While Heath is busy working with Duke and the others with building the bridge pounding boards into posts, Audra and Gene arrive in town and after bringing their horses to the livery they go to catch up with Jessie who is on her way to school. Turning around upon hearing their voices she greets them and asks of Audra, “Did you get into trouble when you got home?”

“Not in trouble,” Audra replies, “Just a talking to mostly by Jarrod. What about you?”

“I got one too,” she mentions as she rolls her eyes up in annoyance.

“Were you able to keep the raccoon?” Audra asks of Jessie who replies, “No; had to turn it loose. Father didn’t like the idea of having a wild animal around.”

“That’s too bad,” Gene says, “Sure would have liked to have seen that.”

Shrugging her shoulders, “What could I do?” she replies, “I had to let it go.” Then upon hearing the school bell they stop talking and run up the stairs to the classroom. Upon catching sight of Irving running up behind them Gene exchanges greetings with him and as they walk in the teacher has the class get into their seats in which they comply immediately.

While inside the barn getting Coco ready for his travels Barrett comes in out of breath and upon addressing Nick as Mr. Barkley he informs him about cattle getting out on the West Ridge. Hearing that “Damn!” Nick yells out and telling Barrett to wait there he grabs his hat and Coco and upon barking, “Let’s go,” he and Barrett quickly hurry off to the West Ridge not uttering another word.

At the house while Victoria is busy sitting at the table and Silas is working, Jarrod walking in asks, “Mother, how’s it coming along?”

“I am writing it all down,” Victoria informs him.

Glancing down at the paper he looks on as she runs down the list of what she needs first with the fruit (canteloupe, honeydew and watermelon), a bag of flour, she then tells him about the platter consisting of sandwiches, pickles, carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower, the loaves of bread, the roasts, chickens, turkeys, corn chips, hard-boiled eggs and then afterwards she tells him about Audra working out with him in the garden once she comes home from school.

Informing her, “I think that is a wonderful idea,” Jarrod then says, “Give me what we need and I will be happy to pick them up for you.” Upon her thanking him he replies, “No problem.”

Victoria then says, “I sure wish Nick were more like you. You are much more receptive.”

Smiling, “Well,” Jarrod replies, “I am not that pigheaded.”

“Thank goodness,” she says, “We only have one of them.” As Jarrod agrees with her he then leaves the kitchen and upon going in the study Victoria informs Silas of them having to make loaves of bread.

While the men are all hard at work building the new bridge over the creek Jarrod returns to the kitchen to find out if Victoria needs any help with anything. While she is helping Silas with making the dough for the loaves of bread she tells Jarrod, “Not right now. Later on I will.”

He then informs her he will take a ride over to the creek to see how Heath is doing and leaving the kitchen he goes out the door and after getting Jingo saddled up he rides off in the direction of the creek.

Arriving up at the West Ridge Nick and Barrett catch sight of the men rounding up the scattered herd that broke loose and as they are driving them back into their makeshift fence with the others and then looking over and seeing a few more stragglers moving away Nick barks commands to Barrett, Chad and Davy, to go after them in which the men quickly and promptly comply going after them and bringing them back. Once they’ve all been rounded up and the gate is closed Nick removing his hat and wiping the sweat from his brow and forehead with the sleeve of his shirt dismounts and says going over to the gathered men, “I want you all to look around and if any are missing bring them back.”

Responding, “Right Mr. Barkley,” comes from Barrett while Davy, Chad and Hank all reply, “Right Nick.”

Glaring at the men, “What is my name?” he sternly asks of them.

Nervously, “Mr. Barkley,” they each respond.

“THEN USE IT!” Nick barks, “I am the boss around here and as long as you work for me, you will address me accordingly. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes Mr. Barkley! Quite clear!” they respond with Hank adding, “It was an accident. Sorry.”

“Just don’t let it happen again,” Nick informs them as he looks around the ridge.

Coming over to the creek and catching sight of the men working Jarrod goes and greets Heath who glances up at him saying, “Hi sir.”

“How’s it going?” Jarrod asks of him who replies, “Fine sir.”

“I just came by to see how you’re doing with the bridge,” Jarrod informs him, “I must say you are doing a great job Heath. You truly are.”

As Heath replies, “Yes sir,” Duke comes over and upon exchanging hellos with Jarrod he places his hand around his shoulder and asks, “Did you come by to see how Heath is doing?”

“I did,” Jarrod admits, “And I must say I am really impressed; he is doing a remarkable job on it.”

“He is indeed,” Duke states “And if you look over there,” pointing to the wagon, “You could see the railing that he put together.”

“Yes,” Jarrod replies, “I see it.”

“I must say,” Duke says, “That having the extra manpower has also helped,” as they walk around.

“Yes,” Jarrod replies, “I could imagine it does. When do you think you’ll be finished?”

“A few more days yet,” Duke mentions, “It’s been awhile since I’ve put up a brand new one.”

“Did Nick mention Heath will be cutting his work short tomorrow to come with me into town?” Jarrod wanted to know.

“No,” Duke mentions, “But then again he has been avoiding me of late. I told him I need to talk with him and he keeps putting it off.”

“He does have other things on his mind right now,” Jarrod brings up.

“Yes,” Duke replies, “And he’s right over there,” indicating Heath.

“How’d’you know?” Jarrod asks.

“Jarrod,” Duke mentions, “I’ve known your brother for way too long. I could always tell when something or someone is bothering him.”

“I’ll see what I could do with getting him to talk with you,” Jarrod informs him.

“Please do,” Duke urges.

“We tried talking to Nick,” Jarrod notes, “But he doesn’t want to hear anything we’re saying.”

“I’ll talk with him” Duke mentions “But the first step is getting him to come to me.”

“True,” Jarrod replies, “I’ll see what I could do.”

Changing the topic, “How’s your arm?” Duke asks of Jarrod who replies, “Getting better. Not so bad now.”

Duke then asks him to join them for lunch in which he answers, “Not today; perhaps another time,” as he walks away.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Duke tells him who mounts up and rides away. As he rides off Duke looks over at Heath and wonders why he remained quiet the entire time. Brushing it off he goes back to work with Heath doing the same.

Splitting up the men on the West Ridge he has them scouting the area for any missing cattle. Coming up empty Chad says to Davy, “Nothing down this way,” to which Davy responds, “Nothing down this way either. Perhaps they are all accounted for.”

“Perhaps,” Chad says, “But Mr. Barkley wants us to check so we better.”

“Agreed,” Davy nods, “I wonder what is with him these days. One minute he could be so easy to talk to and the next he is snapping at us. Sometimes I just don’t know how to talk to him.”

“He’s been like that for some time now,” Chad notes, “Although he’s gotten worse since the arrival of that new hand he hired. Heath, I believe his name is.”

“I think so too,” Davy replies, “I wonder why.”

“Not sure,” Chad shrugs, “Perhaps he doesn’t like him.”

“Could be,” Davy surmises, “But if that should be the case why did he hire him in the first place? He is the one that does the hiring around here. Why doesn’t he just fire him?”

“Good question,” Chad retorts, “But I think it has something to do with Mrs. Barkley. If you notice he is living inside their house with them and not out in the bunk house with the rest of us.”

“How could anyone not notice that,” Davy states, “And you could be right. Maybe it does have something to do with Mrs. Barkley. But from what I’ve seen he seems rather quiet. Maybe Mr. Barkley doesn’t like that.”

“That could be too,” Chad says, “And he definitely is not one who is quiet himself, so maybe he expects this Heath to be like him.”

“Perhaps,” Davy notes, “But for right now whatever the reasons behind it are and until things settle down around here we better keep a low profile around here.”

“Good idea,” Chad says, “I really don’t want to have to go and find another job. I do like it here and the pay is good.”

“So true,” Davy replies as they continue looking around Nick from the other side of the ridge calls out to Barrett and asks, “Anything?”

“No Mr. Barkley,” Barrett replies, “Nothing this way.”

“Well,” Nick tells him, “Keep looking just to be sure.”

Responding, “Sure thing,” Barrett resumes scouting around again.

Dismissing the kids at school for lunch Audra and Jessie sit together while Gene sits with Irving. Discussing their plans for when school is dismissed Jessie suggests riding around but Audra informs her she needs to go home to pick vegetables from the garden in which she offers to come by and help.

Meanwhile Gene and Irving discuss the services that will be held on Saturday and talk over their feelings about it with Irving mentioning, “I’m kind of nervous about going.”

“I am too” Gene admits.

“I know I went to your father’s but I didn’t like going to it,” Irving admits.

“I didn’t either” Gene states “But unfortunately I had to and going to these things is just something we have to do in our lifetime whether we like them or not.”

“My father told me that,” Irving mentions.

“And you want to know something else,” Gene brings up.

“What?” Irving asks.

“My father’s grave,” Gene replies, “Other than the day of the funeral I haven’t gone anywhere near it at all. Maybe I should.”

“You haven’t?” Irving asks shocked.

“No,” Gene says, “I haven’t had the courage to go there yet. Audra has but I haven’t and even though I am alright with it now it still bothers me somewhat.”

“I imagine it would,” Irving replies, “And I must admit that I wouldn’t know how I would feel if it was my father instead. I mean I just can’t picture him not being there with all of us.”

“It’s an awful feeling” Gene says “There is also an emptiness inside the house and whenever I look over at the dinner table and see him not there or when you walk around the house and expect to see him and yet you don’t and never will again it’s like something is missing and there is; he’s never coming home anymore.”

Just then hearing the bell Irving and Gene stop what they are doing and upon retrieving their lunch pails they head back to the classroom.

Once Nick has checked on the scouting party up on the West Ridge consisting of Chad and Davy and informing them to remain on duty until relief arrives he leaves. Up at the creek approaching noontime Duke has Heath and the men stop for lunch. Grabbing their lunches the men all go off together while Heath is just standing there. Bringing out two lunches Duke hands one to Heath and has him take it. Reluctantly and hesitantly Heath replies, “I shouldn’t.”

“Yes you should,” Duke tells him, “Take it.”

Responding, “Yes sir,” Heath says, “I mean yes Duke,” as he takes it from him and sits underneath a nearby tree.

Joining him, “Do you mind if I join you?” Duke asks.

“No Duke,” Heath replies, and as Duke sits alongside of him they start eating.

Making small conversation, “You know Heath,” Duke says, “Having more help is certainly working out much better. We got a lot more done today.”

“We have,” Heath replies. As Duke asks him how the sandwich is Heath replies, “Fine sir.”

Then going back to making conversation “The bridge is really coming along very nicely” Duke comments “You really know what you are doing.”

“I do,” Heath replies.

“Even Jarrod is impressed with it and I believe Nick is too,” Duke then asks, “How are you getting along with Jarrod?”

As Heath replies, “Fine,” Duke then says, “Not with Nick you’re not right?”

Shrugging his shoulders, “He okay,” Heath replies, “Same as others.”

“You’ve said that before,” Duke says, “What does that mean?”

“Just like others,” Heath replies.

“Did others talk to you harshly as Nick does?” Duke wanted to know.

“They did,” Heath replies.

“I know you’re new around here,” Duke informs him, “But I could assure you Nick isn’t like the others and will come around. He just does a lot of yelling and has a lot on his mind. I am sure the family has told you that.”

“They did,” Heath replies.

“Then,” Duke says, “Give it some time you’ll see and how about we go onto another topic?” as Heath is eating a bite of his sandwich Duke asks, “Do you mind me asking you questions?”

“No,” Heath replies, “You ask, I tell.”

“You’ve said that before,” Duke mentions, “Why is that?”

“Speak when spoken to,” Heath replies.

“Could I ask why?” Duke asks.

“You could,” Heath replies, “It’s the way it is.”

Sighing, “Sometimes Heath,” Duke brings up, “Trying to comprehend what you are saying is not that easy. Will you be attending the services on Saturday for the two men Frank Sempleworth and Harry Anderson, the sheriff?”

“Yes um,” Heath replies.

“How do you feel about that?” Duke asks.

Shrugging his shoulders, “Not know,” Heath replies.

“You sure don’t say very much,” Duke asks, “Have you always been this quiet?”

“Yes um,” Heath replies.

Were you this quiet around your mother?” Duke inquires.

“No,” Heath answers, “She was different.”

“What about your Aunt Rachel or Hannah?” Duke asks, “Did you talk a lot with them?”

“Some” Heath replies.

“What about your uncle’s home?” Duke asks.

“He had a hotel,” Heath correcting him answers.

“Did you talk with him at the hotel?” Duke asks.

“No” Heath replies, “Only when asked to.”

“How come Heath?” Duke inquires.

“It’s the way it was,” Heath answers.

“Heath,” Duke then says, “You’re uncle didn’t encourage you to talk at all?”

“Encourage,” Heath mimics.

“Yes,” Duke says, “Why didn’t you talk at your uncle’s?”

“Couldn’t,” Heath replies.

“He didn’t let you talk?” Duke wanted to know.

“No,” Heath answers, “Not allowed to. My kind is to be quiet.”

“Your kind?” Duke says.

“Yes um,” Heath replies.

“How was your Aunt Martha?” Duke asks “Was she nice?’

“No,” Heath replies “Same as Uncle Matt.”

“Did you like staying at the hotel with them?” Duke asks.

“No,” Heath replies “Didn’t have much choice.”

“Why is that?” Duke asks.

“Just the way it was,” Heath answers.

Then as Duke asks him what kind of work his mother did Heath informs him, “Cooked, cleaned, waited tables.”

“Did she work for your uncle?” Duke asks, “Or did she have a place of her own?”

“Worked both,” Heath replies, “Hotel and saloon.”

“That must’ve been rough for her,” Duke speculates, “It sounds like she held down two jobs.”

“She had to,” Heath says, “Needed money.”

“I’m surprised your uncle didn’t help you both out,” Duke brings up. Watching as Heath turns quiet, Duke then asks, “Did she work while you were in school?”

“She did,” Heath admits.

Did your mother ever think about leaving Strawberry?” Duke asks.

“Once,” Heath answers.

“What happened?” Duke asks.

“Mistake,” Heath replies.

“Why?” Duke asks, “What happened?”

“Leaving,” Heath explains “Her and I didn’t get far; uncle.”

“Your uncle stopped you from leaving?” Duke asks.

Drawing his knees up and placing his arms and chins around them “He did,” Heath replies.

“What happened?” Duke wanted to know.

“Mama and I left,” Heath answers, “Uncle didn’t want us to go. Came after us; slapped Mama, she fell, was crying, I tried to go to her, but he picked me up, left her there and took me.”

“Took you?” Duke mimics, “Slapped your mother?”

“He did,” Heath explains, “To teach her lesson not to do it again.”

“How’s that?” Duke inquires.

“By taking me,” Heath replies, “And slapping her taught her not to do again so she didn’t.”

“He didn’t want you leaving Strawberry?” Duke asks.

Watching as Heath begins to have a faraway look when he answers, “No.”

Watching as Heath looks down at the ground “Heath,” Duke then says, “How about we stop for now?” Then placing his hand on his shoulder mentions, “I do want you to know something. I am a friend and as a friend you could come and talk to me anytime regarding anything. I also know that if you give the Barkleys a chance you could go to them with anything at any given time even Nick” watching as Heath looks to him as he mentions Nick’s name but continues “Okay?”

“Okay,” Heath replies as he and Duke continue finishing their lunch Duke watches Heath with concern.

Meanwhile back at the house Silas and Victoria are working hard together putting the dough together for the bread; Nick after returning from the West Ridge is up near the bunkhouse and removing his hat he takes his head and splashes it into the water and then dries it with the end of his sleeve. Coming out of the barn Jarrod catches sight of Nick and calls out to him as he goes over to him.

Glancing up at Jarrod who is now lighting up a cigar, “Where did you come from?” Nick wanted to know.

“The creek,” Jarrod replies, “Went to see how the bridge is coming along.”

“And?” Nick asks, “What do you think?”

“I think Heath is doing a very fine job with it” Jarrod notes “It’s coming out very nice.”

“Yes it is,” Nick replies.

“What about you?” Jarrod asks, “Where did you just come from?”

“West Ridge,” Nick replies “Some of the cattle broke free. We managed to round them all back up,” sighing, “I sure will be happy when the new fence gets put in. Then maybe they won’t be breaking free anymore.”

“When are you planning on getting it put up?” Jarrod asks.

“As soon as the bridge is completed,” Nick states, “That will be Heath’s next assignment.”

“I wonder how he will do with putting it up,” Jarrod says.

“We will see as soon as he gets started,” Nick mentions, “Perhaps tomorrow I will take a trip into town getting the supplies needed so they will be ready for him,” thinking, “Maybe I will do it right now, want to come along?” he offers.

“I’d like to,” Jarrod replies, “But I rather decline at this time. Have too much to do here.”

Shrugging his shoulders, “Well suit yourself,” Nick says, “Don’t say I didn’t ask you,” as he goes inside the barn, “I better make a fast trip out to the creek.”

“Why?” Jarrod asks.

“In case I don’t return in time” Nick replies “Mother wants Heath to help Gene with picking the fruit from the orchard unless you rather go there for me instead.”

“When do you plan on returning?” Jarrod asks.

“Not sure,” Nick replies, “Depending how long it takes to go into town pick up what I need and get back. It’s going on 1 as we speak.”

“Too bad,” Jarrod brings up, “I didn’t know about it before now. I just came from there I could’ve relayed the message to him. You better go and do it. I have things to do. Oh,” He then says, “Duke has been trying to talk with you.”

“I know,” Nick replies, “I’ve been so busy.”

“Well try to find a few minutes out of your busy schedule,” Jarrod says, “And talk with him. He said it’s important.”

“I’ll do that,” Nick replies.

Watching as Nick is getting the wagon hitched up, “If you don’t get the chance to do it, let me know.”

“I’ll do it,” Nick replies, “I’ll do it.”

“Oh,” Jarrod then says, “I know we’ve been harping on this, but you really need to lighten up on Heath. He has worked very hard from what I’ve seen of him out there and you haven’t even given him any kind of acknowledgement.”

“Well Pappy” Nick replies, “I don’t have any intention of lightening up on him as I told you last night. I am not letting my guard down, not yet. I want to be ready in case he is here to cause us any trouble.”

“I really do think,” Jarrod mentions, “You’re wrong about him.”

“I know you do,” Nick replies, “And I know the rest of the family does to, but I am not changing how I feel. If I am wrong about him then I will be the first to admit it. But until then I have to be the one who lives with my decisions not you or anybody else.”

“That’s for sure,” Jarrod retorts, “Sometimes Nick,” letting out a sigh, “When you’ve made up your mind to something there just isn’t any getting through to you. Perhaps while you’re going into town you could think over what we’ve been trying to get into your head.”

“You just don’t want to let up do you?” Nick asks.

“I keep hoping that by some miracle,” Jarrod notes, “Something will sink in but right now you are just too stubborn to see anything.”

“Talk about someone being mule headed or stubborn,” Nick says, “But you’re really not that much different from me. You keep right on going,” bringing the wagon out into the open, “Well,” climbing into the driver’s box, “I’ll see you when I return,” grabbing hold of the reins.

“Have a nice peaceful drive into town,” Jarrod tells him while puffing on a cigar.

Replying “I shall,” Nick moves out and going past the gate, he heads up the road.

...Continued