Nick's Little Girl

Chapters 18-23

by Cattis

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.

Chapter eighteen

Jarrod walked into his city house a week after he had received Nick’s letter. He was worried about what he would find inside and felt the tiredness of the last day’s travelling in his body. He hoped his mother had kept her promise to stay in Stockton until he wired for her. He could remember the argument they had a few days earlier before he left for Denver. With the New Year Party over and done she had time on her hands and had wanted to go and assist Nick and Megan in caring for the young ill child. Both Heath and he had had to stop her and when Jarrod had left, Heath had promised to keep their mother as busy as possible and away from San Francisco.

The house was quiet which worried him even more since it wasn’t that late. He put down what he was carrying and his hat and went in search of someone. When he reached the study he saw Nick standing by the desk. His brother’s whole body screamed of tiredness and Jarrod watched while Nick’s hand went through his hair a few times before he coughed to catch his attention.

"Jarrod. You should have let us know you were coming. I think Ming went home an hour ago, at least that was when I told him to go." He went up to his brother and gave him a big hug.

"Nick is everything alright? You look horrible." A crooked smile came upon Nick’s lips.

"Emily has finally started to calm down. She has been like a cougar, a mountain lion or any other wild cat you can think of. Fighting, angry and ill with measles, with an itching body and high fever. Doc says she is somehow now first processing Cathy’s death and what apparently started it was Megan’s and my marriage and my lack of handling her questions correctly. I don’t think Megan has slept for a week, every time I manage to get her to lay down I only need to turn around and she is up again."

"Perhaps we should call for Mother?"

"I don’t know Jarrod. I have a feeling that Megan’s fuse is short and if Mother is anything …"

"She has calmed down. And I have found out what happened in Denver too. Had to take a trip there after Miss Ascot contacted a lawyer and want to take things to court." Nick shook his head.

"Why?"

"Still not sure. She is not a very smart woman or she has very bad advisers." He took the papers that Nick had been looking at. "Mr Craven still at your neck?"

"Yep, did you get my wire about Megan’s papers?"

"No, when did you send it?

"Couple days ago."

"Explain to me later what you needed and why and we can have Heath arrange for them to get here but first let me go up and see if I can persuade my sister-in-law to get some rest and have a chat with my favourite niece."

"Jarrod, before you go up you have to know that Megan looks like she has been in a fight, which, in a way she has since Em has hit her, bitten her and Lord knows what and Megan seems to bruise easy. Megan has not once showed the child that she has been hurt or bothered by it instead she has shown the girl that she is loved by us both. The doc seems to think that it’s the best method but there have been times I have so wanted to turn that child …." Jarrod reached out for his brother.

"Nick, we will wire for help tomorrow." He tugged on his brother’s arm and pulled him with him a bit towards the stairs up to the bedrooms. Jarrod stopped in the doorway at the sight of Megan sitting on the bed stroking away some locks from Emily’s sweaty face. Even with Nick’s warning he couldn’t believe what his sister-in-law’s appearance looked like. She had been thin before after her own illness but there didn’t seem to be anything left of her. They were talking very quietly and Jarrod couldn’t make out what was being said but it didn’t sound as they were arguing. Suddenly Emily saw her father and uncle by the door.

"Uncle Arrad." Megan turned her head towards them and smiled softly. Jarrod saw all the bruises, shook his head slightly and after touching Nick’s arm he went inside and to the bed.

"Hello Sweetheart. I heard you were ill." Emily gazed quickly at Megan before she answered Jarrod.

"Been bad too."

"Oh, have you? Is it shall I call for a lawyer bad or …"

"Hurt bottom bad"

"Aha." Jarrod tapped his fingers as if he was thinking.

"But Auntie Eggan don’t want to do punish and Daddy don’t so I don’t know who."

"Why doesn’t Miss Barkley get well first and then we’ll see if this lawyer can figure something out? Now you must have been talking about something very interesting when we came because it took some time before you noticed us"

"Auntie Eggan tell about Tim. He died." Both Jarrod and Nick looked closely at Megan.

"She asked me why I hadn’t gone away when she wanted me too and I told her about my nephew Timothy."

"And …" Nick walked up to his wife when he saw the pain in her eyes and he touched her face. Emily looked at the couple and touched her aunt’s leg.

"I promise not to be bad.” She turned to Jarrod. ”Uncle Arrad, he got ill and then he died. Auntie Eggan was sad." Jarrod looked at his niece and stroked her face. The girl was still warm but from what he could see she was out of danger. He had asked Dr Merar about measles and according to him it was the first week that was crucial, once the fever broke, the spots had started to heal and the child didn’t catch pneumonia then there shouldn’t be any problems. Emily didn’t feel like she had any high fever, her eyes seemed clear and from what he could hear she could think straight and apparently understood that she had been fighting with Megan.

"It sounds like a sad happening." What ever had happened he was sure he would find out later. "Now what do you say if we persuade Aunt Megan to go to bed and I’ll sit and read to you for a while." While Emily nodded Megan shook her head. Nick looked helplessly at her.

"Meg, please. Jarrod isn’t as tired as we are, please come and join me for a rest at least for an hour. If anything happens, if she gets worse I’m sure Jarrod will come for us right away."

"Go Megan, you look like you could do with some sleep. I’ll wake you up if it is needed. Tomorrow I’ll wire to the ranch for some help." Nick lifted Megan up and carried her out of the room as she started to protest.

"She tired but she stay with Em even when Em is bad."

"Yes, Em but that she did because she loves you."

"I know, but I want mummy." Jarrod looked at the child and stroked her cheek.

"I’m sorry Sweetheart but as much as we all want to get her for you we can’t. Now I don’t think Megan is a bad choice, do you? She already loves you and a part of her is the same as your mummy."

"Daddy likes her too."

"That is another good thing."

"She isn’t Mummy, don’t want her as Mummy."

"No, but I can’t understand why not. However I think Megan is happy just to be your aunt."

"She say so."

"See, everything’s alright then. Now you get some sleep too young lady or your Aunt Megan will have me punished." Emily giggled as Jarrod picked up her book.

Nick carried Megan into their room and placed her on the bed. He sat down and stroked away a few locks from her pale face when her hand caught his and she brought to her lips for a light kiss. After placing a blanket over her he lay down beside her and pulled her close to him. For some reason he didn’t know she was crying and he started to stroke away the tears on her cheek.

"Nick, please let me go back."

"No, Megan."

"Please." He could hear that she was scared and frightened but couldn’t understand why.

"Tell me what is wrong?" He stroked away a tear when he suddenly realized. "Tell me about your nephew."

"Tim?" When Nick nodded she inhaled. "Timothy was my eldest brother’s youngest child. Neither of his parents wanted him so I sort of adopted him, nothing legally, we just thought of him as mine. When he was Emily’s age measles went through the neighbourhood and plenty of the children died. Tim had just made it through two weeks and the doctor said he would be alright when I was told to get some rest, which I did. When I woke up he was dead." Nick suddenly understood the fear she had for the disease and why she hadn’t wanted to leave the child and Nick held his wife as close as he could.

"Meg, I’m sure that it won’t happen again. Now get some rest. You are not any use to either me or Emily if you kill yourself and you know what the doctor said when he checked you too this morning. I don’t want you ill with pneumonia. I don’t think I can handle that Meg, and your cough …" He shivered. "It’s bad enough that you haven’t eaten or slept." He rested his chin against her head. "Hmm, let me think. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a poem that I like, let me see if I remember it since I know you like her too. Hmm I think it goes like this,

‘How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.’

Now I don’t want that last line to come true, Beloved so you listen to me. Get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll wire for Mother and I want no fighting or arguing between the two of you. Remember I love you with all my heart." He kissed her and held her in his arms until he could feel that she was relaxed and asleep.

Victoria Barkley entered the house late the same day she and Heath had gotten the wire from Jarrod. His note to them had been short but clear; get Megan’s papers from under the false bottom in the trunk and bring them and Mother needed to nurse both Emily and Megan. The train ride had taken longer than usual since a storage coach had broken down and destroyed parts of the track and every passenger were transported the last bit into San Francisco by stage coaches. For Victoria the whole trip had been irritating since she knew that both her daughter-in-law and grandchild were ill but not how ill, and worse her poor son had been stuck with them, caring for them for a week. Heath had had a hard time trying to keep her calm and not to worry before she knew the whole situation. He had spent some of the trip going through Megan’s papers wondering why Jarrod had asked for them. As he and his mother now arrived at Jarrod’s city home he too, just like Jarrod the day before, was hit with how quiet it was.

"Mother, now take it easy. We don’t know anything more than what Nick’s letter said last week and what Jarrod’s wire said today. Rushing in won’t do any good and please no arguing with Megan and Nick."

"Don’t worry Heath. I’m worried and frustrated that he hasn’t called for help earlier but until I get the full story I shall say nothing and keep calm." She took her hat and gloves off and turned her face towards the stairs when she heard someone approaching. "Jarrod." He quickly hurried down the last few steps.

"I thought I heard something. I heard this afternoon about the damaged track so I gather you are both tired and hungry." Before Victoria could say anything he had steered them into his parlour. "Before you rush up Mother like I know you want to I shall tell you what has happened and a little more that you need to know. Now sit here and I’ll just get Ming to get some dinner ready."

"Dinner already done, Mr Jarrod. Will Mr Nick eat downstairs?"

"Good, Ming. No, get a tray for him and Emily." Jarrod watched his faithful servant leave the room.

"Jarrod, at least let us wash off the travelling dust and change clothes before dinner. I promise that I won’t sneak in and disturb anyone before you tell us why, since I gather from the look on your face that it’s important."

"It is Mother and I don’t want to guard you. I have gotten your room ready and the guest room besides it." Heath took the suitcases as Jarrod showed them the way up. As they walked into their rooms he went into Emily’s. "Hello, sweetheart. Your grandmother is here. After she has had some dinner she can come and read to you alright?" He sat down beside her bed. "Ming will bring you and your father some dinner too."

"I want Mr Silas eggies."

"Now that is hard since he is still in Stockton. I didn’t ask Ming what he was severing but he knows what you like. Remember the doctor said you have to eat to get strong so that you can go home to the ranch."

"Yes, me want to go home. Not fun here." Jarrod tousled her hair.

"Just let me check on your aunt and tell your daddy that dinner is served soon." He hurried over to the next room. Nick was sitting in an armchair leaning his elbows on his knees, hands covering his face. "They are here now Nick. We will do as we decided. I’ll have dinner with them and let them know about the situation and you have dinner with Emily. Ming’s wife will come up and sit with Megan. It’s important that you don’t forget about the girl, it can make things harder later on."

"Don’t you think I know it? Why do you think I wanted Em to be moved in here? I should just have done it and not asked the damn doctor or listened to you."

"Nick, get some dinner and you will feel better." Jarrod went over and stroked away a wet look from Megan’s face. "She is still hot Nick, I don’t think she has felt this hot before."

"No, Jarrod, she is getting worse all the time, Worse."

"You have had one of the best doctors in this town examine, trust him even if it’s hard. Nick, I better get downstairs or Mother might come barging in." He squeezed Nick’s shoulder as he passed him. After Jarrod had left the room Nick moved over to the bed and took the wet cloth and dipped it again in the ice water that was in the basin beside the bed. With all the gentleness he had he wiped his wife’s feverish face until there was a soft knock on the door and Ming and his wife came into the room.

"Mr Nick, dinner served in Miss Emily’s room. Wife take care of Mrs Megan." With a nod Nick gave the wet cloth over to the petite woman before he bent over and kissed Megan.

"Beloved, I’ll just go and have dinner with Emily, then I shall move her in here what ever Jarrod and the doctor say. Mrs Ming will keep you company until then." He stroked her face and quickly left to join his daughter. When he entered his daughter’s room he was prepared to meet an angry and frustrated child since he had spent the day with Megan but he was surprised when she sat waiting for him with Ollie next to her.

"Daddy, Auntie Eggan very sick? Uncle Arrad say so." As Nick pulled a chair closer to the bed so that he too could reach the tray he smiled at her.

"Yes, Em. She is very ill, much worse now than she has ever been. I’m sorry I haven’t been with you so much today."

"Uncle Arrad has."

"I have a plan young girl and I know your uncle isn’t going to like it because he has already said no but what if I move your bed into my bedroom and you can keep me company while I try to keep Megan cold."

"Uncle Arrad said no?"

"Yes and the doctor." Nick mumbled.

"Why they say no?"

"Because young lady, the doctor doesn’t really know why Megan suddenly turned ill last night. He didn’t believe me when I said that she hadn’t slept or eaten for a week and had been ill before. Well, he did believe me when I said that she had been ill but he didn’t think anyone could survive without food and sleep. Eat, Em, I don’t need you to get worse too."

"Don’t worry. Em eat food. Granny look after Em and Daddy Auntie Eggan. Em be good girl."

"I still want my girls together so that I can keep an eye on both of you."

"Then you do bad thing if Uncle Arrad said no."

"So he is the boss?"

"He own house." Nick smiled at his daughter’s logical thoughts.

"So that makes him boss. Alright I understand." After they had finished their dinner, Nick picked up Emily’s book and read a few chapters for her while his mind still worked on how he was going to get her bed into his bedroom without any help.

"Jarrod, we are now seated, we have had a delicious dinner as always but you have been avoiding the subject. Now if you don’t start telling me what’s wrong I’ll just walk upstairs because I’m being very patient right now."

"You are right Mother. The situation here is bad because of many reasons. Emily did only get the measles which makes things a little easier but for some reason that I haven’t really understood and Nick hasn’t been very helpful there she suddenly started to hate Megan, thinking she was after her daddy and that she was going to take Cathy’s place as a mummy. Emily admits that Megan has never attempted any such thing but when the illness hit her she lost it. According to the doctor he was surprised that she hadn’t reacted to everything that has happened the last months before and he isn’t surprised that it came when the body system was low. However she has been hitting and biting Megan who is really bruised and has a couple of nasty bite marks, which I have been able to see, she might have more I haven’t asked Nick. Emily is now doing fine and the doc said today just to keep her in bed for another week and she will be ready to travel home. He did recommend that someone sat down and talked to her about what has happened, he suggested that doc Merar should do that when we get home together with Nick and Megan. The situation with Melwin/Craven has gotten worse since they were at the New Year’s Party but according to Nick it’s not the Melwins that are pushing the situation, it’s Craven who really has nothing to do with it. Mr Craven has questioned Nick’s capability of making decisions since his marriage, and this is something I quote from Nick, since his wife Megan is from the lowest sort of people with no education, no money and no skills. She is, another quote, a parasite. Nick wanted me to find out what legal action he can take and he also says he has been calm and not done anything. I stopped by at the Melwins after I had wired you and that is true. Melwins are ashamed over what is happening and are now trying to pull out of the hotel project."

"How dare this Craven act like this? How dare he?"

"Mother calm down. They don’t know Nick or Megan. They know of Megan since she has worked for Mrs Craven’s sister, but they don’t know her. That is why I wanted you to bring Megan’s papers. Nick has seen them and he says they are good."

"I would say very good, even excellent." Heath took a sip of the coffee. "I read them on the train. For someone who didn’t go to school until she was fifteen I was very surprised and the papers from both Mrs Smittens and Mrs Capenwick , well I understand that Mrs Woods wanted her for a partner and that Nick finds it alright. I hope she will want to take some paperwork from me, just don’t know how I’m going to get my Big brother to accept that."

"Jarrod, talking about Megan …"

"Yes." Jarrod sighed. "Megan has been sitting by Emily’s bedside since she turned ill, hasn’t left to get any sleep or food, hasn’t touched the food when it has been brought up to her. Nick has been worried and been trying to get her to rest but without success. Yesterday the doctor checked on the bite marks that had become infected and he also listened to her lungs."

"She is coughing again?"

"She is, Mother and worse. She has pneumonia. Yesterday she was just showing symptoms but today she has water in her lungs. What Nick didn’t know was that there was a reason for this manic behaviour and I don’t think we would have found out if Emily hadn’t asked her yesterday why she hadn’t left when she was fighting her. Megan has had a nephew that died from measles just as the doctor had told her he was going to be alright and after she had taken a rest she found him dead. Yesterday with my help Nick managed to get her to rest and the doctor thinks that her body just gave in. She is more or less unconscious, burning hot and just skin and bones. She has no extra resources to use. The doctor wasn’t very hopeful that she will survive. Nick has been spending the day with her, which might affect Emily’s action against Megan. He wanted by the way, to move Em’s bed into their bedroom so that he could go in between but both I and the doctor have said no to that. Megan needs the rest and quietness and Emily is getting better. I think that if we keep Emily busy Nick can be with Megan and Emily won’t get any new bad feelings against her aunt."

"Jarrod, why didn’t he wire earlier?"

"Because the last time you and they saw each other it was a bit tense and he didn’t want to add to anything now that even Megan was feeling fine about going back to the ranch. He was afraid that the two of you would be at each other’s throats and he wasn’t sure he could handle that. Nick knows Mother that both he and Megan have been using their last bit of energy to nurse Emily, remember if only it had been measles the situation would have been easy but Emily’s fighting has made things worse. I think Nick called her a wild cat."

"Alright, I can accept that because I know in my heart that he is right. I’ll go up and keep Emily occupied but first I do want to check on Megan and of course Nick. He hasn’t even said hello but I gather it depends on that you can’t leave either of the young women up there alone. Jarrod, I believe you have a lawsuit to prepare and you better see to it that you win both of them in fact. I’m not having some person from England come over and claim that my son and my daughter-in-law are not very clever when we all know that Nick, at least I know Megan too little to say anything, has got the brain for a lot of things, he just wasn’t interested in studying."

"Mother, I think we can say that Megan has the brain but wasn’t allowed to learn and to use it. Jarrod, if you don’t need my help I’ll help Nick or Mother depending on which for the moment needs my help most. I’ll start with Brother Nick and perhaps distract him a little by talking about the ranch and upcoming trail."

"No, for the moment I think I’ll go through every paper that you have brought with you and all the notes I have. Heath, see to it that Nick also has eaten, not just Emily. "

Nick was sitting on the floor so that Emily would easily see the drawings in the book he was reading. Emily had one thumb in her mouth while her other hand was playing with her father’s hair and she was almost asleep when her grandmother strode into the room. The young girl hardly noticed the older woman as she was listening so intently to the story. Nick looked up and stopped reading.

"Mother." He started to get up when he felt a tug at his hair and he turned slightly to ease his daughter’s fingers from it. Victoria walked up to the bed and sat down.

"Hello Nick." She reached forward and helped him loose. "Sweetheart, let go of your father and I can continue to read but I don’t think I’ll sit on the floor." She stroked Emily’s cheek.

"Hi Nanny." Emily pulled her thumb out.

"I just want to go and see your aunt first then I’ll be back. Perhaps Uncle Heath can read for you in the meantime?"

"Don’t go fight. Auntie Eggan not good."

"I know dear, I promise I won’t fight. I just want to see her and have a word with your father."

"He good boy. Not use spoon."

"Don’t worry." Victoria smiled. She wasn’t sure if Nick was a good boy for not using the spoon or if he was a good boy and that she shouldn’t use the spoon, anyway Victoria found it amusing that the young girl was defending her father. "Nick, I would like to see you in your room please. Heath" She moved so that Heath could sit down on the bed but after a kiss on Emily’s cheek he followed Nick’s way and sat down on the floor.

"I’ll continue down here Mother. It looked like a way to get the young lady to sleep. Alright Em, shall I continue?"

"Please. Read about the little men?"

"Little men?" Heath looked at the page where Nick had stopped. It said nothing about little men more about the snow and ice. Nick leaned forward and turned back a bit to the story about Snow White and the seven dwarfs.

"Little men Little Brother. Good to see you here." He touched Heath’s hair before he leaned over him and tucked the blanket around his daughter before he kissed her. "Call me if you need me." She nodded.

"Night, Daddy. Kissie Auntie Eggan?" Nick smiled and left the room to join his mother in the next. Mrs Ming quickly and quietly left the room, to return shortly after with some new ice water and cloths. Victoria went up to her daughter-in-law and sat down on the bed. She had gotten worried when Jarrod told her about the woman but seeing her got her terrified. Her son had been right when he had said that there wasn’t anything left but bones. Her slender fingers stroked the girl’s face, feeling the sunken cheeks and high cheekbones. The girl was burning hot and Victoria wondered what would happen if they placed her in an ice bath. Could the rest of her body handle that treatment or was it too much of a risk. She thought of the doctor’s prediction that Megan wasn’t going to survive this and for a second she thought him right but the look on her son’s face made her quickly decide that as long as the girl breathed there was hope. Nick gently caressed away some hair from Megan’s sweaty face before he dipped the cloth in the cold water and again started to wipe her face.

"Nick, you do know that she is seriously ill, don’t you?"

"I do but she will make it."

"Nick …?"

"Mother if you came here to tell me she is going to die you might as well leave right away because Meg is going to make it. There Beloved." He squeezed out the over flow of water. "Emily is tucked in bed and she has been fed. She is doing much better now than yesterday and it won’t be long before she can do the trip home. Ming made her some, well must have been a Chinese version of pancakes and she happily ate them even if it wasn’t Silas’. I have to admit they weren’t that bad." He felt rather than saw that his mother stood up and went to the window. She was about to close the window when Nick turned towards her. "Please Mother, leave it open. Megan likes to hear the city sounds, they are comforting to her." Victoria nodded and left the window and went back to her son.

"How are you doing Nick? I gather from what Jarrod has told me that it has been a tiresome week."

"I’m fine mother, tired yes, worried yes but I’m not the one that is ill or weak, not the one who is being questioned because of who my parents or grandparents were." He felt Megan’s body start to tense against his thigh and quickly put down the cloth and helped her up when the dry coughs started. He sat so that she could lean against him and he could stroke her back. Victoria came up on the other side and helped with the smooth strokes. When the first session of coughs were over Victoria looked over to Nick, prepared to help her to lay down. Nick shook his head. "There will be some more to come, always is. Mother please can you pass me the glass and I’ll see if I can get some water down her throat this time." Victoria helped him and together they managed to get a little water down Megan’s throat but shortly after the cough started again.

"Nick, it’s worse that it was before. Surely there must be something I can mix together that will soothe it for her?"

"As long as she can’t drink mother, nothing will help. There is a risk that the liquid goes down the wrong way if it’s forced down. Doc said just to wait and let time heal." He leaned his head against Megan’s. "And this time I’m going to see to it that she doesn’t do anything foolish but gets well properly. There will be no work, walks or being up until she is in the clear, the cough is gone and …" He stopped as he could feel her shiver and he reached for a blanket. Victoria quickly helped him and placed it over the girl’s back. "Thanks. Mother I would appreciate it if you would keep an eye on Emily and keep her company. The better she gets the more restless I’m sure she will be. As soon as she is well enough I want you to take her home with you."

"Nick, we will stay here as long as both the girls need too."

"No, Mother. I want Emily at the ranch as fast as possible. I do believe that that surrounding is better for her that the city and Silas is more used to cook for a child. And she has all her things there. Megan and I will join you in due time."

"Nick, we are going nowhere." Victoria stood up. "Well, I’m going in to my granddaughter and I know that Heath wants to talk to you. She leaned forward and whispered something in Megan’s ear before she left hearing Megan coughs.

Chapter nineteen

"Noooo" Emily threw herself down on the floor when her grandmother tried to put her coat on. "I want to say bye-bye to Auntie Eggan, I want." The girl cried and screamed. Nick sat beside Megan’s side seeing that there was a reaction in his wife, even if it was small.

"Recognize that voice? I’ll get her for you." He let his finger run along her face before he moved to his daughter’s room. He had been sitting by her side for nearly a week while Emily had been taken care of by the rest of the family. The youngster had been quiet so she wouldn’t disturb her ill aunt but as Nick went over to Emily he thought that they might have done things the wrong way.

"Mother, please. Let me." He bent down. "Love, I’ll let you see Aunt Megan for just a good-bye. She is still very ill and you are late for the stage coach. But …" He held up his finger. "But only if you behave and first get your coat on so that you can leave at once." He took the coat from Victoria and held it open to Emily who quickly put it on, took Ollie in her arms and looked at her father.

"Ready." With a smile Nick bent down and put her hat on.

"So. Go on but don’t make any loud noises. Just a quick kiss." He watched as Emily ran off to her aunt.

"Nick, are you sure about this? Shan’t we stay and keep you company?"

"No Mother. Heath can do with the company at home and I want you to see to it that he doesn’t work too hard. As soon the tracks are mended Jarrod said he will have his coach ready for us and I can transport Megan home. The railroad said it would only be a few more days. That would give me nearly two weeks before the trails start. I need you to talk too with Doc Merar, help hire a nurse until then. Victoria studied her son before she gave him a smile and placed her arm under his. She was worried about him and Megan. Nick had hardly left his wife’s side since the day she had turned ill and it was starting to show on him. Also the lawsuits that Jarrod was preparing were taking a toll on them all she suspected, since the Melwins had been good friends, well at least she had seen them as such. With a small sigh she walked by his side out of the room. Nick picked up Emily’s heavy suitcase and led the way to the staircase.

"I think I’ll follow Emily and say good bye to Megan. Are you sure?"

"Mother for the last time, we will be fine." He put the case down and they went into room. Emily had crept up by Megan’s side and sat stroking her face.

"Here, Auntie Eggan. Ollie stay with you but not too long. When you home Ollie back to me. You hurry. Em want story about flower girl." Nick smiled when Emily bent down and kissed her aunt. Such a difference from just a week ago.

"Emily, are you sure you don’t need Ollie when you go to sleep? It might take a several days before we can come home."

"I sleep in your bed." Nick picked her up and carried her out of the room. He was going to miss her but at the same time he felt a relief knowing that she would be at the ranch that evening. He felt a sting of envy longing for his horse and the open space, the freedom the valley gave. As he came downstairs with the child and case Jarrod joined him from the study. He was going to escort Emily and Victoria to a station outside San Francisco and see to it that they got on the right train. Victoria had argued with him telling both him and Nick that she and Emily would manage by themselves but no arguments had worked on her sons. Walking down the stairs Victoria thought of that and was happy that one of her sons was going to be with them for a part of the trip. On the other hand she didn’t like to leave Nick alone with his wife. The doctor still wasn’t sure why she was ill or even if she was unconscious or not since she was showing signs of being awake but then again not. Nick was convinced that she had been so very tired that her body had decided to stay this way until it felt well. At least the cough had seemed a little better this morning and the doctor had said that the lungs sounded better too even if her pulse was much too weak. When she reached the floor Nick opened the door for them, carrying Emily and some of the parcels with him. Jarrod waited for Victoria to pick up some of the boxes before he grabbed two suitcases and followed. He and Nick had decided to wire Heath so that he could meet them. Three suitcases, a food basket and all these boxes were a little too much and yet he was missing something. Nick kissed his Mother and daughter and helped them inside the coach. After giving his brother a light squeeze on his shoulder he returned to the door. He didn’t want his Mother to see the tears that threatened to show. Jarrod watched his brother move as he closed the door and as the coach started to move Emily waved all she could to her father with tears running down her cheeks. Jarrod moved her over to his lap and held her close.

"Em, they will soon come home too." He suddenly knew what he was missing. "Ollie!"

"Auntie Eggan need Ollie more than Em. Em big girl."

"And Aunt Megan isn’t?"

"She need more." Emily nuzzled against her uncle hoping the sadness would go away. For the first time she was without her loyal friend and she didn’t know how to explain to her uncle that it wasn’t just that her aunt needed Ollie more, it was sort of a sorry thing too. Emily hadn’t been allowed into her aunt’s sickbed until today when she said goodbye and had therefore not seen the infected bite marks before. They worried her as did her father’s worried eyes. She had heard the grownups talk when they thought she had been asleep and Emily had understood that her aunt was very ill and maybe wouldn’t make it, what that now meant. She had also noticed that her grandmother and uncles had talked one way about her aunt when her father wasn’t around and another when he was. They were much more worried when he wasn’t around. She didn’t want to leave, didn’t want to go home but she had decided to be a good girl and do what they said. "Uncle Arrad. You say you think about punish when I better. Em better now."

"Punish?" Victoria raised a brow.

"I been bad."

"Have you?"

"It was before you came Mother. What do you say about being without Ollie is a bad punish enough? No little girl should really need to be without her best friend."

"Me big girl."

"Alright, no big or small girl should be without her best friend."

"Won’t hurt bottom."

"No, but it will hurt Emily so I think that is bad enough."

"If say so." The rest of the three hour trip to Red Wood City went quietly. Emily had soon fallen asleep against her uncle’s chest and with her thumb in her mouth. Victoria had noticed this and that she also had started to twist a lock behind her ear when she was falling asleep. Victoria sat deep in her thoughts about the couple they had left behind and every time the coach drove in to a hole or over a stone she was happy that Nick had been so stubborn as he had been. Megan would never have been able to make the trip. At the station Jarrod helped them on board and paid the conductor an extra large tip to keep an eye on them. After waving to them he went to wire Heath before taking the coach back to the house.

When everybody had left Nick went up to Megan again. He checked the fireplace and put a few more logs on the fire before he went over to the bed. He didn’t feel like sitting on the chair anymore and for the first time since he had woken up and found Megan unconscious he lay down beside her and held her close to him. He felt a tear run down his cheek but he didn’t bother. He was more tired and worried than he wanted to admit to anyone and he had understood from the doctor that for every day that went by without any direct "life signs" from his wife, the more the risk was that she wouldn’t wake up. After a while he remembered the small movement she had made when Emily had screamed and again he started to think that perhaps Emily should had been allowed to be with her aunt more, that they had done wrong by keeping her outside.

"Fight Beloved and wake up for me. I don’t want to lose you like this." He nuzzled against her. "Emily is alright and well. She is now on the way home, now if you just wake up we can go home too. Our little girl even left Ollie for you. Think she will survive without her? I don’t think I have seen her without Ollie, not for very long moments any way." His lips touched her head. "I want my wife Megan, I want you. I want you to be there when I go out for work, when I get home, when I need a nurse, when I grow old. I want you girl." He kissed her as he couldn’t stop his hand from running over her body. When they got home he was going to fatten her up with chocolate and … his hand stopped as he could feel her move and he loosened the grip he had on her a little to be able to look down at her. He noticed that her hands were trying to grip his shirt. With a small smile he lifted up her chin with his fingers and kissed her. "I love you so don’t you give up on me Meg, not now, not ever." There was a faint answer to his kiss so he let his hands caress her face. "I have got such big dreams for us, for instance I know where we shall build our house and raise our children."

"Children?" He could hardly hear what she said.

"Children, we are having as many as possible. Oh yes we are." He smiled down at her. "But first you need to get well and gain some weight. A man likes to have something to hold on to and frankly right now you are too skinny, more like a scarecrow than the beautiful woman I fell in love with" He saw her tired green eyes search for his. "Welcome back beloved." He leaned his face so that their noses rubbed against each other before he kissed her.

Jarrod had just hung up his hat when there was a knock on the door and he went to open it. Outside stood a colleague and old friend to him and Jarrod understood from the way he held his body that this wasn’t just a social visit.

"Mark, I guess you better come in."

"Thanks, Jarrod. I won’t stay long." Mark Goldstein knew that family members were ill but he still needed to do this. "I have tried to postpone this visit as long as possible and thought I might better do it here than in your office.

"We both knew it would come one day or another. Mother and my niece left for Stockton earlier today and I just got home. My brother and his wife are still here." He showed the way to the study. "I have been waiting to hear from you since you told me that they had visited your office.

"How is she?" Mark sat down in the offered armchair.

"Not well. Will we need Nick?" Ming came in the room and quickly put down a tray he had put together as soon as he heard that Jarrod was home.

"No, I think we can handle things." He pulled out two envelopes. "Johan Peters gave me an envelope from him as well as we decided that under the circumstances here we shouldn’t both come." Steps from the foyer warned the men that somebody was coming and as they turned their heads towards the door Nick entered.

"Sorry Jarrod, didn’t know you had company." He smiled at Mark. "I guess from the serious look on your face Mark that you are not just visiting. He shook the outreached hand.

"No, Nick. How is your wife?"

"She is better." Nick saw Jarrod’s brow go up. "She woke up for a short while earlier today. Well, I shan’t disturb you gentlemen."

"You might as well hear this as well Nick since it concerns you. Shall I start with Johan’s?" Mark looked over to Jarrod who nodded tiredly. Nick walked over to the hearth and poked a little in the fire. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be here. "He represents a Miss Georgina Ascot. And she is suing Miss Megan Adams for destroying her future."

"WHAT?" Nick felt the back of his hair raise in anger. Jarrod quickly rose to calm him.

"Don’t worry Nick." Mark looked at him. "Johan has told her she hasn’t got a chance, not after the investigation he did but she still isn’t putting it aside and instead of having her change lawyer and get one who is looking for headlines in the newspaper he decided to stay as her lawyer. He knows it’s a lost case but as he said he isn’t risking anything and it’s the lady’s choice. She however doesn’t know that he and we were schoolmates and that the reason he came over here was our friendship."

"I forgot that." Nick went over to the trolley. "Still we have to go to court, right? Can it be done in Stockton or does Megan have to come back here once I get her home?"

"They want it here but Jarrod as her lawyer can claim that Megan isn’t fit for the travel. Johan has tried to stall it as long as he could before leaving you this but that doesn’t mean the trial has to be held in the near future. Don’t you need to investigate the accusations first Jarrod and during that, let’s say you get Megan home Nick? What I know is she is allowed to travel.“

"This means Nick that we need to get Megan home as fast as possible in case they try to stop her."

"She won’t be able to handle a stage coach trip Jarrod. At least I don’t think so and from what the doctor said …"

"I know what he said little brother but if the trains aren’t going in a fortnight it has to be the coach to Redwood City."

"That does give her 48 hours, not much." Mark stood up and went to the younger man.

"Don’t worry. As long as this lady doesn’t change lawyer we can stall things but Jarrod is right the sooner she gets back to Stockton the better it is."

"Believe me Mark, there is nothing more that I want more than to get my wife home but I want her to be alive when we enter the ranch."

"That bad?"

"That bad. Well it can only get better from here, or at least I hope so. So that was one envelope, what does the other say?" Mark returned to the chair with a glass of brandy.

"Well, this worries me a little more and I know I shouldn’t be saying that as they are my clients." He reached over the second envelope to Jarrod who quickly read it before he looked up to Nick.

"I must say Nick, that I think that I’d rather represent Megan against Miss Ascot since she has a winning case."

"Why what’s wrong with this?" He got the note from Jarrod and started to read. Jarrod watched the anger grow in Nick’s eyes and his muscles tighten. "How dare they?"

"I’m sorry Nick. Once again I don’t think they know the connection there is between us and that is to your advantage and I shouldn’t even be discussing this with you."

"Now I think they do and that is why Melwins asked for you. I had a long talk with Peter just a few days ago and he apologised for everything, I just didn’t understand for what. I think you are chosen for a reason."

"He wants me too lose?" Mark chuckled. "Now that would be a first. You might be right. It was Mr Craven that approached me after being recommended tome and when I did meet Mr Melwin he made sure that I didn’t mention that we had met privately here. This is going to be fun."

"No it isn’t. This is insulting." Nick still had the paper in his hand. "I have stayed calm not to do anything to make the situation worse as you asked me Jarrod but right now I just want to …"

"Nick, I know how you feel. Yes I do because I feel the same. Megan belongs to the family and as for the free products, well Mother did find a piece of paper that shows that she is telling the truth. I have it here, Mark and as their lawyer you may read it." Mark read the paper that clearly stated that Mr Peter Melwin was to receive wine and other products that was equivalent to the missing sum of gold: $ 45 000. "Mark, Nick and Heath, over the last days have just counted together what the last years of products have cost and that is $100, 000. Mother says she thinks father continued because their friendship was worth it and we continued because we thought it was to be so. Heath is home now going over the books from when the house was built and forward." Jarrod walked over to the trolley. "It worries me more that Craven doesn’t give up the inquest against Megan. What has she done more than worked for Mrs Craven’s sister?"

"She has?" Mark looked surprised.

"You didn’t know that? She worked for Mrs Capenwick for over five years, in fact that lady liked Megan so much she paid for the voyage over here."

"This is not going to be easy." Mark poured the whisky down his throat. "I’m sorry Nick but I can’t prevent this but again I shall see to it, with Jarrod’s help that it’s held in Stockton. Don’t worry Jarrod, I’ll see myself out. Nick just see to it you and your wife get back home, to Stockton that is."

"Jarrod, she needs more time. It’s too risky." Nick paced in front of his brother. "I just can’t …" He stopped and looked out of the window. He stood there trying to calm the range of emotions in him when he felt his brother’s hands on his shoulders.

"Nick, Mark wouldn’t risk coming here if he hadn’t thought the situation was bad and we needed to get her out of here."

"He was here yesterday without …"

"Yes, but then he had an errand, to leave the court note to us and since I hadn’t been to the office for a few days here was the only place he could come."

"I don’t like this, not knowing why they are doing this? I feel so helpless when I can’t protect her from them and risking her life …"

"It’s either the trip tonight or she will have to stay here while you leave for the trail. We must get her to Stockton Nick. I’ll have a stage coach ready by midnight, that will give us time to get to Redwood or Mayfair in time for the morning train and time for me to get back here in time. Get her ready, she is one tough lady, your wife, she will make it." Jarrod tried to soothe the pain he understood that his brother felt. "Little Brother, I know it’s easy for me to say, it’s not my wife. I too wonder why they keep on going like this but let us deal with this one step at a time. Go upstairs and get her ready, I know there are still several hours but if she has the time it might spare some energy. Go on. I’ll talk to Ming."

He squeezed the broad shoulders of his younger brother, feeling the tense muscles under the vest.

"You are right Jarrod, I’ll pack and she can get ready, taking the time she needs. Still I hate doing this, running away like a dog with his tail tucked underneath him."

"I wouldn’t say that, we are just retreating to safety while we draw new attack plans."

"Just as long as it’s not a final retreat." Nick turned to leave the room.

"Now just what do you take me for? Don’t believe we can win over Mark?" Nick stopped at the doorway and sneered.

"Big Brother, I have every cent I own on you so you better win." He hit the doorpost as he passed it. Jarrod glanced out of the window before he pulled up his watch. It was going to be a long night.

Shortly before midnight Nick helped Megan out to the waiting coach while Jarrod carried the luggage. The street lights had been turned of for the night so the only guiding light was the torches on the coach. The driver took off as soon as Jarrod had closed the door and sat down. Nick was still tucking the blanket around Megan’s tiny body and the pull that came when the horses started almost knocked him over. Jarrod managed to catch him just before he landed in his lap and steered him over to the seat next to Megan. Nick tipped his hat as thanks and picked up another blanket and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thank you." He caressed her cheek with his fingers before he leaned back in the seat. For a long time none of the travellers said anything. Megan sat concentrating on sitting straight, trying to control her body movements as the weakness started to take over. It had been a hazard just to get dressed and form her hair, creating a lot of comments from her husband. She wanted to look the best she could for him and she wanted to be a lady not a … She wasn’t sure he would ever understand how she felt. Her thin hand touched the edge of the cape. It felt so smooth, so luxurious. Her husband did spoil her with these lovely things so why couldn’t he understand that she wanted to look as they were aimed for her. Nick sat on his side wondering why women, his wife specifically, were so foolish that they/she had to put good looks before health. He liked her hair loose but her foolish manners, her pride had almost cost her everything she had gained in the last two days. Why didn’t she understand that he thought she even looked lovely wearing her nightdress, not that he wanted her to wear it in public but … He looked at her from the side and noticed that she was struggling to sit up so he turned slightly and pulled her towards him, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. His free hand found hers and he braided their fingers. Jarrod quietly sighed with relief when he saw Nick change position and let his wife lean against him. He hadn’t realised how tense he had been until that moment. Their discussion, if it now could be called that, well Nick arguing with Megan why she didn’t need to form her hair or put some colour to her face had been heard in the whole house. Jarrod hadn’t heard what his sister-in-law had answered but what ever it was she had it got her way and was now dressed in the brown-gold dress and a lovely green cape he hadn’t seen before. The matching hat was like a cherry on the chocolate cake. Jarrod chuckled to himself. He must be tired. He noticed that Nick watched him with a raised brow and he smiled back.

Chapter twenty

At the Barkley Ranch…

Victoria and Emily had after long hours on the train reached Stockton where Heath had met them. Victoria had been pleased to hand over their luggage to him while she took care of the young girl. Emily was very tired and whiny. She also had made it clear to Victoria that she was with her just because she promised her daddy but that didn’t mean that she was going to do what she was told. Victoria had a headache and longed to lay down.

After dinner and a warm bath for Emily the two Barkley females both felt better and Emily let Victoria put her to bed in Nick’s room.

"Nanny, when Daddy and Auntie Eggan come home?"

"I don’t know when they will come, Love. Your aunt Megan has to get better first. It is a long trip. Emily you never told me why you don’t want her as your Mother? Megan is very fond of you and your father."

"You don’t like Megan." Emily studied her grandmother and Victoria sensed that the answer was very important so she thought for a moment before she answered.

"Love, I made a huge mistake and that almost cost me your father and you. I hope I can show you that I do respect Megan and want to get to know her, hoping she will forgive me." Emily pulled the blanket tighter.

"She will, she never angry, not even when Em was bad girl. Uncle Arrad right, punish hurts."

"I guess I too have to ask Jarrod for a punish since I was bad too or do you have any suggestions besides a hurt bottom?" Emily bit her lip while thinking.

"No flowers."

"Ouch, that hurts. Do you really think I can be without my flowers? Alright I’ll give it a try, can you be without Ollie I guess a day or two without arrangements won’t hurt me."

"Until Daddy come home."

"As long as you are without Ollie? Well, young lady I guess you have a deal. Now will you be able to sleep in this large bed without falling out? There is no wall."

"I sleep here before."

"I know but then your father was in it too."

"I be alright. Night." Victoria bent down and kissed the girl. As she left the room she left the door open and the light just slightly dimmed.

On the way to Stockton…

The stage coach reached Redwood City just as the first train was backed into place. Jarrod quickly gathered the little luggage that the couple had as Nick lifted his wife up and carried her to the train. They found their places and Jarrod bid them good bye before he headed back home before their escape was noticed. The next fifteen minutes meant a tense waiting for Nick before the train finally left the station heading for Mayfair and Stockton. Feeling a little relieved that they were on their way home and everything seemed going so well he got his gun out of the bag and strapped it onto his hip and leg. He felt much more dressed and secure with it on. He still wondered why Jarrod had told him not to wear it. Megan weakly watched the man opposite her as she leaned against the cold window. She made an attempt to pull her cape closer to her body but the time of illness and her stubbornness had left her with no strength at all. Over and over again she grabbed on edge and tried to pull it to wrap-over the other edge. She was trying so hard, concentrating on what she was doing, she didn’t notice that her husband sat watching her and slightly shaking his head. When he thought she had tried enough times he leaned over to her and helped her.

"There, better?" Megan nodded and closed her eyes. Nick noticed the fatigue and moved so that he sat next to her instead, placing first his coat and then his arm around her shoulders before he pulled her towards him. "Beloved, want to sit on my lap to keep warm? We are alone on the train since it’s so early. No? Then lean against me and not the window." He turned a little so that her head could lean against his chest, making her hat move from its place and mess her hair. He smiled as he tried to get it off her head and her hand went up to stop him. "Come on, Meg, it’s just in the way. I’ll help you put it back on when we get to Stockton."

"No, you are good at taking things off but putting them back on…" She stopped when Nick’s chest started to jump as he laughed. "Besides I have seen how Emily looks when you help her."

"Oh Lord, Megan. Can I help that I have more experience in taking items off than help a lady get dressed?" He tried to control his laugh as he placed two fingers under her chin and lifted it up towards him. "I’m sure that between you and Emily and all the other little girls we might have I’ll get to know how."

"Hmmm." She rested her head against him. "Don’t you want a son?"

"That too Mrs Barkley, that too. A whole bunch." A sigh from Megan started his laughter again and he lifted her up on his lap, despite her protests.

At the Barkley Ranch…

Victoria gave Emily her third serving of Silas’ scrambled eggs when the front door opened and Nick called out that they were home.

"Daddy!" The adults looked at each other in surprise as Emily ran from the table. Heath quickly put his serviette beside his plate and hurried after Emily. When he and Victoria reached the foyer they saw the young girl head up the stairs. When Heath caught up with her he threw her up on his shoulders as they climbed the stairs up to the bedrooms. As they came into the couple’s bedroom they saw Silas quickly make the bed as Nick stood holding Megan in his arms. "Daddy. I sleep there."

"Hallo, Sweetheart. I see that you got a new horse. Thank you Silas." Nick placed Megan on the bed before he sat down next to her.

"Nick, what on earth are you doing home?" Victoria looked at the tired couple.

"Nice to see you too Mother. We had to leave in haste. Let me get Megan ready for a stay in bed and some breakfast and I’ll tell you all about it."

"I can manage myself." Megan tried to get Nick’s hands off her buttons. "You get some food and rest yourself."

"She is right, you three OUT. I’ll see to Megan." Victoria stepped forward to help her daughter-in-law. "Nick, on the way out I suggest you get a clean shirt and get a wash before breakfast. And tell Silas to bring some thing up for Megan." She showed them out before she turned all her attention to the younger woman. "I don’t know why you are already home but believe me I’m pleased and it’s not only that I now can go out in my garden." She took the hat and cape from Megan and went to hang them up. "You should start to think of how you want this room redone."

"No, it’s fine as it is. Mrs Barkley, you can go and have your breakfast too, I can manage."

"It’s Victoria and save your strength for something else." She bent down and untied the shoes. "Emily and I were going to clean out my old closet for you today. It has just been some storage room for things we couldn’t throw away when Tom was killed. This was his and my room then but I didn’t want to be in here and Nick needed a new room. He had the room Emily has now. I did hang your new outfits yesterday but in your old closet so don’t worry." She went over and got an extra blanket for Megan as the younger woman had unbuttoned her dress and now was laying in her underwear. As Megan closed her eyes Victoria placed the blanket over her and took the dress from the bed.

"So what you are saying Nick is that there are two trials coming up in the near future for Megan? While you are gone?" Victoria put down the cup she had been holding. Nick sat with Emily on his lap enjoying the egg and ham in front of him. Emily held her hand on his arm and steered it now and then to her mouth.

"Jarrod is going to stall it as long as possible. He thought that perhaps the Ascot thing might go down the drain since he doesn’t think that Miss Ascot wants things out in public here. For the other one there is so much more investigation that need to be done that it will take some time before it can get to court."

"Daddy, you bring Ollie?"

"Ollie who? I can’t remember an Ollie. Hmmm, can’t remember I saw an Ollie." He scratched his head.

"Daddy?" Emily’s lower lip started to tremble as Victoria stared at him.

"Please don’t tell me you forgot the doll?" Nick looked at his mother with a surprised look in his eyes as Heath did his best to not show his smile.

"Big Brother, Mother is punished from working with her flowers as long as Emily doesn’t have Ollie so for your sake I hope you didn’t forget the doll." A grin broke out on Nick’s face.

"I guess that depends on how long the punish shall go on."

"NICHOLAS!"

"Alright, Em go up stairs, Ollie is in Megan’s bag. She made sure Ollie wasn’t left behind." Emily quickly slid down from his lap and ran up the stairs to get her best friend. As she entered the room she kept as quiet as she could, not wanting to disturb her aunt, while she looked for the bag. When she found it she sat down and worked the lock until it sprung open. There at the top was her friend and she grabbed her and lifted her up as gently as she could before placing Ollie on her lap. She sat there for a moment before she looked over to her aunt and smiled. Softly Emily walked over and crawled up onto the bed, took her shoes off before she lay down next to Megan.

"Hallo there Sweetheart. Feeling better?" Megan moved a little towards the edge, giving the girl some space.

"Yes, careful you don’t fall out of bed. No wall." She placed Ollie in between them. "I miss Ollie lots."

"I thought so."

"You sleep or Daddy be angry." She nuzzled against her aunt. When Nick came up half an hour later he found them both fast asleep and since he didn’t want to disturb them he went to Emily’s room to get some sleep himself.

The sun was just showing its face when there was a lot of activity at the ranch. Heath and his troop of ten men were getting ready to go to the north pasture and then continue to Lincoln, Duke and Clem were taking a herd to Santa Cruz while Nick and his men were heading towards San Diego. Megan had been allowed out of bed just to see them off. Nick had been very strict this time and together with Doc Merar and Victoria he had managed to keep her in bed since they got back. As he mounted Big Duke he smiled over to his wife and a sting in his heart made him realise how much he was going to miss her. Six weeks before he could enjoy her company again. He was having the longest trip but it couldn’t be helped. Colonel Mendez refused to do any business with Heath or Jarrod for that matter and since he always bought a large number of stock from them he went. Normally his brother would be with him but this year there had been several orders to fulfil and the only thing they could do was to go separate ways. He rode over to her where she stood and bent down for a last kiss.

"Promise to rest Beloved. I want you fit for life when I get back home."

"Don’t worry Nick, I have had enough of this. Be careful and hurry home." He let his fingers run through her hair and sighed.

"Love you girl." He got Emily from her and they left. Emily was getting a treat as her father let her follow him to the South pasture from where Jarrod would take her home. Megan stood watching for as long as she could see them with Victoria by her side.

"I remember the first time Tom left for a longer trip. I can still feel the loneliness I felt then and the worry when I see the boys leave. I wish I could say it gets easier, it doesn’t but it feels different depending on what stage you are in life. Sometimes when the children were young, it could be a blessing, Nick no matter how young he was suddenly behaved much better, being the man in the house even if Jarrod was older Nick always saw himself as the one that would have to protect me and his younger siblings. One year, when he was about ten, I found him walking by the fence, keeping guard. The key Megan is to keep busy."

"Can’t do that. Have to go back to bed."

"I know but I have an idea." She placed her hands on her daughter-in-law’s thin arm and led her inside. "There will be a charity sale at the church in May and I was thinking of donating some quilts. Now I love to sew them but I hate to be honest with you, cutting the pieces that are needed. I was hoping you would help me. That is something that can be done in bed or by a table by the fire. It is something that you can pick up and put aside when you want to."

"I would like to do that. Anything that keeps my mind off things. All I really want is to get the all clear and have this fatigue gone and everything to be as before I went on that sailing boat."

"Regret coming here, Megan?"

"No, if I hadn’t I wouldn’t be with Emily or met Nick. I guess I can’t understand why I can’t get well."

"Wish I could answer that for you."

Chapter twenty-one

Laughter brought Victoria to the windows of her sewing room and as she pushed the curtains aside she saw her granddaughter run ahead of her daughter-in-law. Megan was walking very slowly as it was her first proper time outside since she had become ill. Five weeks indoors and most of it in bed had claimed its price and Victoria watched the thin and pale woman follow the path to the pasture behind the barns. Emily came running back with something in her hand which she gave to her aunt before she ran off again. Victoria smiled to herself. The past two weeks had given those two a chance to really get to know each other and she hoped that Emily one day would give up her stubbornness about Megan as her mother. With a quiet sigh and gentle shake of her head she went back to the colourful patches that were all spread over the table. She knew where that stubbornness came from and if her mother had had some in her too as Megan claimed then the girl was given a double dose. Nick wasn’t going to have an easy life when that youngster turned into a teenager. She walked around the table a few times studying closely the different quilts Megan had laid out for her last night and Victoria realised that they were perfect and just needed to be sewn together. She was looking forward to the one with blue and green colours, the pattern was one she had never seen before and she started to pore over it more closely. She took a few steps back and forward and another walk around it before she realised that it was a rose. Oh my so clever and really so simple and yet the effect was magnificent. She went back to the window but didn’t see either of the two. A look at her watch told her to get ready for her trip into Stockton, if it was to be done before lunch and she hurried to her own room.

"Emily, please take it a little slower. I just can’t walk that fast." Megan pulled her cardigan closer around her body as she tried to keep up with the young girl. She was short of air and just the short walk to the fence of the pasture had taken the energy she had felt she had. Emily was already inside and patting one of the horses.

"Auntie, this is Daddy’s horse. He is old. Daddy got him when he was double me and a little more."

"Double you and a little more? I don’t understand Em? Megan leaned against the fence.

"Daddy say so." Emily continued to caress Coco, who bent down so the child could reach his ears. He started to rub his face against her body causing her to fall down but instead of crying Emily started to giggle. "You play with me?" Megan watched the couple continue their game as another horse joined them. It did look like the animals were playing with the girl. Megan lifted her face towards the warm sun and felt the light breeze play with her hair. For a moment she pretended that it was her husband’s fingers before the weakness in her body brought her back to reality.

"Em, I need to go back to the house before I get too tired. Are you staying?" When the girl nodded Megan started the walk back herself. She had promised the doctor not to overdo things when he yesterday had said she could start to go outside for a little walk or just to sit in the garden. She almost made it to the kitchen door when her legs gave up and she fell. Suddenly there was a gentle hand helping her up. "Thank you Silas. It didn’t seem as such a long walk before." She tried to brush off her dress.

"Don’t worry Mrs Megan. It won’t take long before you are back to your normal self. Just give it time." He held a steady but gentle grip on her arm and helped her inside the kitchen.

"Hmmmm that does smell lovely. What is it?"

"A special cake that Mrs Barkley always has served as dessert on Valentine’s Day. And just because the men aren’t around doesn’t mean that we can’t have it today."

"I forgot that it was Valentine’s Day today Silas. Think Nick has found the letter?"

"I’m sure he has, if not I let young Mr Joshua in on the secret so that he finds it today."

"Thank you, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you around."

"Young Mrs, the pleasure is all mine. Now you rest here while I start preparing lunch."

Slowly Megan started up the stairs to go to bed. Today had been the first day she had been allowed to be up and about as the doctor had said and even if she had promised to be careful she now felt that she might have done a bit too much. Victoria had encouraged her to stay up with her for a while after dinner and she had seen to it that Emily had gone to bed. As she walked into her bedroom she stopped to turn the lights down. She couldn’t get used to that, the lights were lit nearly all the time, that there was more than just the hearth to guide you when it was time for bed. As she got closer to the bed she stopped, there on the bed were a box and a lovely rose. With a few more steps she sat down next to the items, the rose smelled wonderful and reminded her of the roses in Mrs Capenwick’s garden. She sat with it inhaling the aroma while her mind travelled back home. When her finger got stung by a small thorn the reflex made her drop it on the cover. As she started to suck her finger she moved the rose a little aside, picked up the box and opened the lid. Inside lay a card and she recognized the handwriting.

O my love is like a red, red rose,

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my love is like the melodie,

That’s sweetly play’d in tune

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in love am I;

And I will love thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

And I will love thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only love!

And fare-thee-weel a while!

And I will come again, my love,

Tho’ it were ten thousand mile.

Dearest Beloved Megan,

I hope you don’t mind that I use Robert Burns’ poem to say what I feel. I’m not a fancy writer or a man good with words just a simple rancher. This is our first Valentine and I can’t be with you but still I want to give you a token of my love and a promise that when I’m back I’ll make it up to you.

Your husband Nick

With tears falling down her cheeks Megan carefully moved the silk paper away and with gentle fingers she picked up the beautiful cameo. For some time she sat studying the couple captured in coral, letting her finger now and then run over it before she held it up on it’s black velvet ribbon choker and tied it around her neck. Her hand mirror was laying on her bedside table so she reached for it and held it so that she could study herself. She was stunned by the wonderful gift he had gotten her and moved over to the window. The last night they had been together he had told her that he every night would look up at the stars and think of her, hoping she would do the same.

"Nick, where ever you are, I love you and want you back home safe as soon as possible. Thank you, precious, thank you for your gift and the poem."

On the way to San Diego…

Several miles away Nick and his men were getting ready for some sleep putting on their coats for cover against the cold, blankets to keep the warmth and cups of hot coffee to warm the inside too. Guards were set around the herd and the fire was crackling in the cold air. Nick pulled his coat closer round his body and heard the sound of paper from his pocket. He pushed down his hand and pulled out an envelope. With a surprised look on his face and a raised brow he turned it around and saw that it was addressed to him. A quick look around at the men gathered around the fire didn’t reveal who placed it in his pocket because he was absolutely sure it hadn’t been there before. As he had noticed the familiarity in the handwriting he stood up and walked away, wanting to read it alone. As he left the group Joshua watched his friend leave and he smiled as he started to sing a spiritual to the rest of the group. Nick soon found a place where he could read in the moonlight and as he sat down he pulled out the thin paper with Megan’s handwriting.

Dearest Nicholas,

How much I do love that name! When we were in San Francisco you recited a poem of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and when I now sat down to write these lines to you another one of hers came to my mind. She expresses my feelings for you so well so I’m taking the liberty of writing it down to you.

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made me of yourself, but for what you are making me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out."

Thank you, my love, for making me your wife.

Yours forever

Megan

Nick folded the paper and put it back into it’s envelope before he leaned back and looked at the stars.

"It’s I Megan that should thank you for coming all the way from the old country and accepting this cowboy as your life’s partner. Just about four more weeks and I’m home by your side again." He sat in the dark looking up while his friend sang in the background.

At the Barkley Ranch…

Victoria sat at her desk with tears falling down her cheeks watching Tom’s photo that she held in her hands. All day her thoughts had been on her family hoping her sons were alright. She had received a lovely letter from Audra and her family accompanied by a small box of chocolates. Audra had since her father had been killed given her mother a box every year and even now when she wasn’t even living in Stockton a box had come. She stood up and walked to the window, still with the photo in her hand and stood watching the stars before she smiled at her husband.

"I did something today Tom, I never thought I would do. Well I could see Heath or Jarrod ask for help but not our Nick. Our tough cowboy, our powerful strong son needed some help to court his wife and I did it. I placed the present he had got for her and picked the most beautiful rose I could find in the garden. I even cut off all thorns; at least I hope I didn’t miss any. I have behaved so badly against the two of them so I hope this will be a new start for us all. I misjudged her so badly. Oh Tom, I do believe you would have told me off in a more harsh way than your sons already have. And knowing that I almost lost them and our Emily … Dearest, it’s days like this I miss you the most, days when lovers should be together."

Chapter twenty-two

"Miss Adams." Megan stopped when she heard someone call her. Emily held her hand in a firm grip as Megan slightly turned to see who had called her. Mr Tanner was crossing the street in their direction, which made Megan sigh softly as she wondered what the banker wanted. Emily stood patiently beside her aunt as they waited, as she was looking forward to lunch with her aunt and uncle. Jarrod had promised his niece that if she behaved well while she and Megan were in Stockton he would treat them both to a nice restaurant and she could get a dessert if she wanted. And since Emily wanted dessert she had followed Megan first to the dressmaker and then to the post office without complaining.

"Miss Adams, I need to talk to you."

"It’s Mrs Barkley now Mr Tanner."

"Huh, I need to know why you persist in taking the matter to court?"

"Me? Mr Tanner, I don’t want it in court, it’s Miss Ascot and her lawyer that are the ones that want to make that move."

"It’s not a very attractive feature to lie Mrs Barkley."

"Lie? Mr Tanner, I …" Megan inhaled as she was accused of lying. Emily stepped in front of her aunt sensing that something was wrong. At that moment Jarrod came out of his office to help them as he had seen from his window that Mr Tanner had stopped Megan and he sensed trouble.

"Mr Tanner, if you have anything to discuss with my client I ask you to join us in my office." Emily looked up at her uncle feeling that now everything would be better as her aunt’s grip of her had first become firmer but loosened when her uncle came up. The young girl could also hear that his voice was sterner than he normally was towards her and auntie Megan.

"I apologise Mr Barkley, I was just trying to avoid the court on Thursday."

"Then I suggest you talk to Miss Ascot. She is the one that wants it, none of us are particularly happy about it."

"Georgina wouldn’t lie to me, she wouldn’t."

"Mr Tanner, this is nothing we should discuss here on the pavement. You are welcome in the office."

"No Mr Barkley, Mrs Barkley." He turned around and hurried down the street. Emily pulled at Jarrod’s sleeve and he bent down and picked her up.

"I didn’t like him. Can we have dessert now?" Jarrod chuckled.

"Aunt Megan and I have to talk first then we will have lunch." Emily sighed deeply making Jarrod laugh. "Patience young lady." He started to walk back to the office.

An hour later, the tactics were laid and the evidence had been gone through as Jarrod didn’t want any surprises. He had started to put the papers together and Megan to put on her hat when Emily who had been watching out of the window suddenly ran out of the room and through the foyer. Surprised Megan went to the window and saw what was happening outside and she too hurried out of the office, followed by Jarrod.

"You leave him. You bad." Emily stood up to the larger boy that was kicking a younger boy who laid on the ground.

"So bastard, you have to have your girlfriend come and defend you." The older boy tried to push Emily aside so that he could get another kick in but Emily started to hit him with her fists.

"You said bad word. You very bad. You say sorry." The boy pushed Emily so that she fell backwards but the girl was soon up on her legs and flew on the bigger boy again. His friends didn’t know what to do and pulled back into the circle of adults that stood around the children watching. Jarrod managed to get into the circle and get a hold on Emily just as the boy was going to hit her again. The boy managed to run off before Jarrod got a good hold on his collar as Jarrod was more worried about Emily’s bleeding nose. As he put the girl down he noticed that Megan was by the prone boy’s side and Emily moved over to them, placing a hand on her aunt’s back. Jarrod turned to the adults that stood there and had done nothing and his eyes gleamed with anger.

"For Pete’s sake, was that something to just watch? Why on earth did you let them go on?" Several snorts were heard and most left at once. The blacksmith looked at Jarrod and sneered.

"I gather it takes a bastard to protect another." Jarrod felt his fist clutch as he was about to hit the man when a moan stopped him and he turned his attention to the trio on the ground. Megan was still leaning over the child as Emily stood beside with her bloody nose and tears falling holding tight to a broken crutch.

"Megan, how is he doing?"

"He’s badly hurt Jarrod. We need to get him to Doc Merar." Jarrod bent down and picked the boy up and he started towards the clinic as Megan picked up Emily. As they arrived at the clinic Mrs Iva Merar let them straight into the examination room before she went after her husband. It took Howard Merar one look at the boy to understand the seriousness of his injuries and he shook his head and sighed.

Without a word he managed to get Jarrod to take Emily from Megan and carried her to the waiting room. Megan stayed with the doctor and together they got the torn dirty clothes off the tiny bruised body. Iva joined Jarrod and Emily so that she could have a first look at the girl’s face but Emily hid it against Jarrod’s body.

"Sweetheart, please let Mrs Merar have a look at you? We just want to know that you are alright."

"I’m alright. He not. Sorry Uncle Jarrod. Now no dessert?"

"You can have as much dessert you want Sweetheart even if I don’t want to encourage a young girl to fight. I think you did a good thing to help him but you should have told us before you ran out like that. Now let us have a look." Emily slowly turned her face to Mrs Merar who shook her face at the sight of it.

"Come dear, this is nothing we can look at out here. Let’s go into my kitchen. I think some warm water to wash the face is needed before I can have a look at that nose."

Doc Merar smiled slightly as Megan told him what had happened but stopped as the last piece of clothing came off the boy’s body. He was a colourful sight showing all the possible signs of being abused even before today’s event. There were scars and unhealed wounds mixed with patches of purple, red, blue and yellow.

"Megan, I have seen a lot in my life but every time I see a hurt child it gives me pain and yet no other child that I have seen for the past few years has been in this state if they haven’t been in an accident." His hands moved gently and with accustomed skill over the body. "And I hardly call abuse an accident." Megan felt the tears along her cheeks.

"Sweetheart, what have they done to you and why?" She stroked away a lock from his face.

"He should need a bath but I’m afraid that it would make things worse for him. There is a cloth and basin over there, please wash off what you can so I can clean the cuts. Besides several ribs that are broken I think all major bones are where they should be, but I can’t say if he has internal bleeding right now, we will have to wait and see. His nose is broken and so his cheekbone. Hmmm, there have been some bones broken in his arm before but they have healed."

Megan quickly went to work while the doctor continued the examination and as soon he was as clean as she could get him with just a cloth Howard took care of what he could. Afterwards the child was dressed in a nightshirt and carried to a bed. Once he was tucked in Emily was let in to see him so that she knew he was still alive, soothing her fear. Megan stood behind her stroking her hair and holding an arm around her as the girl held the boy’s hand for a moment.

"Alright little fighter, my wife tells me you have a broken nose that needs to be taken care off or you will have a nose like your father." Emily didn’t want to leave but a small whisper between her and her aunt changed her mind and she accepted being carried by Megan to the doctor’s room.

"When he come home with us?" Emily’s eyes followed Doc Merar while he moved around in the room.

"It will take some time, lass. I need to keep a close on him for some time and he still might not make it."

"He will." Emily raised her face to the doctor so that he could put some plaster on her small nose.

Jarrod walked into the livery to get the family’s buggy so that he could drive home the girls. He thought of Nick’s name of the two, the girls, Nick’s girls. Shaking his head he wondered what father Nick would say about his daughter’s fighting skills, she sure had her father’s way of acting. He definitive needed to discuss this with Nick and most of all with Emily. Little girls shouldn’t fight.

"Mr Barkley, I heard that you took young Theodore to the Doc’s."

"That’s the boy’s name?" Jarrod stopped by the owner of the livery. "Do you know where I can find his parents?"

"Boy’s mother died giving birth to him, father has never cared about him but the boy lived with him until his father got remarried about a year ago. Then he threw him out. Haven’t seen him around for some while."

"What?" Jarrod looked at him. "But he can’t be more than seven, eight?"

"He is six. It’s a good boy. Me and the wife have often talked about taking him in but never managed to talk to him. He sneaks in here after I have closed. Always cleans a stall or two or does something else, like he is paying for the shelter. I pretend to forget food and other supplies but every time I try to get hold of him he disappears."

Jarrod rubbed his chin as he nodded. The owner went to get the Barkley buggy.

"Mr Barkley, that young girl must be special too, can’t say I have heard of any girl standing up to that gang of boys, nor any other boys either. Gather she is her father’s daughter."

"I gather she is but I’m not sure he will be very pleased when he learns what she has done. Thanks, if you hear anything about where I can find the boys or Theodore’s father let me know."

"Sure thing Mr Barkley."

Emily sat quiet beside her uncle in the buggy, all wrapped in a warm blanket. Her right cheek and eye was getting a shade of blue and her red nose had swollen. Everything hurt and she wasn’t happy.

"Uncle Arrad, why Auntie Eggan stay when Em not?"

"We decided that someone had to be with Theodore when he wakes up and you young lady need to get into bed."

"Why Auntie Eggan?

"She is more used to nursing children than I am Emily and therefore more useful to the doctor. I’m good at driving little girls home."

"She get sick and Daddy get angry."

"I don’t think she will this time Emily and I don’t think the doctor will allow it. Still want dessert?"

"Yes but only ascream."

"Ascream?"

"Mr Silas make with as, then put goodies in." Jarrod shook his head.

"Young lady, you eat too many goodies." He pulled the horse to stop outside the front door, just as Victoria walked out of the door. One look at the girl and her hand went up in horror in front of her mouth.

"What?"

"Don’t worry Mother. Emily has Nick’s blood in her veins."

"Megan?"

"She is at the clinic helping doc with the boy Emily stood up for." He lifted down the girl as Duke came up to them. He rustled her hair.

"Lassie, girls are meant to be pretty and have the boys fight for them, not the other way around."

"He bad, he say bad word, he kick The…ore." Victoria and Duke studied the girl before they again turned their attention to Jarrod.

"She is right. This boy kicked Theodore who was laying on the ground with broken crutches. Our Em ran out of my office and defended him as good as she could, getting up every time she was pushed to the ground. There were several adults watching, no one did anything."

"No one but our Em?"

"Yep, Duke, our Em was the only one who acted."

Later that evening when Victoria was putting Emily to bed the front door opened and a tired Heath walked in. Jarrod met him in the foyer pulling him into his arms for a hug.

"We started to wonder if something had happened."

"We rode into a flood on the way home and had to take a turn around it. How’s things here? Megan on her legs yet?"

"Megan is at the clinic but she is alright, she is sitting by a young man’s side. Emily is in a bit of pain and not very happy since nether Megan or Nick are here. Go up and see if you can get her happy enough to sleep."

"What?"

"Go on Heath, then after your bath and while you are having something to eat I and Mother will fill you in on the events here. Go on." He pushed Heath towards the stairs and when his little brother was half way up he called out. "Good to have you home again, Little Brother.

Chapter twenty-three

Heath rode slowly towards Stockton. In the few days since he had turned up home he had hardly seen his sister-in-law since she insisted that they couldn’t leave the young boy alone. Heath had only very briefly visit the clinic to let her know that he was home. He had been busy with the ranch, since he had been away a week later than he had planned and Nick wasn’t expected for at least another week. Duke had handled the everyday work well but there was still a lot to do.

He sighed. He really didn’t have time for this but someone had to try to persuade Megan to come home the night before the court case started. If not for that so for Emily who had asked for her every night and they had found the child several times on her way to Stockton on foot. Somehow he knew he wouldn’t succeed in his mission. He thought about the situation, what did Jarrod say, that Nick’s girls had hearts that were as large as the ranch and a stubbornness that was as long as California. He chuckled realizing that Jarrod was probably right but he had forgotten something, the background they had. Emily might be young but she too hadn’t had the best start in life considering money and stuff. Hardship forms you. And Megan, what could he say, the short time he had known her he had learned that she would put a lot of things before herself, before her own welfare as long as she believed she was doing the right thing. And taking care of a child with no one else, well he could understand her, he would have done the same thing if he could and he knew Nick would have been disappointed at her if she had walked away leaving the young boy alone.

He could see the town on the horizon and pressed Charger to move a little faster but not much. Perhaps he should see if Megan’s partner Mrs Woods would give him a hand in this matter. He rode to the coffee shop and saw the sign hanging in the window: Closed for renovations. Open’s again under new management next month. Darn, he had forgotten that! Victoria had told him that they had closed it while getting a new kitchen and that Mrs Woods had gone to visit her daughter in Chicago for the week. Damn. This meant he had to deal with Megan himself if not … yes …perhaps Mrs Merar could help him. When he reached the clinic he got off Charger and tied him to the pole but instead of the clinic entrance before he went to the Merar’s kitchen door. When Iva Merar opened the door he motioned to her to be quiet and not call out that he was here. He sat her down at the table and they were soon joined by her husband.

Heath explained his problem and what he needed help with. Iva started to giggle and with a large smile she told him that she and Megan had already talked things over and they had decided that Howard was to drive her home in time to play with Emily before dinner. Iva was going to stay with the child until the trial was over and then Megan would come back. Hopefully he would be awake by then. For the first time since he started the ride into town Heath felt at ease and he rose to walk into the room where the child still lay unconscious. When he reached the doorway he stopped. Megan was sitting on the bed, stroking some locks from the boy’s face, a face that had two open eyes, eyes that were searching Megan’s. Heath turned back to the kitchen.

"Doc, I think the boy has woken, at least if he hasn’t had his eyes open before." The doctor hurried into the clinic for his things before he joined Megan at Theodore’s side. Megan moved so that the doctor could examine the boy but she didn’t let go of his hand, nor from where Heath stood, did it look as if the boy was going to let Megan go. With a look at Mrs Merar he left for the livery to see if there was a buggy free. He condemned himself for fetching the family buggy yesterday to give it a look over and not taking it in today. As he walked into the livery he stopped, how on earth had he planned to get Megan home since he took Charger and not a buggy or a wagon?

An hour later they were on their way home. Doc Merar had agreed that since the boy had woken the best place for him would be the Barkley Ranch were the Barkley women for sure would handle things and spoil the child. He insisted on coming out early tomorrow before they had to go into Stockton and the court. Iva promised that she would join him and stay with the children while they were gone. Heath rode ahead to see to it that a bed was prepared for Theodore. When Victoria heard that the boy and Megan were on their way to the ranch she hurriedly cleaned out the room between Emily’s and Nick’s. Emily happily helped her with what she could and when the bed was made and the roomed aired she fetch a doll and some books for him. Then she sat down by the bed and waited.

The wagon with Megan and Theodore drove slowly through the gates and halted in front of the oak door. Heath was there with Duke ready to help the passengers down while the driver got paid by Jarrod. Heath carried the boy upstairs followed closely by Megan. Emily ran to her aunt and threw herself into her arms, getting her a firm grip around her waist. Megan bent down to the girl and saw the tears that fell down the girl’s cheeks. She pulled her into her arms and sat so while Heath and Victoria saw that Theodore was laid in bed.

"Shh, Sweetheart, what’s wrong?"

"Em thought you get bad again and you not come home. Then Em thought you not come because I was bad and didn’t want you as mummy."

"Oh Dearest Emily. I just didn’t want to leave Theodore all alone. It doesn’t matter if you don’t want me as your mummy, I’ll always be your auntie." She held the child tight to her body and rocked her. "Let’s have a look at you." Emily was a colourful sight. Her nose was bluish and swollen while her cheek was turning purple. Megan prayed that at least the purple and the swelling would be gone by the time Nick rode in. "I think Theodore still might be sleeping but shall we check?" Megan rose with Emily in her arms. Victoria walked up to her daughter-in-law and gave her a kiss.

"Good to have you home again." Heath brought a couple of chairs to the bed and motioned Megan to sit down.

"Why he sleep?" Emily sat on her aunt’s lap.

"Because he is still very hurt. He woke up for a short moment at the clinic and that’s when we decided that it was alright to move him here. Doctor Merar doesn’t think he has any internal damage except for the broken bones. But you see Em, sleep is good for Theo, it helps him heal faster and he doesn’t feel the pain as much as he would if he was awake."

"Why he has bandage around him?" Emily could see that there was something wrapped around his tiny body.

"Besides the damage done to his face Em, they broke some ribs and his right arm. It could have been much worse, Sweetheart if you hadn’t been there." Megan kissed her hair. Emily leaned her head against her aunt’s chest. She felt the warmth and happiness inside her body when she heard the familiar dialect and felt her aunt’s love for her. She kept studying the boy from where she sat.

"He need bath and pancakes." Her statement made the adults around her cough as they tried not to laugh. Heath leaned forward and tousled her hair.

"He sure does but until Doc says so he can’t."

"I know a young girl who also needs a bath and who has been promised ice cream if she did what she was told to." Victoria held out her hand but Emily shook her head.

"Em sit with auntie Eggan, then she bath me." Megan lifted a brow.

"You know what. I really need a wash and a change of clothes so why don’t we get that bath done now and then have some supper.” . Emily still shook her head.

"Can’t leave Theo."

"Emily, will I do? I can sit with your friend while you get ready for dinner and then bed. Or perhaps it should be your granny?"

"Won’t leave?"

"Promise I’ll stay until you return." Heath smiled at his niece. Another streak of Nick in her, protecting the weaker. Megan put her down so that the girl could run ahead while she did one last check on Theo before she left for her own room. She was amazed that in so short a time she had gotten so used to a daily bath and a change of clothing that four days without either made her feel very unhealthy and dirty. As she pulled the drawer open for some clean underwear her eyes caught Nick’s as he looked at her from the photo Victoria had given her the day he had left for the trip down south. His smile warmed her and she placed a finger on his lips.

"I miss you Precious. I need you here so that we can find a good home for that boy. He needs a ma and a pa and I think some siblings would do him good too. You know the people around here and I don’t.”

Somewhere in Southern California…

Nick cursed loudly when they were once again stopped by nature. The river they had crossed over without any problems on the way to San Diego had grown into a large and lively stream. They would not only risk their own lives but the horses too if they tried to cross it. Joshua and Thad rode up to their boss. They knew he wanted to get home as fast as possible and since they were already a week behind they knew his patience was wearing thin.

"Nick, if we follow the stream down ways it will calm down sooner or later."

"I know Joshua. I just can’t believe what is happening. I have done this trip for the last seven years always this time of the year and it’s never been like this. It’s like someone is doing what he can to stop us from going home, the only thing is I can’t understand why."

"Nature can’t be explained, Boss." Thad looked at the water, running fast in front of him. He sighed as the riders turned west and started to follow the river. Nick looked longingly to the other side knowing that it would be too risky to cross even if it had been the first day of the trail. He looked over his men, well, at least he could count their luck that they didn’t have any stock to handle or any injuries. Megan would wait for him no matter when he came home. Megan. The though of her eased his bad mood a little and while Big Duke walked along an imaginary path he sat thinking of her. His men noticed that he had calmed a little and Joshua and Thad exchanged a look and nod. They both guessed where their boss’ thoughts where and both hoped that this would be the last obstacle before a smooth ride home.

Continued…