Disclaimer: The characters and
situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four
Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the
author. The ideas expressed in this
story are copyrighted to the author.
It wasn’t until Barrett aimed at his target that Heath
realized what he was thinking but by then it was too late as the roaring of
gunfire echoed through the camp. It
happened in a matter of seconds but for Heath it felt like an eternity as the
picture in front of him moved in slow motion.
He felt horrified and helpless as he stood by and watched his stunned
brother grab at his mid-section. The brothers looked each other in the eye as
crimson liquid oozed from Nick’s shirt covering his fingers before his legs
gave out causing him to fall to his knees.
As Nick landed on the ground with a thud he didn’t feel his head hit the
rock beside him on the ground for his body had already surrendered to the
darkness that overpowered him and he closed his eyes.
As Nick fell to the ground Heath’s blood curdling scream
could be heard for miles. “NIIIIICK!”
After he watched his brother fall to the ground Heath’s
eyes quickly pulled down the shades to his emotions and a lifeless chill
covered how he felt to those standing nearby. He stared at the man who shot his
brother as he drew his gun and fired. Barrett screamed in agony as a bullet
pierced his hand causing the gun to fall to the ground. He fell to his knees and cradled his injured
hand and he couldn’t fight back as Heath walked over in a fury that terrified
him. Heath grabbed the man by the shirt of his collar and drew back his right
fist. He delivered a blow so harsh the man immediately entered the state of
unconscious darkness. As he removed his
hand from the shirt’s material he watched the man fall unprotected to the
ground.
Heath quickly went to Nick’s side and knelt down on the
ground. Duke had already taken charge
of the situation barking orders to have a wagon brought over. He and Tully tore open Nick’s shirt and was
bandaging the injury that had no exit wound for the bullet was still
inside. Duke then bandaged Nick’s head. As the wagon was brought over the men
carried Nick inside the wagon, which had been padded with blankets. Heath walked to the side of the wagon and
fussed with the blankets covering his brother and then brushed his trembling
hand through Nick’s hair. Mike and Gus
took rope and tied the unconscious Barrett’s ankles and wrists before carrying
him to the wagon.
“Mike, I want you, Gus and Harry to take Nick to the
nearest town to see the Doctor. Make
sure to wire Sheriff Madden when you get there. He’ll contact Mrs. Barkley and Jarrod.” Duke spoke not missing Heath’s head sharply turning his way and
glaring at him with icy blue eyes. Duke
walked over and stood near Heath putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Heath, you need to carry on with the drive.”
“No Duke.” Heath replied, “my brother needs me.”
“Your brother needs you to take care of the cattle Heath,”
Duke spoke.
“TO HELL WITH THE CATTLE!” Heath’s booming voice matched
Nick’s to perfection. All of the men standing around jumped from the loud bellow
that reminded them so much of the hazel-eyed rancher. “MY BROTHER IS A HELLUVA LOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THOSE DAMN
CATTLE DUKE!”
Heath’s outrage was understandable to Duke McCall but even
he was taken back by the temper of the normally calm cowboy. Taking a deep breath he reminded himself he
was use to defusing Nick’s anger and hopefully he could do the same for his
brother.
“Heath, what would Nick say if he woke up and found you
anywhere but with this drive?” Duke stared at Heath as he spoke quietly but
with conviction. Heath knew without a doubt the answer to that question and it
showed on his face. Duke sighed as he realized he was on the right path with
his argument. “He’s relying on you to carry this through. Do this for Nick.”
Heath turned away as he stared at Nick. The thought of staying behind and not being
there if Nick were to die terrified him.
He was responsible for his brother getting shot. If he didn’t make a home at the ranch then
this would never have happened. If he
didn’t make his family go through these trials for someone who was merely a
bastard. Why did he do this to
them? He knew why and the shame inside
had sickened him. He wanted to have
their love. He wanted to be a part of this family that gave him their unconditional
love. But his selfish behavior caused
nothing but pain for his family. ‘Oh God, forgive me!’ Heath’s heart
cried out. ‘And forgive me, Nick, forgive
me for what I’ve done to you.’
“Heath, Nick’s too ornery to die. He’s a fighter. Don’t
give up on him, Son.” Duke assured Heath as he squeezed his shoulder and then
he looked at the three men and nodded his head.
“He’ll be all right, Heath, you’ll see.” Mike spoke as he
put a hand on Heath’s shoulder before climbing in the front of the wagon and
taking the reins. Gus and Harry sat in the back where they would watch over
their injured boss and make sure the man who shot him didn’t go free.
Heath watched as the wagon drove down the prairie. With only the moon’s glow as his light he
watched the wagon carrying his brother disappear into the darkness. He prayed
he’d have the chance to see his brother again.
* * * * * * * *
Jarrod awoke to find the morning sun shining through his
bedroom window. He had returned to his
home late last night…or accurately speaking very early that morning. Jarrod and
Rosa had very little time to talk about their loss as Father Michaels had
arrived soon after and informed Jarrod visiting hours were over and he’d have
to leave. After he left the clinic he didn’t want to return to his place all
alone with only his thoughts to keep him company so he stopped at a local
pub. As the hard liquor traveled down
his throat the burning sensation wasn’t enough to overpower his thoughts of the
words Rosa had spoken. After he stumbled
out of the pub and returned to his large house on Knob Hill he staggered up the
winding staircase and down the hall to his bedroom where he passed out on the
bed without even changing his clothes.
Sitting up in bed the sun’s assault on his aching head and
the rumbling of his stomach had him running to the water closet as he suffered
the affects of his binge drinking the night before. Staggering he walked to the porcelain sink and allowed the cold
water to wash over his face and offer some relief. He looked into the mirror and was greeted with blood shot eyes
and a pale face. Slowly walking back to
his room he worked in slow motion taking off his wrinkled clothes and putting
on a pair of clean pants and a white crisp shirt. His eyes darted to the photo of him and Rosa on the nightstand.
He sat and picked up the photo.
His mind wandered back to the day his child was
conceived. It was a beautiful day in
April and it happened to be Rosa’s last day at the ranch and the last time the
couple had seen each other before she took the train home.
“I’ll miss you.” Jarrod stood up and went around the desk
shutting the library door and bringing Rosa into an embrace, nuzzling her ear.
“Jarrod!” Rosa scolded, “This is the reason why I have to
go back to Frisco.”
“Well, I could take care of that.” Jarrod’s ocean blue
eyes were full of mischief. “We could go on a picnic to a very, VERY, secluded
place on the ranch. We would have all
the privacy we need.”
“Jarrod Thomas Barkley, what kind of woman do you think I
am?”
“It’s not like we haven’t already…” Jarrod stopped in
mid-sentence as he pressed himself against her, as she became sandwiched
between his body and the closed library door.
They could feel each other’s desires as their bodies were pushed against
one another. Running his hand through
her auburn hair he cupped Rosa’s face in his right hand moving her face upwards
as he brought his lips to hers. His
kiss was forceful and full of the emotions and wants of the last month from
living under the same roof but having to remain apart.
Her arms were wrapped around his neck and she moaned from
the passion of his kiss and the excitement building inside. “How secluded is this place?”
“Very!” Jarrod nuzzled her neck and allowed his kisses to
make a path from her lips down her neck and to the top of the neckline of her
dress. His actions caused a sensation to burn inside of her that could no
longer be denied. “Still want to wait, my love?”
“I’ll go pack us a picnic lunch, you go saddle the
horses.” Rosa kissed Jarrod then slipped out from his hold and walked out of
the library leaving her lover standing alone in the room and clearly desiring
more.
She kept telling him that they should wait. He was wrong to have teased her the way he
had. He should have been stronger but
he wasn’t, he desperately wanted her.
They had made love before but the fear of pregnancy and Rosa’s devout
Catholic belief, and the fact Jarrod was in the process of becoming Catholic,
also played a role in their decision to wait until their wedding night. But that was when their wedding was planned
to happen in July. They knew postponing
the wedding was the smart thing to do and when Rosa suggested it before he did,
her unselfish act made him love her more.
But they had spent a month under the same roof and had to remain
physically apart. They both hungered to
be in each other’s arms and that moment they had spent together was so
special…but they never knew how special it had become.
“Oh my God what have I done?” Jarrod’s body shook as he buried
his face in his hands and sobbed. The photo fell out of Jarrod’s hand and to
the floor. As the object landed on the
rug that adorned the cherry wood floor the glass in the picture frame shattered
into a million pieces.
* * * * * * * *
Victoria was on the train on the way to see her son. As she sat in her seat she kept ringing her
handkerchief in her hands. Her thoughts
were on her middle son. She never heard the constant talking of the man sharing
the seat with her or how he simply stopped when he realized she wouldn’t speak
to him. She couldn’t help but smile as
she thought of her Nicholas. So many in
the Valley believed he took after his father in every way but she knew
different. He was just like her. Sure, he had Tom’s booming voice that could
shake the rooftops but his personality and his free spirit came from her. That was the reason he held a very special
place in her heart. She understood him
in a way nobody else ever did.
When Fred Madden arrived and she received word that Nick
had been shot her heart constricted with the fear she had lost her very special
son. Victoria took the first train out of Stockton. Only Silas, Audra, Hattie
and Fred were aware of her true destination.
Knowing how the men in the Valley would feel learning that Heath was in
charge of the cattle drive alone; Victoria had made them promise not to say a
word. She also promised to tell them
immediately what she learned once she arrived. Victoria stepped off the train
and took her carpetbag with her. Asking
for directions to the Doctor’s office she walked down the street to the house
that was white with blue shutters and opened the door. As she walked into the waiting room she saw
the three ranch hands waiting and they all jumped to attention when they saw
her enter.
“Mrs. Barkley,” Mike held out his hand.
“Hello Mike, Gus, Harry.” Victoria shook each of the men’s
hands as she addressed them. “What
happened? How’s my son?”
By late morning Jarrod arrived at the clinic. He knocked on Rosa’s door and entered when
he heard her welcoming voice. He saw
her sitting on the side of the bed dressed in a solid dark green dress that
complimented her rust hair, which was fashioned in a bun on top of her
head.
“Morning,” Jarrod smiled as he walked to the bed and gave
her a kiss.
“Morning,” Rosa replied. “Or should I say afternoon.”
“Ha! Ha! I’m not that late.” Jarrod sat down in the chair
beside the bed. He felt Rosa’s
scrutinizing gaze on him.
“Well I guess I don’t have to ask why you’re late. It’s very obvious.” Rosa grinned as Jarrod blushed sheepishly.
“Hmm…and you aren’t even going to deny it?”
“Nope.”
“Feel better?”
“Nope.”
The Doctor walked into the room, “Hello Rosa. You must be Jarrod Barkley. I’m Dr. Peterson.” The physician shook
Jarrod’s hand.
“Doctor,” Jarrod spoke. “It’s a pleasure to meet
you.” Jarrod paused as he looked at
Rosa. “How’s Rosa, Doctor? Are you sure
it’s all right that she leave so soon?”
“Physically she’ll be all right.” The physician replied
looking at his chart. “I don’t see why she can’t leave as long as she makes
sure to get some rest.”
“Thank you Doctor.” Rosa spoke gratefully.
“Here are your release papers, I will have a nurse bring you
a wheelchair to take you to the waiting buggy outside.” The physician smiled as he turned to leave.
“Doctor,” Jarrod interrupted the physician’s exit. “I was
wondering if…well…is Rosa all right? I
mean really all right?” The physician
raised his eyebrow. Jarrod coughed uncomfortably. “I mean will she be able to
have more children?”
“Oh,” the physician smiled. “Of course she will Mr.
Barkley. There was no permanent damage.”
“Thank you.” Jarrod smiled relieved as he shook the
physician’s hand.
“Oh Jarrod!” Rosa sighed, rolling her eyes.
“What?” Jarrod grinned shyly.
After leaving the clinic Jarrod took Rosa to her father’s
home so she could pack her bags. He
suggested and she agreed to return to the Ranch to recuperate and get away from
the city. Rosa was grateful for the
idea, as she didn’t want to face her family just yet, but she was secretly
concerned about returning to the ranch. Her sister lived in town and she lived
with her father but she was too ashamed to tell them about the miscarriage. Her
family was only informed that she had taken ill. She also didn’t want Victoria
Barkley to learn of the miscarriage.
Jarrod assured her that it would stay between them. After a short visit with her father, Jarrod
and Rosa arrived at the station where they boarded the train and took their
seats. Jarrod sensed Rosa’s hesitation and tried to calm her nerves.
“It’ll be all right my love, I promise.” Jarrod put his hand on Rosa’s. She took his and squeezed it tight as she
looked at him.
“I love you Counselor.”
“I love you too my love.”
* * * * * * * *
Victoria learned what happened with the fight between
Heath and Barrett. The ranch hands also
explained to her about Barrett being held in the local jail by the
Sheriff. The physician had to perform
surgery to remove the bullet from Nick’s abdomen and although the surgery was
touch and go for some time the bullet was successfully removed. The physician also had to stitch up the gash
on the back of Nick’s head. The one
side affect was the high fever Nick was suffering from caused by the infection
from the bullet. However, Nick had yet
to awaken forty-eight hours after surgery.
The physician assured the men that it was very normal that Nick had not
awoken as of yet. His body needed time
to rest. So the three men remained in
the waiting room refusing sleep as they waited for their boss to recover.
The town physician walked into the waiting room and was
greeted by Victoria. “Hello Doctor, my
name is Victoria Barkley. Nick is my son.”
“Hello Mrs. Barkley, my name is Dr. Richards. It’s a pleasure to meet you Ma’am. Your son
is certainly a fighter.”
“Yes Doctor, he is.” Victoria agreed.
“It’s because he’s a fighter that he’s still with us. He’s very lucky.”
“May I see him?”
“Certainly, go on in. He’s not awake yet but I’m sure he
will in time. His fever is still quite
high but I have great confidence it’ll come down once the infection is fully
out of his system.”
Victoria nodded her thanks to the physician and walked
into the exam room. Nick was lying on the examination table with a white sheet
covering him from the waist down. A white bandage covered his lower abdomen and
another around his head. His tan was replaced with a red flush and beads of
sweat could be seen glistening from his face, chest and arms. Victoria walked
over to her son and placed her hand softly on his left cheek. The fever coming
from him frightened her mother’s heart.
She bent down and kissed his right cheek. She sat down on the stool beside her son, held his hand and
waited.
Victoria requested one of the men to wire Fred and let him
know of Nick’s condition so it could be shared with her family. She also requested a wire to be sent to
Heath so he would know his brother would be all right. She then asked for the Sheriff. After speaking to the lawman she informed
him her oldest son was a lawyer and would be speaking to him about Matt
Barrett. The Sheriff assured her that
the ranch hand would be charged for the attempted murder of Nick Barkley and
that he would do whatever was necessary to make sure the man was brought to
trial.
For two hours Victoria remained at her son’s side
constantly keeping a cool cloth on her son’s hot skin in hopes of bringing down
the fever. Harry gave her Fred’s
telegram letting her know that the Stockton Sheriff received her wire and
offered thanks for the update. Victoria
remained alone with her son and refused any help from the ranch hands. She
constantly spoke to Nick, trying to coax his return to the conscious world. After two more hours she was greeted with
her son’s soft moans and soon his hazel eyes darted the room before looking at
her. His hoarse whisper cried out one word, “He…He…Heath!”
“Hello Nicholas, sweetheart. Welcome back my son.”
Victoria smiled as a weight was lifted from her worried heart. Her son was going to be all right!
* * * * * * * *
It had been three days since Nick was shot and three days
of pure hell for his little brother.
For three days Heath was haunted by nightmares as he wondered if his
brother was dead or alive. For three
days Heath never faltered in his work in running the cattle drive but the men
had seen an apparent change in him. He
was distant and no longer attempted to be social with any of them. He kept to himself and only did the job that
was required of him. For anyone who
made an error they were met with a confrontation from an irate boss who let
them have his furry; a fury that was mixed with fear for his brother and mixed
with guilt. Heath’s volatile temper had
reminded the men of Nick.
Three days and Heath lead the roaring cattle and horses
through the main street in town. The onlookers stopped and watched as they went
by kicking up dust, whooping and hollering.
After dropping off the cattle, Heath had received full payment since
they were delivered on schedule and he wired the money immediately to
Jarrod. Afterwards the men dispersed
with some heading to the saloon for a much needed beer and the touch of a woman
while others headed to the hotel to clean up and eat real food instead of
Tully’s beans.
Heath was apprehensive as he walked to the telegraph
office. He wanted to receive an update
on Nick but he was afraid of what that would be. The moment he waited three days for had finally arrived. Today he’d learn if his brother were dead or
alive. Duke, Tully and some other men,
who were expecting wires from their wives, walked with Heath to the telegraph
office.
“Howdy, I’m Heath Barkley.” He greeted the telegraph
officer. “I should have a wire waiting for me.”
“Oh yes Mr. Barkley,” the man behind the counter took a
wire from a slot behind him and handed it to Heath. “Here it is right here.”
“Thanks,” Heath took the wire in his hands. Looking up at Duke and then back down at the
wire he hesitated. He walked over to
the benches against the wall sat down, took a deep breath and read the wire.
Heath,
Nick is
alive and Doc has no doubt he’ll pull through.
He’ll be up and yelling at everyone in no time.
Mrs.
Barkley is with him and she said not to worry.
I told
you so, Mike.
Heath gasped after he read the wire. He buried his face in
his hands, and whispered a quick prayer of thanks to the man of all
creation. His brother was alive!
Duke and Tully walked into the saloon and found most of
the Barkley hands at the tables playing poker or simply just visiting. All of them silenced as they saw the foreman
walk in and they waited with baited breath for news about their boss.
“Nick survived the surgery. The Doctor believes he’ll pull through.” Duke’s announcement caused a combination of
sighs and cheers. Duke and Tully were
walking through the saloon heading for the bar when a man spoke up.
“Where’s Heath?” The man’s question
caused the saloon to become silent and Duke was surprised at the apparent
concern for their other boss.
“He’s at the Hotel getting cleaned up.” Duke replied as he
headed to the bar to order a beer. The
silence soon ended as the men resumed their poker playing and partaking in
conversations around the room.
After leaving the telegraph office Heath went to the
hotel. He walked into his room and
threw his saddlebags on the bed. He took a clean shirt and pants and went into
the water closet. Once his clothes were removed he sank his worn and tired body
into the water and used the sponge to wash the dirt from his skin. The strain of the last three days was too
much for the cowboy to bear. After
three days of hiding his emotions to those around him he now let them
loose. He forcefully scrubbed unaware
his skin was becoming raw and blood began to mix with the water. His body was covered in clean water and
scented soap but in his mind he was covered in his brother’s blood that he
desperately tried to wash off. His mind
unable to forget the visions his memory continued to make him relive. He
scrubbed in hopes of cleansing his skin of the shame he felt as his body began
to shake. His trembling hand dropped
the sponge into the water and bringing his knees up to his chest he buried his
face in his hands as his body shook with uncontrollable sobs.
An hour later Heath’s head rested against the back of the
porcelain tub with his eyes closed and he was completely unaware the warm water
covering his body had turned ice cold.
His body shook but this time from the chill of the bath water. Opening his blue eyes they darted around the
room and it took him some time before he realized he was still in the water
closet of the hotel. He lifted himself
upwards and slowly climbed out of the tub as he grabbed a towel to dry
off. As the cotton material made
contact with his skin he cried out in pain.
He looked down and noticed his skin was red and raw and for a moment he
became confused when he couldn’t remember inflicting such pain on his body. Looking around in a daze he grabbed his clothes
and slowly put them on despite the protests from his aching muscles that had
fallen asleep. He walked out into the
hall and towards his room; closing the door behind him he slowly walked to the
bed and sat down. He took his mother’s picture out of his saddlebags holding
the photo protectively to his chest and closed his eyes as he willed for
strength to come. He placed the picture on the bedside table, dried his hair
and then lied down. He took his mother’s picture, pulled his legs up towards
his body and hugged it to his chest. The curtains flapped in the wind, as the
moon's glow shined over the body that craved sleep, but Heath feared the
haunting dreams that had plagued him for the past three days.
"It's all my fault Nick." He confessed in a pained
whisper to the one man he needed now more than ever.
* * * * * * * *
Victoria ran her hand through Nick’s tousled black hair
and offered him a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome back son.” Victoria whispered in her son’s ear, her voice
strained with emotion.
“Moth…Mother?” Nick’s voice cracked between the dryness of
his throat and the constriction of his chest.
Victoria poured him a glass of water, and lifted his head with her left
hand she used her right to put the glass to his lips.
“Take small sips dear,” Victoria spoke as Nick drank the
cool water that offered him relief.
After she took the glass away Nick tried to sit up but the pressure of
Victoria’s hands on his shoulders stopped the weakened man. “No you can’t get
up, you’ll pull out your stitches.” Victoria looked at Nick’s eyes and realized
his urgency. “Oh,” Victoria grinned as she grabbed a bedpan and without
hesitancy pulled back the sheet to assist him with his needs. Nick simply moaned as he rested his head
back on the pillow and rubbed a hand over his eyes.
“Oh Nicholas I’m your mother, I use to diaper you.”
Victoria admonished with a smile. All
of her sons had the same sense of modesty about them that couldn’t help but
make her smile.
“He…Heath?”
“He’s with the cattle drive. Mike received a wire just
awhile ago from him and the cattle were delivered on time and we received full
payment.”
“Good…boy,” Nick smiled with pride. “I…wonder how…Duke…did
it?”
“Did what dear?”
“Kept him…from coming…here…”
“Oh well Duke’s had a lot of years dealing with stubborn
Barkley men, sweetheart. I’m sure
handling Heath was a breeze after dealing with you and your father,” Victoria
chuckled. Nick couldn’t help but laugh
at his mother’s statement and he quickly regretted it when pain shot through
his abdomen causing him to groan.
“I’m going to get the Doctor and let him know you’re
awake,” Victoria spoke as she quickly stepped out of the room returning a
couple minutes later with the physician.
“Hello young man,” Dr. Richards smiled as he walked up to
Nick. The physician examined Nick’s
injuries under the scrutinizing gaze of Victoria Barkley. “He’s much cooler then he was before, I do
believe the fever has broken. He’ll be fine Mrs. Barkley, he just needs rest
and lots of it.”
“When…can…go home?”
Nick asked receiving a sigh and the roll of her eyes from his mother and
a chuckle from the physician.
“In a couple days young man if there are no complications
then I’ll let you go home…providing you ride in the back of the wagon or take
the train and not under any circumstances ride a horse.”
“Sounds like a plan Doctor,” Victoria spoke before Nick
had a chance to object.
“I’m going to go see my wife and have her make some chicken
broth. Then we can see how well he does at keeping it down. If you’d like to go rest…”
“No Doctor, I’d like to stay here.” Victoria interrupted
the physician, who simply nodded and walked out of the room.
“You…should rest…Mother…” Nick spoke grabbing Victoria’s
hand in his own.
“Now you don’t go worrying about me getting rest. I’m a mother who raised four children, I’m
use to going without much rest.”
Victoria smiled as she sat near her son and held his hand. “Now you are
the one that needs the rest. Sleep now,
I’ll wake you when dinner’s ready.”
Nick grinned. Four
children! Nick wondered if his mother
had realized she automatically included Heath. The thought that his mother had
fully accepted Heath had warmed his heart.
Just as he was about to succumb to sleep a thought came to him and his
eyes shot open and he looked at his mother.
“Bar…Bar…Barrett?” Nick gasped as he lifted his head up off the pillow.
“Easy there,” Victoria tried to calm her son before he
could get too upset. “He’s staying in the local jail here in town. I’m going to contact Jarrod and have him
make sure that Matt Barrett doesn’t see freedom for a very long time.” The words she spoke with conviction were
enough to bring relief to Nick and he laid his head back on the pillow and
allowed a restful sleep to come.
* * * * * * * *
The buggy arrived in the front of the house and Jarrod
jumped down and walked over to the other side to help Rosa down. “Welcome home Senor Jarrod and Senorita
Rosa.” Ciego smiled as he took the buggy to head towards the barn receiving a
smile from both Jarrod and Rosa.
“Thank you Ciego,” Jarrod smiled patting the man on his
back. Looking at Rosa he put his arm
around her waist and escorted her into the house. “It certainly is wonderful to have you back here my love.”
“I do love this place Jarrod,” Rosa smiled as she walked
with Jarrod into the foyer. “I think it’ll be the perfect medicine for me right
now.”
“Mother? Audra? Silas?” Jarrod called out putting the
suitcases on the floor. His eyes darted around the foyer and the parlor looking
for any sign of his family.
“Too bad Nick couldn’t have heard that entrance he
would’ve been proud,” Rosa chuckled.
“I’m not that loud,” Jarrod laughed as he tapped Rosa’s
nose with his finger.
“Jarrod!” Audra appeared at the top of the balcony over
the foyer and her eyes widened with surprise. She ran down the stairs and flew
into Jarrod’s arms.
“Well now Little One I could get used to that.” Jarrod laughed as he returned
his sister’s hug.
“Rosa,” Audra smiled as she hugged her future
sister-in-law.
“Audra, it’s good to see you again.” Rosa smiled returning
Audra’s hug.
“Where’s mother?” Jarrod asked, “is she visiting a
friend?”
“No Jarrod, mother had to go out of town.” Audra spoke
biting her bottom lip trying not to cry.
“What is it honey?” Jarrod immediately felt alarmed at his
sister’s reaction.
“It’s Nick, Jarrod.” Audra paused trying to control her
emotions. “Matt Barrett shot him.”
Jarrod was sitting at the desk in the library going
through papers when Rosa came into the room.
Rosa noticed Jarrod’s demeanor and had recognized the signs. He hadn’t slept a wink the night before and
his temper was almost ready to blow like a keg of dynamite. “Jarrod?
What are you doing?”
“Rosa,” Jarrod spoke without looking up from his papers.
“I’m making preparations to leave on the train this afternoon so I can be with
Mother and Nick. I’m very busy, I’ve
got a lot to do before I can leave.”
“Jarrod,” Rosa walked over to stand in front of the
desk. “You read the wire. Victoria believes they’ll be home in a
couple days. You’ll probably miss them
if you try to leave today.”
“What do you want me to do?!” Jarrod threw down his papers
on the desk and forcefully stood up out of the chair and began pacing the room.
“My brother has been shot! Am I suppose
to just sit here and wait?”
“Yes Jarrod, wait for…” Rosa walked over to him and
reached out her hand but he pushed away any comfort she tried to give him and
cut off her words.
“Wait? I’m his big
brother! It’s my job to take care of
him! He needs me!”
“You can take care of him when he comes home. He WILL need you when he comes home to
recover.”
“I don’t know if I can wait,” Jarrod’s shoulders slumped
over in defeat. “All I can think about is Nick getting shot. I should’ve been there on the drive. We all knew the men were giving Heath a hard
time and Barrett most of all. Nick
wanted to fire him but…but we were so short staffed as it was and Barrett never
crossed the line on subordination. He knew we wouldn’t fire him if he didn’t
cross that line. My God! And Heath?” Jarrod spun around and looked at
Rosa in horror. “What he must be feeling right now. This has got to be killing
him. He adores Nick.”
“Jarrod look at me,” Rosa cupped her hands on Jarrod’s
face. “Nick and Heath will need you
when they come home. Victoria wrote
saying she had everything under control and you know your mother would.” Rosa
stifled a laugh before growing serious.
“I know you’re right,” Jarrod pulled Rosa into a hug. “But I’m their Pappy.”
“And their Pappy will be right here for them when those
boys come home.”
* * * * * * * *
The following morning the men on the cattle drive were
saddling their horses and preparing for the two-week journey back to
Stockton. Heath walked out of the
telegraph office. Duke and Tully were
standing near the chuck wagon and they watched Heath walk towards Charger.
“I’m glad it’s you that’s gotta tell ‘im an not me.” Tully
sighed.
“Well you don’t have to brag about it,” Duke huffed.
“That boy’s got one helluva temper on ‘im Duke.”
“Yes I know.”
“His temper’s worse then his daddy an Nick an I never
thought I’d say that.”
“I never thought I’d agree with that statement.”
“I think these men are wishin’ they were dealin’ with Nick
right ‘bout now. He may have a loud
bark on ‘im but he’s nowhere near that boy when it comes to havin’ a
temper.”
“Do you mind?” Duke growled, “You don’t have to keep
reminding me!”
“Well go on git now.
Ya better go tell ‘im. After all
yer the Foreman.” Tully ignored the growl and pushed the reluctant man.
“I’m getting too old for this,” Duke sighed as he headed towards
Heath’s direction. “Did you send word
to Victoria and Jarrod?” Duke asked.
“Yup.”
“Did you get another wire ‘bout Nick?”
“Doctor expects they’ll be allowed to go home in a few
days if he doesn’t have any complications.”
“That’s good to hear, real good.”
“Yup.”
“You still mad at me for talking you outta going with
Nick?”
“I ain’t mad at ya, Duke.”
“Well the men are just about ready to head out. There’s a few of ‘em that aren’t here yet
but they should be soon.”
“Did ya check the saloon?” Duke’s
nervous cough answered Heath’s question as he sighed and rolled his eyes. “They
wouldn’t be doin’ that if Nick were here.”
“They’re coming around Heath.”
“Sure they are.”
“Give ‘em just a few more minutes.” Duke automatically replied
and when Heath raised his eyebrows at him he nervously continued. “I mean about
gathering here with the men. They’ll be here shortly.”
“Five minutes Duke.” Heath started to walk away to check
the rest of the crew. “If they ain’t here in five minutes we leave without
‘em.”
After Heath walked away from Duke a few minutes later some
of the men walked out of the saloon. The men headed towards their horses
laughing and carrying on. Duke sighed
as he grabbed one of the men and stopped them all from walking.
“Bout time you get here, you’re late.”
“Ah Duke we were just getting prepared for our ride home.”
“Well you better be on your horses and ready to ride in
five minutes or we leave without you.”
Duke growled as he started to walk away from the men.
“Yeah well maybe we’re better of if ya do leave without
us.”
“Then I’ll be happy to pay ya the salary owed to ya and
then ya can stay behind.” Heath growled. The men nervously turned around and
looked into the stone face and the icy blue eyes. “So what’ll it be? Cause I don’t care to hold up this crew any
longer so ya comin’ or stayin’?”
“We’re coming Heath.” One of the men offered with a weak
smile as he pushed the other men to their horses.
After the men were settled and ready to ride out Heath and
Duke led the men out of town and down the beaten path towards the Barkley
ranch. Barring no trouble the men would
arrive home in two weeks. The men
sighed as they wondered how two weeks could feel like such an eternity. It would be the longest two weeks of their
lives as they dealt with the short temper of Heath Barkley.
* * * * * * * *
Five days after Nick regained consciousness Dr. Richards
allowed him to go home. Victoria obtained a private sleeping compartment for
the train ride home. The sleeping
compartment had included two small bunk beds. The room was enough to satisfy
Victoria that Nick would remain as comfortable as possible on the trip home.
Victoria wired Jarrod and informed him they would arrive
by the middle of the following week. With Dr. Richards help Nick was able to
get dressed. He was now sitting up on the bed leaning back against the
headboard reading a book. Nick’s
condition had improved greatly in the last three days but he was still
suffering the affects of the infection that didn’t want to leave. The stitches in his head and chest had also
not been removed. Dr. Richards informed
Victoria to have her family physician check them over once they arrived in
Stockton. It would be left up to Dr. Merar to make the determining factor on
when to take out the stitches. Nick had not experienced another bad dream since
the one four days earlier when his fever returned and elevated to dangerous
levels. But Victoria was still worried
about his apparent lack of sleep and unusually quiet demeanor.
“Hello Nick, are you about ready to spring out of this
place?” Victoria teased her son.
“Most definitely,” Nick sighed as he placed the book
beside him on the bed. Victoria grinned
at her son’s inability to remain still for very long.
“I got us tickets for the train and was able to get us a
private sleeping compartment. That way
you can rest on the way home.” Victoria
raised her eyebrow at the groan she received as a reply. “It’s that or we stay
here for another week.”
“I don’t need coddling,” Nick groaned at his mother.
“I’m your mother, and I say you do.” Victoria smiled as
she bent down and kissed his cheek. “I have tickets for the hands to ride the
train in the passenger seats.”
“Any word from Heath?”
“Heath left four days ago for home, Nick, he’s on the
trail.” Victoria offered the same reply to the same question her son would ask
each day. “He’ll be home in a week, Nick, you’ll be able to see him then.”
“I know, it’s just…”
“Just what?”
“Nothing, Mother, nothing at all.” Victoria sighed when she realized she still
wouldn’t be getting an answer from her son.
The train left on time at ten o’clock in the morning. Victoria and Nick became settled in their
private compartment. Victoria had Nick
resting on the bottom bunk and he was now quietly reading. Victoria was resting on the top bunk and her
thoughts were with her sons. She was filled with great concern for both of her
younger boys. She had accepted the
realization that Heath was probably torturing himself just as bad as Nick was
doing to himself. The brothers had
developed a very special bond between them and this separation and the reason
behind it was taking a toll on both of them.
They desperately needed to see one another and she knew that would
probably be the only way either would feel more at ease.
Jarrod was walking down the grand staircase when a knock
came at the door. Silas returned to the
kitchen when Jarrod waved him off and opened the door. Carl Wheeler stood in
front of him and Jarrod shook the man’s hand. “Carl, good to see you.”
“Good to see you as well Jarrod. May I come in?”
“Yes, yes come in. Nick and Heath haven’t returned yet if
you’re looking for the boys.”
“I know. Actually
that’s why I’m here. This isn’t a social
call, Jarrod.”
“Why don’t we go into the library so we can talk?” Jarrod walked with Carl into the library and
poured Nick’s childhood friend a drink.
“Thanks Jarrod.” Carl took the offered drink and his
expression caused Jarrod to frown.
“Carl, have a seat and relax. We’re friends so there’s no
reason to act like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
“There’s been some talk in town
Jarrod about Nick being shot and Heath taking over the drive.” Jarrod nodded,
waiting for their neighbor to continue. Finally Carl asked, “Is Nick gonna be
all right?”
“Yes Carl he’ll be his ornery
self in no time.”
“That’s good news," Carl
uncomfortably twisted his hat in his hands. After another awkward silence he
said, "Look, Jarrod, I’m not offended… I like Heath and think he’s a
welcome addition to your family. I don’t have a problem with this and neither
do the small farms in the area. We personally think very highly of Heath. But
the other ranchers in the valley don’t feel the same. They’re threatening to
cancel their contracts with your family.
I don’t have to tell you that Keith is being the loudest and many of the
men are starting to take his lead.”
"They'd cancel their
contracts because Nick was shot?" Jarrod wasn't going to make it easy on
the man.
"No, because Heath was put
in charge. They think ya' should’ve put Duke in charge when Nick got
shot."
"Their contracts are with
the Barkleys and leave that decision up to us," Jarrod pointed out.
"Heath was the best man for the job. I've received a wire from him with
full payment on the cattle. They arrived on time and the buyer was very pleased
with his purchase. I’m working on finalizing the money to be given to the men
and that should be done in the next day or so. Hopefully that’ll quiet them
down.”
“I hope you’re
right.”
“JARROD?
JARROD?” Jarrod and Carl
chuckled at Audra’s boisterous entry.
“In here honey,” Jarrod grinned as Audra and Rosa came
into the room.
“Jarrod I have a…Oh hello Carl,” Audra cooed at the
recipient of her not-so-secret crush.
“Hello, Tagalong, how are you?”
“Fine, just fine.”
Audra sighed when Carl called her that hated nickname he and Nick would
tease her with as a child. Audra always
followed childhood pals Nick and Carl around every place they went. She was just as good as the boys had been
when it came to fishing, riding and just about everything else they did. Audra was always a tomboy and Victoria had
wondered if her only daughter would ever grow out of it. It wasn’t until recently, much to Victoria’s
relief that she started having more feminine interests but she still wrestled
with her tomboyish side. Carl became
Audra’s first crush on a boy and when she was fourteen years old she swore that
Carl Wheeler would be the man she would one day marry. Four years later and Carl still only
considered her an adopted little sister but Audra never gave up on her dream.
“Good.”
“Is everything all right?
How’s your father?”
“My father’s his cantankerous old self, thanks for
asking.”
“Audra?” Jarrod paused and rolled his eyes when he
received no response. Rosa put her hand
to her mouth trying to stifle a giggle as she watched the scene play before
her. Jarrod only became more annoyed by
Rosa’s reaction.
“That’s good to hear. Uh I mean not that he’s cantankerous
but that he’s doing well.”
“Audra?”
“Yes Jarrod?” Audra finally answered her brother but she
never took her eyes off Carl. Carl was smiling at the young blonde with
amusement twinkling in his brown eyes.
He had only recently begun to notice that a young woman lived underneath
the tomboyish blonde that he had been most familiar with.
“Audra you came into the house acting as if the place was
on fire. Were you simply trying to
perfect Nick’s routine or was there a reason for entering in such a manner?”
“Oh,” Audra flushed from being scolded by Jarrod in front
of Carl. Her flush only deepened when Carl chuckled at Jarrod’s remark. Audra took her eyes off Carl and turned
towards Jarrod handing him a piece of paper. “Mother sent a wire. She and Nick
are leaving on the train this morning and hope to be home by the middle of next
week.”
“Well that is great news,” Jarrod beamed as he took the
wire and read his mother’s words.
“I should be getting home. Jarrod, thanks for seeing me and let Nick know I’ll stop by and
see him once he gets settled.”
“I should be thanking you, Carl.” Jarrod shook the man’s
hand and their eyes said more than words could. “I hope you and your father will be able to join us for lunch
some Sunday when things calm down.”
“We’d like that.”
“I’ll show you out,” Audra smiled as she escorted Carl out
of the library and to the front door.
Carl and Audra walked outside and he mounted his horse Rain. Audra petted the horse and smiled up at
Carl.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been by to see your father in awhile,
please tell him I’ll stop by in a few days.”
“He’ll be happy to see you. He really enjoys your visits.”
Carl’s father Robert Wheeler was shot and paralyzed during
the fight with the Railroad that had ended up killing Tom Barkley. Late last year the elder Wheeler suffered
severe depression after his wife and Carl’s mother, Jane, died from heart
failure. The depression caused the
workaholic to relent his power over the ranch to his son. Carl successfully kept the massive ranch in
business but Robert’s strong personality and his struggle with his inability to
have complete control caused many battles to erupt between father and son. Robert was also disappointed his son had
failed to show the desire to marry, wishing to remain a bachelor. Audra frequently visited the elder Wheeler
and she was gifted with the talent of smoothing over rough spots between him
and his son. The older man loved the
young Barkley girl and hoped one day his son would smarten up and marry her.
“It was good seeing you again, Tagalong, you take care.”
Carl smiled as he kicked his heels into the horse and galloped down the road.
“Bye Carl.” After
watching Carl disappear from her view Audra sighed as she quietly shut the door
and turned around to find Rosa standing behind her.
“Must be hard being in love with a man who doesn’t love
you back.”
“I…I…don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. I
don’t love Carl.” Audra stammered as she quickly walked past Rosa and headed up
the stairs.
“Yes you do,” Rosa whispered as she watched her future
sister-in-law heading up the grand staircase looking very defeated.
* * * * * * * *
Three days later the train carrying Nick and Victoria
arrived at the Stockton depot. Jarrod
was waiting at the train depot and heaved a heavy sigh of relief when the train
pulled in. Jarrod anxiously waited to see his mother and brother come off when
he noticed the ranch hands. Mike, Harry
and Gus walked off the train and as soon as they saw Jarrod they walked towards
him. Mike reached out his hand to the
lawyer and their hands grasp together.
“Hello Jarrod.”
“Hello Mike, Gus, Harry.” Jarrod shook hands with each of
the men.
“Mrs. Barkley rented a sleeping compartment for Nick. They should be coming shortly.”
“Thanks Mike.”
“We were gonna get our horses and head back to the ranch
unless ya need us to stay behind?”
“I think we can manage Mike but thanks for the
offer.” Jarrod smiled as the men walked
away to gather their horses and leave for the ranch.
After the rest of the passengers exited the train a small
white haired woman in a long midnight blue dress and a tall dark haired rancher
with a cane and a white bandage on his head slowly disembarked. Jarrod’s heart skipped a beat when he saw
his brother and a smile graced his face as he said another prayer of thanks
that he was alive. Jarrod walked closer
to his family and he frowned when he looked into the pale face, realizing the
train ride took much from his little brother.
Jarrod grasped the shoulders of his brother and gently pulled him into
an embrace.
“Welcome home, Brother Nick.”
Jarrod was standing behind Victoria with his hands
protectively on her shoulders as they watched the scene before them. Nick was lying on the examination table in
Dr. Merar’s office. Dr. Merar had
removed Nick’s shirt and the bandage around his mid-section so he could inspect
the handiwork of Dr. Richards.
“Is everything all right Howard?”
“Dr. Richards did a fine job Victoria, fine job indeed.”
Howard turned around to grab some disinfectant and white cloth from the side
table. After placing the disinfectant on the stitches he began to cover Nick’s
mid-section with clean wrapping. “Nick seems to be healing very nicely.”
“He’s been so tired.
The infection just doesn’t seem to want to leave him. I’m thinking it
was a mistake to have brought him home so soon.”
“You took the right precautions in means for transportation Victoria. No, I
think being home will be the best medicine for Nick.” Howard finished the bandaging
and helped Nick sit up and put on his shirt. Nick’s vise-like grip on the table
and his attempts not to moan out loud didn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the
room.
“As for the infection from what you tell me there wasn’t
an exit wound which means the bullet was inside of Nick from the time he was
shot until he was taken to the nearest town which was about a half day later.”
Receiving a nod of the affirmative from Victoria the doctor continued. “Anytime
lead enters into a body the risks are very high, but when the lead is not
removed in a timely manner the risks only get higher. The fact Nick is only suffering from an infection that won’t go
away, I’d say is something to be grateful for.”
As Howard and his mother spoke Jarrod noticed Nick’s
trembling hands trying to button his shirt.
Jarrod quietly moved to stand in front of Nick and pushed his hands out
of the way as he buttoned the shirt for his brother. Nick’s eyes met those of his brother and he smiled his thanks.
“I do suggest though that you take Nick home and that he
stays in bed for at least another week. If there are no complications then I’ll
be out in a week to do a follow up exam and see how he’s doing.” Howard turns
around to offer a stern look at Nick as he prepares for a fight with the
rancher. “I don’t want any arguments from you young man. You are healing nicely
but if you even attempt to ride a horse or do any manual labor until I say so
then that infection will only get worse.
Your body can’t and won’t be able to handle a setback Nick.”
“Hear you loud and clear Doc,” Nick sighed. The fact Nick
didn’t argue with the good doctor only caused him to frown.
“Victoria I’ll give you some pain medicine to help with
the discomfort so he can have a restful sleep.”
“Thanks Howard.” Victoria replied. Jarrod assisted Nick as they walked into the
waiting room where Helen Merar greeted them. Helen hugged Victoria before
turning her attention to Nick. She tried to hide her concern with his weakened
state. She walked over towards Nick, who was leaning on his cane with Jarrod
standing protectively beside him.
“Nick,” Helen hugged the rancher. “Welcome home.”
“Thanks Mrs. Merar,” Nick replied returning the hug.
“Nick, I made you a peach cobbler that I know you love.
Why don’t you come with me into the kitchen so you can take a pie home for
desert tonight.” Helen grabbed Nick’s
arm to make him walk with her to the back of the doctor’s office, which was
where the doctor and his wife lived.
“Humph…you trying to offer an escape so I won’t hear what
Mother and the Doc are gonna say about me?”
“Don’t you sass me, young man.” Helen grinned as she
walked with Nick. After Nick was out of
sight Victoria looked at Howard with great concern.
“He didn’t even argue about having to stay in bed
Howard. He’s been like that for days
now. He’ll groan about it but he won’t fight it.”
“Victoria, his body has taken a serious beating from the
shooting. He just needs to rebuild his
strength. I also think the train ride
took what little strength he had rebuilt. The fact he’s not fighting tells me
even he knows how bad he is right now.”
“I think it also has something to do with Heath.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Matt Barrett was fighting with Heath and it was during
the fight that he shot Nick.”
“Oh dear.”
“He had a really bad nightmare a few days before we left.
I think it was about Heath. His fever had gone down but that night it shot up
dangerously high. He was delirious and kept mumbling something about Heath. He’s
been so distracted ever since.”
“Victoria, I won’t lie to you. I meant what I said earlier.
The fact the only thing he’s fighting is an infection…consider it a
miracle Victoria. I’m very surprised he survived.” Howard touched Victoria’s
arm when she gasped. “I don’t know if it’s because he’s so blasted stubborn or
that it’s because he’s healthy from the work he does on the range. But whatever
the reason, that boy is a fighter and it’s that fight that kept him alive.”
“I don’t know which is the reason either Doc,” Jarrod
grinned, “but right now I’m just glad Nick is stubborn and healthy.”
“Me too,” Howard laughed, “and I’ll try and remember that
when he gets well and fights with me about having to stay in bed.” They all
enjoyed a good laugh before the doctor continued. “From what you just said
though, Victoria, I think being home with his family, getting rest and most
importantly seeing Heath will be the best medicine for him.”
* * * * * * * *
The men had been on the trail for over a week. Three more days and they would arrive home
at the ranch. They had a lot of time to
think about the last few months. It was nearly four months ago that Heath
Thomson came to the ranch and was discovered to be the illegitimate son of Tom
Barkley. Most of the men had trouble
learning to accept Heath as a Barkley.
For some it was their prejudices against his birth. For others his
presence caused them to stop and think.
How many of those men had slept with a girl on the trail only to leave
and never come back. Had they left a
child alone to suffer such hardship?
For others it was their protective nature against the Barkley family,
and Nick in particular. They had all
come to respect the Barkleys for they were a family they enjoyed working
for. Was this man a con who would cause
them harm?
When Tom Barkley was murdered nearly four years ago many
of the men scoffed at the idea of having to take orders from a twenty-one year
old Nick Barkley. To most he had been their friend when his father was in
charge. But having him as their boss
was different and they would no longer accept him as their friend. It became a
hard pill for many of the men, some of which were old enough to be his father,
to swallow. Nick had to get tough and
prove he was worthy to carry on in his father’s footsteps. He had to prove he was more than the heir to
the throne that inherited the crown and was now to be called the new King. Almost four years later the new King had
come to prove he was worthy for he had passed the test given to him by the
men. Friendships had been lost but
respect was found. Now the men wanted
to show Nick that they too respected him as much as they respected his father. They wanted to show their loyalty to this
family that was important to them. So they cast a worried glance towards this
stranger that threatened to shake up the kingdom they had all come to love.
But in the midst of their thinking they had lost sight of
what was standing in front of them. They had ignored the truth. The truth was
the brothers had made a formidable pair.
Nick was a hard boss to work for.
He was honest and fair but he could be difficult. Not sure if he still believed he had to
prove he was worthy for the title King or if he was worthy to fill his father’s
shoes. The men couldn’t decide. He pushed his men hard and demanded
excellence. If you failed to give Nick
what he wanted then you were on the receiving end of his temper. But something changed with the addition of
the new Barkley. Heath had a power over
Nick that some of the men had only seen exist with his father. For the newer hands it was a power like none
they had ever seen before.
The action was subtle and so much so that if you weren’t
paying attention you’d have missed it.
Whether it be a simple touch, a smile or a single word Heath had the
power to diffuse the anger out of Nick like it was a performance act in a magic
show. One moment he was as angry as a
keg of dynamite ready to explode and the next he was laughing and joking
around. As the men looked back they realized
they had missed the signs. They had
missed the subtleties.
They had not realized how much simpler life had
become. Nick wasn’t trying to prove
himself anymore, he was simply doing.
Heath brought back something in Nick that died along with Tom
Barkley. It was hard for them to
realize what was missing at first, but after thinking on it they realized with
surprise what that had been. Nick
enjoyed what he was doing. Having Heath
by his side he had an equal partnership with a man that shared in the
responsibilities. The first couple
months were rough between the brothers.
They were both stubborn tenacious and opinionated men. And when you put two strong willed people
opposite of each other the fireworks would no doubt go off. They had to learn how to communicate, how to
work together and how to become brothers.
But once the two men learned those things then everything on the ranch
had changed.
When Nick was shot the men saw just how much love had
grown between the brothers. As they
thought back on Heath’s reaction to Nick being shot they cursed themselves for
thinking this man would cause harm to this family. The love that existed between them was real. The men knew that Heath’s anger since the
shooting was over his fear for Nick.
They were the recipient of such outbursts and why shouldn’t they have
been? They were responsible in a sense
for what had occurred. They could have
stopped Matt Barrett but instead they didn’t.
They allowed one man to deny a bridge to form between the men and
Heath. Maybe they didn’t want to accept
Heath for whatever reason but now they realized that was so very wrong. They did want to accept Heath.
In their horror the men came to realize they wanted Nick
and Heath to remain together as the Kings of the Barkley ranch. But they wondered if it was too late. Their actions went too far and in return
they might have broken up the best team they had never realized they had the
pleasure to work under. Heath no longer
reached out a hand in friendship. He no
longer tried to build the relationship between him and the men. Each night he ate alone. Each night he kept himself away from the
men. Each day he did his job and he did
it well. He proved he was just as good
as Nick on this drive. But he no longer
smiled and the mischief was gone in his blue eyes. If they did something wrong they held their breath and
waited. They waited for the outburst
that would come.
Friendship never existed with the newest Barkley but the
feeling of deep loss still could be felt. For the men had come to respect him
and hold him in the same high regard they held Nick. They wanted to offer Heath an olive branch. They wanted to offer up a white flag of
surrender. But every chance they made
was ignored, probably went by unnoticed.
The men wondered if Heath would ever come to realize their mistake. They
wondered if he would ever come to realize that they wanted to start anew. They wondered if the rancher would ever give
them a second chance.
Jarrod drove the wagon in front of the mansion and pulled
on the break before jumping down. Rosa
and Audra came running out of the house to greet the family. Victoria had rode in the back with Nick and
was now helping him out of the wagon.
Jarrod reached out his hand to assist his brother.
“Oh Nick,” Audra cried out with relief as she saw her
brother. Nick was out of the wagon and
was now standing in front of his sister leaning heavily on his cane. Audra had noticed the weakened state of her
brother so she offered a hug with gentleness.
“Welcome home, Big Brother.”
“Thanks Sis,” Nick smiled as he hugged her back before
Audra released herself from his arms and walked beside him into the house.
“Welcome home Nick.” Rosa offered a hug when Nick stood in
front of her.
“It’s good to see you again Sis,” Nick smiled as he hugged
his future sister-in-law.
Victoria and Audra walked beside Nick as he entered the
house. Rosa and Jarrod walked behind
them. Jarrod made sure to keep a close watch on his brother from behind ready
to lend a hand if necessary.
“Nick why don’t I help you to your room,” Jarrod smiled as
he took Audra’s place beside Nick when they started up the stairs.
“Sure Pappy,” Nick grinned. As they got almost half way up the stairs Nick stopped and
gripped the banister holding in his breath.
“Do you want me to get the men and have them help get you
up the stairs?”
“No,” Nick replied immediately. “I’m fine.”
“All right, then we’re just rest a minute before we
continue.” Jarrod turned his attention
over to Victoria as they shared a look of concern.
After a few minutes Nick and Jarrod continued their walk
up the stairs and to Nick’s room. After walking into his room Nick welcomed the
chance to lie down on his bed. Victoria
pulled off Nick’s boots and started to assist Jarrod in undressing him.
“Uh, Mother, uh Jarrod can do that.”
“Oh Nicholas I’ve helped you this past week.”
“That’s cause Jarrod wasn’t around, now he is.”
“Oh fine,” Victoria threw up her hands in resignation as she
shook her head. Bending down to kiss
Nick on the forehead she smiled at her son, “It’s good to have you home son. I
love you.”
“It’s good to be home, Mother.”
Victoria walked out of the room and Jarrod helped Nick
with his personal needs before helping him into his nightshirt and under the
covers. After Nick was resting
comfortably under the covers Jarrod pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat
down.
“You up to doing some talking?”
“’Bout what?”
“About how this all happened.”
“Matt Barrett is what happened.”
“Tell me.”
“We had been on the trail for three weeks. Everything was
going great Pappy. It was so nice having Heath there and working with him. For the first time since I can remember I
was enjoying being out there again. I
had guard duty so after dinner I left to head on out while Heath went into
camp. Barrett started saying things to
him. Duke had one of the men relieve me
so I could be there. You should have heard the things he said to our little
brother.” Nick sighed.
“He said that he may not have known Father but he knew the
rest of us and that…that he wasn’t like the rest of us. Said he was too stupid and didn’t have what
it takes to be a Barkley. Said just
cause he lives in the big fancy house it doesn’t make him one of us.” Nick’s anger started to boil over at the
words spoken about his brother. Jarrod saw Nick struggling with his anger and
reached out to grab his hand.
“Take it easy Nick, it’s all right. It’s just Barrett
talking.”
“Then he said that the Barkleys were so good that he
doubted that the big man would’ve
slept with a…” Nick’s voice changed to a pained whisper so no one could hear
the words but Jarrod, “a whore like Heath’s mother.” Then Nick let out a big laugh. “Then you know what else he did? He called him boy! How many times have I called him boy? You know what he did?”
When Jarrod shook his head he continued, “he told Barrett never to call
him that again. But of course Barrett
being Barrett did just that.”
“Then what happened?”
“Heath punched him,” a big smiled graced Nick’s face. “I
wanted to step in and punch out Barrett’s teeth but I knew I couldn’t. I knew
if I stepped in the men would think I was fighting Heath’s battles for him.
They would’ve thought Heath couldn’t take care of himself. It would’ve made things worse for Heath
where the men were concerned. Damn it
Jarrod why can’t they see that Heath being here is a good thing? But Barrett was over twice Heath’s size.
Plus the no good…he’d never played fair in his life. So I thought I’d stand back and watch him. Make sure he didn’t do Heath wrong.”
“You should have seen our little brother, Pappy.” Nick’s
voice filled with pride. “He gave as good as he got. The boy’s skinny and there’s not much to him but he sure can surprise
you. Barrett was looking mighty haggard
in that fight. Of course Heath didn’t look any better but he left his mark that
was damn sure. You would’ve been proud
of him. The fight looked like it was
winding down and they were both catching their breaths. That’s when Barrett drew his gun. At first I didn’t see it but when I did it
was too late cause that’s when he shot me.”
Jarrod squeezed Nick’s hand harder as he listened to the tale imagining
the scene that was being told to him.
“After he shot me I looked at Heath. Our eyes met for a
moment. I saw the guilt in his eyes. I
could read those eyes so damn well and the horror in them. I wanted to tell him
that it wasn’t his fault. I knew that boy would blame himself and I wanted to
tell him not to. But I didn’t have the
strength. I didn’t get the chance to
say anything before my legs went weak and I…I could feel myself falling and
then everything went black. Next thing I
remember was waking up at the Doctor’s office with Mother there beside me.”
“It’s all right Nick.”
“No it’s not all right!” Nick growled as he ran his hands
through his hair in frustration. “I can feel him Jarrod, I can feel him right
here.” Nick touched his heart. “He’s hurting Jarrod. I can hear him calling for
me and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.”
“I’m sorry Nick, I should’ve been there on the drive with
you and Heath. Maybe if we were both
there we could’ve stopped this.”
“Oh don’t tell me you’re having guilt over this too?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Cause there’s no reason for it.”
“But…I should’ve been there. I should’ve at least taken the train and met you at the Doctor’s
office. I thought I’d miss you on the
train so I stayed behind. I should’ve
at least tried.”
“All right, all right.
If you want to blame yourself in someway for this then fine. Me being the perfect little brother will
help you ease that guilt.”
“How do you plan to do that, Little Brother?” Jarrod
raised his eyebrows in surprise with his brother’s words.
“Don’t you dare stray too far from me and make Mother
escort me to the water closet or help me in that way ever again.” Jarrod burst out laughing and Nick soon
joined him. Nick grabbed his abdomen in
protest when the laughing caused him pain.
“That serves you right,” Jarrod scolded through his
laughter at the pain his brother was in.
Jarrod smiled at his brother as relief from the guilt he had felt over
his brother’s shooting finally fell from his shoulders. “All right it’s a deal. I will spare you from having Mother threaten
your modesty in any way.”
“You laugh at me, but you just wait Counselor. The time will come when she’ll do the same
with you.”
“And who says she hasn’t?” Jarrod quizzed with mischief as
Nick looked at him with shock. “Come on
you need your pain medicine so you can sleep.”
“Don’t you start that topic and change it on me.”
“You started the topic I stopped it.” Jarrod countered as he poured the medicine
into the spoon and held it up to his brother’s resisting lips. “Take it or I
get Mother.”
“Something tells me this won’t be the first time I’ll be
blackmailed with that threat,” Nick sighed with resignation as he took the
offered medicine and began to drift off to sleep.
“You are most certainly right Little Brother,” Jarrod grinned,
“it won’t be.”
“Good Afternoon Nick.”
Nick was sitting up in bed looking over paperwork when Audra came into
the room with a lunch tray. Nick put
the papers down beside him on the bed when Audra sat the tray on his lap. His
excitement for lunch soon left him when he saw what he was getting. She offered him a big smile as Nick looked
up with a scowl on his face over the broth placed in front of him. Audra held her hands up in surrender and
teased, “orders from the warden. Only
bread and water for you, partner.”
“If you’re really my partner you’d get me a steak.”
“You obviously don’t know the warden on duty very
well. She has that kitchen locked up
tighter than San Quentin prison.”
“Ha! That warden can be tough.” Nick shared a laugh with
Audra about their mother. “But you could at least try.”
“Oh Nick,” Audra sighed as she sat down in the chair
sitting beside the bed. She winced with sympathy as her brother attempted to
eat the non-appetizing liquid. “I never could say no to you.”
“That’s cause I’m your favorite brother.”
“You’re my favorite hazel-eyed brother.” Audra giggled and
then continued. “Heath is my favorite blond brother and Jarrod is my favorite
lawyer brother.”
“Ha! Must be hard having three older brothers.” Nick chuckled
at his sister’s refusal to play favorites.
“You have no idea,” Audra’s voice was full of
sarcasm. Nick smiled at her and tapped
her nose with his finger. “Oh, I have wonderful news! Johnny’s being adopted.”
“What? No
way! Who are they? Are they good people? Have I met them?”
“It’s the O’Neill’s.
They recently moved into the Valley and they have a son, Patrick. They’ve been considering expanding their
family for awhile and came to the orphanage.
It seems Patrick and Johnny became quite attached.” Audra laughed as she
continued, “Johnny’s excited he’ll now be getting a big brother just like Mr.
Heath he said.”
* * * * * * * *
It was during the picnic at the orphanage in April that
Nick became acquainted with young Johnny.
It was through Audra that Heath became a frequent visitor at the
orphanage where he became a mentor for the young boys. With Audra in charge of the Easter
festivities for the children the entire family attended the event. With Heath’s encouragement Nick joined his
brother in taking part in the afternoon games with the boys. Both brothers became a big hit with the
children but it was young Johnny who became transfixed on the tall hazel-eyed
rancher.
After the Easter festivities Nick periodically joined
Heath on his visits to the orphanage.
The brothers gave rides on their horses and essentially became big
brothers to the young boys who were starved for the male companionship. The visits to the orphanage were special not
only to the children but also to a pair of brothers who came to love the boys
very much.
* * * * * * * *
“Well I’ll be,”
Nick grinned at her as he pushed the tray away. Audra reached down and took the tray from him and placed it on
the nightstand. “How’s he taking the news?”
“He’s scared but he’s trying to be brave. I thought maybe you and Heath...”
“Stop right there,” Nick raised his hands up. He looked at her with his poker face and
noticed her budding frown. Never able
to successfully tease his sister for very long Nick quickly offered up his best
smile, “you don’t even have to ask. I’d
love to see that little guy and I’m sure Heath will too.”
“Oh Nick!” Audra jumped up from the chair and sat on the
bed. She threw her arms excitedly
around Nick’s neck and fiercely hugged him forgetting about the tenderness to
his abdomen. Nick flinched but never
led on to the pain as he returned her hug.
“Audra Victoria Barkley!” Victoria’s stern scolding
towards his sister caused Nick to flinch.
Audra quickly jumped up from the bed and stood at attention. She didn’t understand why she was being
scolded and looked at her mother’s stern face with confusion. “Your brother has
not properly healed young lady so next time be a little more careful!”
Realizing her hug could have caused harm Audra looked at
her brother with tear filled eyes and started to offer an apology. Nick quickly grabbed her hand and winked at
her and smiled. “It’s all right honey.
I’ll never turn down one of those hugs and I’ll take ‘em however I can
get ‘em.”
“Audra, take the tray to the kitchen.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Audra quickly obeyed her mother as she turned
to pick up the tray and left the room.
“She didn’t mean-”
“Nicholas, that girl gets spoiled by all three of her
older brothers she doesn’t need me spoiling her as well.” Victoria spoke as she walked over and picked
up the medicine on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m not taking that.” Nick’s voice was harsher than he
had intended and when Victoria raised her eyebrow he quickly realized he better
explain. “Heath is expected home today and I’m not missing his arrival. I’ll
take the medicine after I see him.”
“Oh Nicholas,” Victoria sighed. “Heath could be late and
not be home for another day or even longer. You need the medicine.”
“Mother, have I given you a hard time once these past two
weeks and have I not done everything you asked? This is important to me and
it’s important to Heath. How would he
feel if I slept through his homecoming?”
“He’d understand Nick,” Victoria smiled as she placed her
hand on his face. “He wouldn’t want you to be hurting.” Looking into Nick’s defiant hazel eyes she
realized it was a losing battle so she threw her hands up in the air in
resignation. “All right, you win. But you take the medicine the moment he comes
home.”
* * * * * * * *
By late afternoon Victoria was close to going back on her
agreement with Nick, as the pain became more severe. But Nick stood his ground
and refused the medicine. It was near
six in the evening when the family heard the sound of horses stampeding closer
to the ranch. Everyone recognized the
sound and jumped from their seats and rushed out of the house. Six weeks after leaving the ranch the men
had come home. Victoria, Jarrod, Rosa
and Audra stood outside on the veranda as they watched the herd of horses
galloping closer.
As the men rode to the barn they dismounted and dispersed
into various areas. Ciego took care of Duke and Heath’s horses allowing the men
to be reunited with their families without delay. Hattie welcomed home Duke as
they walked into their home. Heath
walked up to the veranda and was engulfed in a hug by Audra before he could
protest. Jarrod shook his hand and
patted him on the back. Rosa hugged him ignoring his protest about getting her
fine dress dirty with trail dust. Then it came time to face the matriarch of
the family.
“Welcome home Heath,” Victoria reached out to draw Heath
into a hug.
“Oh you don’t want to do that, I’m filthy and in serious need
of a bath.” Heath protested the hug by keeping Victoria at arms link.
“Heath Barkley, this is a working ranch…I’m use to the
dirt.” Victoria laughed as she drew Heath into a hug that he gratefully
returned.
“I’m sorry about Nick.
How is he?”
“Oh Heath, what happened with Nick wasn’t your fault. And he’s doing just fine. He’s as stubborn
as usual. He wouldn’t even take his
medicine until he saw you. He wanted to stay awake knowing you were coming
home.”
“I’m gonna go see him and then get cleaned up for dinner
Ma’am.” Heath smiled as he pulled out of the hug. “And I’ll make sure he takes
the medicine.”
“Thank you Heath.” Victoria frowned as she felt a pain in
her heart at Heath’s formality towards her. She hoped his return after six
weeks would’ve made him more comfortable around her, but that didn’t seem to be
the case. Victoria began to wonder if he would ever allow her to become his
mother.
* * * * * * * *
Heath walked up the grand staircase and stood in front of
Nick’s bedroom. Slowly opening the door
Heath quietly stepped inside the room. Nick’s head moved towards the opening of
the door and blue eyes came upon the gaze of the hazel eyes.
“Hey stranger,” Nick offered a big smile.
“Howdy,” Heath smiled back as he walked over to his brother.
Heath reached down and grabbed his brother’s hand into his
own. As he looked into the face of his
brother he could see that he was in severe pain and was exhausted. “What’s this
I hear about ya not takin’ your medicine?”
“Didn’t wanna miss the big homecoming.”
“Well I’m here now.”
“Yes, yes you are.”
Heath released the hold on Nick’s hand as he sat down in
the chair beside the bed. His eyes
glanced over to the medicine sitting on the nightstand as he reached for the bottle
of relief and the spoon. Taking the bottle in his hand he poured the liquid
into the spoon and looked at Nick with a lop-sided grin.
“Why’s everyone always trying to make me go to sleep?”
“Cause it’s way too noisy and we need some peace and quiet ‘round here,” Heath
teased.
“Boy, you just wait till I’m outta this bed and then-”
“Promise?”
“Why does everyone enjoy kicking a man when he’s down?”
“If you’re gonna admit you’re down then ya need the
medicine more than I thought,” Heath smiled as he leaned over and put the spoon
near Nick’s mouth.
“All right, I’ll take the medicine on one condition.” Nick
smiled as the spoon was put to his mouth. Heath paused and raised his eyebrows.
“If you promise to take a bath. Cause you stink brother!” Nick grinned.
“That’s not me, that’s the smell of a sick room.” Heath
chuckled as his brother opened his mouth to protest only to find a spoon shoved
into his mouth with a scowl on his face.
“That was low.”
“Sleep.”
“Welcome…home…little…brother,” Nick mumbled as he fought
to keep his eyes open.
Heath smiled as he watched Nick succumb to the effect of
the medicine and enter the world of restful sleep. Heath closed his eyes and
let out a heavy sigh. For the first
time in two and a half weeks since his brother was shot he felt the heavy
burden chip away from his heart. A
heart that finally began to feel relief caused by the simple mumbled words
spoken from his brother that held more meaning in what was behind them.
Victoria walked down the grand staircase and saw her
future daughter-in-law in the parlor.
Victoria sighed as she stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched
her. When she returned home she was
surprised to see that Rosa had arrived at the ranch. She didn’t know what happened between her son and his fiancée but
she knew something was bothering them.
She had hoped one or both of them would eventually come to her, but so
far that hadn’t happened. Rosa was
sitting in a chair with her feet curled up beside her on the sofa with her long
dress puffed out around her. A book was
sitting in her lap but she wasn’t reading.
Her eyes were intently staring outside the opened double french doors
and only she was privileged with the knowledge on what she could see. Victoria quietly walked into the room and
touched Rosa on the shoulder.
“Rosa?”
“Hmm…Oh Victoria, I didn’t see you come in.”
“You seemed preoccupied.
You want to talk about what’s on your mind? I’m a very good listener.”
“I’m all right Victoria.” Rosa smiled trying to sound more
confident than she felt and she noticed Victoria wasn’t convinced either.
“Well if you ever want to talk, you know I’m here.”
“Thanks.”
“Want to help me and Silas with preparations for
dinner? Might help take your mind off
other things.”
“I’d love that.”
Rosa stood up and Victoria put her arm around her shoulder leading them
into the kitchen.
* * * * * * * *
“You up to havin’
company?” Heath asked as he tapped on Nick’s door. Nick was sitting in one of the chairs by the fireplace with his
legs stretched out in front of him. He
was reading a newspaper in only his pajama bottoms. When Heath came into the room Nick looked up with a welcoming
smile folding the paper and placing it on his lap.
“God yes!” Nick heaved a heavy sigh. “What’s going on?”
“Just came back from town. The house for my Aunt Rachel and Hannah is comin’ along. The whole family’s been helpin’ out.” Heath
spoke while sitting down in the chair opposite his brother.
“You can take some of the men to help out.” Heath groaned and Nick sighed holding up his
hands in defense. “All right, just a suggestion.”
“I ‘preciate the suggestion.” Heath paused and took a
wrapped item from inside his vest and handed it to his brother. “Got ya a
surprise while I was in town.”
“What’s this?”
“Open it and find out.”
Nick took the gift and tore off the paper wrapping. He gasped as he saw what it was. “Idylls of the King!” The Alfred Tennyson book was one of Nick’s
favorites and the book had seen better days, worn and tattered with pages
falling from the book. Since the book
was released eleven years earlier it was hard to find a replacement. With the help from a pretty young lady who
worked in the Library in town Heath was able to receive a rare copy for a
pretty penny. It was the only time
Heath ever splurged with the money that multiplied in his bank account.
“How?”
“I had some help.”
When Nick raised his eyebrow at the twinkle in his eye Heath flushed,
unable to keep the grin from appearing. “Ya know Ella Preston?”
“Yeah I use to court her older sister in school,” Nick
paused and then laughed when realization sank in. “She works at the library!”
“Ya don’t know the sacrifices I had to go through for ya
Big Brother.”
“I’d say she’s not much of a sacrifice. So, what? Dinner?
Picnic?”
“I don’t kiss and tell,” Heath replied with a lop-sided
grin.
“Fine, you can keep your secrets Romeo.” Nick paused from flipping through the crisp
pages and looked at Heath, “doesn’t seem enough just to say thanks.”
“Your reaction was thanks enough…and worth the sacrifices
I endured for ya.”
“Shut up!” Nick teased. “I think it’s time to change the
topic from your romancing to ranching.
How’s everything going?”
“The men are settlin’ in from being home. Rode around the
ranch to see how everything’s doing.”
Heath pulled out his small notebook from his breast pocket and read off
his checklist. “Have some fence posts that need repairin’, cattle that need
moved to new waterin’ holes if we can find any, about five waterin’ holes are
dried up, grapes that need tendin’ too, horses that need breakin’, feed that
needs to be bought.” Heath paused and grinned, “and that’s just for starters.”
“Yeah and my being laid up and this summer heat we’re
having isn’t helping matters any.”
“We’ll manage,” Heath sighed.
“What?” Nick frowned as he looked at his brother deep in
thought.
“It’s just that,” Heath paused. “Nick I can’t believe all
the waterin’ holes that’s dried up.”
“Yeah irrigation’s always been a problem,“ Nick sighed
running his hands through his hair. “Been trying to find ways to fix it but I
can’t seem to get anyone in the family to back me on any of my ideas.”
“Whatcha been askin’ for?”
“I’ve been reading some newspapers from other states, you
know to get an idea on what they’re doing so I can find ways to improve things
around here. Well I read about this irrigation system that was built and I want
to try it here but the family thinks it’ll be too risky.”
“Why?”
“Know about the bill Congress signed that gave rights to
the land owner for the water on their property?” When Heath nodded his head Nick continued, “well the water is on
our property but it’s also used by the surrounding ranches. They think we’ll upset the other ranchers by
making it look like we’re damning up the water.”
“I can see that, but if the irrigation works wouldn’t it
work for everyone not just us?”
“Yes!” Nick’s body language changed and his voice became
louder as his excitement grew. “That’s what I keep telling them but they won’t
risk it!”
“How’s not havin’ any water a better risk?”
“You find the answer to that question Little Brother make
sure to share it with me.” Nick grabbed the cane leaning against his chair and
stood up. “Follow me.”
Nick motioned to Heath as he started hobbling towards the
roll top desk in his room. Heath walked protectively behind his brother
watching his moves closely for signs of him losing his balance. Nick sat down
in the chair and rummaged through his papers.
Heath noticed the walk and the excitement was draining his brother’s
energy. It had been almost three weeks
since he was shot but Nick was still not fully recovered. Heath made a mental note to make sure his
brother didn’t exert himself too much and that he received rest.
“Hey you daydreaming?” Nick’s baritone knocked Heath out
of his reverie.
“Sorry Nick.”
Heath grinned as Nick pointed him to the newspaper clipping. “This is what ya wanna build?” When Nick nodded
his affirmative Heath knelt down on one knee beside him and took the paper in
his hands. Nick intently studied his brother anxiously waiting for him to
finish reading the article. Once
finished Heath let out a low whistle.
“Boy Howdy that’s impressive.”
“Think it’ll work?”
“I don’t know.”
“But?”
“I can see possibilities.”
“You’re not convinced either.”
“How ‘bout a compromise?”
“I’m listening.”
With his notebook in his hand Heath sat beside his brother
and they worked together to come up with a viable solution to their problem
with irrigation and dried up water holes on the Barkley Ranch. After an hour of working on their plans
Heath noticed Nick was wearing down considerably.
“Let’s finish this another time, Nick.” Heath stood up.
“Let me help you to bed.”
“I don’t need to go to bed,” Nick growled.
“Ya wanna do this the hard way or the easy way, Big Brother?” Heath replied.
“Aw Hell,” Nick sighed.
“Come on,” Heath helped him stand, and walked beside him
to make sure he didn’t fall. Nick sat down on the bed and Heath took away his
cane and placed it near his nightstand. He helped him lay down and then pulled
up the covers. He also made sure Nick took his medicine.
“I’ll come by tomorrow Nick,” Heath replied as he started
walking out.
“Thanks Heath,” Nick smiled. “Uh Heath? Thanks for listening to the ideas I had,
nobody’s done that before. It’s nice to
have a partner to work this ranch.”
“That goes both ways Big Brother,” Heath smiled.
A Marshall was scheduled to deliver Matt Barrett to the
Stockton jail early in the morning. It
was in Stockton where the former Barkley ranch hand would be tried for the
attempted murder of Nick Barkley. Jarrod
was present at the jail with the Sheriff when the former hand arrived in shackles.
“Hello Sheriff, I’m Marshall James Walker.” The large man
shook Fred’s hand.
“Hello Marshall Walker, I’m Sheriff Fred Madden.” Fred
returned the handshake and then pointed to Jarrod. “This is Jarrod Barkley,
he’s the brother of the man who was shot.”
“Mr. Barkley.” The
Marshall tipped his hat as he dragged Barrett in the building.
“Marshall Walker.”
Jarrod turned his stare off Barrett long enough to acknowledge the
Marshall.
“How’s that loud mouth brother of yours Barkley?” Barrett
smirked as he went past Jarrod.
“Ignore him Jarrod, he’s only trying to ruffle your
feathers.” Fred Madden warned his friend.
Fred walked with the Marshall to the back of the jail as they placed
Barrett in one of the cells.
“I’m going to remove these shackles and if you make one
move I’ll break you,” the Marshall warned his prisoner in a low growl.
“And I’ll shoot you,” Fred warned Barrett as he had his
gun aimed at the former Barkley ranch hand.
“Oh you’d love that wouldn’t you?” Barrett smiled but did
as the Marshall ordered.
“Nope,” Fred smiled back. “Actually I’d love to see you
hang or better yet spend your life in San Quentin. That would serve to teach the likes of you.”
“How’s the bastard Counselor?” Barrett smiled as the cell door
was closed. “Must be wracked with guilt knowin’ he could’ve prevented what
happened. I mean you’d think the dummy
would’ve got the hint when his horse was killed.”
“Gal?” Jarrod spoke the name of the gentle pony that had
died. “You killed Gal?”
“Nope, that loud mouth brother of yours did. I just helped him out.”
“You son of a-“ Jarrod lunged at the bars.
“JARROD!” Fred pulled him back as Barrett’s laughter rang out in the room.
“Come on let’s go. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”
Fred dragged a reluctant Jarrod to the front of the
building with the Marshall following behind.
“Thanks for bringing him in Marshall.” Fred smiled his thanks.
“Not a problem Sheriff.” The Marshall replied as the
lawmen exchanged their papers. “Where’s the nearest hotel? I think I’ll rest up
before I head on out.”
“Of course. The
Stockton Inn is down the street past the telegraph office. You can’t miss
it. Their special today is fried
chicken and you can’t go wrong with it.”
“Thanks for the suggestion, don’t mind if I do.” The
Marshall smiled as he shook hands with both men and walked outside. Jarrod stayed behind with Fred.
“Hope all goes well with Dr. Merar’s examination this
afternoon. Tell Nick I hope he’s up and
out of there soon. I miss seeing him
and Heath around.”
“You mean you miss seeing them in your cell,” Jarrod
chuckled. “I better head on home Fred.
Thanks for letting me be here.”
“No problem Jarrod, and don’t worry there’s no way he’ll
get off.” Fred assured with his thumb jerked towards the cell.
“Oh I know it, because I plan to make damn sure he
doesn’t,” Jarrod promised as he walked out of the building.
* * * * * * * *
It was the middle of the afternoon when Heath walked out of
the barn. He walked towards the water trough and pumped the old rusty
handle. He brought his hands under the
cool water to clean his face and splash the water on his neck. When he looked up from wiping his face with
his kerchief he saw a carriage approaching.
As the buggy ate up the distance he recognized Dr. Merar holding the
reins. He walked towards the house as Dr. Merar’s buggy came up to the front
door. “Howdy Doc.” Heath greeted the
town physician as he jumped down.
“Heath,” Dr. Merar shook the young man’s hand before they
walked into the house. “How’s our
patient?”
“Angry as a bear, Doc.” Heath said with a slight grin.
“I see he’s getting back to his old self again,” the
physician groaned referring to the rancher’s dislike at remaining bedridden for
long periods of time.
“That he is Doc, that he is.” Heath replied as Victoria
came down the staircase.
“Howard,” Victoria shook his hand, “thank you for coming.”
“Victoria.” Howard winked, “well I guess I can’t put this off any longer.” His teasing
caused Victoria and Heath to laugh at the physician’s predicament. The three walked up the stairs towards
Nick’s room. They interrupted Jarrod scolding Nick as they entered.
“…Dr. Merar will be here any minute. Wait to see what he
has to say before you do anything rash Nick.”
“That’s very good advice, Jarrod.” Howard’s reply caused
the unsuspecting brothers to jump at the physician’s entrance into the bedroom.
“Well Nick, it’s good to see you’re back to your old self again.”
“Yeah, yeah sure,” Nick grumbled impatiently waving his
hand in the air. “Just tell me I can get out of this room cause it’s been
almost three weeks of nothing but these walls, Doc.”
“Well let me take a look Nick and see what I can tell
you.” Dr. Merar sat down on the bed and
removed the bandage around Nick’s head to examine the cut. The physician’s
skilled hands quickly removed the bandage on Nick’s mid-section. With the bandage removed Dr. Merar examined
the bullet wound. The physician’s skilled hands being gentle to the sensitive
area. Despite the gentleness in the
hands, Nick’s face became white from the physician’s ministrations.
Victoria was standing on one side of Nick’s bed. Jarrod
and Heath were on the other side. They watched the physician as Victoria spoke.
“Howard?”
“Well there’s no need to re-bandage his head. The cut is
pretty well healed and the open air should do it some good to help it heal the
rest of the way. As for his abdomen…”
The physician release a heavy sigh. “The good news is that he’s healing better
than expected.” He paused, “the bad
news is that he’s still not fully recovered enough to work the ranch just yet.”
“Damn it Doc!” Nick growled, “if I don’t see something
other than this room-”
“Nicholas-“ Victoria’s scolding was immediately cut off by
the raising of the physician’s hand and a shake of his head. Nick sighed as he
ran his hands over his face and tugged at his right ear in frustration. Howard Merar waited for the irate rancher to
calm down. He wondered how he would
feel having to be laid up for nearly a month and realized he’d probably be just
as irritable.
Twenty-five years ago Doctor Howard Merar had delivered
Nicholas Jonathan Barkley into the world.
He had watched Nick endure colic as a baby, learn how to take his first
steps and fight for his life when he contacted diphtheria in an epidemic that
swept through Stockton. The kindly
physician had watched Nick grow into a young energetic boy and then into a
young teenager who experienced his first kiss and his first heartbreak with
love. He watched as the young teenager
went off to war and rejoiced when he was one of the few to return home. He watched when the young man of twenty-one
was forced to take control of the ranch when his father died. He watched while
the town falsely believed the man was cocky, loud, and insensitive; unaware of
a gentler side that existed. He watched
as the ladies in town saw this man as a ticket to a comfortable lifestyle but
avoided seeing what lay beneath the surface.
Doctor Howard Merar was one of the few people outside of
the family who had been privileged to witness a softer, gentler, sensitive side
to the hazel-eyed rancher. Howard knew
the man that had a reputation for being one of the toughest people to ever get
into a fight with, was actually a man that wore a heart of gold and was one of
the kindest men he’d ever known. Howard
was one of the few people that never flinched when the rancher became irritated
with him. But as Howard thought of this
man he realized with a lump in his throat that it was only because of a miracle
he didn’t find himself watching this family bury this man of twenty-five beside
his father.
“Nick, look at me.” Howard’s voice was low but stern. Nick’s angry glare softened as he saw the
loving care the doctor’s eyes held.
“Do you have any idea how close you came to death?” Howard held up his hand when the rancher
began to speak. “No, I mean do you really?
Because let me tell you how close you came.” Howard paused as he swallowed the emotion in his throat and spoke
the truth without holding anything back.
“By all accounts you should have come back on that train in a pine
box.” Everyone in the room gasped and
the physician continued.
“The fact you are alive right now is not because of
medicine, but because of the Lord Almighty and no other reason. Let me explain what has happened to
you. Your body became very close, and I
mean very close, to shutting down entirely.
Because of that fact your body has to jump back into action, but it’s
not going to do this as quickly as we all would like it to. Slowly Nick you will recover completely, but
not for some time. Despite how
frustrating it will be you need to give your body time. The time it requires to bounce back.”
Howard paused, “I’m not saying I don’t understand your
frustration because I do. If I were in
your position I’d be just as intent to get out of bed. Now when I said you couldn’t get back to
ranching I meant just that. However, I
didn’t say you had to stay in this room.
Actually you are now at the stage where you can slowly get some more
exercise. Getting up and walking around
will help in you regaining your strength.
You have lost a lot of weight and the exercise and solid foods will help
bring you back to where we want you to be.”
“But, Nick, and this is a very big but, you are not to
disobey me for any reason. I don’t want
to see you working. Your body is still recovering and if you dare do anything
that you’re not ready for then you will have a setback. Then if you live through it you’ll be back
where you are now…in this bed and for a much longer period of time. Because I
will not dare trust you to stay in this bed and will tie you down and keep you tied
down until I say otherwise.” Howard
stopped talking and smiled. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yeah Doc. Uh sorry.” Nick said sheepishly.
“No need to apologize Nick, like I said I
understand.” Howard re-bandaged the
wound. Howard stood up and took
Victoria’s hand. “Start him on solids but go slow and take it one day at a
time. The first couple times of eating solids is going to cause his stomach to
rebel so nothing too harsh until he’s use to it.” Howard reached into his
medical bag and produced a new prescription of medicine. “Make sure he still
takes this at night. The restful sleep
at night will help his recovery.”
“Thank you Howard, for everything.” Victoria smiled. “Let
me walk you downstairs. Silas made some fresh ice tea and you can have some
before you leave.”
“Thanks Victoria, don’t mind if I do.” Howard replied walking out of the room with
the Barkley matriarch.
“I uh better get back to work, I’ll see ya later Big
Brother.” Heath replied as he tapped Nick on the shoulder and walked out.
“You all right?” Jarrod asked Nick, witnessing the
emotions playing on his brother’s face.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Nick lied.
“How about a game of checkers?”
“What about you work?”
“I’ve decided to play hooky for the rest of the day,”
Jarrod smiled. “I’ll go get the checkerboard and be right back.”
Nick was grateful for his big brother's company since it
wasn't often he left his dusty law books to spend time with him. As a child
Nick longed to be with his studious older brother and once in a while when
young Nick was forced into a sick bed Jarrod would sometimes take pity on his
usually over-active brother and would give up his studies to be with him. Nick treasured those days in his heart.
* * * * * * * *
Heath walked into the barn and headed towards Charger’s
stall. He picked up the curry brush and
started to rub down the chestnut bay horse.
As he brushed the horse his hand began to shake from the memories that
began to plague his mind. The memories
that assaulted his nights had now come to him in the daylight.
Matt
Barrett raised up his revolver and pointed it towards his brother’s mid-section
and pulled the trigger.
Heath vigorously brushes Charger’s
coat.
The
sound of roaring gunfire assaults his ears as if it just happened.
Heath quickens his strokes on Charger’s
coat.
Pained hazel eyes look into the shocked blue eyes as the
crimson liquid oozes around his brother’s fingers.
The trembling in Heath’s hands cause him to stop brushing
as he tries to will the shaking to stop.
His
brother falls to the ground and his head crashes against the rock beside him.
Tears stung in Heath’s eyes as he held a white-knuckle
grip on the curry brush. The words
spoken by the kindly physician to his brother could be heard as if the older
man was standing beside him in the barn.
“By all accounts you should have come back on that train
in a pine box.”
“By all
accounts you should have come back on that train in a pine box.”
“By all
accounts you should have come back on that train in a pine box.”
The physician's terrifying words echoed loudly in his
head. Heath's anger rose past the
boiling point. The horrifying memories
assaulted his mind. Finally he flung the curry brush viciously across the barn
as he screamed out his frustration and fury.