The Christmas Conversation

by catgirl63

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.

The dawn’s early light was just peeking over the horizon when the blond cowboy was riding out the front gates of the ranch. Unknown to him, a pair of hazel eyes was watching from a window in the mansion.

‘I wonder where he’s going’ thought Nick. ‘It’s Christmas morning and I told him we were not working today!’

Nick quickly finished getting dressed, ran out to the barn, saddled Coco and galloped after his blond brother. He followed his tracks and could see him in the distance.

As he rode, Heath kept wondering ‘Can I do this? Maybe I should wait? There’s no harm in waiting, is there?’

“Heath Barkley, people are going to think you’re crazy if they see you talking to yourself.” Said Heath out loud.

As he rode, he couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the ranch that he had come to love in the short time he was here. As he stopped at the top of the hill and climbed down from Charger, he paused outside the gate. While kneeling in front of the tombstone, he started speaking oblivious to the fact that he had an audience with an ear tuned to what he was saying.

‘Today, I know I am a lucky man to have two families love and care for me.’

“Audra, my radiant little sister can make me laugh at a drop of a hat. Someday she will marry and have little rays of sunshine of her own. She will be a wonderful mother to her children and aunt to any future nieces and nephews.”

“Jarrod, my eldest brother who has a heart of gold and a mind like quicksilver. He has always been there for me, ready to help with any advice or to act as a sounding board for ideas and suggestions.”

“Victoria, my stepmother. She opened herself and her family to me while knowing this would create a rift in the family and scandal in the community. Her generosity and love are without question. She treats me as one of her own children and has always been there when I have needed her.”

“Then there is Nick. He is the most passionate of them all. Passionate about the ranch, home, family and friends. He is the one who took the longest to come to the fact that I was a brother. He is the one that fought me the hardest, but, has also been the first to stand by my side.”

“My fight into the family has been long and arduous, especially with Nick who liked to talk mostly with his fists in the beginning. There are still some days when it seems like when we first met, but living together for eight months has tempered us both. I would have never thought the ranch would one day be the place I feel honored to call home. Nick and I are more like partners now.”

“Thank you and Merry Christmas Father” said Heath while wiping the tears from his cheeks. Feeling a hand on his back, Heath stood and turned around.

“We are brothers first, partners second,” stated Nick while giving his little brother a hug.

“Father, thank you and Merry Christmas” said Nick. “Let’s go home little brother.”

The boys mounted their horses and rode for home.

‘Yes, indeed’ they both thought ‘I am lucky’.

THE END