kristina said.

"I love you too, Sweetheart," Jarrod said, kissing his daughter's head.

Jarrod took his son's hand. "Look after your sister," Jarrod said, simply.

"Yes Father," Jaddy said. Jarrod took his son in his arms and hugged him. He looked at Rizley and Hyatt over his son's head. By the look in their eyes he knew that they meant to kill him.

Hyatt and Rizley dragged Jarrod away. "Stay here," Jaddy ordered his little sister.

"Jaddy, where are you going?" Kristina asked.

"I'm going to help Father," Jaddy said.

Jaddy went to the gunroom, picked out a rifle, and loaded it with some bullets.

Jaddy went out into the biting cold. and hid behind some bushes and waited while he cocked his gun.

Jaddy nearly jumped when a gloved hand touched his shoulder. Uncle Nick and Uncle Heath were close by.

"Jaddy, what are you doin'?" Heath asked.

"Saving Father?" Jaddy asked.

"Why? What happened to Jarrod?" Nick asked.

"Uncle Nick, Hyatt and Rizley threatened to beat Kristina. Father offered his life for ours. I can't let him die like Mama. I just can't," Jaddy said.

"Why do you think it's up to you to save Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"It's my fault that he's getting killed," Jaddy said.

"No Jaddy. It ain't your fault. Hyatt and Rizley have had vendettas against us since we sent them to prison," Nick said.

"I don't care. I'm not going to let Father die on account of me," Jaddy said

Jaddy looked through the bushes. Jarrod was slapped hard in the face. The blood ran down his nose and onto his white shirt. Jaddy cocked the rifle and shot at Hyatt's feet.

"Rizley, what was that?" Hyatt asked in terror.

"It could be Counselor Barkley's brothers," Rizley said.

Another shot rang out and struck the tree next to them.

"Lawyer, tell whoever that is to stop," Hyatt said.

Jarrod looked at the ground and wouldn't say anything. The next shot was aimed at the ground again.

"Jaddy, they could kill your father on your shooting," Heath said.

"I know, I know," Jaddy said.

Jaddy picked himself up and clutched the rifle tightly in his right hand. The left he placed on his ribcage. He came out of the bushes.

The look of surprise turned to absolute rage in Jarrod's eyes. Jaddy had not only stayed in the house where he could be safe; he was armed with a rifle from the gunroom.

"Let him go," Jaddy said, pointing his gun at Rizley.

Rizley and Hyatt backed away, looking at the gun. Jarrod ran his hands on his nose to make sure it wasn't broken.

"Now get on your horses and ride. I never want to see you near my family again," Jaddy said.

Rizley and Hyatt went past as if obeying Jaddy's orders. Without even realizing what was happening, Hyatt grabbed at Jaddy's gun and smacked him in the face with it.

A shot rang out behind him and Jaddy passed out.

Jaddy woke up in his own bedroom on the Barkley ranch. The last thing he remembered before he blacked out was a gunshot.

He looked around the room. Kristina, Jarrod, Grandfather, Aunt Audra, Uncle Nick, and Uncle Heath were all there. Victoria had a compress on his forehead. Jaddy groaned as he touched his aching head.

"Jaddy, are you all right?" Kristina asked.

"Yep. Just have one humdinger of a headache," Jaddy said.

"You fell and hit your head on a rock," Jarrod said, pushing Jaddy's dark hair out of his eyes.

"Who got shot? I heard a gunshot," Jaddy said.

"Hyatt got shot in the arm," Heath said.

"Did the sheriff come and take them away?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. Both are charged with assault and battery and breaking and entering," Jarrod said.

"Father, are you mad at me?" Jaddy asked.

"For what, Son?" Jarrod asked.

"I didn't stay in the house like you wanted me to," Jaddy said.

"Son, you and your uncles saved my life and I'm grateful. If you hadn't come along Hyatt and Rizley would have killed me," Jarrod said.

"But are you upset at me for not staying in the house?" Jaddy asked.

"All right. I am a little disappointed that you would disobey me. The next time I give you an order I expect you to obey it, young man," Jarrod said.

"Yes Sir," Jaddy said.

Kristina looked at her father. He didn't seem too upset that Jaddy had disobeyed. And after his ordeal he had still had time to change his bloody shirt and clean his face.

"Merry Christmas, Jaddy," Kristina said.

"Merry Christmas, Sissy," Jaddy said.

"Will you two be able to take a family picture tomorrow?" Tom asked, teasing his grandchildren.

"Family picture?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. Every Christmas we have a photographer come out to the house and take a picture of the family," Victoria said.

"I reckon," Kristina said.

"I suppose," Jaddy said.

The next day was cool and beautiful. The picture was taken. The only difference between this and the other family photographs was that Jaddy stood behind Jarrod, as he was seated, and Kristina stood next to him, her arm slung over his shoulder.

In 1925 Kristina's adult son Nicky took the picture and had it redone for his mother. And that was when Kristina told her family about the first Christmas she and Jaddy spent with the Barkleys.