Closure

by Catlee

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

Part 1

 

The two brothers crested the rise of the hill and pulled their horses to a halt.  The set of the jaws and the glare in the eyes told anyone who knew them that all was not well. One set of flaming hazel eyes and the other set of cold ice-blue eyes both caught a glimpse of the same thing on the valley floor below them at the same time.  All thoughts of acrimony between them forgotten as they watched in horror the careening buggy and its occupant bouncing across the pothole-strewn floor below them.  No words were said as both men sent their horses flying down the side of the hill they had so recently crested.  Only one thought was in their minds.  MOTHER! What was she doing out here?

 

Heath kept his eyes firmly fixed on the buggy ahead of them but he allowed himself a quick appraisal of the thought he had just had.  Where had that come from?  He had only joined the family 6 weeks ago and the idea of calling Victoria Barkley mother had up until moments ago never crossed his mind.   He glanced over to his older brother Nick and wondered what he would think of Heath’s recent thought.  Probably beat the hell outta me again he mused.  Returning his attention to the front again Heath pulled his little black Modoc mare to the left of the buggy as Nick pulled his horse to right.

 

The brothers drew level with the back of the buggy and then urging their horses forward even faster came level with its seat and the tiny silver-haired occupant who was clinging onto the reins with one hand and the seat with the other.  Her face was almost white and both brothers were worried that she may pass out and fall from her precarious position before they were able to bring the horse and buggy to a standstill.  Heath caught a glimpse of Nick’s horse dipping its head and then what he thought were a pair of black clad legs flying through the air before the vision was lost to the corner of his eye.  He couldn’t worry about Nick at the moment.  He had to stop the buggy and save this woman who had so freely opened her heart, house and family to him such a short time ago.

 

Heath drew level with the terrified horse’s head and reached out with his right hand to grab the reins of the runaway.  Just as he grabbed the reins the horse veered away from him almost pulling him from his saddle.  He bit down a cry of pain as he felt the pull on his shoulder as he desperately tried to hold onto his own horse as well as the runaway.

 

Heath’s little Modoc felt the shift in her masters wait and immediately moved across in the indicated direction thus maintain her riders position in the saddle.  Heath ignored the stabbing pain in his shoulder as he slowly brought both horses back to a lope, then trot and finally to a full stop.  Jumping from the Modoc Indian style and kept a firm grip on the buggy horse’s reins he made his way back to the woman sitting on the seat.

 

He stared into her unfocused eyes and asked with gentle concern in his voice “Moth…. Mrs Barkley, are you alright?”

 

That one word or at least part of it made her jerk her head around and look into his worried blue eyes, eyes so like her late husbands.  Had she heard correctly? Had Tom’s son, her son for what was Tom’s was hers nearly called her mother?

 

Heath was getting worried now at her lack of response to his question.  He gently reached out and touched her hand and tried again.  “Ma’am are you alright.”

 

Victoria Barkley sighed heavily and looked at this new son hers and smiled tentatively.  There was that dreaded Ma’am again she thought.

 

“Yes Heath, I’m fine thank you.  But where is your brother. I thought I saw him with you earlier.”

 

Heath was wondering the same thing himself.  He turned to look back the way they had come. His face suddenly lost all its’ colour as he stared at the crumpled heap of horse and rider lying some five hundred yards behind them.  Victoria turned to look as well and her hand flew to mouth as she called in an anguished cry NICK!  Her cry galvanized Heath into action.  He quickly climbed into the buggy beside her, ignoring the pain in his protesting shoulder and gathered up the reins.  Turning the buggy around Heath whistled for his little Modoc Gal to follow and headed back to his brother.  The horse was struggling to get to its feet but fell back exhausted when its front leg wouldn’t support it.  Heath could guess at what had happened.  The horse had put a foot in one of the potholes and snapped a foreleg, but that still didn’t explain why Nick wasn’t moving.  Heath knew his brother was a good rider and shouldn’t have had any problems rolling clear when the horse went down.  No something else had to be wrong.

 

Heath brought the buggy to a halt as close to Nick as he dared then jumped down leaning heavily against its side as a wave of pain crashed through his shoulder.  He quickly looked up and was relieved to see that Victoria hadn’t noticed his discomfort as she was staring steadily at Nick.  Nor did Victoria notice the grimace of pain that shot across his face when she rested her hand on his right shoulder to steady herself as he helped her down.  Heath took in several deep breaths wondering what was wrong with his shoulder before hurrying to Victoria and dropping to Nick’s side.  Heath gently rolled Nick over and then they both gasped in shock at the sight of Nick’s bloody side and the ragged piece of broken tree stump protruding from it.  Working quickly, mother and son checked Nick over for broken bones and were relieved to find none.  While Victoria tore away the bloody shirt Heath returned to Gal for his water canteen and a clean shirt that they could use for bandages.  He stopped next to Nick’s horse only long enough to put it out of its misery, thanking god that it wasn’t Coco he had been riding.

 

Heath handed Victoria the canteen and watched as she gently washed the blood from his side so that they could get their first good look at the wound.

 

“We can’t move him like this, that piece of wood has to come out,” Heath cautioned Victoria quietly.

 

She nodded in agreement “Yes, I know, but I don’t think I can do it.”  She looked at Heath with desperation in her eyes.

 

Never taking his eyes of his brother, a brother who suddenly meant a lot to him and whom he didn’t want to lose, sighed heavily.

 

“I know. I’ll do it.”

 

Grasping the end of the stick, Heath hoped that it was smooth and didn’t have any burrs that could catch in his brother’s body.  He closed his eyes, took several deep breaths and then pulled slowly and steadily.  They were both relieved to see the stick come away cleanly.  Victoria quickly washed out the wound and then applied several wads of folded material over it.  Lifting Nick’s upper body from the ground Heath supported his brother against his chest as Victoria wrapped long strips around Nick’s torso to keep the dressing in place.  Heath then gently lowered his brother back to the ground.  Heath looked worriedly at Victoria.

 

“He’s starting to run a fever.  There’s a line shack a couple of miles from here.  I think we should head there then I can ride back to the ranch for a wagon and the doc.”

 

Victoria looked from one son to the other and sighed.  She knew Heath was right.  They couldn’t travel back to the ranch with Nick in this condition.  Neither the one remaining horse or the buggy was a suitable means of transport.  It would probably take Heath at least two and a half hours to reach the ranch on his own. Who knows how long it would take if they traveled by buggy.  They needed to get Nick settled somewhere and work on getting the fever down that was building in his body.  Victoria nodded in agreement.

 

Heath helped Victoria up onto the buggy seat where she gathered up the reins and made sure that the break was well set and then watched as her blond son bent down over his comatose brother.

 

Heath was wondering just how he was going to get his brother into the buggy.  It was a fairly low slung one but Nick was a dead weight and Heath could feel himself weakening quickly.  Damn this shoulder he thought.  Squatting down next to Nick, Heath tapped him lightly on the cheek.

 

“Come on big brother, its time to wake up.  Can’t have ya lying around in the grass all day.  It is a working ranch ya know.”

 

Getting no response he tried again louder and harder.

 

“Nick wake up.  I need ya help to get ya into the buggy.  I can’t do it on my own.”

 

This time he was rewarded with a wedge of blurry hazel eyes peeking from under half closed eyelids and a moan of pain.

 

“Easy Nick, don’t try to move yet.  Let me do most of the work OK?”

 

Nick looked at his brother and saw the worry in his blue eyes then nodded slowly.  He asked only one word.

 

“Mother.”

 

Heath looked down at his brother with a smile on his face and then gave his brother’s arm a gently squeeze.

 

“She’s fine Nick, I stopped the buggy.  She’s waiting for ya on the seat now.”

 

Nick allowed a small smile to flit across his face.

 

“Thanks Heath.”

 

Heath didn’t reply.  Instead he bent down beside his brother and lifted Nick’s right arm up placing it over his left shoulder.

 

“Ya ready Nick, on three.  One, two, three.”

 

With Heath pulling and Nick pushing up from the ground with his left hand they managed to stumble to their feet.  Nick’s right arm tightened its grip on his brother’s injured shoulder.  Nick thought he felt Heath stiffen under him and heard a small gasp of pain but he wasn’t sure.  His own side was on fire and he could feel a black tide rushing up to engulf him.  The buggy was only a matter of feet away but to the two brothers at that moment it could have been a mile.

 

“Come on Nick, stay with me,” Heath ground out through gritted teeth.  The pain in his shoulder was threatening to send him spiraling into oblivion.

 

“Brother, you gotta stop eating at the dinner table, ya heavier than Coco.”

 

Both brothers sagged against the side of the buggy and rested for several minutes as Victoria watched worriedly from the seat.  For the first time she noticed the strain on Heath’s face and wondered at its cause.  Nick lifted his right foot onto the step and with Heath’s help managed to pull his body onto the seat where he collapsed against his mother.  Heath climbed in beside his brother, took the reins that Victoria offered him and whistled to his Modoc to follow along behind as they set off in the direction of the line shack.

 

None of the Barkleys were aware of the horseman that sat hidden in the trees watching the struggle unfolding in front of him.  Well, well he thought this is getting better and better.  Soon they’ll all get what they deserve and that bastard will be out of my life forever.  He turned his horse and followed slowly behind.  He had no intention of standing up to the blond in a fair fight.  He knew just how good he was with his gun, rifle and knife, but right now he was too far away to trust his aim.  He had plenty of time.  After all what was a few more hours after having waited years.

 

 

 

Part 2

 

Heath looked across the top of Nick’s head, which was resting on Victoria’s shoulder to the woman herself.

 

“What were you doing out here ma’am? He asked tiredly.  It’s a long way from the ranch to be traveling.”

 

Victoria sighed; there was that ma’am again.  She looked into her newest son’s blue eyes and thought when is he going to call me mother?  Not sure as to how he was going to take her answer she decided the direct approach was probably the best.

 

“I drove to Strawberry to meet with your Aunts Rachel and Hannah to see what information I could find out.  I’m sorry Heath I know I should have told you, all of you where I was going, but I thought it would be better if I went alone to get the answers to some questions that have been bothering all of us.”

 

She looked pointedly at Heath and waited for his reply.  Heath continued to stare straight ahead as he thought on her words.  Finally he turned towards her and with deep worry etched on his handsome face said, “Ya shouldn’t have gone there.  It’s dangerous.  What if you had run into my uncle?  Matt Simmons coulda held you for ransom or worse killed

 

you.”  He stopped talking and studied her face, for the first time taking note of the tiredness and worry lines he saw there.  “Did ya get any answers to those questions?”  This last was said with just a hint of hope in the voice.

 

“Yes Heath, I did get some answers. Answers that I think we can all live with. I had a long talk with your aunts and they confirmed that Leah never told Tom about you.  They had begged her many times to tell him but for whatever reasons she never did.  Heath your father never knew about you.  I assure you if he did he would never have left you or your mother in that mining camp.  You must believe me.  He, us, we never abandoned you, we simply never knew.”  She watched as tears welled up in his eyes then he turned to her.

 

“Why did she do it?  Why didn’t she tell him about me? Do ya think she was ashamed of me and didn’t think my father would want to have anything to do with me?”

 

Victoria reached across her unconscious son and placed her small hand on top of Heath’s. There were tears running freely down her own cheeks now.

 

“Darling, why she didn’t tell us we’ll never know, but I do know this.  She wasn’t ashamed of you.  She loved you with all her heart.  Maybe too much to give you up.  You were her son, her life.  Everything she did, every decision she made was because she loved you as only a mother can love a child.”

 

She took another deep breath.  “Your mother loved you the same way I love you.  As my son.”

 

“My son.” The words ricocheted around inside his head.  Did she really mean that, that he was her son?

 

They continued in silence as Heath thought on her words.  So his father and family really didn’t know about him.  While he was still angry at what he saw was his parent’s betrayal of him just a small part was now wondering what it would have been like living on this ranch with his father from the beginning.

 

Victoria took another breath and continued quietly, “I did meet him.”

 

Heath looked sharply at her, silently cursing the stab of pain that shot through his shoulder.

 

“Met who,” he asked suspiciously.

 

“Your uncle.  What a vile man he is.  I was so glad to get away from him.”

 

“He didn’t hurt ya did he?” Heath growled menacingly.  “I shoulda killed him years ago.”

 

He suddenly had a suspicion and looked sharply around the trees through which they were traveling.

 

“What made the horse bolt?”

 

Victoria sighed.  She had been waiting for the question and knew her son wouldn’t like the answer.  She could see the concern in his face.

 

“Somebody took a shot at me.  It hit the traces and the horse panicked and took off.”

 

“WHAT?” came the explosive roar from the usually quiet blond.

 

“Simmons, it had to be Simmons which means he followed ya here and is probably out there somewhere watching us.”

 

They both lapsed back into silence but now Heath’s eyes were busy darting from side to side trying to detect any sign of a sniper amongst the trees.

 

Heath was relieved to see the line shack come into view.  His shoulder was stiffening rapidly and he wasn’t sure just how much longer he would be able to handle the horse or stay on his feet for that matter.   He could feel the darkness slowly pressing in on him.  Heaving a sigh of relief, he brought the buggy to a halt by the door to the shack and jumped down on shaky legs.

 

“Wait here while I check the shack and turn down one of the bunks.  Won’t be but a minute then we’ll get ol Nick settled into bed.”

 

Victoria was worried; Nick was getting sicker by the minute.  The heat was radiating from him now and she couldn’t put her finger on it but she was sure there was something wrong with Heath as well.  She had already asked him if he was all right and the only reply he gave her was that he was fine.   Now it also looked as though she had unwittingly brought Matt Simmons back with her as well.  The sooner they all got back to the ranch the better she thought to her self.

 

Heath reappeared in the doorway and looked towards the buggy.  How was he ever going to get Nick down from the buggy and into the shack on his own?  He could barely keep his own feet under him now.  Putting on his best poker face he smiled at Victoria and then helped her down from the buggy.  He reached up and slid Nick’s unresponsive body to the side of the buggy.  Reaching up with his left hand he started pulling his brother from the seat.  In that moment Victoria realized what was wrong.  Heath could barley lift his right arm and he was hunched over slightly as though trying to protect the arm or shoulder.  It was his shoulder.  Oh Heath, why didn’t you say something she thought to herself?  Instead of voicing her concerns she reached up and helped him lower his brother to the ground.  Blue eyes looked into grey eyes and then they half carried him, half dragged him into the shack and laid him on the bed.

 

“I’ll see to the horse and be back in a minute.  Then I’ll head back to the ranch for a wagon and have somebody send for the doc.”

 

“No Heath, the horse can wait I know your hurt and you need to rest for a while.” Came Victoria’s quiet plea.

 

Heath just shook his head.  “Nick’s the one that’s hurt not me.  I’ll see to the horse and then head back to the ranch.”  He strode from the room before Victoria could object.

 

He stopped outside the door and took several deep breaths.  Using the time to scan their surroundings for any sign of danger. Not seeing any he went over to the horse and unhitched it from the buggy and then led it to the small corral beside the shack.  He then returned to his Modoc and gave her a pat on the neck.

 

“Sorry Gal, but we got some hard riding to do.  I’ll be back in a bit and we can get goin.”

 

Heath reentered the shack and turned to close the door.  He gasped and dropped to his knees as the movement sent a river of pain through his arm.  In the moment that he dropped to his knees he heard the report of a rifle and then felt the wind of a passing bullet as it crashed through the door and embedded itself in the back wall of the shack.

 

“Get down,” he yelled, as he dove across the room, pulling first his mother and then his brother from the lower bunk to the ground. There was that thought again.  Heath covered his family with his own body as bullets continued to rain down upon them.  It was only by a miracle that none had so far found their mark.  When the sound of firing had finally ceased Heath rolled of his mother and brother, grabbed the rifle lying on the floor and crawled over to the window.

 

“Stay down, he hissed quietly as he cautiously raised himself enough to peer out of the shattered window with the rifle resting on its frame.

 

A leering face suddenly appeared in the window.  A hand grabbed the barrel of the rifle pulling it forward and then savagely forced the butt back into the blonds injured shoulder. The force sent Heath sprawling on his back in the middle of the room.  He screamed out one word “MOTHER” as he heard a shot and the blackness that had been threatening him finally claimed its next victim.

 

 

 

Part 3

 

It was mid afternoon as Jarrod Barkley strode across the yard towards the corrals and Duke McCall the Barkley’s old and trusted foreman.  Duke turned and greeted Jarrod with a warm smile that faded slightly when he saw the look on the others face.

 

“Jarrod, nice to see you.  Don’t often see you down here.  What can I do for you?”

 

Jarrod returned the greeting and then asked, “Have you seen my brothers yet?  They left early this morning to check the fences along the road leading to Strawberry.  They assured me they would be in town to join me for an important meeting at lunch time but neither of them showed up.” The worry on his face clearly evident to the older man.

 

Duke shook his head.

 

“Not since they rode out at first light I haven’t.  You don’t think they had another fight do you.  Those two have been at each others throats since the boy arrived.”  Duke thought back to the morning and the grim look that each brother had been sporting as they left the ranch.  He sighed deeply.

 

“I’ll get a couple of the hands together and we’ll go looking for them.  You said they were heading out toward the road to Strawberry?”

 

“Yes.  Duke saddle Jingo for me too.  I think I had better come as well. No telling what those two have got themselves into.  I’ll change and be down in a few minutes.

 

That had been almost three hours ago and so far there had been no sign of either brother.

 

Duke sighed heavily and turned to look at the oldest Barkley sibling.  He had known the brother’s father for twenty years and had watched the older two boys grow up into fine men.  It hadn’t taken him long to grow attached to the younger blond brother in the last six weeks either. What he was about to say didn’t sit well with him but he knew they wouldn’t be able to continue when it got dark.

 

“Jarrod, it’ll be dark in another hour or so.  I think we should head back to the ranch. None of us are equipped for a night in the open.”

 

Jarrod’s eyes widen at the words and he was about to speak when they all heard the distant sounds of gunfire.  Jarrod and Duke exchanged glances and then spurred their horses into a fast ground-covering lope followed by the three Barkley hands.

 

“That sounded like it was coming from the old line shack,” Duke yelled over his shoulder.

 

They were still some distance from the shack when the firing stopped.  A short time later they heard one single shot from a handgun and then a woman’s voice scream “HEATH”.

 

Duke turned and looked at the startled expression on Jarrod’s face.

 

“Jarrod that sounded like…”

 

“Mother.” Came the quick reply.  “What on earth was his mother doing out here,” he wondered.  A thought that had already passed through his two younger brothers minds hours earlier.

 

It was another five minutes before the party rode up to the shack with guns drawn.  The front of the shack was riddled with bullet holes.  To the left stood Heath’s Modoc still tied to the back of the buggy, her eyes rolling wildly.  The buggy horse was tearing around the corral in a blind panic.  Under the shattered right front window lay the body of a man none of them recognized.  There was no sign of Nick’s horse however.

 

With his heart firmly lodged in his throat Jarrod called softly to his mother.  God he hoped that she and Heath hadn’t been in there when that man had opened fire, but he realized almost immediately that they could have been nowhere else but inside.

 

“Mother, Heath are you in there.  Its Jarrod and Duke.  Mother can you hear me.”

 

The door to the shack slowly opened and Victoria Barkley stepped across the threshold. She cried out at the sight of her eldest son and ran sobbing into his arms burying her head into his strong chest.

 

“Oh Jarrod, thank god its you.”

 

“Mother what happened?  Where are Nick and Heath and who is that man?”

 

Victoria Barkley removed herself from her sons arms and showed them all what she was made of.

 

“Nick and Heath are in the line shack, Nick is badly injured and Heath, Heath I don’t know he just collapsed on the fall and hasn’t moved.  As for that, that animal over there that is your brothers loving uncle Matt Simmons.”

 

Never before had Jarrod heard his mother speak with such venom in her voice.  He put his arm around her shoulders and led her back to the shack.  He needed to see how badly his brothers were hurt.

 

Duke having listened to Victoria Barkley’s words turned to the three hands.  “Bill, ride into town and bring Doc Merar and the sheriff out here as fast as you can.  Jim head back to the ranch for a wagon. Make sure you load it with plenty of spare blankets and a couple of mattresses and get back here. You had better let Silas and Miss Audra know what has happened so they can get rooms ready for our return.  Jed see what you can do to settle that damn horse in the corral and then tend to our horses will you.”

 

Duke turned on his heels and moved swiftly towards the shack fearful of what he would find.  He stopped in the doorway and took in the scene before him. Jarrod and Victoria were kneeling on the floor trying to hold onto Nick who was thrashing around violently, consumed by the fever raging through his body.  Heath lay on the floor where he had fallen, silent and unmoving.

 

“Duke, see to Heath,” yelled Jarrod as he struggled to pull his brother into his arms.

 

“Nick, Nick calm down, I’ve got you little brother.  You’re going to be just fine.”

 

Victoria was desperately trying to wipe her struggling son down with cloths soaked in cold water.  Eventually Nick’s thrashing subsided and he fell into a restless sleep without having woken.  Jarrod looked across at Duke.

 

“How is he?”

 

Duke shook his head. “I don’t know Jarrod, he hasn’t been shot I know that much.

 

“There’s some bruising and swelling in his right shoulder but it doesn’t feel likes its dislocated or broken.  I think we should and get these boys onto the beds though.  Lying on the cold floor isn’t going to help either of them.”

 

Jarrod and Duke lifted Nick back onto the bed that Heath had pulled him from when the shooting started and then they moved to Heath picking him up gently and depositing him on the other bed.  Neither brother had stirred.

 

Duke looked across at Victoria.

 

“Victoria can you tell us what happened out here today,” he asked gently.

 

Victoria looked from her son to their trusted foreman and then haltingly began to relate the days’ happenings.

 

“ I was coming back from Strawberry and……”

 

“Strawberry,” blurted out Jarrod, “what on earth were you doing in Strawberry Mother?”

 

“Not now Jarrod, please.  As I was saying I was coming back from Strawberry when some one, presumably Matt Simmons took a shot at me and frightened my horse.” Victoria ignored her son’s sucked in breath and continued.  “I lost control and the horse bolted.  Nick and Heath must have seen me and gave chase.  Nick’s horse broke its leg and he landed on a piece of tree stump when he fell. Heath pulled it out later she added quickly.  Heath caught up with the my horse and reached over to grab the reins.”  Victoria’s eyes widened in remembrance.  “The horse veered away from Heath and I thought he was going to be pulled off Gal and under the buggy.  That must have been when he hurt his shoulder.”

 

Heath helped Nick into the buggy and then drove us here.  It wasn’t until we got here that I realized he was hurting.”  She looked over at her unconscious blond son.  “Why didn’t he say something Jarrod,” she pleaded.

 

Jarrod shook his head.  “I don’t know Mother, but I bet he thought you had enough to worry about with Nick without adding himself to it.”

 

Duke nodded in understanding.  It all made sense now.  No obvious signs of injury.

 

“I bet the boy’s torn either the muscles or ligaments and probably both in that shoulder. Then he’s had to lift that great lug of a brother of his not once but twice.  No wonder he’s out cold, but that still doesn’t explain the bruises on the front of his shoulder” he said quietly.  “We need to get that shoulder strapped up so he doesn’t move it too much when he wakes up Jarrod.”

 

Jarrod moved over to Heath’s side and gently lifted his upper body off the bed so that Duke could remove his shirt.

 

“Go on Mother,” he prodded gently.  “What happened then?”

 

Victoria wiped down Nick’s chest and face again as she watched the two men work over her other son.

 

“We dragged Nick in here and laid him on the bed.  Heath went out to tend to my horse and had just returned and closed the door when he cried out and dropped to the floor.  All of a sudden there were bullets flying all around the room.  Heath dragged Nick and I to the floor and covered us with his body.  When the shooting stopped he grabbed his rifle and crawled over to the window.”  Victoria stopped speaking and let a shudder run through her body.  Her eyes glazed at the memory.  Pulling herself together she continued. “All of a sudden Matt Simmons face appeared in the window.  He grabbed the end of the rifle and pushed it back into Heath’s shoulder.  Heath fell to the floor.  Matt Simmons stood looking in the window.  He said, “I’ve got you now you bastard.  You’re not going to ruin my life anymore.  None of you.”  Then he pointed his gun at Heath.  I grabbed Nick’s gun and shot Matt Simmons where he stood.  Nobody is ever going to threaten one of MY children while I still draw breath.”

 

She stopped speaking and looked at Jarrod and Duke who were both staring in open-mouthed amazement at her indomitable spirit.

 

“Jarrod, he called me Mother.  The last thing he said to me before he passed out was Mother.”  There were tears in her eyes.

 

Jarrod and Duke turned back to Heath allowing Victoria to compose herself.  They both gasped in shock at the sight of the scars criss-crossing his back.

 

“Caterson, 7 months,” Victoria whispered quietly.

 

 

 

Part 4

 

After taking a look at the damage to Heath’s shoulder they decided it would be better to strap his upper arm tightly to his chest and leave the shoulder bare. That way they could apply cold compresses to it in the hope of reducing some of the swelling and bruising.

 

A knock at the door brought both men back to the present.  They had both done their math’s and realized that Heath couldn’t have been more than fifteen when he was in Caterson.  To young for a prisoner of war camp; hell too young for the war even.  How had a mere boy managed to survive the horrors of that camp they wondered?

 

Jed opened the door and poked his head around the corner.  “The horses are settled boss. Do you need anything else?”  He stared wide-eyed at the sight of the two brothers lying on the beds.

 

“Can you bring us some more water please Jed?” Duke asked kindly of the young hand.

 

Jed just nodded and left to do as requested.  He delivered the water and then went and sat on the chair resting against the outer wall of the shack.

 

Duke gently rolled Heath onto his left side leaving the injured shoulder exposed.  This way it would be easier to apply the cold compresses without moving him too much.

 

Jarrod had moved back to Nick’s bed and had taken over from his mother who was now sitting in the one remaining unbroken chair.

 

“Mother you said before that you went to Strawberry.  Why did you go there without telling anybody?” Jarrod asked quietly.

 

Victoria looked from her son to Duke.  Duke was an old and trusted friend and she knew anything that she said would stay within these walls.

 

“I went to Strawberry to speak to Heath’s aunts to find answers to some questions that were bothering me.”

 

“Did you find the answers you were looking for mother?” Jarrod probed quietly.

 

“Yes Jarrod I did.  Rachel Caulfield and Hannah James told me all that they knew about Leah, Tom and Heath.”

 

Jarrod and Duke both waited patiently for Victoria Barkley to continue.

 

“Jarrod they confirmed that Tom, your father didn’t know about Heath. For whatever reasons only Leah Thompson knows she never told Tom of Heath’s birth.  Oh I know that doesn’t excuse his behavior or mine for that matter.  We both should have known that a child was possible, but it does prove that your father never deliberately abandoned your brother.” Jarrod nodded slightly at the words.

 

“Is that where you learnt about Caterson? Does Heath know any of this yet?”

 

“Heath knows that his father didn’t know about him and I think he has accepted that fact. He doesn’t know that we are privy to the information about the war and Caterson.  There are other things that I haven’t told you nor will I.  Those things are for Heath to tell us when he feels ready to confide in us.  I trust neither of you will speak to anybody including Heath about what I have just said.”

 

“Mother you know Duke and I won’t say anything unless you ask us too.  There was no need to ask.”

 

A knock at the door interrupted any further conversation.  Duke hurriedly pulled a blanket over Heath’s back. Jed stuck his head around the door. “Mrs Barkley, Doc Merar has just arrived and the wagon ain’t far behind.”

 

“Thank you Jed, please show the doctor in.”  The relief in her voice was obvious.

 

The door opened and Howard Merar and Fred Madden strode into the room.

 

“Thank you so much for coming out here Howard, Fred.  Sorry I can’t offer you anything to drink.”

 

“That’s quiet all right Victoria, now let me see what I have got here.”

 

Fred stood by the door and watched and listened as Victoria told Howard of the days’ happenings while he tended to Nick’s injury.  He re-cleaned the wound and replaced the dressings while Jarrod supported his brother’s upper body.  He noted with relief that Nick’s temperature had lower slightly over the course of the past few hours. Having finished his ministrations of Nick, Howard moved across to Heath and pulled the blanket back before anybody could warn him of what he was about to see. An audible gasp left both the doctor’s and Fred’s lips at the sight of the scars.

 

Victoria sighed quietly.  “Caterson,” was all she could bring herself to say.

 

The two men looked at one another and then down at the unconscious blond.  Their own thoughts mirrored those of Jarrod and Duke several hours earlier.  Setting aside his thoughts he carefully checked the injured shoulder pleased at what had been done to alleviate some of the swelling.

 

“They’ll both be fine Victoria, but they both need plenty of bed rest for the next few days.  I don’t envy you keeping these two in bed though.  There is no sign of infection in Nick’s wound but he will be weak from blood loss for a few more days.  Heath shoulder will take time to heal but there won’t be any side effects.  He’ll have to keep it still until the muscles and ligaments reattach themselves.  Ice and cold packs will help with the swelling and bruising.  I would suggest that you let them both rest here for the remainder of the night.

 

“Howard, are you sure about Nick, he had quiet a fever raging several hours ago?” asked a partially relieved Victoria.

 

“Yes, I’m sure. The fever was more a reaction to the injury, than to infection.  Don’t worry Victoria he’ll be up and round yelling the house down in a couple of days.”

 

“What only a couple of days peace and quiet doc.  Can’t you give him something so he’ll sleep for Oh I don’t know, the next ten years maybe?” retorted a smiling Jarrod.

 

Howard shook his head smiling.  “Now Jarrod, just think how boring life would be if I did that.” He countered.

 

Fred Madden returned to Stockton with the body of Matt Simmons tied across the back of his horse.  It was clearly a case of self-defense.  There was no reason to take the matter further.  He still couldn’t believe how lucky the Barkley’s had been to come through the afternoons events basically intake.  The sight of the bullet-riddled shack had sent shivers up his spine.

 

The rest of the night was spent quietly as the two brothers slept, unaware of the ministrations going on around them.  Nick was sleeping fitfully, mumbling from time to time, but Heath still hadn’t uttered a single sound.

 

The trip home in the wagon the next morning was long and tiring and for the most part spent in total silence. Duke drove the wagon as Victoria sat beside Nick, running her fingers through his dark hair and applying wet cloths to his face as the last vestiges of the fever left his body.  He finally sank into a deep restful sleep.  Jarrod sat with his back against the side of the wagon cradling his youngest brother in his arms, giving support to his injured shoulder.   Doc Merar accompanied the family in his buggy and Jed drove Victoria’s buggy. The four spare horses were either tied to the back of the wagon, or the buggies.  It was nearly midday by the time the procession pulled to a halt in front of the white doors of the mansion.  There were plenty of eager hands to help with carrying of the injured brothers.

 

Victoria, her arm around her daughter’s waist watched as her two sons were settled into their beds.

 

“Howard I’m worried about Heath. Why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

 

Howard Merar sighed.

 

“I don’t know for sure Victoria, but I suspect it is his bodies way of handling the stress it has been under and no doubt the shock of seeing his uncle in the window.  I’m sure Heath’s earlier life has put a great strain on his body and he has never been allowed to recuperate fully from previous injuries.  This is just his bodies’ way of telling him to rest and heal.  I’m sure he’ll wake up when his body is ready.  In the mean time just let him sleep.  Don’t force him to wake.  I’ll drop by in the morning but please don’t hesitate to send someone for me if you think it necessary.”

 

Victoria’s hand flew to her mouth and she swayed slightly.

 

“Mother what is, what’s wrong?” cried Audra

 

“It’s my fault.  Don’t you see it’s my fault?  If I hadn’t gone to Strawberry, then Nick and Heath wouldn’t have been injured and Matt Simmons wouldn’t have followed me back here.  It’s my fault.”

 

Jarrod wrapped his arms around his mother and held her close.

 

“Dear lady it most certainly was not your fault.  Please don’t ever think that.  I know that Nick and heath would never consider it was your fault and would never lay any blame at your feet.  What happened out there was one evil mans thirst for revenge.  A revenge that no doubt would have eventually found its way to this land whatever precautions we took.  But it most assuredly was not your fault.”

 

“Jarrod’s right Victoria, what happened out there was all Matt Simmons doing. Not yours. Now I suggest Victoria that you go and rest for a while.  I’m sure Jarrod, Audra, Silas and Duke can look after those two boys upstairs for a while.”

 

“Yes perhaps your right Howard, I will lie down for a little while.  Howard thank you, we’ll never be able to repay you enough for what you did last night.’’

 

“My pleasure as always Victoria.  Get some rest please and I’ll see you all in the morning.”  Howard Merar offered a small smile and patted Victoria’s arm in passing.

 

It was an impatient Nick Barkley who two days later finally saw a glimmer of blue peeking out from half closed lids.  He had been sitting with his brother for most of the morning thinking on Jarrod’s words from the day before.  Jarrod had finally filled Nick in on all that had happened since his fall.  He had so much that he wanted to tell his new blue-eyed blond brother that it had taken all his will power to keep him from shaking the blond awake.  Now a huge grin spread across his face at the sight of those pretty blues.  He sprang from his chair and raced to door and in his loudest bellow yelled “Mother, Jarrod, Audra, he’s awake, the boys awake.”

 

He turned around and made it back to the bed just as his brother sat bolt upright in the bed and gasped out “Uncle Matt.”

 

Nick placed his hands on his brother’s shoulders and gently eased him back onto the mound of pillows.  He looked into to wide terror filled eyes and cursed. “Easy Heath, your uncles not here. He’s dead.  Mother killed him at the line shack.”

 

Heath stared in bewilderment at Nick for a moment before uttering “MOTHER,” and then closing his eyes again.  Nick turned to look at the three stunned faces standing in the doorway then back to his brother.  A small smile slowly spread across Nick Barkley’s face.  “Well it’s about time,” he almost bellowed.

 

Heath allowed a small smile to linger on his face as he drifted off to sleep again.

 

 

 

Part 5

 

Later that evening the whole family was gathered around Heath’s bed listening as their Mother told them about her trip to Strawberry and what she had found out about their father and Heath’s mother.  They kept darting quick looks at the blond trying to gauge his reaction.  For the most part Heath kept is eyes closed only stealing occasionally quick glances from under hooded lids to try and gauge the reaction of his siblings to their mother’s words.  He wasn’t sure that he was ready to look at this new family of his just yet. He was stunned to see tears running down his sibling’s faces as well as love and acceptance for the person he was.

 

Heath swallowed hard and then looked at his family.  In a quiet voice he began to speak and they listened in stunned silence as their new brother opened his heart to them and told them some of his life as a child growing up in Strawberry with his mother and Matt Simmons, of working in the mines and livery as well as his time in the army and at Caterson.  He knew they had all seen the scars on his back and felt they needed to know at least some of what had happened.  By the time he was finished his body was shaking with exhaustion, he closed his eyes and sank back into the pillows supporting him.  He felt the strong hand of his brother Nick resting on his arm and looked into the hazel eyes.  Eyes filled love and emotion.  Everybody knew that what Heath said was only the tip of the iceberg.  They knew that there was a lot more left unsaid than had being said but it was a start.

 

“Mother, why do you think Matt Simmons came after you.  What was there to gain by killing you or Heath?

 

Heath opened his again and studied the small, strong willed, silver haired matriarch of the Barkley family standing before them.  That was one question that he had been wondering himself and he was interested to hear what she had to say.

 

Victoria took a deep breath.

 

“I don’t really know Audra love.  I suppose Matt Simmons saw the Barkley family as the cause of all his problems.  First Tom and his sister Leah had an affair that produced a child that he felt obliged to help look after.  Then Tom sold the mine, leaving the child behind. Without the Barkley backing, the mine folded and with it the town.  No mine, no town, no paying customers, no lively hood, but still the child remained.  A reminder of all that had been lost. Then the child moved away to what he assumed were greener pastures yet he was still bound to a dead town by his own bitterness. Then the child returns and claims his rightful place within the Barkley family.  Now that child has everything and he is still bound to the same dead town.”  Victoria stopped for a minute and looked around at her family.

 

“Matt Simmons was a bitter, jealous man.  No matter what he did to Heath or how he treated Leah they always had their love for one another to pull them through.  Now Heath has the love of this family to carry with him and to support him.  This is something that Matt Simmons has never felt because of his actions.  I think that he believed that if he couldn’t have it then Heath wasn’t entitled to it either.  In his eyes by killing Heath he was robbing us of the chance to love Heath and if he killed me then you would all blame Heath for my death and want nothing to do with him.  Either way Matt Simmons would get the one thing in his life that he wanted.”

 

“And what was that Mother?’ Audra asked quietly?

 

“Control. The control of our love for one another, the control of our lives.  Just as he believed that we had controlled his life through Tom’s action all those year ago.”

 

The silence in the room was palpable as each of them thought on Victoria’s words.  With their minds racing at the thought of what could have happened they moved quietly out of the room when they realized that their blond brother was finally sleeping.

 

As Nick watched his little brother sleeping soundly he thought on the evenings discussion.  With his uncle dead would Heath accept that that part of his life was now closed for good?  Would he allow his new family into his soul and let them show him what family life really meant? What it was like to love and be loved by a family?  One thing was for sure though, he Nick Barkley was going to do his damndest to make sure that his little brother Heath Barkley was given every opportunity to find out.

 

   * * * * * * * *

 

“Nick I need to borrow the wagon and some of the tools for a few days if that’s ok,” asked Heath quietly as he watched his older brothers playing pool.  Nick stopped playing and eyed his brother suspiciously.

 

“Just what do you want with the wagon and tools.  It’s only being three weeks since the run in with your uncle and Doc Merar said you’re not allowed to start using that arm for another two weeks.”

 

Heath sighed. He knew they weren’t going to like his answer.

 

“The shoulders fine Nick, I been exercising it and I’ve got some things I need to be doin for a few days is all.”

 

“You’ve been exercising it.  You’re not suppose to have it out of that sling yet,” Nick bellowed jabbing a finger at Heath at the same time.

 

Victoria and Audra both looked up from the sofa where they had been looking through the latest mail order catalogue.

 

“What sort of things Heath?” enquired Victoria quietly.

 

Heath looked around his new family.  A family he had only known for nine weeks but who in that time had given him more love and support that he had ever dreamed possible.

 

“I need to go to Strawberry and see Aunt Rachel and Aunt Hannah.  It’ll be winter soon and their house needs some repairs.  They’ll be needing firewood too,” he said quietly not looking at the faces around him.

 

“Strawberry!” bellowed Nick.  “Boy have you gone plum loco?  You ain’t goin to Strawberry and that’s final.”

 

“Don’t tell where I am or ain’t goin Nick.  They’re my family too and I need to see them,” yelled Heath glaring at Nick, his blue eyes flashing.

 

Nick growled back “Have you forgotten what happened last time you saw some of your family?  That uncle of yours nearly killed you and mother.”

 

“Uncle Matt’s dead Nick, remember?  He can’t hurt me anymore.”  Heath’s voice now had a hard edge to it as his temper started to rise.

 

“Matt Simmons might be dead, but his wife isn’t or have you forgotten that small fact?”

 

Nick was pacing up and down beside the pool table slamming the pool stick he was holding into the open palm of his other hand.  The muscles of Heath’s jaw clenched as he stared at his brother. He drew in a deep breath through his nostrils before replying.

 

“I ain’t forgotten that small fact Nick.  That’s another reason why I’m goin.  I want to make sure Aunt Rachel and Aunt Hannah are ok. You can’t stop me Nick.  I’ll hire a wagon from town if I have too.”

 

Victoria rose from the sofa and moved to sit in the chair next to Heath.  She picked up his hand in hers and waited until his blue eyes turned to look at her.

 

“Heath darling, I know you’re worried about your aunts but Nick is right on both counts.  You’re still not well enough to be traveling, let alone carrying out repairs on the house, and it could be dangerous.  There’s no way of knowing what your Aunt might do if she sees you.  We, I, did kill her husband.”

 

Heath sucked in several deep breaths to help calm his rising temper.

 

“I know mother, but please try to understand. I need to see Aunt Rachel and Aunt Hannah.  I don’t think Aunt Martha will try anything but if she does I’ll be ready for her. I promise I’ll be careful.”

 

“Perhaps I may make a suggestion mother,” put in Jarrod who had stayed quiet listening to all the arguments and now hoped to break the tension in the room.

 

“As it would appear our little brother is determined to travel to Strawberry, then maybe Nick and I could go with him.  I’m sure Nick can spare a couple of days.  After all that is why we employ a very capable foreman.  I have nothing important that can’t be postponed for a couple days either.  Heath here can give all the orders while brother Nick does all the heavy work.”  Jarrod made a point of not looking at Nick as he spoke the last few words.  He could just imagine the glare that was being directed towards him.

 

“What do you say brother Heath, will you let us come with you and help.  Besides I’d really like to meet your Aunts Rachel and Hannah.”

 

“Oh that’s a wonderfully idea Jarrod, oh do say yes Heath,” begged Audra.

 

Jarrod, Victoria and Audra looked hopefully at Heath who was starring back at Jarrod.  He allowed his gaze to travel to Nick with just the hint of a lop-sided grin turning up the corners of his mouth.

 

“What do you say Nick? Will you come with me to Strawberry?”  Heath looked hopefully at Nick.  Nick shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

 

“Sure Heath, if that’s what you want.  I’ll go to Strawberry with you.”   Nick glared at Jarrod.  As far as he was concerned the boy had no business ever-stepping foot in Strawberry again.  His aunts could come and visit him here at the ranch.

 

“Thanks Nick, Jarrod.”  The two older brothers watched as Heath stood up, the grin now in evidence and said goodnight to Victoria and Audra.

 

“We’ll leave the day after tomorrow if that’s ok?”  Without waiting for a reply he strode from the room and up the grand staircase to his bedroom.  Nick turned his angry gaze on Jarrod.

 

”Are you mad, that boy doesn’t need anymore reminders of the Simmons’s. I got a bad feeling about this,” he grumbled.

 

“Nick if we go at least we can watch his back.  This time we know who’ we’ll be dealing with.”

 

“I hope your right Jarrod, but I still don’t like it.”  With that Nick bade goodnight to his mother and sister and followed Heath up the stairs.

 

“Jarrod, do you think there will be any trouble?” asked Audra wide eyed.

 

“Of course not little sister, don’t worry. Come on I’ll escort you to your room.  Mother, are you coming?”

 

“In a little while, you two go up.”

 

Both siblings kissed their mother goodnight and left the Barkley matriarch to her thoughts.

 

“I hope your right Jarrod, but I feel that Nick may be more right,” she thought to her self.  She stood up and wandered into the study and looked up at the picture of her late husband.  “Please keep all of our sons safe Tom.  We can’t loose any of them now.”

 

 

 

Part 6

 

Victoria watched silently as Nick and Jarrod loaded the last of the supplies into the wagon for their trip to Strawberry.  Heath who had been banned by his two older brothers from lifting anything stood eyeing the back of the wagon.

 

“Nick why’d you put the mattresses in the wagon? I ain’t lying in there.”

 

Nick just looked across at Jarrod and rolled his eyes.

 

“Suspicious bugger ain’t he?  Well Heath unless you plan on sleeping at the hotel which I seriously doubt, then we gotta sleep on something while we’re at your aunts, right?”

 

Heath looked from Nick to Jarrod and then back to the wagon.

 

“Humph” was all he said.

 

With the wagon finally loaded, Victoria moved down the steps and gave each of her sons a hug and kiss.

 

“Be careful won’t you boys.”

 

Jarrod gave her hug and whispered in her ear “Don’t worry mother, Nick and I’ll make sure nothing happens and Heath doesn’t work to hard,” he added quickly.  He gave his mother a reassuring smile.

 

Victoria watched as Jarrod climbed onto the wagon seat beside Heath and gathered up the reins.  With Nick riding Coco beside the wagon the three brothers rode out of the yard.  Victoria sighed, she wished Audra was here to keep her company, but Audra had left earlier this morning for the orphanage and wouldn’t be back until late this afternoon.  Victoria turned and walked to the house.

 

“Don’t you worry none Miz Barkley, them boys they be just fine,” said Silas as he held the door open for her.

 

“Thank you Silas, I’m sure they will be,” acknowledged Victoria, trying to ignore the dull ache in her heart.

 

Even though Strawberry was only seventy miles away, traveling by wagon the journey was going to be a slow and now silent affair.  After several futile attempts at trying to draw Heath into their conversations Nick and Jarrod gave up, and rode along in silent company with their youngest brother.

 

Heath sat on the wagon seat deep in thought.  Was Nick right?  Was he leading his brothers into trouble?  He knew in his heart that his Aunt Martha was every bit as cruel and evil as his late uncle had been, if not worse.  He gave an involuntary shudder that wasn’t missed by either of his brothers.  They in turn raised eyebrows at one another wondering what had brought that on but wisely didn’t say anything.  They knew Heath would tell them when he was ready.    Heath turned his thoughts away from his Aunt Martha and to his other two aunts, Rachel and Hannah.

 

Aunts Rachel and Hannah had been living with his mother since before he was born.  They were dear friends of Leah’s and had taken him deep into their hearts when he was born.  He smiled slightly as he remembered the many nights spent sitting by the fire in his mother’s small house, singing songs, playing games or listening to Aunt Hannah’s wonderful stories.  He sighed; Aunt Hannah could make the simplest story come alive for the little blue-eyed blond nestled safely in his mother’s arms.

 

As the miles fell behind them, Heath became more restless on the seat.  The last couple of week’s inactivity had softened his muscular frame and every bump or pothole was sending a jarring pain through his shoulder.  What had started out as a minor twinge to be ignored was now a dull ache that wouldn’t let go and was growing by the minute. Even so he refused to say anything to his brothers.

 

Nick and Jarrod had been watching this new brother of theirs and both men shook their heads at his obstinacy.  It was a typical Barkley trait that the whole family possessed, but this little brother of theirs seemed to have received a double helping of it.

 

“Jarrod there’s a clearing by the stream about three miles ahead.  It’ll make a good place for a camp tonight.  If we leave at first light in the morning we should make Strawberry by lunch tomorrow.  That ok with you boy?” Nicked asked with just a little hint of concern in his voice.

 

Heath nodded, ”yeah sure Nick, whatever you say.”

 

He had to admit at least to himself if not to his two brothers that this trip was taking more out of him than he thought.  Still the thought of seeing his two aunts tomorrow kept him from giving in to complete exhaustion.  He would rest once they got to Strawberry.  His features were pale and drawn by the time Jarrod brought the wagon to a halt in the clearing that Nick had indicated.  It was all he could do to keep his legs under him as he walked over to a nearby rock and sat down to watch his brothers ready the camp.

 

“You wouldn’t like to help, now woulda boy?” growled Nick good-naturedly as he eyed his blond brother carefully taking in his shaky legs and pale complexion.

 

Heath turned tired eyes to his brother.

 

“Who me? Now didn’t Jarrod say I was to give the orders and you’d do all the heavy work?”  There was just a hint of a lopsided smile to accompany the retort.

 

“Dang fool brothers, always got an answer for everything.  Jarrod seein as how you so freely volunteered my muscle, why don’t you go see if you can catch us some fish for supper.  Unless you think the fish is too heavy of course.”

 

Jarrod eyed his brother across the back of one of the wagon horses.

 

“I’m sure I can manage that Nicholas old boy, but don’t worry I’ll be sure to holler for help if I catch one half as big as the one you say got away on your last fishing trip.”

 

He ducked quickly as the tin cup Nick was holding sailed over his head and landed with a plop in the bushes behind him.

 

Heath smiled to himself, he would have to store that one away for another day.  Right now he was too tired to listen to stories, even one of Aunt Hannah’s he mused.  He sighed, “I sure hope they’re all right,” he thought to himself.  Heath spread out his bedroll and laid down on it watching Nick ready the campfire while they waited for supper to arrive.  It wasn’t long before his eyes closed and he drift off into a deep sleep.  Nick walked over to his brother and pulled the blanket over him, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

 

Nick heard Jarrod coming through the trees before he saw him and motioned for him to be quiet, pointing at the sleeping form.

 

“I don’t know Jarrod, why does that boy have to be so damn stubborn all the time,” lamented Nick quietly.

 

“I think brother Nick, it comes from being on his own for so long.  He just doesn’t know how to accept help.  That’s something we’re just going to have to teach him.”

 

The two brothers lapsed into silence as they prepared the night’s feast of fish and some of Silas’s cornbread, to be washed down with coffee.

 

“Do you think we should wake him Nick?”

 

“Na I reckon he needs sleep more than food right now.  Besides I bet those aunts of his will feed him until he’s bursting when they see how skinny he is.  Sure hope he was right about their cooking and those biscuits though.”

 

“You’re awfully quiet Nick, anything wrong” asked Jarrod pensively as he they ate their meal in silence.

 

“Just thinking Jarrod.  What’s going to happen if his aunt comes after him?  I don’t think any of us, including that boy could come to shooting a women no matter what she’s done.”  Nick looked at Jarrod, his hazel eyes burning into his brother’s soul.  “Could you kill a women Jarrod, even in self defense?”

 

“I honestly don’t know Nick.  That is something that I hope none of us will ever have to find out either.  Don’t go looking for trouble Nick.  Lets just cross each bridge as we come to it.  Heath didn’t seem to think that his aunt would make trouble for us, so let’s just go with his judgment for the moment.”

 

The brothers finished the rest of their meal in silence, both contemplating what might lie ahead of them all.  Nick sighed heavily, “Might as well follow the boys lead and turn in for the night Jarrod.  Especially if we want an early start in the morning.”

 

Some hours later Nick woke with a start and peered around the camp.  They had allowed the fire to burn down as it was a mild night and now the embers emitted a gentle glow.  It took several moments for his eyes to become accustomed to the darkness and then he saw what had woken him.  On the other side of the camp Heath was thrashing around in his blankets mumbling incoherent words.   Nick stumbled over to his brother in his socked feet, cursing at the stones he stood on, waking Jarrod in his passing.  He reached his brother and pulled him into his arms.  He could now hear the words tumbling over themselves.

 

“No, don’t, not in there, I didn’t mean to, it won’t happen again, I’m sorry, it’s dark in there.”  Suddenly Heath jerked out of Nick’s arms, sat bolt upright and screamed “No Aunt Martha, please.”  Before collapsing back against Nick’s chest.

 

“Heath, Heath, wake up boy, it’s a dream,” Yelled Nick trying to break through whatever nightmare had a grip on his little brother.  Nick reached up and grabbed Heath’s chin turning his face to towards him.  He stared into his brother’s unfocused eyes.

 

“Heath, come on, snap out of it.  Heath can ya hear me?”

 

As if through a thick fog Heath heard his brother’s words.  His body stopped shaking and his eyes started to focus on Nick’s face even though they still had a haunted look about them.

 

“Nick?” he whispered, not daring to trust his voice to anything louder.

 

Nick gave him a big grin. “Yeah Heath it’s me.  You were having a bad dream.  Do ya want to tell us about it?”

 

Heath shook his head and accepted the canteen Jarrod held out to him. “Thanks Jarrod,” was all he said.   After taking a long drink he handed the canteen back to Jarrod.

 

“I’m fine Nick, go back to sleep, it’ll be light in a few hours and I wouldn’t want ya to miss your beauty sleep,” Heath assured his brother with a pat on his arm and a grin on his face.  He lay down with his back to his brothers and pulled the blanket up to his shoulders.

 

Nick and Jarrod watched and waited until their little brother’s breathing was deep and regular before returning to their own bedrolls.

 

“I’m telling you now Jarrod, that aunt of his has a lot to answer for and she had better not show her face while we’re in Strawberry, or I may not be responsible for my actions,” Nick warned in a low growl.

 

Jarrod sighed, “I know how you feel Nick, but we’ve already been through that once tonight.  Get some sleep.  Heath’s right.  I wouldn’t want you to lose your beauty sleep either.”  Jarrod ducked just as Nick’s right hand came around to clip him on the ear.

 

Nothing was said by any of the brother’s about the nights’ happenings, but Nick and Jarrod both silently prayed that Heath would find it in his heart to trust them enough and tell them what the nightmare had been about.

 

Their journey continued in much the same way as it had begun the day before.  Nick and Jarrod trying to draw their brother into their conversation and Heath remaining silent.

 

“She used to lock me in the cellar at the hotel, I hated the cellar it was so dark down there, and cold.”  Heath uttered in a voice barely above a whisper.  Nick rode closer to the side of the wagon so he could hear clearly what his little brother was saying.

 

“There’s a support pole in the middle of the cellar and she‘d tie me to it and beat me, sometimes for no reason, other times cause I looked at her the wrong way or did something she didn’t like.  Then she’d leave me there for hours in the dark.  Sometimes I could feel the rats running over my feet.  I heard mama calling for me one day. She threatened to beat her or worse if I called out, so I never did.”

 

Jarrod brought the wagon to a halt and put his arms around his trembling brother drawing him into his chest.

 

“It’s all right Heath, she isn’t going to hurt you again.  Nick and I won’t allow it.”

 

Jarrod looked across at Nick whose face was set in an unreadable mask, but whose eyes glistened with the same tears that he had running down his own face.  Jarrod quickly shook his head before Nick could burst into the tirade that he knew was coming.  Nick looked at his brother, swallowed hard and nodded his head.  Nick swore under his breath that no one was ever going to hurt his little brother like that again.

 

The journey resumed in silence.  Heath broke into a smile as they finally drew up in front of the little house that he had called home for most of his life.  The front door flew open and his Aunt Rachel ran to the wagon tears in her eyes.

 

“Heath, thank god you’re here.  Hannah is missing.”

 

 

 

Part 7

 

Heath jumped from the wagon ignoring the stab of pain in his shoulder as he took his aunt into his arms.  Gone was the smile from his face.  His jaw was clenched tight and his eyes were hard and cold.

 

“What do you mean she’s missing Aunt Rachel?” Heath asked gently as he looked into his aunts tear filled eyes.

 

“I, she, oh.”  Heath was left standing supporting his aunt’s unresponsive body in his one good arm as she fainted.  Nick quickly came to his brother’s rescue gently lifting the older woman into his arms and carrying her towards the house.

 

“Where’s the bedroom Heath?” he asked quietly.

 

“Through the back door Nick.” he said automatically not even thinking of the answer.

 

Heath stood as if rooted to the spot the words his aunt had just uttered rushing around his head until they were tumbling over one another not making any sense.  How could his aunt be missing, didn’t she know he was coming.  Why would she go away with out telling him?  No that wasn’t right, Aunt Rachel said Aunt Hannah was missing.  Missing, missing, the word kept reverberating around his head.  Jarrod moved to his brother’s stunned side, gently taking his arm and leading him towards the tiny house.

 

“Come on Heath,” he said gently, “your Aunt Rachel needs you now. Don’t worry we’ll find your Aunt Hannah.  She’ll be fine.”  Heath could only nod at the words he was barely hearing.

 

Jarrod made Heath sit at the table while he went to check on Nick and his aunt.  Nick had lowered the woman onto one of the beds and was busy applying a cold compress to her head.  She was just starting to moan her way back to consciousness.

 

“Nick, how is she,” Jarrod asked quietly, not wanting to frighten the woman with his loud voice.

 

“Starting to come around,” Nick replied in something akin to a whisper.  “Where’s Heath?”

 

“I left him sitting in the other room.  He’s pretty shook up.”

 

“I just bet he is. Go and stay with him Jarrod, I’ll call ya when his aunt comes around.”  Jarrod nodded and left the room.  He stopped and stared at the figure slumped over the table shaking uncontrollably.

 

Jarrod strode over to his brother stopping long enough to grab a cup from the sideboard and filling it with water from the pitcher. He gently shook his brother’s arm.

 

“Heath, drink this.”

 

Heath lifted his head and looked at his brother, his eyes deep pools of unbidden anguish.

 

“It’s my fault Jarrod, if I hadn’t come Aunt Hannah wouldn’t be missing.”

 

“Heath listen to me,” said Jarrod sternly trying to break through Heath’s despair, “it isn’t your fault.  How could it be? Your aunts didn’t even no we were coming.”

 

Heath looked into his brothers blue eyes.  “She did.” He said quietly.

 

“Who Heath?” asked Jarrod not sure where this was leading.

 

“Aunt Martha.  She knew I’d come,” replied Heath the venom dripping from his voice.

 

Jarrod sighed in understanding.

 

“Heath, it might not be your Aunt Martha’s fault.  Maybe Miss Hannah just wandered off and got lost.”  He knew that was unlikely as the woman had lived in this area most of her life.  Further discussion was stopped when they heard Nick calling from the bedroom.

 

Heath leapt from his chair ignoring the clatter it made as it hit the floor and ran to his aunts’ room.  Jarrod followed carrying the pitcher of water and another cup.  Heath sat on the side of the bed and gently lifted his aunt’s head from the pillow, holding the cup that Jarrod gave him to her lips.

 

“Drink this Aunt Rachel, please.” He said gently

 

Rachel Caulfield took a sip, nodded her thanks and then smiled weakly at Heath.

 

“I’m sorry Heath,” she whispered looking at the faces in front of her “for putting you all to this trouble.”

 

“It is no trouble Mrs Caulfield.” Replied Jarrod smiling sincerely.

 

“These are my brothers Aunt Rachel, Nick and Jarrod,” introduced Heath.

 

“Nicholas, Jarrod, so very pleased to meet you.  I only wish it was under better circumstances.”

 

“Ah ma’am, Nick will be fine,” stuttered an embarrassed Nick.  The only time he ever heard the name Nicholas was when he was in his mother’s bad books, which was too often for his liking.

 

“Nonsense, you were christened Nicholas and that is what I shall call you.”

 

“Yes ma’am.”  Boy was this woman just like his mother.

 

“And another thing, Nicholas my name is Aunt Rachel, not ma’am.  Do I make myself clear?”

 

“Yes, ma, Aunt Rachel.” Nick replied sheepishly.

 

Heath and Jarrod were trying very hard to keep the smirks off their faces at Nick’s discomfort and the laughter out of their voices.

 

Rachel turned her eyes back to Heath, noting the drawn pale features and the arm still nestled in the sling.  “Heath you look as though you need to lie down for while,” she said while lifting herself higher up the bed to rest on the pillows that Nick had placed behind her.

 

“I’m fine Aunt Rachel, really.  How long has Aunt Hannah been missing?” Heath asked not attempting to keep the concern out of his voice.

 

“Since yesterday afternoon.  She said she was going to pick some wild berries to make a pie for you.  She said she felt in “them old bones” that you were coming to Strawberry and she wanted to make you one of her berry pies.”  Heath turned tortured eyes to Jarrod and gave him a’ “I told you so” look.

 

Rachel Caulfield didn’t miss the exchange between the two brothers, neither did Nick but he wasn’t sure what it meant.

 

“Heath, look at me, “ Rachel said sternly.  “Hannah’s disappearance isn’t your fault.  Do you understand me?”  Heath looked at his aunt and nodded then abruptly stood up and headed towards the door.

 

Nick was quicker though and blocked the doorway with his body.

 

“And just where do you think your going boy,” he almost bellowed.

 

“To look for Aunt Hannah Nick, now get out of my way,” whispered Heath but there was nothing gentle about the tone of his voice.  Heath stood glaring at Nick his left fist tightly clenched.

 

“Oh no your not, your staying right here.  Jarrod and I’ll go look for your aunt.”

 

Nick wasn’t a fool he knew the boy was wound tighter than a spring.  His own hands were clenched into fists and he was prepared to use them if he had too, to keep his little brother out of harms way.  The two brothers stood glaring at one another, one ready to take on what ever came his way and the other fighting to stay on his feet but to stubborn to give in.  Suddenly the room started spinning wildly around Heath.  He felt as though he was riding a madly gyrating horse then he felt his body pitching forward.  Nick sprang forward and caught his little brother before he could hit the floor.  With Jarrod’s help, they picked up their blond brother and deposited him gently on the other bed pulling off his boots and placing the quilt at its foot over him.

 

“Don’t worry Aunt Rachel he’ll be fine, he’s exhausted and the shock of finding Aunt Hannah missing hasn’t helped. He just needs a few hours sleep.” Spoke up Jarrod gently when he noticed the concern on Rachel’s face.

 

Nick looked down at his little brother and then across to this woman who meant so much to him.

 

“Aunt Rachel if you think you’ll be all right here with Heath on your own, Jarrod and I’ll have a look around the area and the town for Aunt Hannah.”

 

Rachel smiled knowingly at these two young men standing before her.  She could see the love radiating from them for their younger sibling that a few months ago they didn’t even know existed.

 

“Don’t worry about me boys,” she said smiling, as she rose from her own bed and moved across to Heath’s “I know just how to keep that young man in bed.”

 

The two older brothers exchanged glances.  Nick asked hopefully “Maybe you could let us in on that little secret sometime Aunt Rachel.  Lord knows short of hog tying him he won’t stay in one a minute longer than necessary.”

 

Rachel Caulfield smiled as she watched the two brothers move towards the door.  “Be careful out there, the area is littered with open mine shafts.  Even some of those that have been covered over aren’t safe anymore.”

 

“Don’t worry we’ll be fine.” Came Nick’s quick reply.  Rachel rolled her ideas.  Hadn’t she just heard that same comment from the blond lying on the bed not ten minutes ago?  It would seem that some of Heath’s sayings were rubbing off on his older brothers.

 

She sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed deeply as she watched Leah’s son sleeping.  Absently she brushed a lock of his hair off his face.  When would this child ever be free of upsets in his life she wondered to herself?   Making sure that Heath was in a deep sleep, she moved back to the small hearth that served as the kitchen and readied the vegetables and meat the brothers had brought with them for the nights supper.  How like Heath was it to think of his aunts and bring enough supplies to feed army.  In this instance though she could well be feeding an army by the looks of his two older brothers.  Rachel hadn’t missed the skinny frame of her “nephew” either.  When Hannah got back….  Rachel gave into her grief then and allowed the tears to flow freely.  Hannah would come back.  With the Barkley’s here now everything would be fine.   Rachel collected her thoughts again.  When Hannah returned they would put some meat back on that boy’s ribs to be sure.

 

Two hours later Nick and Jarrod returned to the little house.  With eyes darting around the small room they shook their heads sadly.  Rachel held back the tears that were threatening to trickle down her face again.

 

“Thank you for trying.  Heath is still asleep.  I thought I’d leave him there until you had returned and supper was ready.” She replied quietly.  “You can wash up around the back if you like.  There’s a small well out there and you’ll find soap and wash towels in the box.”

 

When the brothers reentered the house it was minus two days of trail dust and they at least felt somewhat refreshed.

 

“Nick will you see if you can wake your brother please.  As tempted as I am to let him sleep I do feel he needs some food in his stomach first.”

 

Nick and Jarrod both nodded in agreement.  “He didn’t eat any supper last night and barely breakfast this morning either,” uttered Nick, “but I bet he won’t turn up his nose at what ever’s in that pot.  Sure smells good, almost as good as Silas’s stews,” he added smiling.

 

Jarrod watched his brother enter the small bedroom and then turned his attention back to Rachel Caulfield.  She was everything that his mother had described.  Strong, gentle, loving, generous.  He had only known her for a matter of hours but it felt like forever.  If Hannah James was even half the woman that Rachel was then their little brother had been very lucky indeed to have grown up surrounded by his mother and these two women.  Raised voices from the bedroom interrupted his thoughts and he sighed deeply.  They knew Heath wouldn’t be happy with the outcome of the afternoons search and it sounded like he was making his feelings well and truly known.

 

“What do ya mean ya didn’t find her?  Did ya check the hotel?  That’s where she’ll be.  Aunt Martha will have her hidden somewhere I just know it.”  Heath yelled, the ire rising quickly in his voice.

 

“Heath it’s dark out there, Jarrod and I just spent the last two hours checking the surrounding area and the town.  There weren’t any lights on at the hotel.  It looks like it’s deserted,” came Nick’s equally loud bellow.

 

“Of course there are no lights on at the hotel.  What did ya think?  She’d leave a light on inviting ya in.   She’s no that stupid ya know!”

 

“Heath Thompson Barkley, don’t you dare speak to your brother like that.  They’ve been out there for hours looking for Hannah.  Nick’s right, it’s dark now and you can’t do anything until daylight,” chastised his aunt gently from the door.  “Now come and eat before you fade away to nothing.  Tomorrow you can search the hotel if necessary.”

 

“Yes Aunt Rachel,” replied Heath meekly, “but tomorrow we go to the hotel,” he said glaring at his two brothers.

 

Nick held up his hands in a gesture of defeat.  “You won’t get any objections from us little brother, I promise.”

 

 

 

Part 8

 

Supper that night was a quiet affair.  The past two days events weighed heavily on every bodies hearts and they all wondered what tomorrow would bring.  After the meal was over and the dishes cleared Nick and Jarrod brought in the mattresses from the wagon and placed them on the floor by the fire.  By an unspoken unanimous agreement Heath was ordered back to Hannah’s bed in his aunts room.  All of his protests fell on deaf ears.  His two brothers and Aunt Rachel all pointed out that he was exhausted and would sleep better in a proper bed.  Besides there would be plenty of time to sleep on the floor when Aunt Hannah returned they said.  Silently he had to agree with them.

 

Rachel said her good nights to the two brothers and followed Heath to her room.  She smiled to herself at the sight of him already sound asleep.  Turning down the lamp and undressing in the almost dark room, she sighed and thought about the hand that fate had dealt them all.  Was Martha Simmons responsible for Hannah’s disappearance?  Did she know, as Hannah seemed too, that Heath was on his way to Strawberry? Would the morrow bring a happy re-union or more heartache for Leah’s boy?  She felt certain that if Nick and Jarrod Barkley had any say in tomorrow’s events everything would turn out for the better.  She sat down on the bed and sighed.

 

“Leah why didn’t you tell your boy earlier about his father?  If the love I saw in this house today between Heath and his half brothers is any indication, did you have the right to keep it from him all these years?”  She shook her head sadly at the thought of all the boy had missed out on.

 

In the front room Nick and Jarrod too were wondering what tomorrow would bring.  One thing they were both certain of however was the fact that they would do all in their power to keep their youngest brother from harm and bring Hannah James home safely to where she belonged.

 

Hannah James was terrified.  Not of the complete blackness that surrounded her in the cellar of the hotel; not even at the thought of her own imminent death at the hands of Heath’s insane aunt.  No she was terrified for what could happen to her boy, her Heath if Martha Simmons did indeed get her hands on him.  Ever since Sheriff Madden had returned Matt Simmons body to Strawberry for burial Martha Simmons had been a raving lunatic.  Swearing that she would get even with all of them for her husband’s death.  And not just those in Strawberry.  She planed on killing all the Barkley’s for what she saw were the wrongs they had perpetrated on her.

 

Hannah had been working on her bindings since first regaining consciousness late last evening in the damp cellar.  Strangely the darkness had brought her comfort and in the ensuing hours she had made peace with her lord.  If it were not for the gag in her mouth she would have sung his praises.  Hannah had seen much death in her life, first as a slave and then here in Strawberry during mine tragedies.  Her own death did not scare her, she knew her time was drawing near, but the death of those she loved deeply, did scare her.  Scared her beyond words.

 

She quieted the motion of her arms against the rough of the support beam to which she was tired when she heard Martha Simmons open the outer door to the cellar.    Martha had left earlier that evening to investigate who was trying to get into the cellar through the hotel. With out Martha’s presence Hannah had been able to work vigorously for the last hour and had felt the rope binding her hands beginning to fray and give.

 

Hannah felt rather than saw Martha Simmons standing over her.  She could just imagine the evil sneer on her face and her words made her shudder.

 

“Won’t be long now Hannah dear,” she purred quietly “before that bastard and his loving brothers meet their maker, then it’ll be your turn along with dear Aunt Rachel.”  The raucous cackle that came from her mouth would have made even the dead take cover.

 

“Then I’ll travel to the Barkley ranch and take care of Mrs High and Mighty herself for killing my husband.  Maybe I’ll leave little missy behind so she’ll know what it’s like to lose everything because of that devils spawn my dear sister-in-law saw fit to bring into this world.  Then again I might not.”  She continued to cackle unbidden as she walked up the stairs and checked that the door to the cellar was still locked.

 

“Tomorrow lets see if the little bastard is brave enough to venture down here in the dark.”

 

Hannah returned to her efforts to free her hands once Martha Simmons had lay down on the cot in the far corner.

 

“Well boy I must say you’re looking a lot better this morning,” grumbled Nick who was trying to stretch his cramped muscles after a night tossing and turning on the hard floor.

 

“Why sure Nick, it’s amazing what a nights sleep in a nice soft bed can do for a body,” replied Heath with a grin on his face.

 

“Yeah well don’t get too comfortable thank you very much.  Come tonight your sleeping on the floor with us little brother.”

 

“Breakfast won’t be long boys, why don’t you go and wash up while the last of the pancakes are cooking,” spoke up Aunt Rachel sounding more cheerful than she felt.

 

She had to smile when she saw Nick put his arm around Heath’s shoulder and lead him out of the house and around the back.  It wasn’t exactly like Heath didn’t know where the well was.  After all he did live here most of his life and had probably carried more buckets of water than his older brother ever would have.  Jarrod followed along behind just as amused as Rachel was at Nick’s antics.

 

After the breakfast dishes had been cleared away, Nick turned and looked seriously at Heath.

 

“Where do you want to start this morning Heath?” he asked quietly even though he already knew the answer.

 

“At the hotel,” was the curt reply.

 

Nick and Jarrod exchanged glances.

 

“Heath we already checked the hotel and there was nobody there.  Looked like someone had kicked in the front door, but everything else was locked.”

 

Heath eyed his brothers, “did ya check the cellar doors?”

 

Nick was getting exasperated now, but tried to keep his voice even.

 

“Yes Heath, the inner door and the outer one around the back.  Both were locked.”

 

Heath sat at the table deep in thought for a few minutes.  Something just didn’t sound right but he couldn’t put his finger on it.  He rose to his feet, picked up his gunbelt, removed his arm from its sling, slung the belt around his waist positioning it so that the holster sat just right on his hip and then eased his arm back into the sling.  He could remove the sling when they got to town.

 

“I still want to check the hotel and then we’ll look around the rest of the town,” he said.  “You two coming or are ya just goin to sit there all day?”

 

Heath turned to look back at his aunt.  “Don’t worry I’ll find Aunt Hannah for you.”  He gave his aunt a lopsided smile that didn’t reach his eyes and then left with his brothers close behind.

 

“Be careful please boys,” she whispered to their retreating backs.

 

 

 

They drove the wagon into town even though it was only a short walk.  Jarrod drew the reins outside the hotel and they jumped down from the wagon seat.  Heath stood looking up at the two-storey building that held so many unpleasant childhood memories for him and felt a shiver run down his spine.  Taking a deep breath he moved to the front door, noting the splintered wood around the lock.  His eyes narrowed, “this was done recently,” he said pointing to the two colours of the splinters.  “They haven’t had time to weather yet.”

 

Pulling open the door the brothers entered the hotel foyer.  A thick layer of dust coated all the surfaces and the register stood open a testament to the lack of clientele over the last two years.  Heath immediately strode over to the cellar door and was surprised to find it locked as Nick had stated.

 

“I guess we can check the upper floors before we leave and look around the town.”

 

Heath eyed the cellar door speculatively as he turned away from it.

 

A search of the upper floors proved futile.  It didn’t look as though anybody had been there for years.  The only inhabitants seemed to be a family of rats and a few spiders.  Returning to the hotel foyer the brothers were preparing to leave when Heath suddenly whirled around to stare at the cellar door again.  He was sure he had heard a scraping noise coming from behind it.

 

“Come on boy, there ain’t nobody here.  Quit foolin around, you’ll be having me seein ghosts next,” grumbled Nick.

 

Walking toward the door Heath stopped and sighed, ”You two go on, I’ll be along in a minute.”

 

Nick eyed him suspiciously “are you sure Heath?  We can wait.”

 

“No I’m fine, I’ll catch up.”

 

Nick threw a look at Jarrod and shrugged his shoulders.  That damn boy could be so damn stubborn sometimes.  Heath watched as his brothers walked down the street and then turned and crossed the foyer to the cellar door.  This time when he turned the knob, the door swung open easily.  Heath stood staring at the open door and the darkness beyond.  He shuddered uncontrollably as a cold chill swept through his body.

 

Heath Barkley stood at the top of the stairs leading down to the cellar. His first instinct had been to run.  To run from all the memories that flooded his mind.  To run and never look back, but he couldn’t do that, he could no longer allow the demons of his past to haunt his future.  It was time to lay the past to rest.  He thought of calling to his brother’s but he knew this was one battle he must fight alone if he was ever to be free.

 

Taking in several deep breaths to help still his shaking nerves, he removed his arm from its sling ignoring the stiffness and ache as he flexed the muscles.  Drawing his gun and sucking in another deep breath he stepped through the door and stood on the small landing allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He could hear nothing save the pounding of his own heart.

 

Stepping down lightly onto the first step with his back against the cellar wall, he made a cautious descent into the gloom.  Step by agonizing step he lowered himself into the bowels of his past.  Having reached the last step without hearing any further noises he made the conscious decision to step fully into the cellar.

 

To late he felt the unseen presence to his right as something solid was rammed into his stomach doubling him over in pain and forcing all the breath from his lungs.  He heard the unmistakable high-pitched screech of his aunt as he felt a blow across the back of his shoulders that sent him sprawling in an unconscious heap on to the cellar floor.  His gun spun across the floor from his unresponsive fingers.

 

Hannah James knew she didn’t have much time before her boy came down the stairs.  The rope was nearly frayed through, only a few more strands remained.  If she could just get her hands free she could remove the gag and shout a warning.

 

“Stop your squirming nigger,” hissed a voice in her ear.

 

Hannah waited until the Martha Simmons had moved away to stand in the shadows, before resuming her frantic attempts to free herself.  She stopped when the cellar door opened and saw her boy silhouetted in the light.  “No Heath,” she screamed in her head.

 

She watched in horror as her boy descended the steps and was rendered unconscious by Martha Simmons blows.  Her hands came free and her eyes widen as the gun slid across the room to land at her feet.

 

 

 

Part 9

 

Martha Simmons screeched in delight.

 

“At last I’ve got you, you devil’s spawn.  Now you’re going to pay.  You’re going to hell boy where you should have gone when you were born.”

 

She lifted the heavy piece of wood she was holding in her hands high over her head.  An unearthly screech left her lips as she started to bring the wood down towards her nephew’s unprotected head.

 

The cellar was lit up from the sudden eruption of blinding flame and the report of the gun echoed loud in the room.  Martha Simmons stood open mouthed, staring at the corner of room where Hannah James was tied.  She looked down at the spreading blood stain on her chest before the piece of wood fell with a clatter to the floor from lifeless fingers and her body slowly crumpled after it.  Her final act of deliverance never completed.

 

Nick and Jarrod had just exited the building next to the hotel when the unearthly screech and gunfire ripped through the early morning quiet of the deserted town.  As one they raced back to the hotel, hearts pounding.  Nick was the first through the front doors and he growled when he saw the open cellar door.  He charged through the door oblivious to his own safety and down the first two steps before another shot echoed around the room and splinters of wood from the wall behind him rained down on his head and brought him to an immediate halt.

 

“You stay away from my boy you hear? You’re not going to touch my boy.  Heath, my boy can you hear your Aunt Hannah? Heath, Heath.”

 

Nick could just make out the distraught woman in the corner of the cellar, the whites of her eyes rolling in fear.  As his eyes became more accustomed to the gloom he spied his unmoving brother lying at the foot of the stairs and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

 

“Please god, let him be alright,” he prayed silently.

 

Speaking as gently and quietly as his normal booming voice would allow he tried to get through to the terrified woman.

 

“Miss Hannah, I’m Nick Barkley, Heath’s brother.  I came to help Heath find you.  Please let me come down and help you both.”

 

“You stay away from my boy, you hear?  You’re working for that woman I know you are.”  Hannah screamed her voice rising hysterically.  “My boy, my boy.”

 

Jarrod was standing at the top of the stairs and unseen by Hannah James.

 

‘Nick,” Jarrod whispered.  “What’s going on?  Can you see Heath?  Where’s Martha Simmons?”  Jarrod was firing off questions as if he was interrogating the crown witness in a murder case.

 

‘Jarrod, take the wagon and bring Aunt Rachel back here fast.  Maybe she can make Miss Hannah understand that we want to help. She’s got Heath’s gun and she’ll use it again if I try to get down there.”  Nick took a deep breath and continued quietly.  “Heath’s lying on the floor, he’s not moving.  Jarrod hurry please.”

 

Jarrod didn’t wait to hear any more.  With his heart pounding in his chest he raced back to the wagon, turned the team and set off for Rachel Caulfield’s house.

 

Nick slowly sank to a sitting position on the top step.  He didn’t try to speak to Hannah again. Why should she listen to him anyway?  She had never met him before. He knew she was terrified and in her present state of mind she was capable of doing almost anything.  He would have been too, if he had been tied up down here for two days he thought to himself.  Heath had been right when he had tried to describe the feelings of hopelessness which one felt at been locked up down here.  Just the thought was enough to send shivers through his strong frame and make his body break out in a cold sweat.

 

Nick’s mind was racing.

 

“Damn fool boy, why’d you come down here alone?  Boy, do we have some talking to do when we get home.  Where the hell was Jarrod.  It doesn’t take that long to get to the house and back.  And who was Miss Hannah shooting at anyway?  How did she get Heath’s gun in the first place. She couldn’t have shot Heath, so why is he lying on the floor and where is Martha Simmons?”

 

Nick put his head in his hands at all the unanswered questions, the answers he was sure lay only a few feet below him.  Nick’s frustration was rising at his forced inactivity.  He wanted to shout at this woman to drop the gun.  He wanted to run down the stairs to his little brother.  Instead he decided to inch slowly over to the edge of the stairs in the hope of seeing what lay directly below him.  His movements were frozen when he heard a low moan from his brother below him.

 

Jarrod pulled the team to a halt in a flurry of dust and jumped from the seat sprinting into the house.  Rachel Caulfield turned startled at his sudden appearance, her hand flying to her mouth.

 

“Jarrod, what is it, what’s wrong.”

 

“Heath found Miss Hannah in the cellar, but he’s hurt and Miss Hannah won’t let Nick, near him.  She’s got a gun and she’s already taken one shot at Nick.  You’ve got to come now please and talk to her.”  Rachel stood stock-still and stared in shock at Jarrod’s words.

 

She watched as he grabbed one of the mattresses and several blankets and head back to the wagon.  His movements galvanized her into action.  Grabbing the small first aid kit that they kept handy and one of the boy’s water canteens she followed the obviously flustered lawyer out the door, not even bothering to close it.  Heath and her best friend were in trouble and needed her help.  She had to cling to the seat to avoid being thrown off as Jarrod turned the team in a tight circle and headed back to town.  They had just reached the outskirts of the town when another shot rang out.  With hearts full of dread they raced on.

 

Hannah and Nick both heard Heath’s moan at the same time.

 

“Heath don’t try and move till I get to ya boy,” Nick called as he started to rise, forgetting about Hannah and the gun.  He saw the flash and felt the bullet brush his sleeve before embedding itself harmlessly in the wall behind him.  He quickly sat back down raising his hands in surrender.

 

‘Stay away from him,” cried Hannah as she started crawling across the floor towards her boy.

 

“Heath can you hear me, it’s your Aunt Hannah Heath, I’m here with you.”

 

Nick watched and listened silently from the stairs praying that Jarrod and Rachel would arrive soon.   He caught the sound of movement behind him and growled in a low voice, “be quiet.”

 

‘Nick are you all right?” queried a worried Jarrod, “we heard another shot.”

 

“Yeah I’m fine, the boy moaned, I stood up and Miss Hannah took another shot at me.  She’s only got three shots left. Maybe I should just take the chance and charge on down there.”

 

‘Let me try first please Nicholas,” pleaded Rachel quietly.

 

“Just be careful Aunt Rachel,” came the gentle reply.

 

Rachel stood at the top of the stairs but out of her friend’s sight and called down gently. “Hannah dear it’s your friend Rachel, Rachel Caulfield.  Do you remember me Hannah?

 

Can I come down and help you and Heath?  Please Hannah let me come down and help.”

 

Everybody held their breaths waiting for a response from Hannah James.

 

Hannah heard the words and recognized her best friends voice but those men were still there and she didn’t trust them.   They were going to hurt her boy.

 

“Rachel is that really you?” she cried in desperation.  “What have those men done to you?”

 

‘Oh Hannah, they’re Heath’s brothers.  They came to Strawberry with him to meet us.  Please let us come down.”  Rachel begged, tears running down her face.

 

“Brothers?”

 

They heard Hannah begin to cry.

 

“I killed her Rachel, I killed his Aunt Martha.  Oh lord what have I done?”

 

“Hannah I’m coming down, put the gun on the ground,” ordered Rachel as she moved past Nick giving him a squeeze on the shoulder.  “Wait until I get down there before you come down,” she whispered in passing.  Nick just nodded.

 

Rachel moved down the stairs never taking her eyes off her friend.  She drew in a sobbing breath at the sight that greeted her.  Heath still lay where he had fallen and Martha Simmons was lying slightly to his right sightless eyes staring into nothing. Rachel moved past Heath and crouched down in front of Hannah taking her into her arms as the old woman began to sob uncontrollably.

 

“You can come down now,” she called quietly, not taking her eyes off Heath’s unmoving body.

 

Nick and Jarrod bounded down the stairs to their little brothers side.

 

‘Nick how is?” asked a worried Jarrod

 

“I don’t know yet damn it.  Bring the lantern over here so I can see better.”

 

Heath lay curled up on his left side, right arm flung out over his head.  Awareness was slowly returning to his foggy mind and he could hear distant voices getting louder.

 

“Heath can you hear me boy, it’s Nick.  Take it easy, don’t try to move yet.”

 

The light hurt his eyes and he allowed another groan to pass his lips.  He felt gentle hands probing his shoulder and this time he cried out louder as the pain exploded around him.

 

“Why did his shoulder hurt so much again?” He wondered “and why was he lying on the cellar floor?”  Suddenly the past few hours’ events came crowding back with a clarity that made him cringe.  “Aunt Martha.”   He struggled to sit up but felt firm hands holding him down.

 

“Dammit boy, I said lie still.  Don’t ya ever listen ta anything that’s said to ya?” growled Nick.

 

Heath turned his head trying to focus on his brother.

 

“Nick,” came the weak reply, “where’s Aunt Martha?  She was here,” the panic rising in his voice.

 

“Your aunts dead Heath.  She can’t hurt you anymore.  Miss Hannah killed her,” Nick replied softly.

 

This time Nick was ready for the struggle he knew his brother would put up at his words.

 

“Where’s Aunt Hannah?”

 

“Heath your Aunt Hannah is fine, she’s with Aunt Rachel.   Just lie back and let Nick and I look after you.”  Jarrod hoped is words would calm his agitated brother.

 

“Jarrod?”

 

“Yes Heath, I’m here too.  We all are, now rest.  We’ll have you both out of here soon.”

 

Nick tried to lay Heath down on his back but the movement caused his brother to cry out in pain.

 

“Guts on fire,” gasped Heath through gritted teeth.

 

Nick and Jarrod exchanged worried glances then Jarrod eased in behind his brother supporting him against his chest.  Nick ripped open his shirt exposing the dark livid bruises across his abdomen.

 

“What the hell did she hit you with boy?” he growled in disgust.

 

“She done hit him with that there piece of wood,” Hannah replied quietly as she hobbled over to the brother’s with Rachel’s assistance.  “She hit him across the stomach and then across the shoulders.  Oh lord, I thought she done killed him with the second blow.  He lay so still.”  Tears welling in her eyes at the memory.

 

Nick growled again, “If his stomach looks like this I hate to think what his back looks like.  Jarrod we need to get him out of here and to the doctors.”

 

“Heath,” Nick tapped his brother lightly on the cheek when he didn’t get a response.  When the blond still didn’t open his eyes Nick allowed himself a small smile.  At least it would be easier to move him this way.  Slipping Heath’s injured arm back into the sling, which still hung from his neck, the two brothers, lifted their unconscious sibling and carried him up the stairs and to the waiting wagon followed by the women.

 

At the sight of the mattresses on the wagon bed Nick couldn’t resist a small chuckle.

 

“What was that our little brother said a couple of days ago about not lying in there Jarrod?” he asked.

 

Nick eased in behind his brother to give him some support as Jarrod helped the women into the wagon before climbing onto the seat and turning the team towards the house.

 

“Jarrod as soon as we’ve got them settled I’ll ride to Pine Crest for the doctor and the sheriff.”

 

 

 

Part 10

 

In the five hours it took for Nick to return from Pine Crest with Doctor Abbot and Sheriff Tucker, Jarrod and Rachel had been unable to do much to relieve Heath’s pain.  He still lay curled up on his left side sleeping fitfully.  After Nick’s departure they had cut his shirt off and saw for the first time the extensive swelling and bruising across his upper back and shoulders.  All they could do was apply cold wet towels across his injuries.

 

Hannah was sleeping in the other bed.  Rachel had cleaned and then applied some salve to the rope burns and scrapes to Hannah’s wrists and ankles.

 

“Jarrod we’re back,” announced Nick’s booming voice as he opened the door.

 

“Sshhh Nicholas, they’re asleep,” admonished Rachel.  “I hope you don’t yell like that all the time.”

 

“Sorry Aunt Rachel,” replied Nick with a sheepish grin on his face.

 

The two men with Nick smiled knowingly at the dressing down that the brash Barkley had just been given by Mrs Caulfield.  She certainly didn’t approve of unruly behaviour in her house and yelling was in her mind unruly behaviour.

 

“Sorry we were so long, Aunt Rachel, Jarrod but the doc here was on a call and we had to wait for him to get back.  How’s the boy doing and Miss James?” Nick asked in a much quieter tone.

 

“Hannah is sleeping Nicholas, but Heath’s still in a lot of pain.  We haven’t been able to do a lot for him I’m afraid,” replied Rachel quietly, the sadness evident in her eyes.

 

“Doctor they’re through here.”

 

Nick and Jarrod exchanged glances.

 

“Ah doc,” Nick began hesitantly, “there’s something you should know about Heath’s…”

 

“Back” replied the doctor gently with a smile on his face.

 

“I know about the scars on his back boys.  I have ever since he returned from the army, and so does Sheriff Tucker.  It’s not the first time I or the good sheriff have had to patch that boy up.”  Doctor Abbot gave the two brothers an encouraging smile as he entered the bedroom.

 

Jarrod turned and held his hand out to Sheriff Tucker, introducing himself.

 

“Sheriff I know you want to get into town, but can we wait until after the doc’s finished,” asked Jarrod.

 

“The names Dan and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Besides Nick has already informed me of the day’s events.  I can’t say as I’m sorry that Martha Simmons has finally met her maker, I’m just sorry that it was at the hands of Miss James is all.  You’ll understand that I will have to ask both Heath and Miss James some questions when they’re feeling up to it.”

 

“Yes of course we do Dan,” replied Jarrod “and I’ll be more than happy to offer my professional services to the witnesses should the need arise,” he added with a grin on his face and a gleam in his eye.

 

Further discussion was halted by the reappearance of Doc Abbot.   Nick in his haste to see how his little brother was nearly bowled the good doctor over.

 

“Steady on Nick,” said the doctor as he put a hand out to steady himself.  “You’re brother will be fine.  He was lucky it was a woman wielding that piece of wood or it could have been much worse.  There was some internal bleeding to the abdomen but that seems to have stopped for now.  The rest of the damage is severe bruising and swelling.  I’m sure your cold towels helped with the bleeding. He’s going to be sore for quite a few weeks though and he should stay in bed at least until the end of the week.  If there’s any change in his condition send for me, or his own doctor back in Stockton when you return.  I’ve given him a dose of laudanum so he should sleep for some hours.”   The grin on the brother’s faces said it all.

 

Turning to Rachel he continued, “Miss James will also be fine.  Besides the rope burns and dehydration she has a slight bump on her head.  A few days rest and she’ll be as good as new physically anyway.”  He sighed “As to both their mental well-being only time will tell,” he finished quietly.

 

The two older brothers shared knowing looks.  In the past ten weeks they had witnessed enough of Heath’s inner turmoil to at least guess at what the coming weeks were likely to bring.

 

The doctor turned to Dan Tucker.  “I suppose you will want me to come and view the body for the reports Dan?” he asked none to enthusiastically.

 

“If you wouldn’t mind doc, that’d be fine.”  The relief of having his friend along for the gruesome task was obvious.

 

Rachel motioned for the men to sit. “Not before you gentlemen have something to eat and drink.”

 

“Thank you kindly Mrs Caulfield,” said the sheriff relieved at the thought of putting off his unpleasant duties a little longer.

 

“Oh don’t thank me sheriff, after all the food is compliments of the Barkley ranch.”

 

“Ah we may have brought it, but you have turned it into a feast,” replied the ever-gallant lawyer.

 

An hour later the four men stood in the cellar of the hotel, starring at the lifeless body of Martha Simmons.  Sheriff Tucker shook his head.  “I wonder what would drive a woman to commit such cruelty on another human being, and especially a defenseless child,” he mused aloud.

 

Nick and Jarrod looked at one another.  Obviously others were privy to Heath’s past besides themselves.

 

“If you knew what she was like why didn’t you do something about her?” growled Nick his hackles rising.

 

“I wasn’t here when Heath was growing up, and unless I get an official complaint my hands are tied,” he looked from one brother to the other.  Jarrod you know the law as well as I do.

 

“It’s all right Dan my brother wasn’t blaming you, were you Nick?”

 

“Speak for yourself,” mumbled Nick under his breath.

 

“Well boy’s I think I’ve seen enough.  It was clearly a case of self-defense.  I don’t see any reason to pursue the matter further.”

 

“Thanks Dan,” replied a relieved Jarrod.

 

“Now what do you want to do with the body?  Technically speaking she is your family,” asked Dan looking pointedly at the brothers.

 

“She ain’t no family of mine,” growled Nick in disgust, “but I suppose we best bury her afore the boy’s awake.  I don’t want him anywhere near her.  I’ll get a blanket from upstairs to wrap her in.”  Nick headed up the stairs and then stopped.

 

“Hey Dan, do ya reckon it’d be all right if we took one of the beds back to the house.  With the boy and Miss Hannah both laid up, Aunt Rachel doesn’t have one.”

 

Dan looked at Nick Barkley and burst out laughing.

 

“What’s so damn funny about that,” Nick demanded.

 

“You sure are slow on the up take sometimes ain’t ya Nick?” replied Dan with a smirk.  Jarrod’s eyes began to twinkle in understanding.

 

“I think Nick, dear brother, what Dan is trying to say is that as this place belonged to Heath’s aunt it is now his as she is dead and as we are Heath’s brothers the property now belongs to all of us.”

 

Nick’s eyes widened in understanding.  “Does that mean we, Heath, can do what ever we like with it, even burn it to the ground,” he growled hopefully.

 

“I guess even that if you have a mind to,” replied Dan with a grin.  “Ain’t nobody around to object.”

 

After the unpleasant task of burying Martha Simmons beside her late husband the men returned to the house with the spare bed.  Doc Abbot checked on his patients and satisfied that all was as well as could be expected he and Dan Tucker said their farewells and started on the long journey back to Pine Crest.

 

Supper that night was a somber affair, the day’s events having taxed everybody’s nerves.  Heath was still sleeping but Hannah had woken earlier and had been formally introduced to the brothers.

 

“Lord,” she had said “none of this Miss James business, you are my boy’s brothers, you call me Aunt Hannah, just like my Heath.”

 

Nick and Jarrod couldn’t help grinning.  They both felt like schoolboys again.  These women in their little brother’s life sure were something else.

 

Later that night the nightmares started, as they knew they would but even they weren’t prepared for their ferocity.  For the next three days they did little more than sit beside Heath, trying to quiet is thrashing body, trying to calm his tortured soul.  Not even the soothing words of his aunts seemed to make a difference.  He was lost somewhere between his nightmares and complete wakefulness and none of them could make him understand that Martha Simmons was dead.

 

On the fourth morning a pair of blue eyes slowly opened, blinking against the early morning light streaming in through the bedroom window. Heath took several minutes to survey his surroundings, before his eyes rested on his two sleeping brothers, legs draped over the arms of a couple of chairs.   He let a smile spread across his face that also lit up his crystal clear blue eyes.  However, he couldn’t control the groan that escaped from his lips when he tried to ease himself high up in the bed.    Instantly Nick and Jarrod came awake, with Nick tipping his chair over and landing with a thud on the floor.  Heath burst out laughing then grabbed his stomach gasping as a sudden pain shot through it.

 

“You think that’s funny boy?’ Nick growled as he picked himself up off the floor before he noticed that Heath’s eyes were closed again and he was sucking in some deep breaths.

 

“I did till it hurt,” he ground out then gave his worried brothers a lopsided grin, looking from one to the other.

 

“Well I must say little brother, it’s good to have you back in the land of the waking,” beamed Jarrod.  “Our aunts will be pleased to hear you have finally decided to join us.”

 

Heath looked quizzically at his brothers.  “Our aunts,” he queried raising one eyebrow.

 

“It would seem that Miss Hannah has also decided that as we’re brothers we’re now her family too and we were told to call her Aunt Hannah,” replied Jarrod.

 

“I just bet you were.’’

 

Heath’s face clouded over and he looked at his brothers.  “Is it really over?” he asked quietly.

 

Nick sat on the edge of the bed and squeezed Heath’s arm, “yes Heath it’s really over, your Aunt Martha is dead. Neither of them can ever hurt you or any of us ever again.”  Nick looked hard at his little brother.  “Do you understand?”

 

Heath nodded and closed his eyes sighing, deeply.  His older brothers watched as this time he drifted off to a deep healing sleep.

 

Nick and Jarrod spent the next two days carrying out repairs to the little house as Heath gave the orders from his bed just as Jarrod promised his mother that he would.

 

“You know Jarrod I been thinking.”

 

“Well no wonder it’s taken so long to get things done around here,” Jarrod quipped in.

 

“Very funny but I’m serious.”

 

“In that case I’m all ears dear brother.”

 

Nick ignored the remarks and continued. “You know the old ranch house?  Do ya think mother would mind if we did it up and asked Aunt Rachel and Aunt Hannah to move there?  There’s nothing left for them here anymore and Heath’s only going to worry about them here and we’re going to worry about him every time he rides up here.  Besides it seems a pity to let the old place go to waste.”  Nick looked at his older brother and waited for his reply.

 

“I think that’s a wonderful idea Nick, and I don’t think mother would mind in the slightest. If I know mother she would probably make the same offer if she were here, but I do think we should discuss it with Heath before we speak to OUR aunts.”

 

Later that night while playing a few hands of poker in the bedroom as the women of the house cleared away the supper dishes Nick broached the subject of their aunts moving to the old homestead.  Heath thought on it for a while and then a huge grin split his face.  “I reckon that’s a great idea,” he said.

 

Closure Epilogue

 

For the last eight weeks, Nick and several of the hands had been working feverishly to make repairs to the old homestead in readiness for the imminent arrival of Aunts Rachel and Hannah.

 

After Heath had agreed to Nick’s idea, the three brothers had spent the last couple of nights secretly discussing what needed to be done to the old house.  At first Rachel and Hannah were hesitant to leave the only home they had known for over twenty years.  The timely arrival of Doctor Abbot and Dan Tucker adding their voices to those of the brothers finally held sway.  Up to that point the two women seemed to have an answer for every argument the boys put forth.  It was only after Doctor Abbot had pointed out that Heath still had a lot of recuperating to do and he would do it better knowing they were safe that they changed their minds.

 

 

 

After thoroughly checking over his two patients and pronouncing that their physical injuries were healing nicely, Doctor Abbot delicately broached the subject of their mental well-being.  He listened intently as the brothers related some of the past few days’ events regarding Heath’s nightmares.  He was pleased to hear that they seemed to be lessening as the week progressed.  He was concerned however that Miss Hannah had said nothing about her ordeal at the hands of Martha Simmons or the subsequent shooting, other than to answer some questions from the sheriff.  Rachel assured the doctor that when the time came Hannah would talk about her time in the cellar.  She had seen many things in her lifetime and firmly accepted most as part of god’s plans for her.  Doctor Abbot wasn’t overly happy about that situation but decided that as the two good ladies had agreed to stay with him while their new house was made ready, he would have plenty of time to assess the situation.

 

With the departure of the women the brothers spent two quiet days discussing the past weeks events and doing a lot of soul searching amongst themselves before returning to the ranch.  The trip home was just as quiet as the trip out.  Heath, being as stubborn as usual refused to lie in the wagon electing to ride up front with Jarrod.  They hadn’t gone more than five miles before Jarrod had to stop the wagon and grab Heath’s arm to stop him from falling off.  After that Heath made no objections and slept most of the way home.

 

Their return to the ranch was a subdued affair.  Victoria shocked at Heath’s physical condition sent immediately for Doctor Merar and ordered her youngest son to bed.  Worry lines creased her face when he made no objections and dragged his aching body up the stairs to his room.  It took another two days for Victoria to finally drag a detailed account out of her reluctant sons as to the happenings in Strawberry.

 

As Jarrod knew she would, Victoria readily agreed to having Rachel and Hannah move into the old homestead, knowing it would ease every body’s minds.  She took enjoyment in ordering new furnishings and curtains for the house after lengthy consultations with an embarrassed Heath.  She was more than happy to add her womanly touch to the decorating, as was Audra.

 

Now Victoria, Audra and Silas stood on the porch of the old homestead waiting impatiently for the arrival of the wagon bringing its new occupants.  A thin stream of smoke rose lazily from the kitchen chimney into the midday sky.  It was a far cry from the thick plume of smoke that rose from the smoldering ruins of the hotel that the three brothers had left in their wake back in Strawberry the day before.  The smell of freshly baking bread wafted through the house and out the door.

 

“Their here,” cried Audra as she spied the wagon come over the last rise and draw to a halt, followed by the two riders.

 

“Oh my, Heath, it’s beautiful,” gasped Rachel Caulfield as the two women sat on the seat next to Jarrod.

 

“Lordy lord, I think I done died and gone to heaven,” cried Hannah tears in her eyes.

 

Before them lay the small double fronted homestead, sporting a fresh coat of paint and surrounded by a white picket fence.  Off to the left stood a barn and corral.  A small rose garden had being planted in one corner of the front garden and a big old spruce stood at the right of the house providing ample shade from the summer heat.  A small two-seater swing stood under the tree.  The women could see the waiting committee on the front porch.   Jarrod picked up the reins and urged the horses forward again.  Heath grinned happily at his aunts amazed expressions.

 

Victoria stepped off the porch as the wagon drew up.

 

“It’s so lovely to see you again Mrs Caulfield, Miss James.  Welcome to your new home.”  She watched as Heath helped his obviously over whelmed aunts down from the wagon.

 

“Please Mrs Barkley, it’s Rachel and Hannah and thank you so much for your generosity.  Words just can’t express our feelings,” replied Rachel tears flowing down her face.

 

Victoria smiled, “It’s Victoria and this is my daughter Audra and our houseman Silas.”

 

“Pleased to meet you Aunt Rachel, Aunt Hannah,” said Audra quietly.  “My brothers have told me so much about you both.”

 

“You must be exhausted after the trip, please come in and we’ll show you too your rooms so you can freshen up before lunch”.  Victoria threw a glance over her shoulder. “The boys will take care of the luggage.”

 

Heath watched as his mother and sister took an arm each of his aunts and escorted them into their new home followed by Silas. He sighed; perhaps this was the new start that they all so desperately needed.  He hoped so anyway.  Still it will be great having his aunts so close.  If only his mama were here too, it would be perfect.  Smiling broadly he turned to face his two grinning brothers standing in the back of the wagon.

 

“Well boy, I think it’s about time you started earning your keep around here.  After all this is a working ranch,” boomed Nick as he threw a suitcase at his little brother.

 

 

 

THE END