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 town of Stockton was enjoying a break in
the winter weather that caused the blustery wind that chilled the residents to
the bottom of their toes. The past two
days held warm temperatures and sun filled days that were abnormal.
“Nick, I’m telling you something’s going on
with Heath.” sighed Duke.
“What do ya’ mean? He seems fine to me.” asked Nick.
Duke gestured towards the man of their
conversation as he walked towards them from the bank, “He just doesn’t seem
like Heath. I can’t put it into words,
but watch him and you’ll see what I mean.”
Heath walked up the boardwalk towards his
brother and the foreman, “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, we’re ready.” said Nick as he untied
Coco and mounted.
The men rode out of town towards the ranch
while two of the men kept up a steady stream of conversation. Nick mindful of Duke’s concerns kept a close
eye on his new brother as Heath’s mind seemed to be elsewhere and he was not
partaking in the conversation.
Arriving at the ranch, Duke went to the
bunkhouse as Nick and Heath stabled their horses, “Heath, anything wrong?”
Heath paused in the grooming of Charger,
“Nope. Why do ask that Nick?”
“Oh, you didn’t say much on the way back from
town.”
“Just thinking is all Nick.” sighed Heath as
he walked out of the barn with Nick following.
“Whatcha thinking about?”
Curiously Heath stopped and looked at Nick,
“Why all the questions?”
Nick stammered, “I was just wondering if I
could help with anything, if you had a problem or something.”
Heath grinned, “Well, I do have a problem
Nick. But you can’t help. Thanks anyway.”
Nick watched as Heath started towards the
house again, “How come I can’t help?
You didn’t even ask me.”
“Nick, you just can’t, that’s all.” stated
Heath firmly as he walked into the house.
“Well, give a guy a chance!” blustered Nick
offended by his brother’s lack of faith in his abilities, “Com’on Heath!”
Heath paused, feeling guilty that he had
offended his brother, smiled and said.
“Okay, Nick! I’m trying to
figure out what to give to Sonja for Valentine’s Day.”
“Is that all?” shouted Nick. “I thought it that would be a life or death
thing, not just some stupid present.”
Heath angrily replied, “You’re the one who was
pestering me about it. Thanks for your
help!”
Heath stalked up the stairs and slammed the
door of his bedroom as Nick watched, embarrassed by his remarks to his little
brother’s problems. Frowning, Nick
puzzled, “Who is Sonja?”
Nick walked into the study where Jarrod was
working, “Jarrod, do you know anyone named Sonja?”
Jarrod looked up from his papers and glanced
at Nick, “No, can’t say that I do, Nick.
Why?”
“Heath said he’s trying to figure out what to
get Sonja for valentine’s day, but who is Sonja.” stated Nick as he poured a
drink.
“Beats me, brother Nick. Have you asked Heath who she is?” replied
Jarrod annoyed that he had to state the obvious to Nick.
“He’s not talking to me right now.” sighed
Nick as he sipped his drink and stared out the window.
Jarrod put his pen down and leaned back, “If
he’s not speaking to you, how did you know about Sonja?”
“He told me before he wasn’t talking to me.”
said Nick sarcastically at the apparently dumb question from his brother the
lawyer. Jarrod rolled his eyes and
sighed.
“Sorry, maybe Audra knows or Mother.”
suggested Jarrod as Nick nodded and went off in search of the ladies of the
house.
An hour later Nick was still at a loss as to
who Sonja was. Neither of the ladies
knew of any newcomers to the area by that name. All three had speculated on who she was and how Heath had met
her. In the end, they were all still
left with questions and no answers.
Undaunted, Nick went to the bunkhouse to ask
Duke. By the end of the conversation,
Nick had a headache and was no closer to finding out who Sonja was. Two days went by in which Heath only spoke
to Nick about topics concerning the ranch and Nick grew more frustrated as
everyone he asked did not know who Sonja was or recall if Heath had been seen
with anyone.
On Valentine’s day morning Nick rose early to
catch Heath before he went out on the range.
Silas informed Nick that Heath had departed an hour earlier than usual
and that he was heading to the old Whitaker place.
Nick mounted Coco and followed his brother’s
path to the old Whitaker place. “Maybe
some new people had moved into the old place”, thought Nick as he rode. “This
could explain why I don’t know who Sonja is.”
Feeling as if he were on the verge of solving
the mystery, Nick nudged Coco into a gallop.
Standing by Coco on the hill overlooking the Whitaker place, Nick sees
Charger, but his master is nowhere in sight.
Seeing a carriage approaching from town, Nick watches as Vanessa jumps
out of the buggy with a basket and rushes into the house. Anger seethed through Nick’s body as he
realizes why he didn’t know who Sonja was, there was no Sonja! Just Vanessa! Jumping on Coco, Nick gallops and stops abruptly in front of the
abandoned house and marches up the steps as Heath opens the door and steps out,
“Nick.”
Nick seeing red did not let Heath finished as
his right fist caught Heath in the jaw and he flew back into the room as
Vanessa screamed.
“Nick, what is wrong with you!” screamed
Vanessa as she went to Heath who was sprawled out unconscious on the floor with
rose petals all around him.
Nick started to speak as the banner on the
wall caught his eye, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day, Nick’, the rose petals on the
floor, the candles and wine on the table,
“What’s this Vanessa! What’s
going on here?”
Wiping Heath’s face with a wet cloth, Vanessa
sighed “Happy Valentine’s Day, Nick. I
asked Heath to help me with a little surprise for you.”
Nick knelt by Heath, hung his head and said
softly, “I’m sorry Vanessa for ruining everything. I really am surprised.”
Vanessa chuckled and cupped Nick’s cheek in
her hand, “I don’t think you’re the only one who was surprised today, Nick.”
Smiling, Nick leaned over and kissed her
softly. “Do you mind?” groaned Heath
from the floor as he felt his jaw swelling.
Nick laughed as he helped Heath sit up.
“Heath, I’m sorry little brother. I
really had no idea.”
As he stood, Heath grinned, “Of course you
didn’t, Nick. It was supposed to be a
surprise!”
Nick smiled and gave his little brother a big
hug. “Thanks, Heath!”
Vanessa kissed Heath on the cheek, “I owe you
one.”
Heath smiling slightly, closed the door and
headed back to the ranch leaving the two lovebirds alone.
Vanessa smiling, “How about some wine cowboy?”
“Vanessa, I can’t believe all that you did.”
grinned Nick as he accepted a glass of wine.
‘You two must have been busy little bees.”
“I wanted it to be perfect. Heath offered to help and even suggested
this place. The only thing we couldn’t
figure out was how to get you here.” admitted Vanessa with a smile.
“It is perfect even though maybe it didn’t
start out the way you were planning.
Thank you, honey.” whispered Nick as he pulled his dark haired beauty
against him and captured her lips with his.
Vanessa wrapped her arms around his neck and her body melted into his as
the kiss deepened and stole her breath away.
After the wine had been consumed, Vanessa
handed Nick a box wrapped in black velvet with a red bow on it.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Nick. I hope you’ll like it.” said Vanessa softly.
Nick smiled and untied the bow, lifting the
cover inside he found a gold money clip with matching cufflinks. “They’re beautiful honey. When I wear them, they’ll always remind me
of the special day we had here.”
Vanessa smiled as she could see he truly did
like her gift.
“Oh NO!” groaned Nick as his palm covered his
forehead.
“What’s the matter Nick?” asked Vanessa with a
concerned look on her face.
“Honey, I am so sorry! I was so busy trying to find out who Sonya
was that Heath was trying to get a present for, I forgot to pick yours up!”
Vanessa laughed hysterically and tears fell
from her eyes as Nick’s face turned red.
“Nick Barkley, I love you.”
Nick grinned as he pulled the chuckling lady
back into his arms and whispered as he nuzzled her neck “It’s lucky for me that
you do!”
THE END