That night while the family ate dinner Audra was busy sharing the updates on the Easter festivities for the Orphanage. Heath listened intently to the information Audra was sharing.

“Boy Howdy, Audra I didn’t know ya did so much with the Orphanage.”

“Oh no!” Nick moaned knowing that Heath’s compliment would cause Audra to chatter away about the Orphanage.

Audra glared at Nick before looking over at Heath and smiling, “Well Heath I love working with the children. I’m in charge of the charities for the Orphanage plus the Thanksgiving and Christmas events as well. We try to do something in the summer for the kids too. I also teach one of the classes if they need the help.”

“Sounds real nice Audra,” Heath smiled.

“Thanks Heath. By the way I’ve been meaning to ask you if you wanted to come with me to my visits to the Orphanage. The boys need a man to spend time with them.”

“Oh I knew this was coming!” Nick sighed, “You had to rope him in, didn’t you?”

“Just because you don’t want to help out!”

“I have a ranch to run missy!”

“Uh…I wouldn’t know what to do?” Heath answered interrupting the fight.

“Well you would be like a big brother to the boys. Sort of like a role model for them,” Audra offered

Heath slumped down in his chair, he never had a role model as a kid and he wouldn’t know how to be one for these kids. “Uh I wouldn’t know how to do that Audra.”

“Oh well it’s very easy and I’d be there, so would the Padre. Not to mention the boys would be there too and their very vocal about what they want.”

“Well there would probably be no time with the work I have to do here so…”

“Heath,” Victoria interrupted, “if you want to go with Audra on her next visit you can check it out and see if you’re interested. Then you can decide if it’s something you want to do.”

“But the ranch?”

“One afternoon a week with the children won’t hurt the running of this ranch, Heath.” Victoria looked at Nick, “Will it Nick?”

“No Mother,” Nick replied without hesitation knowing very well the tone of voice she was using with him.

“Well then it’s settled!” Audra smiled, “Oh Heath you’ll have fun, I know you will!”

Heath smiled, hoping he didn’t just get himself into something he’d later regret.

The following week, Heath accompanied Audra to the orphanage. Heath found he had more fun then he thought he would. He and the kids got along very well and they enjoyed themselves immensely. Heath wasn’t sure of too many of the games being played but the boys were quick to teach him. He even agreed to tell the boys a story that was made up as he went along, but the kids never knew and were transfixed with every word told to them.

Nick stood at the back of the room watching Heath sitting on the floor surrounded by the children and he smiled. Audra saw her brother and came over. ”What are you doing here?” Audra curiously asked.

“Mother wanted me to come by and see if Heath needed to be rescued. She wasn’t sure how he would be handling all of this.”

“Oh the children love him, Nick.” Audra smiled with pride in her eyes and Nick looked down at her and smiled.

“Looks like they love you too, Sis.” Nick chuckled at her shocked expression, “I’ve been here quite awhile and I saw you. You’re really good with those kids.”

“You’re very sneaky big brother,” Audra jokingly punched him in the side.

“Big brothers are supposed to be sneaky.” Nick chuckled as he put his arm around her waist. “He’s really good with that story.”

“Yeah he is, but he’s making it up as he goes along.”

“Really? Well the kids don’t seem to notice.”

“Nope, they’re eating this up!”

After the story was over Sister Marie gathered the children for lunch. All the children hugged Heath before they left and then he stood and stretched his legs. Heath was surprised to find Nick and Audra standing at the door smiling at him.

“Boy Howdy you two look like you ate the canary.” Heath joked as he walked over to Nick and Audra. “What are ya doing here? Want to make sure I get back to the ranch on time?”

“Nope,” Nick answered as they walked outside, “I was wondering if you were done here if you wanted to go into town.”

“Oh go ahead,” Audra encouraged, “I’m going to stay a little longer just to make some final preparations for the egg hunt and then I’ll be home.”

“Are ya sure?” Heath asked.

“Of course. Go on, you deserve it,” Audra hugged him and he hugged her back.

“Thanks Sis, I had fun.”

“I’m so glad.”

While Nick and Heath rode their horses into town the brothers talked about the ranch before Nick brought up the Orphanage. “You were great with the kids today, Heath.”

“Uh…thanks.”

Nick chuckled, “You’ll make a good father someday.”

“What?” Heath looked over at Nick shocked at what he said. “Ya really think so?”

“Of course I do! You’re a natural with those kids.”

“Thanks,” Heath smiled. “Do ya want to have kids?”

“Sure do, someday.”

“Well then why don’t ya help out at the orphanage? I thought ya didn’t do it cause ya hated kids?”

“Where did you get that stupid idea?” Nick defended himself and then paused and sighed, “Audra?”

“Yeah,” Heath grinned.

“Hell, I don’t hate kids!” Nick was annoyed with the idea that anyone would think that of him.

“Then why don’t ya help out?”

“Cause the ranch takes up too much of my time is why!”

“If ya have time for the saloon and to go courtin’ then ya have time for the kids.”

“Did Audra put you up to this?” Nick eyed him suspiciously.

“No,” Heath laughed, “It’s just that I think you’d be great with the kids. They could use somebody like you around.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Cause you’re confident and ya’d be a good role model for them to look up to.”

“You think?” Nick blushed at the compliment.

“Yup.”

“Well you’re good for them too!”

“I don’t know the first thing about being a role model,” Heath sighed.

“Boy you need to stop putting yourself down so much! If you could’ve seen the looks on those kids faces then you would’ve seen what I did.”

After entering town the brothers took their horses to the livery stable upon Nick’s insistence. When they left the livery Heath was confused because they headed towards Jarrod’s office and not the saloon as expected. “What are we doing here?”

“Plans,” Nick answered as they walked into the office ignoring Heath’s onslaught of questions.

“Hello Miss Leslie!” Nick greeted Jarrod’s secretary. “Is Jarrod ready?”

“Let me check, Mr. Barkley.” Leslie walked into Jarrod’s office and returned with Jarrod behind her.

“Nick, Heath.” Jarrod greeted his brothers and then looked at Nick while pointing at Heath, “Does he know?”

“You think he would’ve come if he knew?” Nick sighed rolling his eyes.

”Know what?” Heath looked from one brother to the other, “What’s going on?”

Jarrod and Nick exchanged looks, “So much like Mother to make us do this!” Nick complained as Jarrod smacked him in the head.

“Heath, why don’t we come into my office and I’ll explain.”

After the brothers entered the office Heath was still confused on what this was about, then a sickening feeling came over him. “Ya’ll decided havin’ me around was too much trouble so you want me to leave, don’t ya?”

“WHAT?” Nick looked at an equally shocked Jarrod. “Make you leave? Boy, what kind of talk is that?”

“Nick!” Jarrod placed a hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Heath, I’m sorry if we gave you the impression that we were here to kick you out. That’s far from the truth.” Jarrod walked over to Heath and put his hands on his shoulders, “Brothers stick together remember? Heath, we brought you here because there are still a few things that need to be settled concerning you being in the family.”

“Oh,” Heath blushed dropping his head and playing with the cuff of his sleeves, “I’m sorry.”

“That’s all right,” Jarrod encouraged Heath and Nick to sit down. After his brothers were seated Jarrod stood in front of them leaning against his desk.

“Heath, you’ve been with the family for almost a month now and we wanted to wait to give you time to get settled before throwing all of this at you.”

“Throw what at me?”

“We need to get you a bank account.”

“A bank account? I’ve never had a bank account before.”

“Well that’s what Nick and I are here for…to help you with that.”

“What do I need a bank account for?”

“Well for one the money you will be paid, it’s too much to not have a bank account. Second, you’ll need controlling interests in our finances. Third, you need access to the main ranch account that is used for the payroll.”

“Remember when I told you Jarrod and I would help you with the paperwork side of the ranch?” Nick asked while looking at Heath, “this is part of that paperwork.”

“Oh,” Heath whispered not sure how else to respond.

“There’s also the matter of shopping,” Jarrod delicately brought up the topic.

“Shoppin’?” Heath asked looking at Jarrod then at Nick.

“Yes. Heath…uh…well we thought you might like to go get some new clothes,” Jarrod replied trying to find a tactful way to approach the subject.

“And boots,” Nick added.

“Shoppin’ and a bank account?”

“Yes!” Nick and Jarrod both replied.

“Boooy Howwwdy.”

“I know this is a little much, Heath,” Nick chuckled, “that’s why we waited till now to spring it on you.”

“Heath, there’s another matter before we go to the bank for our appointment with Mr. Timmons.”

”What’s that?”

“Well it’s the matter of your last name,” Jarrod replied and when he received a raised eyebrow from Heath he continued, “What name do you want to go by?”

“Uh…I’m not sure what ya mean.”

“Well, do you want the Barkley name?”

“Uh…umm…uh…yeah.” Heath fumbled before releasing a smile, as the words sank in.

“All right! Then with that settled, if you’re ready we have that appointment with Mr. Timmons at the bank.”

“Lead the way.” Heath smiled receiving a chuckle from both brothers.

The brothers walked to the bank and once inside they approached the counter. “Hello Mr. Barkley,” Patrick the teller smiled as he greeted the brothers.

“Hello Patrick,” Jarrod shook his hand, “This here is my brother Heath.”

“Oh,” Patrick looked Heath up and down unable to hide his disgust, “Hello.”

“We have an appointment with Mr. Timmons, Patrick, will you let him know we’re here.” Jarrod’s cool tone told Patrick he wasn’t a happy man.

“Sure, Mr. Barkley. One moment,” Patrick went to the back of the bank and returned, “Mr. Timmons is on his way out.”

“Thank you,” Jarrod’s smile didn’t reach the cold stare of his eyes.

“Jarrod! Nick!” Mr. Timmons boisterous announcement livened up the nearly empty bank. “And you must be Heath! Nice to meet you!” Mr. Timmons exuberantly shook Heath’s hand.

“Nice to meet ya too, Mr. Timmons,” Heath replied returning the handshake.

“Well, Jarrod tells me you’ll be setting up a bank account?”

“Yes, sir,” Heath replied.

”Well then come on back here and we’ll get this taken care of. Don’t worry this is not as painful as you might think.”

The men sat down at a table in the back with Heath sitting in the middle of his brothers. Mr. Timmons sat down in front of Heath and laid out a stack of papers on the table. “Here are some papers that we need you to fill out, young man. Why don’t we go over them, all right?”

Mr. Timmons explained thoroughly to Heath about his bank account and the main Barkley account and what he didn’t understand Jarrod and Nick quickly jumped in to clarify for him. With Jarrod and Nick offering guidance, Heath did as he was requested although he wasn’t really sure of what he was doing or why. All he knew was that he never signed a name as much as he did “Heath Barkley” on all the papers put in front of him. It amused him to think about rich people and how they found ways to spend their money.

After they were finished at the bank the brothers headed to the general store where they bought Heath new clothes. Heath didn’t think he needed new clothes, but then again the rich liked to spend their money, and apparently his clothes weren’t fancy enough for being part of a rich family. Again, Nick and Jarrod offered their guidance, to which he was grateful.

Walking into the store, Jarrod spoke to the woman behind the counter. “Hello, Mrs. Johnson. This here is my brother Heath.”

“Hello Heath,” Mrs. Johnson smiled and shook his hand.

“Hello Mrs. Johnson, it’s nice to meet ya,” Heath nodded returning the handshake.

“Heath is here to buy some new clothes, Mrs. Johnson,” Jarrod informed her.

The brothers tried not to laugh at Mrs. Johnson’s exuberance in helping Heath pick out his clothes. The situation wasn’t supposed to be funny but they couldn’t help themselves. They also tried not to laugh at how Mrs. Johnson always seemed to make Heath blush. He turned towards the brothers and the look on his face told them he was not enjoying himself one bit. Mrs. Johnson tried to get Heath to choose clothes other than his favorites blue and tan but he stood his ground and she relented. When she brought up the topic of underwear, the brothers were certain Heath was going to bolt out the door. Their inability to keep from laughing received them glares from their new brother!

After the shopping was finished the brothers were exhausted. “As you like to say Heath…Boy Howdy it’s been one long day,” Jarrod laughed.

“You can say that again!” Nick agreed, “Hey what do you say we go to the Cattleman’s club for dinner? I’m starved!”

“All right,” Jarrod and Heath agreed and the brothers went to the Cattleman’s club after dropping off the packages at Jarrod’s office. Nick and Heath ordered steak while Jarrod ordered salmon. The brothers enjoyed a quiet conversation as they waited for their meals. Once the meal arrived they began to enjoy the meal in silence.

“Uh…I’m sorry that I doubted ya’ll like I did,” Heath spoke but wouldn’t look up from his food, breaking the silence at the table.

“It’s all right Heath,” Jarrod tried to reassure him. “It’s not like we didn’t trick you into coming to town.”

“Yeah we shouldn’t have surprised you like that but we felt you’d have refused to come any other way,” Nick defended their actions.

“I probably would’ve,” Heath chuckled, “but still I should’ve trusted ya.”

“From where I’m sitting you do trust us, Heath,” Jarrod replied.

“What do ya mean?” Heath asked looking at his brother, “If I trusted you I wouldn’t have thought…”

“You let us help you with the bank account and your shopping trip. I’d say there’s no doubt about how much you trust us.”

Heath smiled at his brothers and Nick gave a toast, “To brothers!”

“To Brothers!” Jarrod and Heath echoed.

After the meal was over Heath began to stand up, “Why don’t ya two stay here and I’ll go saddle our horses and get the buggy hitched.”

“Now there’s no reason we all can’t go,” Nick began to stand up but Heath stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“No, I can do this. It’s the least I can do after what ya’ll did for me today.” Heath answered and quickly left the restaurant before any more protests could be made.

“Cussed stubborn…” Nick mumbled.

“Just like you, Brother Nick, just like you.” Jarrod chuckled as he received a refill on his wine.

Heath whistled his way to the livery and began saddling their horses when he heard a noise behind him and he turned with his gun drawn.

“Well the Barkley bastard was actually allowed out of his cage.” Snickered a former Barkley ranch hand standing in front of Heath, with one of his friend’s. Although Heath didn’t know the names of the men, he did recognize them as former Barkley employees who left in protest. Before Heath could react he felt the impact of the gun that went across the back of his head and he fell to the floor as a third former employee stood over him with his gun in hand. “It’s time we teach this no good bastard a lesson!”

Nick suddenly had a strange feeling in his gut. It was usually when a family member was in trouble that he had this feeling. He wondered who could be hurt. Audra was staying late at the Orphanage and was going to head on home, maybe something happened to her!

“Nick?” Jarrod stopped talking and became concerned at his brother’s changed expression, “What’s the matter?”

“I…don’t…know…” Nick glanced at Jarrod, “Something’s wrong!”

The haunted look in his brother’s eyes chilled Jarrod to the bone. “Are you getting that feeling when someone in the family is hurt?” Jarrod frowned when Nick nodded his head in agreement.

The family was well aware of Nick’s sixth sense when someone in the family was in some sort of danger. The family use to tease Nick about this sixth sense of his and never really thought too much of it. That was until the day Tom Barkley was murdered! Nick’s strongest connection with a family member had been with his father and on the day of his death he had sensed a horrible tragedy had occurred. But feeling a little silly with his concerns he ignored them, until it was too late. When the concern became stronger and appeared unbearable, Nick decided he would check it out. When he arrived where he sensed his father had been it was too late to save him. He had arrived in time to hold his dying father in his arms as he breathed his final words before death claimed him. Nick never forgave himself for not going to his father sooner and the family never again questioned Nick’s sixth sense towards anyone in the family.

“With who Nick?” Jarrod inquired.

“I’m not really sure, but I can feel that something isn’t right. Audra was going to stay after at the Orphanage to help with the Easter festivities maybe something happened on her way home?”

“Well then what do you say we go to the Livery stable and help Heath hitch up the carriage and then we’ll go check it out all right?” Jarrod suggested as he placed some bills on the table to pay for their meal. Jarrod and Nick left the restaurant and began walking towards the livery stables.

The brothers entered the barn in time to see the three former Barkley employees beating up their brother. It was three against one so Jarrod and Nick relished in the idea of evening up the score as they leashed their fury on the men. There was nothing left of the men after Nick and Jarrod were finished with them. Kneeling beside Heath who was nearly unconscious, Nick’s hands did a rough examination searching for injuries. The touch caused a delirious Heath to fight back.

“Heath boy it’s Nick, calm down!”

“Nick?” Heath called trying to stand up but instead he fell and was caught in Nick’s arms.

“Damn!” Nick cursed as Heath’s weight unexpectedly came down almost making them both fall. Jarrod’s quick action helped steady both brothers.

“Sorry…” Heath blushed.

“Even with all those bruises you can still see that blush,” Nick joked.

“Come on Heath, let’s get you to Dr. Merar and he’ll check you over,” Jarrod instructed as they helped Heath to the doctor’s office.

Dr. Merar sighed at the sight before him and helped the brothers lay Heath on the examining table. Nick and Jarrod tried to help undress Heath but he pushed their hands away. “Uh…there’s no reason you need to stay,” Heath looked at his brothers embarrassed. “You can wait in the other room.”

“We aren’t leaving you!” Nick declared, his voice allowing no argument.

“But…” Heath tried again but was interrupted.

“Heath, remember the talk we just had about trust and brotherhood?” Jarrod looked at him.

Heath sighed, he trusted his brothers more than he ever thought he could, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready for them to see what was about to happen. He knew it would cause them to ask questions. Questions he wasn’t ready to answer. No longer fighting their help Nick and Jarrod continued to undress Heath for the examination. The brothers felt Heath flinch when the shirt was removed. The fresh bruises on his chest caused them to wince.

Dr. Merar put stitches in the back of Heath’s head and then performed the examination on Heath’s chest diagnosing a couple broken ribs and then asked the brothers to help him sit up so he could bound his ribs. As he was helped to sit up Heath closed his eyes and waited for the gasps that would be heard in the room.

All three men recoiled as they saw the sight before them. Heath’s entire back was covered in scars caused by a whip. There wasn’t a place on his back that didn’t have a scar. Nick and Jarrod grabbed onto each other for support as their tortured eyes looked at one another.

Dr. Merar continued bounding the ribs and the brothers assisted but their tear filled eyes couldn’t be torn from the sight of the scars before them. After his ribs were bound, Dr. Merar had Heath lay on his back. When he laid back down Heath wouldn’t look at his brothers and kept his eyes on the sidewall.

“He has two broken ribs and a concussion as well as bruises on his chest and face. The gash on his head caused the bleeding to make the injury look worse than it really was. I don’t want to give him any medicine right now because of the concussion. You can take him home but make sure to keep a close watch on him for the next twenty-four hours. If you notice his eyes dilated or he’s incoherent and if the vomiting doesn’t stop, then have someone come get me.” Dr. Merar handed Jarrod a bottle of headache powder, “I don’t like the sound of his lungs so keep a close watch on him. If there are no complications in the next twenty-four hours then give him some of this to help reduce the pain so he can get some sleep.”

“Thank you Doc,” Jarrod smiled as he held the bottle in his hand.

“Jarrod, I’ll go get our horses and hitch up the buggy,” Nick commented and he patted Heath’s shoulder, “Boy I’ll be right back. Don’t try to go dancing until I get back, all right?”

Heath nodded his head but didn’t respond to the joke as Nick hoped he would. Nick began to walk out of the room when Jarrod grabbed his arm.

“Don’t forget the packages that are in my office Nick.” Nick acknowledged Jarrod’s request with a nod and walked out. Jarrod watched Nick leave and then walked over and sat on the stool beside Heath, taking a hold of his hand causing Heath to flinch from the touch.

“You’re not going to feel so great for the next few days, Brother Heath.” Jarrod chuckled, “But you can be rest assured that the ladies of the house will make sure you are fussed over until you do.”

“Are ya gonna tell ‘em?” Heath’s shaky voice was quiet and the pain behind the words tore at Jarrod’s heart.

Jarrod closed his eyes and sighed, “We’re a family, Heath, and families don’t keep secrets from each other.”

“Please don’t tell ‘em.”

“Heath, what are you afraid of?”

“I can’t…” Heath’s voice trailed off.

“You can’t what, Heath?”

“I can’t hurt ya’ll with this.”

Jarrod sighed and wondered how he could get through to this new brother of his. Trust wasn’t easy for him and he had begun to show he trusted them. If he pushed too hard he could cause serious repercussions to that trust. He decided he’d tell Victoria what he learned tonight and then she could advise them on how to proceed.

“How about this, Heath. Nick and I will tell Mother for you. Then you won’t be there and have to witness her reaction. Will that help?” A moment of silence filled the room and Jarrod held his breath as he waited for a response. When the blond head nodded yes, Jarrod sighed in relief and smiled.

...Continued