The Contract

Chapters 17-22

by Barkley Lady

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 Seventeen

After lunch, during which Beatrice had related the events of the meeting to Victoria and himself, Nick had spurred his horse towards the pasture. He had already wasted the whole morning and couldn’t miss more of the day. Well, it had not all been a waste. At least he now knew that Beatrice wanted to stay married to him, which would make it easier to handle the situation with Jarrod. If he could just make his brother understand that he was serious about Beatrice. He couldn’t say that he loved her, but he really did care deeply for her. Strange, he who had so easily fallen in love before … well things were different than before … perhaps one day he would feel that he loved her, until then he was going to do his best. Suddenly he pulled his horse to a stop, got off and walked to a point where he had a great view over the valley. How he loved this place. He could see an eagle fly high above him; herds move down in the valley and on the horizon, the orchards started. Inhaling the clear air he felt really good and just stayed where he was for some time before he was back on the track but in a calmer state thinking of the trip to the lodge.

After a quick change of clothes Beatrice was out in her gardens. She had a quick walk around the two, checking what the hands had done the day before. With an amused twinkle in her eye she noticed that they had looked at her work in the herb garden and done the edges around the path in the kitchen garden just the same, they had even done a smaller path in each one of the four squares she had drawn out, making a clean access to the beds by the fence. She had only thought that she was going to stamp the earth there. It was obvious that they had talked to either Sam or Silas at some time. Those two were the only ones she had discussed the layout of the kitchen garden with. Feeling very happy with what they had done she decided that she would look them up later and thank them, perhaps she also should let Nick know how happy she was over what they had done.

Picking up the tools she needed from the shed she was happy that neither Sam or the other hands had guessed that she needed to move some of the earth from one end to another; mix it with manure and then place it where it was supposed to be and that she had to make several rounds with the wheelbarrow. If they or Nick had known she was sure they wouldn’t have let her but after the meeting and talk with Nick it felt good to get some hard body work done.

Victoria looked out of the window seeing her daughter-in-law make another round down to the dunghill. She enjoyed seeing the girl work, noticing how happy she seemed. When she and Nick had returned from Stockton, much later than Victoria had thought they would, the couple had been quiet and not said much. Still she was sure there weren’t any hard feelings between them and there was something in Nick’s treatment of Beatrice that had been different. Well, time would tell what it was. Right now she was happy that Nick didn’t know what his wife was doing, feeling sure he would object to it very much.

"Mrs Beatrice, you need to get ready before the reporter comes." Beatrice had asked if Silas would remind her when it was time to change back to something more decent.

"Thanks, Silas. What do you think?"

"I think it’s going to be fine, Mrs Beatrice. Is there much more work before you can start planting?"

"I think the earth has to get settled and then perhaps it’s better to wait for the spring. I need to find out about when and what to plant here. Don’t want to do it too late or too early. Guess I better put away things and then get ready for Miss Johnson. Can’t say I smell very nice. Think there is anywhere out here where I can scrub the worst of?" Beatrice wrinkled her nose as she giggled.

"I’ll get things ready in the kitchen Mrs Beatrice. Nobody home besides Mrs Barkley and yourself. Perhaps she could get something for you to wear?"

"Ask her please. I’ll use the pump by the barns to get the worst of my arms and face, not to mention my feet." She raised her skirt a little revealing two bare feet. Silas left her chuckling as she rolled the tools back to their place. Finding an old bucket she washed of the worst from her arms and face before turning her attention to her feet.

"You are going to need this Mrs Barkley." The voice startled her as she had thought she was alone and she quickly dropped her skirt. One of the hands was handing her a worn towel. She recognised him as one of the hands from yesterday.

"Thank you. You and the others did a marvellous job in the garden yesterday with the path and fence. I gather it wasn’t the first time?" The young man felt his cheeks blush.

"No madam. I worked at a church as a young boy in Boston. It had a large garden that needed tending to. I liked it and would probably have stayed if my brother hadn’t wanted to come out here."

"Is your brother here too?" Beatrice studied the man in front of her and guessed he would be around twenty at the most. "By the way I’m Beatrice."

"Jimmy, Ma’am. No my brother died about a year ago, just before I started to work for Mr Nick."

"I’m sorry to hear that, Jimmy. I’ll see to it that you get a clean towel, please wait here. I’d rather not go into the barns looking for you." Beatrice touched his arm lightly before heading to the kitchen door. "Silas, please get me a clean towel. I got to borrow one from a young man and I’m sure it’s the only one he has. Victoria came into the kitchen just as Silas gave Beatrice the new towel. Watching her leave Victoria turned to Silas, who shrugged his shoulders. Not before long Beatrice was back now ready for a proper clean before changing clothes. Silas left the kitchen as she undressed with the help of Victoria, who couldn’t stop laughing as they tried to avoid getting the kitchen and Victoria dirty as they, at the same time, tried to get the clothes of Beatrice.

"Well, I’m sure Nick will think that this is the proper use of your black dress but I’m not sure how they can be cleaned, Sweetie." Victoria sat down after having put the dress outside.

"I think it can be thrown away at once." Standing in her slip Beatrice looked at Victoria with a surprised face. "God, I didn’t think I would say something like that about something that took me four months to earn but then I never would have thought of mixing manure in it before either."

"Four months? Remind me of that next time you wear one of your old dresses."

"Did you know that one of the hands that worked in the garden yesterday …" Beatrice pulled down her dress as Victoria walked over to help her button up "… had worked in a garden before."

"No, I didn’t. Which one was it?"

"Jimmy."

"Don’t think I know who it is. Where had he worked?"

"Boston. Now I have just enough time to brush my hair before Miss Johnson comes."

"I’ll get some tea going meanwhile. Do you mind if I join you? I would like to hear what she has to say too about the meeting." Victoria walked over to the stove, missing Beatrice’s frown as she looked at her mother-in-law.

"No, of course you can join us." She went upstairs with a feeling that Victoria didn’t trust that she had done well at the meeting. Sighing she wondered why she always had to interpret things for the worst. She was sure that Victoria was just curious but inside herself her insecurity said something else.

Just as Beatrice was walking down the stairs to the foyer there was a knock. Silas quickly left the living room to answer knowing that Beatrice otherwise might do it.

"Hi, my name is Amelia Johnson. I’m here to see Mrs Barkley. The young Mrs Barkley I mean."

"Come on is Miss Johnson. You are expected, so I know who you mean. Come with me." He walked before the reporter into the living room where both Victoria and Beatrice now were waiting.

"Welcome, Miss Johnson. This is my mother-in-law, she will be joining us." Beatrice introduced the two to each other as she hoped that she still didn’t smell too much of the manure.

"Thank you Mrs Barkley. Nice to meet you Mrs Barkley." Victoria smiled at the young lady’s trouble of knowing how to address them.

"Now why don’t you address Beatrice by her name as I know she prefers that and we shall say Amelia to you? It will make things a little easier, don’t you think so?" The question was as much to Beatrice as to Amelia.

"It does. Tea or coffee?"

"I would love some tea please. I’m thankful that you could receive me with so short notice. I have the article here, I showed it to my editor before coming out here and he is prepared to print it tonight so it can be in the morning’s paper." She handed the piece of paper to Beatrice, who started to read it while Victoria started to question the reporter about the meeting.

"It was quite dull Mrs Barkley, until Mrs Beatrice started talking about what should be done instead of what the others had already decided before the meeting."

"You think it was already decided?"

"Yes, Mr Zachary and Mr Campbell were looking at a property yesterday according to my source; the only ones I don’t think were in on it were Mr Pickwick and Mrs Beatrice. Mr Pickwick had also donated a large sum of money and being a man, he got to be the chairman of the board which meant he managed to postponed everything the others had planned by deciding on a new meeting a fortnight from today."

"How come you were there? Surely the Eagle has no interest in an art museum?"

"No, but the owner heard about it from friends and was curious about it. He and the editor asked me to look into it. And I did. I don’t think they thought I would find out what I have." She sipped the tea. "Oh, it’s marvellous. I haven’t had tea like this since I left home."

"How long have you been in this country, Amelia?"

"About five years, working on different newspapers, mostly being allowed to boil the coffee and clean. It was when I first came out here that I was allowed to write a few articles. I’m sorry Ma’am, I do talk a lot."

"Don’t worry. Is it my turn to read the article?" Beatrice handed the paper to Victoria.

"I’m not sure what to say, Miss Amelia. I didn’t do such a big thing as you are making it. I just pointed out what any person with an art education would have told you."

"And if it is so, there were several people in the room who claim they know all about art and yet you, one of the donators, were the one who could think and see things clearly. I talked to Mr Pickwick after you left. He is willing to donate the painting and the others if they are done by Mr Constable and his friends."

"But still …? I’m not so sure ..."

"I love it so print it. I know that Mr Zachary and Mr Campbell have been approaching nearly everyone in this town that has enough money in their pockets. Beatrice, if we are to donate paintings to the museum we will want it to be run by competent people, people who know what they are talking about. I’m sure an article like this will catch the interest of many since this town now is growing into a big city. An art museum, now that’s classy considering this town not long ago was just a few sheds. It will also show that the town’s eyes are on the board to do the right thing. I know why you hesitate but I’m sure you can do it and I know that Nick will support it too."

"Please Mrs Beatrice. It would mean a lot to me if I get to print it. The others were making a fool out of me just because I had to go to that meeting."

"If you say it’s alright Victoria, then I suppose it is."

"May I be a bit blunt and ask you something Mrs Beatrice?"

"Yes, of course ask what you want to know."

"You said something about an art education, did you paint yourself too?"

"Hmmm, I did, in water colours. And before you ask, I don’t have anything left, it has all been destroyed and I don’t paint any more."

"What a pity. I was going to invite you to a meeting in San Francisco next month. There are a few women there that have started a group called "The Sketch Club". I got an invitation to write about them and it said that I could bring someone with me who was interested in art and preferably painted or drew too."

"Now that does sound like fun Beatrice." Victoria looked at her daughter-in-law. "It would do you good and Amelia might need someone who can explain the difference between black and black."

"Oh, please come with me Mrs Beatrice." Beatrice’s eyes fixed on a point behind the woman that sat on the sofa. She thought of how much fun it had been to paint and how it had kept her busy while her mama was ill.

"Hmmm, it does sound fun. Alright Amelia, I will come but please just say Beatrice."

"Goody, I’ll let the women know and I’ll make all the arrangements for the trip. The Eagle is paying my ticket and I’m sure they will pay for you too. I’ll come back to you as soon as I know more. Oh dear, I better get going so that no one else gets that spot in the paper." Beatrice stood up and followed her new friend to the door. Watching her get up in the buggy and drive off, she started to regret that she promised to go along and even more letting the article be published.

"Victoria, are you sure it’s alright? Nick won’t be angry reading about this in the paper? And I don’t want them to sue this family because of something I said or Nick to lose his temper." Victoria walked up to her and steered her back into the living room. After giving her a fresh cup of tea she sat down herself beside Beatrice.

"First, you did the right thing at that meeting. After hearing what Amelia had to say I’m proud that someone had the courage to go against Mr Zachary and Mr Campbell. Secondly and I’m sure Nick will agree with me, they don’t have a case and we have the best lawyer in Stockton." She gave the girl a light pat and laughed. "You have nothing to worry about, except a light odour of manure."

"Smells that much? I better go and wash my hair, perhaps even use that lavender shampoo Mr Hurricane insisted I should use and then I think I’ll go for a walk while it gets dry. The wind will blow the last odour out, or at least I hope so." She headed quickly upstairs to the bathroom.

Nick and Heath walked inside the house just as sunset lit up the sky. Victoria met them on the way down the stairs, already changed for dinner.

"Either we are very late or you are very early Mother." Heath kissed her before he started towards the stairs.

"I think I’m early since it was too late to lay down for a rest after the reporter left. I’ll just be in the sewing room, let me know when you boys are ready for a drink and I’ll join you. Oh, Nick, Beatrice went out for a walk, she should be back soon. She has had quite an interesting afternoon." Nick lifted a brow before frowning.

"She has?"

"Yes. I’ll let her tell you all about it but our Beatrice is going to be famous." With that Victoria left Nick standing in the foyer. Sighing he continued in Heath’s steps and headed for the bedroom.

As he passed the desk his eyes caught the envelope and feeling a bit embarrassed he remembered the discussion he had had with his wife earlier that day. For a few minutes he stood holding it weighing it, thinking about opening it before he put it down again. Instead he walked over to her table and picked up the photo of her mother. She had truly been a beautiful lady and he could clearly see where Beatrice had got her beauty from. It was just the twinkling in the eye that was different and the nose. His Beatrice had a much prettier nose. As he put it down he noticed the other photos on the table and he picked them up. He remembered when they had taken that family photo. It was just before Audra was going with her husband to Boston. He really did miss his sister. Setting them back where they had been he thought of her, wondering how his niece was doing. He hoped silently that they would come to the ranch for Christmas, he so wanted to see the little baby. A knock on the door let him know that Heath was done and the bathroom was his. Quickly he gathered his things together and with one last look at the envelope as he passed it he headed for a warm soak.

Beatrice was already sitting in the living room when Nick came down stairs. As soon as Heath had heard him he had quickly filled a glass with just the right amount of whisky for his big brother. He handed it to him as Nick passed him on the way to his normal place by the hearth. As he was going to pass Beatrice he decided to join her on the loveseat and surprised them all by sitting down. Victoria raised one brow when she saw Nick gently touch Beatrice.

"Mother said you had quite an afternoon. Sure would want to hear about it."

"Yep, me too, curious what you have done beside the garden." Heath took a sip from his glass.

"Garden? I thought you had a reporter here?" Nick search for an answer in her face.

"I have but she didn’t come until four so I had plenty of time to work. The boys had done such wonderful work yesterday; they had even done things I didn’t think of. If Miss Johnson hadn’t been coming I could have talked more to Jimmy, he seemed to know what he had been doing." Heath looked surprised at his sister-in-law.

"Jimmy?" He turned to Nick.

"I asked Jimmy McBroom, Mike Elson and Jonas Fleers to give Beatrice a hand yesterday with the fence and path. I gather they must have done a good job then."

"They had. Jimmy has worked at a church taking care of the garden there."

"How do you know this? I was under the impression that you kept way from them."

"I talked to Jimmy today." Nick frowned. He felt a sting of jealousy when he heard the joy in her voice and inhaled. He better keep an eye on that young man. Beatrice felt the change of mood in the man beside her and her eyes searched for his. What had she said now? What was wrong? Victoria quickly changed the subject.

"Tomorrow we need to get a few extra copies of the Eagle. We must at least send one to Audra and I’m sure Jennie will want a copy." Heath caught on.

"What’s in tomorrow’s paper that will be that important? I’m sure Audra has no interest in reading the latest cattle prices."

"Heath, stop teasing. Miss Johnson, the reporter who was here earlier, wrote a marvellous article about the first board meeting for the art museum. After the town has read it I’m sure there will be some changes on that board." Victoria smiled. "And after Mr Pickwick has donated the first few paintings and we have added some, I’m sure more will come. I reckon that Beatrice will be really busy in the near future." Beatrice blushed as Heath joined in with his own grin. Nick crossed his arms.

"How about telling us the whole story or do Heath and I have to read it in the paper too?"

"I already told you at lunch. It wasn’t much. I just pointed out a few things, nothing more. Miss Johnson just made a very big thing out of it and Victoria said she should get it printed. I don’t think Mr Zachary and Mr Campbell will be too pleased." Victoria burst out in a laugh.

"Sorry." She calmed herself. "No they won’t. Oh, dear." She put her hand in front of her mouth. At that very moment Silas walked in telling them that dinner was served.

Nick and Heath started a third game of pool, debating who won the last. Jarrod walked quietly in, carefully placing his case on the desk. The brothers stopped the game at once and Nick went over to his brother.

"You alright?"

"New session tomorrow. A new witness was called in the last minute." He took the brandy offered by Heath.

"Had any dinner?"

"No." Heath walked out to the kitchen to see if Silas had saved something for Jarrod. He felt a little wary about leaving his brothers alone but guessed that what ever was between them had to be settled sooner or later.

"Here, Mr Bonnier stopped me as I passed the Eagle. Told me we should be proud of Beatrice. I haven’t looked in it but there is supposed to be an article about the art museum." Jarrod handed a newly printed paper to his brother. Taking it Nick looked at Jarrod for a long moment.

"You sure look like you could do with a hot soak and then bed, big brother. Thanks about this."

He quickly started to turn the pages looking for the article they had talked about earlier. Just as Heath walked in with a tray Nick put the paper down on the desk so they all could see it.

"Silas kept this warm for you. I got some pie for Nick and I so that we can keep you company. Hey, what have you got there?"

"Here it is." They looked at the headlines as Nick started to read out loud. "Stockton’s newest attraction. Today the first meeting was held at the Cattleman’s Hotel by the new Art Museums board. Besides …." Nick let his finger follow the lines down as he mumbled through the text describing how the meeting had gone and what part his wife had taken in it. "Thanks to Mrs Beatrice Barkley, Mr Pickwick now is the owner of a John Constable since she, with her knowledge in art, identified the painting hanging in the board room. That painting is now the first to be donated to our new museum." The brothers looked at each other.

"Well, I guess Mother is pleased. She never has liked Zachary and he was pretty pleased with himself when we suggested that Beatrice should have a place on the board if we donated a sum of money. Probably thought she would just be a pretty face and having a Barkley on board would make the money float in."

"I’m sure it will, with this article." Heath read it one more time. "Beatrice made it sound like she hadn’t done anything special but according to this she stopped the plans the gentlemen had and actually got us the art museum. Fancy that." Nick sat down and picked up his pie. He had several questions, all about Beatrice but didn’t feel he could ask them to Jarrod. He busied himself with the pie trying to gather his thoughts. Somehow he didn’t want his brother to tell him about his wife, he wanted to find out for himself, but how to ask, find out without putting her through an interrogation. One thing he did know was that she would never tell him by herself. Chewing on a bit he listened to Heath discussing the article with Jarrod asking questions about the museum. Jarrod didn’t have any answers since he didn’t know more than the article already had stated. "Jarrod, how come you and Mother suggested Beatrice? It’s not like she had shown any knowledge while Nick and I were home." Jarrod sighed and peered at Nick before answering.

"Remember that I asked Gabriel Stuart to find out about Wheeler? Well, he also sent some information about Beatrice and amongst it was that she had a serious art background, for instance her mother had owned an art gallery and Beatrice herself had an art education. Mother and I just thought that it might be something she felt familiar with and it would open her up. We also thought it would strengthen her up and give her more self-esteem. To tell you the truth, we were both very surprised about the reaction she had when we told her about it. It felt like such a set back. It was just during the last few days in San Francisco that she actually accepted it. That girl never stops surprising me." Jarrod was too busy eating to notice Nick’s body react to what he said. Forcing himself to remain calm and seated he almost broke the plate in his tight fist. Realizing that he wasn’t going to be able to handle himself if he stayed, he quickly rose to his feet and walked over to the paper. He couldn’t understand why he reacted so strongly to what Jarrod had said.

"Mind if I take it up to the leading figure? She might still be awake and I don’t fancy coming down for it if she is." Without waiting for an answer he started to fold it together.

"No. Just remember to show Mother in the morning." Jarrod continued his late dinner while Heath quietly studied his brothers.

Nick walked into the bedroom, trying to be as quiet as possible. He bent down by the hearth and put a few more logs on the fire before he went to his private cabinet and poured a drink. Sitting down in his armchair he slowly pulled his boots off and turned to the article again. Sliding down a little in the seat, placing his feet on the edge of the table he held the glass in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Slowly he read it again. Jarrod was right. That girl was filled with surprises. He put down the paper and reached for the envelope. Perhaps he should look in it. Jarrod had read what was in it and so had Mother. Perhaps it would make him understand her better. He rose and went to pour some more. Instead of putting back the bottle he brought it with him and once again back in the chair, he pulled out the contents.

He started to look at the photos, reading on the back what they showed. Jarrod’s friend had done an elaborate research. For a while he studied the photo of the mansion and wondered how she felt about the house. It looked to him as a typical southern house but the details on it weren’t very typical and the plants … well … he could see where she got her interest in gardening. He felt an urge to find out more about the owners of it and started to look through the papers. Sipping on his drink he looked at her grades and he could almost feel his jaw fall. Why hadn’t she continued after her fifteenth year? Surely there had to be a college that would have accepted her, if not here he was certain there had to be one in Europe? He found papers showing that her parents and someone called Louie Pilon had travelled to that continent several times but that the trips had ended shortly before Beatrice was born. Pilon had continued a few more times. There were papers on the mansion stating the true owner as Pilon. His curiosity was at its peek wondering who this man was, when he found a note from Stuart with a family tree drawn on it. Looking at it he suddenly realized that Wheeler wasn’t his wife’s father; it was someone called Gaspard Masarine. He put the papers down trying to understand the information he had just read. He took a mouthful of the whisky and went back to the papers, slowly shaking his head. He skimmed over the pages looking for information as to what had happened to the Masarine guy and when Wheeler came into Beatrice’s life. Not satisfied with what the papers had told him he glanced over the news paper clippings.

Hours later he had put everything back in the envelope and sat looking into the fire. He didn’t know how he was going to handle things and several emotions ran through him. Anger, fear, pride. He wanted to find Wheeler and crush him into a small pile for what he had done to Beatrice and her mother and at the same time he realized that it would just make things worse, that the best thing was just to go on, start from where they were and build on that. Yet he couldn’t help wondering if he would be able to give her what she had as a young girl, would she really want to be … stay … with him, a simple cowboy instead of his lawyer brother whose brains could match hers. Was it right of him to keep her with him? A gentle touch made him jump and return to the room he was in. He looked up and his eyes met the wondering eyes of his wife. Slipping an arm around her waist he leaned his head against her body and quietly decided that time would decide for them. Feeling the soft silk against his chin, her fingers gently run through his hair he felt the tiredness run through his body.

"I guess I should have joined you in bed a long time ago. Soon time to get up." He mumbled as he heard the old clock let out three loud strokes.

"I guess so but it’s not too late. You can still get a few hours sleep or you can have a long sleep in tomorrow." He felt so cold where he sat. She saw the envelope lying on the table and she guessed that it had kept him busy. A soft sigh left her. How was he going to react to her now? Nick stroked his chin against the soft fabric, it felt so good. Realizing that she was standing on the cold floor in her bare feet and just the thin silk nightdress he pulled himself out of the chair. Carrying her to bed he nuzzled his head against hers.

"You never showed me what you bought or perhaps I should say I have never given you the chance to model for me. I think I have seen you in a new dress every day since I got home and this night dress is … well … let’s say it doesn’t hide things, it’s definitely a teaser Mrs Barkley. I would appreciate if you didn’t leave the room in just it and nothing else, not sure what I would do if I found you …." He stopped his thought and gently put her down on the bed. Quickly he slipped out of his clothes and joined his wife on the bed, letting his lips find hers as he pulled the cover over them.

Chapter Eighteen

“Wake up Sleeping Beauty, Mr Stallion won’t wait until the sun is up and we might not get another chance tomorrow." Heath gently blew in his brother’s ear teasing him a little longer. He could see that Nick was waking up and he hoped he would take it easy so that Beatrice didn’t wake. He touched the shoulder of the tired cowboy noticing that Nick now moved his head and opened an eyelid.

"Heath?" Nick peered at his brother and pulled the cover up even more covering his wife completely. "Time?"

"Five. The horse hunt. Still coming or shall Duke and I go alone? Remember the stallion we saw yesterday coming home?"

"Stallion?" A small grin showed on his face. "Just give me a minute to get dressed. Have coffee and a horse ready for me and I’ll be on the way with you." Heath nodded and quickly left. He felt he had intruded on the married couple and at the same time he felt a little envy. Musing on how it must feel be to be married and every night get a chance to have a warm female body next to you, he got a cup ready for Nick before heading out to the barn. Nick gently tried to sneak out of bed without waking the woman sleeping next to him but Beatrice woke as soon he was sitting on the edge and lifted her head to look at him. Smiling he ran his fingers along her cheek.

"Go back to sleep Love and I’ll see you when it’s time to drive you into town." He started to get dressed.

"But …" Nick quieted her with a soft kiss.

"Sleep." He pulled the cover around her and tucked it in. Before he left the room he put several logs on the hearth making sure the room would be warm when she got up.

"Mother, Ladies" Nick greeted his mother and her friends as he threw his hat and gloves on the table before heading up the stairs.

"Nick." Victoria rolled her eyes and shook her head as her two dear friends giggled.

"Oh Victoria, remember how it was being newly wed, I don’t suppose you had time for your mother and her friends, now did you?" Mary Pine smiled at her friend. She and Sara Pearson had come for an afternoon visit. The two old spinsters both knew the truth behind the wedding but had decided ignore the facts and pretend it to be more romantic. And seeing how the young girl was blossoming and Nick’s haste up the stairs there just had to be something. Victoria laughed.

Nick rushed into the room, stopping only to catch his breath. With a few more steps he was by the screens just in time to see his wife slip on her dressing grown in haste. He realized she had been brushing her hair in just her slip and he cursed himself for being so loud when he could have sneaked in.

"Hi, sweetheart." His eyes twinkled in amusement as he threw himself on the bed. "I guess I’m just in time for a fashion show." Beatrice smiled with relief now that she knew that it was Nick who had come into the room.

"Fashion show?"

"Yes, I haven’t seen what you spent my money on, now have I? And there is plenty of time since it’s only half past one." He sat up to pull his boots off. "So time to model, my dear."

"No, you haven’t, not all anyway. How come you are home already? I hardly think it depends on my outfits." She walked over to him and helped him with the boots. "Silas mentioned a stallion this morning when your mother wondered where you and Heath were."

"Yep and he is now in the corral next to Snowflake. He’s a beauty. I know I don’t need to tell you to be careful around him. I figured out as we rode in that I could get to spend some time with you before we headed into Stockton and decided to take that chance." He reached out and pulled her close to him. "But I guess that if you want to get dressed alone I’d better leave." Beatrice let her fingers stroke his neck and hair, thinking of how it would feel having him watch her get dressed. He had never seen her naked, the nearest to that was her silk nightdress, to now let him see her in her underwear felt strange. Nick sensing that she was hesitating and why, smiled softly to himself. "It’s alright Beatrice. I’ll leave; just let me have a cuddle."

"You can’t leave if I’m to show you what I have got." She tilted her head and smiled at him. He quickly lifted her up onto his lap. He kissed her ear before she rested her head on his shoulder and started to sneeze. "I do think you need to change too. You are dusty." Nick’s laughter roared in the room as he stood up and dropped her on the bed.

"Your wish is my demand." He started to unbutton the shirt as he walked to the bureau. Beatrice let her eyes follow him as he started to undress and when he bent down to get a new shirt she followed him over to the bureau, picking up his shirt from the floor and putting it in the washing basket. Nick winked at her when he saw what she had done. "Now what have I said about being a maid?" Beatrice looked at him and challenged his gaze.

"Well, Mr Barkley, if you want to live in a mess fine with me but don’t expect Silas to come in here and clean. He and I have made an agreement concerning this room."

"Oh, have you? And who is paying Silas his salary?" Nick fixed her eyes with his accepting the challenge.

"I’m sure Silas will get what he deserves, even if you are …" She didn’t get any further since Nick picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. "Put me down." She tried to kick.

"Nope, I’m having fun." He walked back to the bed and dropped her again. "I clearly remember putting you here a few minutes ago." He chuckled as she struggled to get up and he lay down beside her. "Can I have that cuddle now that I have a non dusty shirt on?" He looked at her with begging eyes.

"A small one because I do need to get dressed Nick." The clock hit two strokes as Nick leaned towards her for a kiss.

"A small one will do if I can stay, otherwise it will have to be a long one and you will have to explain why you are so late to Mr Pickwick."

"That’s blackmail Mr Barkley." She answered his kiss. "I think I’d rather have you stay than have to explain." She got out of the bed and headed towards the wardrobe. Reaching out for the dress she had last night she noticed Nick shaking his head. "Something wrong with this one?"

"Since we are stopping by the photographer on the way home I think you should pick something else." He quickly looked over the choices feeling pleased with what she had gotten. "What about this?" He held out a simple dress with a lovely pattern.

"When was it decided that we were going to the photographer?" She took the dress and moved to her table. Hanging it on the screen she picked up her brush. When Nick didn’t answer right away she turned towards him. He was still looking through her dresses and she felt embarrassed that they were so many. "Nick?"

"Oh, sorry. What did you say? I got caught up looking at the outfits. They are lovely; you got a very good taste." He got a chair and placed it so that he could see her but not be in her way. He sat down, leaning his chest towards the back of the chair and placing his arms on it.

"I asked when it was decided that we were going to the photographer." She smiled towards him.

"Actually …" He twisted a little on the chair. "I just did. Well …" He pointed towards the photos on her table. "You got one of me, I just want one too."

"I’m sure your mother has more of you if that is what you want."

"Not getting out of this that easy Beatrice and don’t twist my words. You know I don’t want one of me." He tilted his head a little. "Please, promise I’ll be good for the rest of the day." Giggling she went to one of her drawers.

"I’ll think of it until we are there. Your mother got this just in case." She gave him the two empty frames seeing the grin on his face. With a look at the old clock she sighed and quickly got back to her outfit. Nick put away the frames and decided to finish getting dressed too. Now and then he sneaked a peek at his wife enjoying what he saw.

As they walked down the stairs Victoria and her friends came into the foyer. Nick quickly pushed the string tie into his pocket and walked up to the table to get his things.

"Have you ladies got a buggy into Stockton or shall we give you a lift?"

"Don’t worry, young man. We can take ourselves into town. You just see to it that your lovely wife don’t miss her meeting." Mary hit him lightly on the arm with her fan. Nick bent down and gave the elderly woman a kiss on her cheek.

"Aunty Mary, I know you can take care of yourself. You are as bad as my wife on that subject." He winked his eye as he also gave Sara a gentle kiss.

"Don’t be too late you two. Dinner will be served at seven tonight." Nick held the door open for Beatrice.

"Don’t worry Mother we will be home in time. We have some packing to do."

Nick stopped outside the Cattleman’s just as they heard the Church clock strike three. He helped her down, holding her close to him a little longer than necessary.

"Know how long it will take?"

"No. It can be quick and it can take some time. Why don’t you join us?"

"No, this is your own thing. After I leave the horses at the livery I’ll head for the store for some things we need at the lodge, then I’ll stop by at Jarrod’s. I think he and I need to talk. If he isn’t there I’ll go to Harry’s. That saloon is respectable enough for you to go in. Don’t rush the meeting for my sake. We have a whole week together counting from tomorrow."

"Alright. See you later then." She reached up and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Nick stood with his fingers on the cheek watching her enter the hotel before he smilingly got back into the seat and drove off to the livery. Before ten minutes had passed he was heading for the General Store. Since the store was filled with customers and he had plenty of time, he walked around; looking at a few items he normally wouldn’t have bothered with. The store-keeper’s wife joined him at one point and helped him pick out a few things, before getting her order-book, writing down what he wanted. When he was finally done with his shopping and the boy had started to pack the things together, Heath entered the store.

"Howdy Big Brother," Heath tipped his hat backwards, "Fancy finding you here. Couldn’t you have told me before and saved me the trip?" Grinning, he started to tell the store-keeper what was on the ranch list. When the keeper went to get the flour, Heath turned back to his brother, who was leaning against the counter. "Heading home directly after this or will you join me and a couple of the men at Harry’s?"

"I have decided to check at Jarrod’s before heading towards Harry’s. Promised Beatrice I would wait for her there if Jarrod wasn’t in. Have you got the wagon outside? Got room for my things too?"

"Sure, just load them on. I’ll see you later then." Nick took the first of his boxes and put it at the back of the wagon before he continued to help Heath load the supplies for the ranch. After it was done he headed for Jarrod’s office where the clerk told him that he was still in court and he didn’t know when he would be back. With a sigh Nick headed for the saloon instead, knowing that now he would have to have that talk at home before they went to bed, or very early tomorrow morning. He didn’t know which would be the best. Deep in thought on how to tell Jarrod how he felt about things, Nick didn’t notice that he was being followed. During the short distance to the saloon, Nick realized that he didn’t know what to say, how to describe things. Ironically, he could see the funny side of the dilemma as the very talkative Nick Barkley suddenly was out of words.

"Howdy boss." The table with his men greeted him as he made his way to the counter. Nick responded to the greeting by touching his hat. Reaching the counter, he stopped next to Heath and Duke and ordered a cold beer.

"Your wife has been the subject of many discussions today Nick." Harry poured a large glass of cold beer for the cowboy in front of him. "Divided the saloon into two halves at one point. Think the girls were disappointed there wasn’t a photo of her in the article."

"Huh?"

"Also, it seems quite a few men are suddenly very interested in art."

"Is she in danger Harry?" Heath placed a calming hand on his brother’s shoulder as he could sense the tension that was building in the man beside him.

"Not sure. Most of the men here wouldn’t dare to hurt a woman. Perhaps it has just been talk. From what I have heard there has been money changing hands, covering the facts. It seems that Mr Pickwick and Mrs Barkley stopped the plans."

"Know what the plans were?" Duke was also listening intently to Harry. Nick inhaled and decided that he needed to head for the hotel instead of waiting for her there. He wasn’t going to take a chance of getting her hurt and he didn’t want her to walk alone from the Cattlemen’s. He held the glass to his lips and took a sip from the beer, as he heard a voice ask him if he was Nick Barkley. Slowly putting down the beer, he turned to the man standing next to him.

"Depends on who wants to know." Before he could say anything more there was a move, a gunshot, someone called out his name just as he felt the pain in his stomach. Nick had moved instinctively for his gun when he had turned and noticed what the man was pointing towards him. As he slowly slid down to the floor there was turmoil around him and several more shots were heard.

Beatrice and Joshua Pickwick discussed the five other paintings he had over tea and freshly made scones. Beatrice told him what she knew of the painting techniques of John Constable and his close friends and from what she could see the paintings were done by them. To be really sure they agreed that Beatrice would wire an old friend of her mother’s and see if he would come to Stockton and value the paintings. Joshua promised that he would do what he could to find out more about all six paintings. After another cup of tea and some small talk Beatrice left the Cattlemen’s heading out to send the wire.

Leaving the post office she walked towards Jarrod’s office, stopping now and then to look into a window. She wanted the brothers to have time together and if Nick wasn’t there, she was sure he was enjoying himself in the saloon. Her purse hung from her waist, her hat sat perfectly on her head and she kept a hand on her skirt, keeping its movements close to her as she moved along the sidewalk. She noticed that the men she met tipped their hats at her and the women gave her a small smile and a nod. She started to feel really good, Nick had been right, it was a pretty dress and the rest of her outfit suited her so well. She stopped at the store and got herself a real treat, a cone with some candy and a magazine to take with her on the trip. She was stopped by the dressmaker, who reminded her about the outfit that Victoria had ordered for her and she went inside to pick it up. She reached the lawyer’s office just as the clerk was locking the door and after having exchanged a few words with him and getting the directions to the saloon she went towards it. In the distance she could see Jarrod and the sheriff head into the saloon in a hurry and with a sudden feeling that something bad had happened, she hurried towards the saloon too.

"Heath" Nick whispered to his brother who held him up. "Beatrice, stop her, don’t want her to see this, don’t want her in here." Heath looked at his brother and nodded.

"Don’t worry; we’ll get someone to meet her before she gets here." Duke quickly gathered the hands and started to give them some orders.

"Fleers, get Mr Jarrod and the sheriff. Elson, get Doc Merar, McBroom, keep an eye out for Mrs Beatrice. Let us know when she is on the way." Rest of you, stay here and be available if needed. One by one the men rushed out. Harry brought some cloth so that they could start to stop the bleeding. Heath worked on his brother hoping to stop the bleeding before it was to late. One of the saloon girls came running with a pillow and placed it under Nick’s head.

"Mr Jarrod, you need to come, Mr Nick has been shot in the saloon." Jonas Fleers rushed into the courtroom, not bothered about disturbing the order. Jarrod stopped in mid speech and turned towards the boy. The judge looked at Jarrod and quickly got his gavel, adjourning the court and ordering Jarrod and the Sheriff out of court. Jarrod entered the saloon hardly breathing after the short run from the court, his mind running over the last few days events, hoping it wouldn’t be too late. Entering, he noticed that someone had covered the body of the shooter before he saw Nick. In a trice he was beside Duke and his brothers.

"What happened? Why?"

"Don’t know why." Heaths clenched teeth could hardly speak. He and Duke were trying to get a stretcher under Nick without hurting him more. They had managed to stop the bleeding for the moment, but every move made it start again. They now knew that they couldn’t wait for the doctor to come to the saloon, they had to move Nick to the clinic and fast.

"Mr Heath, Mrs Beatrice is on her way," Jimmy called out from the door. Nick opened his eyes a little and searched for Heath.

"Please, don’t let her …"

"I’ll stop her and get her to my office." Jarrod stood up and hurried to the door, just in time to see Jimmy trying to stop Beatrice on the sidewalk. "I’ll take over. Beatrice, listen to me, let’s go to my office and I’ll tell you what I know." Beatrice inhaled. She had guessed that something bad had happened when Jimmy had tried to stop her from entering and now Jarrod was doing the same thing. A Jarrod with blood on his hands and clothes.

"No, I’m going in there and don’t you even try to stop me Jarrod. If something has happened to Nick, then I need to be inside." She pushed Jarrod aside, before he got hold of her and turned her towards him.

"Beatrice, listen to me, Nick doesn’t want you in there. It’s not a pretty sight."

"I don’t care; I’m still going in there." Her eyes narrowed as she held his eyes fixed with hers. Her lower lip started to tremble a little and Jarrod couldn’t keep her gaze any longer and slackened his grip. In a second, Beatrice managed to get free and hurried into the saloon, followed by her brother-in-law and Jimmy. The scene that met her was horrifying; Nick was lying on a stretcher, pale, with closed eyes and with a blood-stained cloth pressed to his stomach. There was blood on the floor, under and around him, blood on Heath and Duke and a cloth hiding a body by the counter. Her stomach twisted and she felt sick as she quickly moved towards her husband. The hands let her pass and when she reached Nick; someone helped her to kneel beside Heath.

"He is still conscious; we are just about to move him to the clinic. Don’t know where the doctor is but its cleaner there than in here." Heath tried to sound calm as he inwardly cursed Jarrod for not managing to keep her away.

"I saw Doc Merar head into the livery with his buggy when I left Jarrod’s office. He should be there or just arrived home." Beatrice sounded calmer than she felt. Nick opened his eyes at the sound of her voice.

"Sorry love, promise I didn’t do anything to cause this. Just sipping my beer." He tried to smile, but the pain shone through. Beatrice bent forward, kissed him and whispered something just for his ears before she stood up, giving the carriers the room they needed. Nick smiled and closed his eyes, slipping into unconsciousness.

"Come on; let’s hurry to the doc’s." Heath and Duke quickly but gently lifted Nick up and they headed towards the clinic. Jarrod took Beatrice under the arm and followed. After the Barkley hands had decided who was going to take the loaded wagon home and let Mrs Barkley know what had happened, the rest stayed to talk to the Sheriff.

Chapter Nineteen

Just as Mrs Iva Merar opened the door to the surgery Doctor Merar came running towards it together with Mike Elson from the livery. Mike had gone searching for the doctor when he learned that he wasn’t at home but should be on the way. His wife had, as soon as Mike left, started to prepare the surgery for what was coming. Quietly, she stood in the door way pointing them into the room before she followed them. Heath and Duke got the stretcher from underneath Nick so that he lay on the bench. When it was done she shooed the men out of the room keeping Beatrice to give her a hand in getting Nick ready for the doctor. Beatrice had managed to get his vest and shirt off while Iva had untied the gun belt, pulled off the boots and started dealing with his pants when they heard the door to the clinic close.

"Gentlemen, quickly give me a picture of what happened." Breathing heavily Howard Merar looked at the small group of men standing in his waiting room. He took in that both Heath and Duke seemed drenched in blood and that Jarrod had blood on his pants and hands. Jarrod was still holding a box from the dressmaker and a woman’s purse. All three were pale and their eyes were filled with worry. Heath hawked.

"Nick got shot at close range in the stomach, I think he moved a little at the time but otherwise it seemed pretty straight." Heath informed the doctor of what he knew. "We managed to stop the bleeding at one point and did put a pressure on the wound but it started to bleed again. He is in there with your wife and Beatrice." Howard looked at him with a question in his eyes and Heath gently shook his head.

"I think you better get your mother here just in case."

"One of the hands is already on the way to the ranch."

"Then let me work on him and I’ll let you know how bad it is when I’m done. Suggest you boys get cleaned up during that time." Heath and Duke looked at each other and then at Jarrod. Mike looked at them and offered.

"I can ride to the ranch and see to it that Mrs Barkley brings clean clothes with her and Mr Duke I’ll stop by your house as well if you want."

"No, I’ll ride with you Mike. Jarrod, Heath let us know as soon as possible if something …"

"Don’t worry, Duke. You will be amongst the first to know. Thanks boys for the help." Jarrod walked over to a chair placing Beatrice’s things on the table. He must have taken them from her at some point, when he couldn’t remember. "Heath, please tell me what happened this afternoon. I want to understand why Nick is lying on a table with a bleeding stomach."

"Frankly I don’t know why but I’ll tell you what I do know." Heath retold every detail from when he had met Nick at the General Store and up until Jarrod had arrived at the saloon. "They were both looking forward to that trip Jarrod. I know what you think of Beatrice and Nick but I think you are wrong in this matter. Nick really cares for her and want things to work out and Beatrice, well, from what I understand she loves Nick in her insecure way. I was hoping this trip would bring them even closer, given a chance to get to know each other. That is the one thing Nick has a problem accepting."

"What? That they should get to know each other?"

"No, that you seem to know Beatrice so well and he doesn’t."

"I see." The brothers sat quietly waiting for the doctor to return, each one in his own thoughts. Jarrod wished he and his brother could still have a chance to clear things between them. He could see that Heath might be right even if it was hard to admit it. Heath thought of what would have happened if Nick hadn’t been shot, of the feeling he had in the morning and what might happen now.

Nearly an hour after they had arrived at the clinic the door opened and a pale Victoria Barkley entered. After giving each one a kiss on the cheek she hugged them and handed Jarrod the bag she was carrying.

"I brought clean clothes for you both as you wished. If I recall things aright Howard has a small guest bathroom just around the corner, I suggest you use it before touching the clean clothes."

"Thanks Mother." Heath looked at his hands and clothes as if it was the first time he saw them. "Boy howdy, guess I’m not a pretty sight. Jarrod, I think you should go first because it will take some time to get clean."

"You can use the bathroom; I’ll head over to the office. That way we’ll both be cleaned quicker. Mother, will you excuse me?"

"Hurry both of you. I want to hear your story when you get back." Victoria walked over to the sofa and sat down, musing over what Duke and the hand had told her. She had understood the seriousness of the damage that had been done to her son and knew she could only pray and hope that Howard’s skills were enough. After the boys had left her alone she saw the box. Beatrice. Poor girl, how would she handle this and where was she? Victoria only knew that she was going to see Mr Pickwick. Surly somebody had gone after her. She was torn about leaving to find the girl and staying. As soon as Jarrod was back by her side he explained that Howard and his wife had kept Beatrice in with Nick, to assist them and be a pair of extra hands if needed. Victoria wanted to rush in and help too. Suddenly she felt that she was left out as if she wasn’t needed anymore. Jarrod put his arm around her shoulders calming her. Just a few minutes later, just as Heath walked into the waiting room, the doctor came out from the surgery. His face was very serious and the trio expected the worst. Jarrod rose as Heath hurried to his mother’s side. Victoria’s hands clutched a handkerchief.

"He is still alive but I don’t think I need to tell you the seriousness of the situation. Nick has lost a lot of blood and would have been dead if Heath and Duke hadn’t stopped the bleeding as quickly as they did. The bullet did a lot of damage but nothing that I couldn’t mend and no vital organs were hit. He is unconscious but right now that is good since it will keep him still." Howard studied the family in front of him. He had so many times patched these boys up but nothing had ever been like this. He inhaled as he started to undo his apron. "For now, I can’t do anything more, we can only wait. It’s all up to that young man in there and his fighting spirit and stubbornness. I want to keep him here for a few days to start with, to keep an eye on any infection and fever that might occur. I might need one of you boys for some blood later on but right now his body needs some rest. Give the Mrs and Beatrice some time to clean up in there before you go in." Howard looked at the trio and smiled. "Oh, take it easy, no hovering over him. Wounds in that area easily get infections and that we most definitely want to avoid. And remember Victoria …" Howard smiled at his long time friend, "that boy has survived a lot of problems before and always been quick back up on his legs."

"Thanks Howard. And how is Beatrice taking it?"

"She will be the perfect nurse for him." Iva came out in the waiting room, taking the dirty apron from her husband.

"Victoria, come and take the boys with you. Nick is in the corner room. I’m just going to get a clean blouse and skirt for the lass then I’ll put the kettle on. I think we all can do with some coffee." Victoria put her hand in front of her mouth.

"Oh dear, I didn’t think of getting clean clothes for Beatrice. The men just asked for clothes for the boys, I didn’t have a thought that she might need …."

"It’s alright. I’ve got some she can have."

"But …"

"Mother, she will understand. Nobody told you that she had … that I didn’t manage to keep her out of there. Come, let us follow Heath and go to Nick." Jarrod put an arm around her shoulders and led her to the corner room. When they entered Heath had put chairs around the bed for them. Beatrice was tucking in the covers around a pale Nick. Victoria wondered slightly where the tan had gone when she noticed that there were four covers on him.

"Hello sweetheart, isn’t he going to be really warm with all the blankets?" Beatrice bit her lip and looked at Nick.

"Doctor Merar said that all were to be put on him so that his body temperature was as normal as possible."

"I sure did. Victoria, with all the blood Nick lost it’s vital we keep him warm until he can do so by himself. As vital as it is to see that he doesn’t get too warm or catches a fever."

"I didn’t mean to question you Beatrice. We need to decide how to get things working while he is here. It’s important we don’t leave him alone." Victoria sat down on the chair next to Nick, stroked away some hair before she leaned forward and kissed him.

"He won’t be alone since I’ll be here." Beatrice felt tears in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Victoria thought that she would leave Nick’s side. Heath put his arm around her shoulders.

"Of course you will. You and I are taking the first watch while Mother and Jarrod find out more about why Nick is lying here instead of being home packing with you. Also somebody needs to get home and get you some clean clothes. Perhaps even something for Nick." His worried face tried to smile at her. He could feel the tension in her body.

"Some clean clothes coming here. Come Beatrice I’ll show you where you can change." Iva waved to her and Beatrice quickly followed her out. Victoria eyes narrowed at Heath.

"What do you mean that you and Beatrice should stay?"

"Mother, Jarrod and you are the best to find out what happened, people will tell you. Beside Jarrod is our lawyer and if anything this whole situation is weird, so …" He looked at his older brother lying so pale under all the covers, "…well, I figured he would know what to do. If it was up to me I would probably just go in circles looking for tracks that aren’t there and since Beatrice might be in danger from what Harry said somebody better keep an eye on her and I figured I’m the best choice. Therefore she and I are teaming up for the night shift". He sat down on the other side before he looked at Jarrod and Victoria again. He didn’t want to say that the last thing Nick needed to see when he woke up was Jarrod and Beatrice together.

"Victoria, I think the young man has a very strong point besides you will be needed when we move Nick back to the ranch. Things will have to be very organized then. And with earlier experience of how this certain young man normally behaves when he is put in bed you will be needed to keep an eye on him then. Right now it’s just watching and waiting."

"I know and understand but he is my son."

"Yes Mother, but Beatrice is his wife. Heath and Doctor Merar are right. Let us leave the night shift to the youngsters while you and I find out why. Then tomorrow while they get some sleep you and I can tell Nick off for getting himself shot. I’m sure he will have a thing or two to say in his favour." Jarrod tried to lighten things a little feeling the tension being built in the room and from his point of view it would take a miracle for Nick to survive this.

Iva and Beatrice came back with coffee and sandwiches for them all and Heath hurried up and helped them handing out cups and plates to everyone in the room. In a few minutes silence fell in the room as they were all busy. Beatrice sat down on the other side of Nick letting his mother have the nearest chair. For a few hours they sat there quietly talking to each other before Jarrod stood up and motioned to Victoria to join him.

"Mother, I’ll take you home, talk to the hands and then after dinner I’ll come back in to town and talk to Fred and leave some food here. Beatrice anything you would like besides some clothes? Heath?"

"Can you bring my book Jarrod? And a bottle of whisky. That will keep me awake." Heath smiled. Beatrice mused over what she would want.

"Can you please bring my shawl? And my embroidery, it’s on the window seat?"

"Don’t worry I’ll see to it that those things and some nice warm food are packed. Just remember that you have to send for me if he gets any worse. I trust you both with that."

"Don’t worry Mother. Any changes, worse or better will be reported at once. Jarrod I would appreciate it if you get Charger to the livery in case I need a quick horse."

"Consider it done. Let’s see: Charger, a bottle of whisky, a book, embroidery and a shawl. Think I got everything." He walked up to Nick and kissed his forehead before squeezing his shoulder, Victoria bent down and kissed her son before whispering a few words in his ear. At the door she stopped and studied her son one more time before heading after Jarrod. She knew her sons and Howard were right. She had a lot to prepare so that Nick could be nursed at home instead of here.

"Heath, what did happen in the saloon?" As soon as the others had left Beatrice asked her brother-in-law the question she had tried to avoid all afternoon. Heath reached forward and stroked her cheek.

"To be honest I’m not really sure and I’m not sure I want to retell what we talked about either."

"Why? Does it have to do with me? Mr Pickwick told me the hotel had gotten a threat in the post this morning but since it wasn’t the first time he hadn’t bothered much about it, said that every time there had been an article mentioning the hotel he got them. He just wondered if I had gotten anything too." Heath sighed. He didn’t feel good telling her about what Harry had told them but then it felt even worse to keep it from her.

"Harry said that there had been discussions in the saloon about you. Nick didn’t say anything but I could sense that he didn’t like it. As you know he is very protective of the ones that are in his care and you, my dear, are in deep. Think he was going to meet you at the hotel instead as soon as he finished the beer. There was this man standing next to him, I didn’t get to look at him but he asked Nick if he was who he was and Nick turned towards him to answer. Guess that saved his life, otherwise the bullet would have gone right through him, the other way that is." He twisted his hands before he looked at her, feeling her green eyes on him. The sadness and sorrow that met him frightened him. "Beatrice, Nick is a fighter. Doc is right, Nick never gives up when he has got something to fight for and he does. He has you."

"But all I seem to do is bring him problems. If I had kept my big mouth shut at the meeting, if the article hadn’t been printed, if …"

"If I recall things from last night it was Mother who said it should be printed."

"But I wanted to say no but I didn’t. I let others decide over me again." She sighed as tears fell down her cheeks.

"Beatrice, from what I read in the article and from what you and Mother told us yesterday, you did the right thing at the meeting. Don’t blame yourself. Who knows this might not even have anything to do with it, just a coincidence that it happened today. Would have been much worse if you two had been alone at the lodge." Heath stroked her cheek again. "Why don’t you move over to the other side and I take this one?" He watched her get up and go around the bed, checking on Nick’s temperature before sitting down.

As they sat on each side watching over the quiet man between them Heath started to encourage Beatrice to talk by gently asking her questions about the trip to San Francisco. As they sat there they both kept their eyes on Nick, watching for any signs of changes. Heath thought he could see a small motion in his brother’s face when Beatrice talked about her visit to the café and Hester. Small world. Heath mused to himself, deciding that Beatrice was much better than that girl and he hoped Nick could see it too.

After several hours Jarrod turned up with some warm clothes for them and a special basket from Silas. He placed all the things he had on the small table and walked over to Nick.

"Silas says that you better hurry home because he can’t keep the chocolate cake fresh and spunky for long. I’m heading over to Fred’s. Promise I’ll come by before heading back to the ranch to let you know how things are going."

"What kept you Jarrod? I was starting to think that you were having my whisky for yourself." Heath raided the basket and bag, handing over the clothes to his sister-in-law.

"The hands were worried and then Mother, well, she took her time packing. When dinner was over Mr Pickwick came by, worried about Beatrice since he’d heard what had happened. He told us about the letter he got this morning. He accompanied me back into town and went to Fred while I had to be the delivery boy. I’ll be back with a few hours."

Back at the ranch

"Silas, what are those boxes?" Victoria walked into the kitchen and noticed two larger boxes with several items wrapped in brown paper. Silas turned towards where Victoria pointed.

"Mr Nick’s shopping for the trip Mrs Barkley. I didn’t know if I should unpack them or not. The parcels are not food. I opened one to be sure if wasn’t anything that would get destroyed." Victoria walked over and picked the one at the top up. She peeked in from one corner and could see some paint brushes. Smiling to herself she picked the parcels up.

"I think you can unpack the food Silas and I’ll take these upstairs. Nick can give them to Beatrice when he is well enough."

"Yes, Madam." Silas came up to her and picked one box up and went to the store room while Victoria took the back stairs up to the bedrooms. She walked into her middle son’s room wondering why he was now lying where he was. For a moment she stood wondering were to put the parcels before she went to his bureau and pulled the bottom drawer out.

At the Sheriff’s

"What do you mean you don’t know who hired him? Surely there must be something?" Jarrod fixed Fred with his narrowed eyes. For once it was impossible to reason with the lawyer.

"I’m sorry Jarrod. All my deputies have managed to find out is that he came to Stockton a few days ago under the name "Gevar Kanon" and in the register at the Star hotel put Texas as home state. Now it doesn’t sound like a proper name but I have wired to several sheriffs in that state to find out if they know anything more. He had a lot of money on him and we have found more in his room. Nearly all are forgeries. There are no connections to anybody here in Stockton. If it wasn’t for that he had asked Nick if he was Nick Barkley I would have taken him for a lunatic out to kill anybody. I’m sorry Jarrod. I’m as frustrated as you are." Fred sat calmly looking into Jarrod’s angry eyes. His own eyes reflected the sorrow and pain he felt over the situation but as it was now he couldn’t do any more.

Chapter Twenty

Beatrice put down her quilting on the floor next to the chair. At first she had been a little annoyed that her mother-in-law had chosen to look for it instead of packing the embroidery that Beatrice had asked for, now she realized that it was the right thing. She could never had worked on her cross-stitch pattern in the dusky light. She looked over to Heath, who had placed himself in the room’s armchair. Some how he had managed to fall a sleep with one leg hanging over the chair’s arm and half his back against the other. She stood up and smiled. The blanket and pillow she had found for him was on the floor again. Softly she stepped over to him and tucked the blanket around him again. She managed to get the pillow under his head, saving his face from the hard edge on the chair. As she returned she heard him starting to snore softly. Smilingly she leaned over the other man in the sick room, her husband. Gently she caressed his face before stroking away some hair that came falling back into his eyes. In a way she felt some relief that he was still unconscious since the doctor had told her that he didn’t feel the pain as much as he would if he were ‘just’ sleeping. She straightened his blankets too, feeling his body’s temperature. She wanted to take the extra blanket off but gathered that two out of four wasn’t bad. Just as she had sat down and bent down to pick her quilt up to start again she heard a moan and stopped in her movement. Turning back to Nick she saw that he was moving and that it must be painful. Quickly she kneeled in front of the bed so that she would be closer to him and gently touched him. Slowly his eyes started to open.

Nick suddenly felt the pain run through his body and gasped for air. A hand that was wonderfully cool touched him softly and he sensed the scent of his wife. His body hurt and didn’t want to obey him but at last he managed to open his eyes. He had problems focusing but in the blur he could see the lines of a woman, his woman. The light hurt his eyes and felt so strong that he flinched a little. As she understood what was wrong she dimmed the lamp even more.

"Bee." His hand search for hers and when it found what it was looking for he tried to get hold of it. Beatrice held up his hand against her face, letting her fingers braid with his.

"Sshh, don’t talk."

"Hurts"

"I understand that. Doctor said you should have some laudanum when you woke up." He tried to shake his head but the movement tore through his body and he knew he had to accept it.

"No, feel funny."

"He said you would say that but Nicholas you need to be as still as possible. And it does take away some of the pain." She reached for the spoon and bottle, noticing that his eyes followed her every move. "Just one, alright?" His pain filled eyes blinked as a small moan left his lips. Grateful he accepted the spoon before realizing what woke him.

"Heath? Jarrod?"

"Heath is here." A load snore roared round the room and Nick tried to smile.

"Wake him. Need him."

"Anything I can do?" She noticed his breathing was getting heavier as one of his hands took a firm grip around the blanket.

"Please Bee, wake him, then go."

"But …"

"Please." His begging eyes were too much and she rose. Gently she shook Heath’s shoulder.

"What?" Heath sat up, nearly making Beatrice jump even as she stood beside him.

"Nick says he needs you and I need to leave."

"You need to leave when he needs you?" Heath looked confused at her with sleep filled eyes.

"No, Nick says I have to leave." Heath stood up and a look at his brother made him understand the situation.

"Alright, Beatrice. I’ll help him even if I don’t understand why he doesn’t let you do it." Smiling he walked over to his brother’s side hearing the door softly close. As he pulled out the bottle from underneath the bed he winked at his brother. "Now why don’t you let Beatrice help you, I should think she has a better touch than I do."

"I have never … she has not seen …" The pain from the wound made him gasp for air as he relieved himself into the bottle.

"Are you telling me that you have a lovely wife, whom you share a bed with and still you haven’t … For heavens sake Big brother what are you thinking? If you weren’t hurt I think I would get the Counsellor to inform you what a married couple do – legally and free. And to think …"

"Thanks Heath." He felt so at ease that he didn’t bother about what Heath was saying. Noticing that Nick was sinking deeper into his pillow again Heath put the bottle back under the bed and pulled up the chair.

"How come Nick?" A look at his brother made him stop. "You are right it’s none of my business and besides it’s no fun bantering with you in the state you are in." Heath touched his shoulder. "Want some?"

"No, Beatrice’s already seen that I got a spoonful. I guess I just wanted to be sure that it was to be." Heath looked at him curiously. "Our marriage. I guess I always felt that it was the … well …"

"No need to say more, I understand. And I guess you are right. You do know that she loves you? Almost had to fight Mother to stay. Yes, she did. She is one special woman, goes her own way when she knows what she wants, prepared to fight too. Shall I get her?" Nick nodded slowly feeling that the laudanum was starting to work.

"I know she is special, I’m married to her." Laughing Heath walked towards the door just as it was opened by Doctor Merar.

"Hallo Beatrice, why are you standing out here?" Howard Merar came walking through the corridor with a bundle in his arms. "Shouldn’t you be inside?"

"Nick had to … use the bottle and he didn’t want me in there." Beatrice was happy it was dark feeling the blush rush up her checks.

"Oh my, never knew Nick to be prudish." He saw the blush show as she turned away her face. Quickly he understood the situation and with a smile handed her the bundle instead. "Now I could need a hand. Here, mind holding this while I get things ready?" Beatrice took the newborn baby in her arms and held it carefully.

"What happened to the mother and father?" She pushed the blanket down from the face a little and saw the tiny mouth and nose. A small hand showed and she touched its tiny fingers.

"Mother died giving birth to this little girl and the father already had seven children so he asked me to take her to the orphanage right away. I just couldn’t do that. I think there are some families around in the valley that might like to take care of this little one." He studied Beatrice standing there holding the child. "Why doesn’t she stay with you during the rest of the night? I’m sure that between you and Heath both this one and Nick will get the attention they want. Look here comes the cavalry." Iva came down the hall.

"I thought I heard voices. Oh, such a sweetheart. Come, child we need to get some clothes for the little one and some milk." Iva took Beatrice gently in her arm and led her towards the kitchen while Howard took the door handle to open the door.

"Nick, how do you feel? I just had a talk with a lovely lady standing outside in the hall."

"I had to …"

"It’s alright, son. I understand. Let me have a look at you." Howard pulled the blanket aside and checked the wound. As he lightly touch the bandage Nick flinched. "That sore. Well, it has stopped bleeding so I’ll leave it for now but you are going to have some more of this." He reached for the brown bottle and chuckled when he saw Nick’s face twist. "I know it tastes terrible but it does help and it will keep you still." Heath felt such pity for his brother and pain too when he saw the red stained bandage.

"Where’s Bee?" Nick looked at Howard. "Please ask her back."

"I’ll get her Nick. She is just helping me take care of another patient." He smiled broadly when he noticed the look in Nick’s eyes, not even the pain could hide the jealousy. "Here they are." Nick didn’t want the other patient in his room and was about to say so when they came into his eyesight. Beatrice was carrying something.

"Boy Howdy, let you out of the door and poof it’s two of you." Heath leaned forward and touched the baby’s face. "So sweet. I didn’t know that you had such young patients doc."

"I don’t. Her mother died a few hours ago. I asked Beatrice to help me out tonight Nick since Heath is here too. No need for this little one to lay alone." Beatrice looked up and her eyes met Nicks.

"Come, I want to see too." He was tired and he felt his strength leave, almost falling asleep but he wanted to see what had made his wife’s eyes glitter so. She bent down holding the tiniest girl he had ever seen before. "Hi sweetheart." He slowly lifted his hand touching the child’s face. "She is pretty. You said her mother died, what about her father?" Beatrice placed the baby on Nick’s right arm, away from the wound.

"He didn’t want her. Now folks, I bid you goodnight." Howard left the room. Heath excused himself and followed the doctor out. Beatrice kneeled once again beside the bed and with a gentle hand caressed Nick’s face. His tired eyes found hers before they went down on the child again. His left hand found Beatrice’s.

"Think you can handle the two of us?" He looked at her again and a small smile came over his lips. The wound hurt but that pain was nothing when he saw the beautiful glitter in those emeralds looking towards him. As if she knew what he wanted she leaned in and kissed him.

"You need to rest Nick." Her face nuzzled against his and he felt her nose against his chin. He tilted his head a little and gasped. "Sorry, Nick." She pulled back not wanting to hurt him.

"Please, Love, come back. Please hold me until I fall asleep, I’m just so dead tired." She put her hand over his as it lay on the child. Nick felt how the medicine was working, pain easing as sleep claimed him. Slowly his breathing became slow but regular.

Heath watched for a while from the door before leaving the room again. He went outside the clinic to smoke and to gather his thoughts. He knew he should let the rest of the family know that Nick had woken up as he had promised and to tell them that the family got a new member but right now he just wanted those two inside to have this moment by themselves.

Victoria came walking into the clinic together with Jarrod, carrying a large basket. Her walk revealed that she hadn’t slept very well during the night as Jarrod’s tired eyes betrayed him too. They were met by an arguing Howard and Heath who were "discussing" the move of Nick to the ranch. Heath figured that since Nick had seemed to cope so well, getting his body temperature back so fast, taking his medicine nicely and most of all seemed to be with them during the night it was better to move him now rather than wait. Howard however maintained that it was too early, that it could be a matter of days or even hours for things to get worse or better but moving Nick would opt for the former. For a moment the couple didn’t notice the newcomers as they just stood there listening.

"Are you saying that Nick was awake during the night Heath?" Victoria almost whispered and got the men’s attention. Heath quickly turned around.

"Yes Mother. Just for about 30 minutes or so and I would say more like early morning."

"And you didn’t send for me?"

"I didn’t see the point of waking you up since he would be back to sleep before the message even got to the ranch. It was better you got your sleep."

"Heath, you promised me."

"I know Mother but believe me, it was best like this. Besides since you have become a grandmother it means you may have to take the odd night-shift or two anyway." Heath grinned.

"GRANDMOTHER?" Victoria raised her voice.

"What?" Jarrod stared at his brother. Howard shook his head in despair of the way Heath had told things and took Victoria under the arm and led her to the sofa. Heath led Jarrod to an armchair near by. Slowly they told them about what had happened during the time Nick had been awake.

"So what you are saying is that those two, who still are trying to get to know each other, just like that got a baby to care for. Howard, sometimes you are very sneaky." Victoria turned to her old friend as she inhaled before she continued but was cut off by the doctor.

"Well, as I see it, and I’m an outsider, those two are going to make it. You are right it is and has been a rough trip for them and they didn’t have a good start and it’s not over yet, perhaps never will be but …" He held up a hand to stop her from interrupting "right now that baby needs some loving and caring which she can’t get in the orphanage while Beatrice has plenty of both and seeing Nick with the child made my mind up."

"Mine too. Have to remember Mother, Nick is a fighter, he is going to survive but as Howard have been telling me all morning, he has to take it easy and stay in bed. I’m sure the little one will be one of the few things that will make him behave, having her to care for. Come lets just see them." Victoria looked as pale as she had done the day before when they walked towards the sick room. Even before they entered they knew that Nick was in a bad mood. Opening the door the realized he was fighting and arguing with Iva about having his needs taken care of and the wound redressed. He was not going to allow a woman to do it, he was not going to have her help him with the toilet either he was going to wait for Heath or Jarrod. He tried to sit up but the pain spasmed though him and he fell back down on the pillow. He growled and hissed as anyone got near him. Iva was used to difficult patients but this one was too much. Shaking her head she took the basin and towel with her to leave. At the door Victoria took it away from her and walked up to her son.

"Good Morning Nicholas. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, which shall it be?"

"Mother." Nick pulled the sheet around him harder. He felt that the pain was draining him of strength and he knew that his mother would sooner or later do what she had made up her mind to do. He felt humiliated and angry. Jarrod understood how his brother felt and stepped in.

"Mother, let Heath and me get Nick done. The more you challenge him the more he will fight and as Doc has been saying to Heath this is just making him worse. Please Mother, go and find Beatrice."

"She is in the kitchen, I sent her out before." Nick muttered. "She at least knows when to pick her fights with me." He was getting paler and paler every second.

"Mother, please." Heath took the towel away from her just as Nick sank down gasping for air. With two steps Howard was by his side and lifted the blanket, fresh red blood was coming through the bandages. With a few quick orders Victoria was shown out of the room, Jarrod sat by the bed and a blood transfusion started between the brothers as Howard started to work on the wound.

"Understand Heath why it’s too early to move him."

"Yes, Doctor. I’m sorry."

"Nick what shall we do with you?" The doctor kept on working mumbling things to himself as Jarrod sat beside the bed getting paler. He thought of all the things he wanted to say to his brother before it was too late. Heath helped to support Jarrod and gave the doctor a hand when asked to.

Iva helped Victoria to the kitchen where Beatrice was trying to feed the baby. She had heard Nick’s outburst and when Victoria came into the kitchen her worried eyes searched for an answer in the older woman. It didn’t take her long to guess that something had happened and she was about to stand up and hand the baby over when Iva stopped her.

"Love, let the boys take care of things. I’ll get the kettle ready for us." Victoria looked at Beatrice with anger.

"You said you weren’t going to leave him. And just look at you, sitting here when he is fighting for his life in there and for what I know it might even be your fault." Victoria spat out the words causing Beatrice to shrink from her, protecting the baby. "And you manage to get yourself a child too."

"Enough Victoria. You are tired and worried and don’t you dare take it out on this young girl. I know she has been by Nick’s side all night with one exception, he asked her to leave so that he could use the bottle. And that was the same reason this morning. She has the decency to listen to him which is more than I can say about us. I was trying to do my job as a nurse, but you are his mother and yet you challenge him knowing that he wouldn’t be able to fight for long. Well, it’s not her fault he is laying with a blood transfusion now, it’s yours. Now you sit here and I’ll get us all some coffee." Iva Merar was a woman you didn’t argue with when she got angry so Victoria quietly sat down, carefully avoiding all eye contact with her daughter-in-law. Beatrice tried to

concentrate on feeding the baby the way she had been shown as tears fell down her cheeks.

"Now is she finished? Then it’s time to change her. Remember how we did it before? Good, then go and try, there will be a cuppa waiting for you when you’re done." Iva placed a calming hand on the girl’s back.

"Burp, the baby too, you need to burp her." Victoria tried hard not to show any interest.

"She is right, don’t forget to put the little one over your shoulder and stroke her back. You can do that on the way to the nursing table. Now off you two go." Iva watched Beatrice walk out of the kitchen. "Victoria, why? I know you are worried but it isn’t the first time he has been hurt, and knowing that boy probably not the last."

"I don’t know Iva. I spent all night wondering why I felt the need to argue with Beatrice yesterday about staying here. I guess I feel guilty. She didn’t want the article printed I told them to do it against her wishes. Also Jarrod did say something last night when he got home from town and I still went on about it, that we should have been here, something about letting go. Iva, he is my son, my support, my rock. How can I let go?"

"You have to let go in the way of accepting that Nick has a wife, perhaps not someone he chose but she is not bad for him. She is or is supposed to be the woman who comes first in his life Victoria and the sooner you accept it the easier it will be. I though you really liked her, I know how much time you two spent together." Iva handed her the cup. "Besides from what Jarrod said last night there isn’t any evidence that this has any connection with the article."

"I do, I really do like her. I’m surprised over my own reactions too. The baby …"

"I think actually it was Nick who decided that she was going to stay with them. He asked Beatrice if she thought she could handle both of them."

"Her parents …"

"Her mother is dead and her father doesn’t want her."

"I guess we could get the nursery cleaned out but Iva, it’s not their child, she isn’t a Barkley."

"Victoria, if that child is raised as one, does it then matter what blood is running in her vein?"

"I guess not."

Chapter Twenty-one

A week later a covered wagon left the clinic with Heath at the reins and Duke beside him. Mike sat with a rifle ready at the opening at the back, ready if something strange should happen. Four more hands rode as an escort. After what had happened they weren’t taking any chances. The reason why Nick Barkley had been shot by Gevar Kanon or why he had come to Stockton with the false money had still not been found out. All answers the sheriff was getting back were saying that nobody knew this man, that he had never been in their town and they didn’t have any knowledge about false money either. For the sheriff it was all a dead end.

At the ranch

Victoria walked into her middle son’s bedroom to check if everything was in order, placing a vase of roses on the sofa table. The past week had been hard on her as she had realized that she had to accept the situation as it now was. She and her two other sons had had long talks about Beatrice and the baby. She walked to the cradle. Rocking it gently she suddenly knew what she was missing in the room and after giving the cradle one more light push she left for the old nursery. A few minutes later Silas stopped her when she dragged the rocking chair down the hall. He relieved her of it and carried it into Nick’s bedroom. After he had left Victoria stood for a while before she went back to the cradle. When she had prepared it for the latest family member she had used the quilt she had done of Nick’s old clothes. She knew that Beatrice would know that this meant that she accepted the child as a part of the family. Victoria’s hand touched the different squares as she remembered what Nick had done when he wore that particular cloth. With another look at the room she went downstairs to wait for the wagon.

On the way to the ranch

"Why is it that when you want a smooth ride or have a precious cargo you always seem to hit every stone and hole in the road?" Heath tried to avoid another hole but failed making the people in the back jump. Duke looked back and smiled at Beatrice as she tried to hold on to the basket with baby in. "Perhaps we should have used the coach."

"It’ll be better once we reach Barkley land. The boys have been filling holes the past few days wanting the road to be as good as possible. Besides you know why we had to take the supply wagon." He turned once again to the back. "Just hold on Beatrice. We’ll soon be at the ranch." She answered him with a small smile as they yet again hit a stone and were thrown around. She held on to the basket wondering how it was going for Jarrod.

In Stockton’s poor district

Jarrod and Howard Merar walked into a home that seemed not to be much more than a roof and four walls. Jarrod was surprised that it still stood up. He was worried that this wasn’t going to be as easy as he and Mother had first thought. Victoria had insisted that they should adopt the child and do it properly so that nothing could go wrong in the future and that the girl would always know who her parents were; nobody was going to come and claim her. All Jarrod knew about this family was that they had come from Sweden just a year ago, seven children of which one was born shortly after they got to this country. Howard knocked on the door and it was opened by a tiny girl in a worn dress.

"Hallo, Anna. Is your father home?"

"Ja, Doctor Merar." She stepped aside and let them into the room. Jarrod saw that someone had tried hard to make it look like a home with things like a few plants, table cloth and paintings. A pale man stood up to meet the visitors. He looked worn and tired.

"Doctor, what I help you?" He was worried since he recognised the man Howard had with him. It was the lawyer from the large ranch outside town.

"August, we are here to talk about the baby. Mr Barkley has a deal to offer if you haven’t changed your mind about the orphanage."

"No, not changed. Anna, ta ut dina syskon." Anna quickly gathered her brothers and sisters. Jarrod and Howard sat down and waited for the children to have left the room.

"Mr Svensson, my brother and his wife would like to adopt the baby and make her theirs. The Barkley family can provide a good home, education and what ever she will need."

"I told doctor here to leave her at home for child, so why you have come here?"

"We want it to be done properly so that there won’t be any hard feelings later on and we would like to help you and your family too. No, it’s not charity." Jarrod held up a hand when August was about to protest. "The good doctor told us about your children. We would like to give them each a small trust to help them through school. This country needs its children but not without schooling. There won’t be any handling of money; all bills will go direct to a lawyer handling the trusts. We are going to suggest a colleague of mine from San Francisco so that you know that we can’t interfere with it. For this we want your word and signature that you or your family will never claim the girl back."

"Trusts?"

"Its like a fund, provides money for a special purpose."

Well, I can’t take care of her. These make things easy for others. School costs. Where I sign?"

On the way to the ranch

Nick was tied to the stretcher, which had been placed on a mattress to smoothen the rough trip. His eyes were closed; face tight and breathing was hard and irregular all depending on the wagon’s movements causing pain. The pain was horrible and yet he had been given as much laudanum as possible. Right now he wished he hadn’t been so stubborn and demanded to be moved to the ranch and instead listened to Beatrice and the doctor. Beatrice. He knew she was with him on the wagon. She and the baby. They had named her Dawn. Beatrice had been worried that he would change his mind about the girl but he just needed to look at that tiny face or at his wife to know that it was right. Yes, she wasn’t made by them but she had been with them since she was just a few hours. She was theirs. A groan left his mouth as they hit another hole. He wanted to holler at his brother but knew that Heath was doing his best and besides that he didn’t have the air or strength to do it. Dawn started to cry and he heard Beatrice pick her up from the basket. That was risky, what if they hit another hole or stone. He opened his eyes a little, watching the view of mother and child. He had done that so many times during the past, sneaking a peek at his two girls. A wobble of the wagon and Beatrice was about to fall backwards. Nick reached out and his hand found his wife’s thigh just as Mike steadied her back.

"Careful Mrs B. Perhaps best if the little one is back in the basket. Here my niece likes to play with this. She is a bit older but it might keep her happy." He reached her his amulet, a rattlesnake’s tail.

"Thanks."

After putting Dawn back in the basket with Mike’s amulet she looked over to her husband and smiled softly. Nick noticed that he had her attention and he gave her thigh a little squeeze. Beatrice leaned over him and stroked away some hair from his face. She felt the sweat on his forehead and found the wet, cold cloth she had prepared before they left the clinic. Gently she wiped his face and was rewarded as he opened his eyes a little more.

"Thank you, Bee."

"I think we are soon home Nick, just hang on."

"Don’t worry, Love." As the wagon once more drove down a hole Nick gasped with pain. Beatrice almost fell over him but managed to hold on to the edge and grab the basket from tipping over.

"You could have gone home with Dawn in the buggy."

"I know and I’m not having this discussion with you again." She caressed his face. "Now try to sleep and relax, Doc Merar said that was the best way if you don’t want more laudanum."

"No thanks, I want to see the ranch and you." He let his hand rest on her leg and he felt that she moved a little closer to him.

At the ranch

As the wagon drove up to the front door Victoria opened it and came out. A couple more hands came running to help get their boss inside the house. Heath handed over the reins to Duke and jumped down. He took the basket and gave it to his mother as he turned to help Beatrice down.

"Sorry for the rough drive. Guess we could have driven faster, then perhaps we should have flown over the holes." A growl was heard from inside. "Ahh, I guess there is going to be a complaint from the man who can’t even have a beer without getting shot. Hang on Big brother." He jumped up into the wagon and went over to Nick. "Just a few minutes more before you are tucked in, in your own bed." He squeezed his shoulder and took the handles of the stretcher as Mike took the others. Gently they moved it and with the help of a few more Nick was carried upstairs to his bed. Victoria and Beatrice took their things and Dawn and followed inside.

Hours later Nick woke up. Even if his body was in pain and he needed the bedpan he felt good. Quiet. His bed. Clean soft sheets. Soft blankets and tonight his wife could lie next to him again or so he hoped at least. He wasn’t sure how he was going to convince her to do it knowing that she would be worried that she would hurt him. He looked at the painting opposite the bed and chuckled softly to himself at the thought that Beatrice never complained about the art in their bedroom. His eyes went over the paintings he could see. Horses, ranch work, war battles. It hit him that she never said anything about the room and that it hardly showed that she lived her too. Sure, there were the screens, the vanity table and her bureau but besides that nothing. This room really needed to be redone. He wanted it to be hers too. He turned to the edge of the bed and saw the cradle. He started to try to see if his daughter was in it, heaving up on the elbows to look into it. The sound of a skirt alerted him that either Beatrice or Mother was on the way to him. He hoped it would be Beatrice but at the same time he wanted her to get some rest. She had been by his side since he had been shot and never once complained about it. No matter how bad he had been there she had handled it with grace. And then she also had to learn to take care of the little one. Just as his mother came around the screen Nick sank back on the bed.

"Now, young man. You promised you would behave and stay in bed if you were let home."

"I am behaving Mother. I just wanted to see if Dawn was sleeping too. And then I need some help to the bathroom."

"She is downstairs getting fed. Beatrice didn’t want to disturb you since the trip home was so rough." Victoria sat down on the chair next to the bed. "You got two fine girls Nick, both very special." She picked up the bottle from underneath the bed.

"I know Mother. Is Jarrod back yet?"

"Not yet but I’m sure he will be soon. Fred is downstairs wondering if he could have a word with you." Nick looked at his Mother and nodded.

"Best get it over with. Mother please ask Bee to come up too when she is ready with Dawn. I miss them. Got so used to have them around that I feel alone with out them." Victoria smiled.

"I understand. Oh Nick. I put the things you bought in the bottom drawer."

"Thanks Mother. It was going to be a surprise when we got to the lodge."

"Still is Nick. Beatrice, doesn’t know about them. Need any help with that?"

"Think I can handle it if you will just leave." Victoria smiled as she left him. Shortly after Fred came into the room. He noticed that Nick had some problems and helped him, muttering something about stubborn cowboys. The two men hadn’t talked about what had happened since Fred knew that Nick been very ill and when they couldn’t find out more he just didn’t want to add to the pain. This morning a tiny hope had been raised when a bank from Monroe, Louisiana had wired him and said that they had gotten money with the same numbers just two weeks before. He had now sent a deputy with some of the money to join the bank detective. He needed to know some more about this Kanon.

"Nick, what do you remember?" Fred sat on the chair with his little notebook open.

"Not much Fred. Just that he asked me if I was Nick Barkley and when I turned to answer I saw a movement and drew my gun, then came the pain."

"How did he sound? The ones standing around you said he spoke too quietly for them to really hear anything. Did he say anything else?"

"Sounded like a city dude. Can’t remember if he said anything more. Had my mind on other things. Don’t even know if I fired or not."

"You did and you killed him. I’m still amazed that you managed that but I guess your quick draw helped you there. Several others hit him too but the coroner is sure about the killing bullet."

"I’m just happy Bee wasn’t in the saloon when it happened or that she was his target." His breathing was becoming tougher again. Fred noticed the paleness and sweat drops showing in his face so he leaned forward for a cloth that lay on the table. Gently the rough hand wiped his friend’s face. A silent move behind him alerted him and he turned towards Beatrice.

"I think he has had enough of me, Beatrice. Think he needs something for the pain. I’ll leave him to you." He stood up and leaned over Nick. "Don’t worry; sooner or later we will catch whoever is responsible Nick." He squeezed his shoulder and left the room. Beatrice reached for the bottle and spoon before she sat on the bed.

"I know you hate it Nick but it’s the best I can do for you."

"No it isn’t. You could lie down next to me and have a cuddle."

"Don’t think you can handle that right now. Here." She gave him a spoonful which he actually was grateful for, not that he would admit it.

"Bee, please stay. Where is Dawn?"

"She is being entertained by her uncles. Jarrod has just come home. Said he would be up here as soon he played with Dawn for a moment."

"How …?"

"Mr Svensson signed the papers." Beatrice smiled at him as she stroked away that teasing lock from his face again. "I think I might get my scissors and just cut that hair off."

"No, you don’t. If I wasn’t so darn weak you wouldn’t even dare to say such a thing."

"I wouldn’t?" She held up two fingers a scissors pretending to cut moving closer and closer to his hair. He reached up and got hold of her waist.

"Now woman, don’t you do something you will regret when I’m back on my feet." He pulled her arm so that she fell forward towards him as his other arm grabbed her. He had learned that she was ticklish and took a chance. Jarrod walked into the room hearing Beatrice giggle and he hesitated to walk any further. The need to see his brother and tell him about the meeting with Mr Svensson was however stronger and he went to the screen and knocked on it. He peered around it and chuckled.

"Need any help Beatrice. Don’t tell me that this sick man is stronger than you."

"He cheats."

"Huh, I do?"

"No more laudanum for you. You get too naughty. I’ll leave you two alone." He held her hand for a while before he let her leave. His eyes followed her to the end of the screen.

Later, when they were alone, Nick said, "you know, even if we didn’t get to the lodge and the pain is killing me I think this one of the best weeks in my life." Nick nudged his wife to move a little closer. With the help of his brothers he had moved to the other side of the bed making it possible for Beatrice to lay against the wound free side of his body. His brothers had given him a good tease for this but it was worth it. It felt strange to lay on the left side of the bed but the reward, the reward was so good. His girl had her head on his chest again and her arm around his body. "You want to know why?"

"Hmmm." Beatrice loved the scent her husband had. His body felt warm again and she let a couple fingers glide between two buttons feeling the smooth skin underneath and the edge of his bandage. Nick gently placed a kiss on her head.

"We have talked and talked, I have found out so much about you and still I know there is more." He had taken an extra dose of the painkilling medicine without telling her. This moment was something he had longed for since he understood he was going to sleep in his own bed. He sensed that she was thinking of something. "What is it Love?"

"Will you ever want me, you know the wifely way?" She couldn’t meet his eyes.

"Wifely way?" He sounded puzzled until he suddenly realized what she meant. "Bee, I have wanted you for ages, long before I was shot." He put two fingers under her chin and lifted up her face. "I just wanted to wait until you were sure that it was me you wanted." He placed a finger over her lips. "I know what you have said. Please listen to me without interrupting. From the moment I saw you at the church and until today, a lot has happened with you. You are a totally different person, in my eyes at least. I could understand if you came and said that you wanted more out of life that living on a ranch. Remember I have seen your papers. Besides changing on the inside your outside is stunning. I know that if we went all the way, I could never accept if you wanted to leave me. Not sure I can today either, but then it would be even worse. That’s why I keep saying that you still have a choice. I want you to be sure, very sure because this cowboy, well, he knows what he wants." He kissed her gently. "I’m not much use right now Bee, need more healing time, but be sure that I do want you." He let his fingers run in her hair and he held her close to him. Beatrice nuzzled as close as she dared.

"I have wanted you since that first day, even if I have sometimes been very scared. I’m never sure if I can be good enough for you."

"You are, more than I can ask for."

Chapter Twenty-two

Joy and laughter met Beatrice as she came down the stairs carrying Dawn. She stopped at the bottom and enjoyed the scenery in front of her. The large tree that Nick and Heath had cut down and brought home a few days ago now stood in its place being decorated by her sister-in-law. Audra’s husband and her brothers were giving her good advice about where to put the different decorations all under supervision of Victoria who sat with her latest grandchild, Audra’s little girl. She felt such happiness at being allowed to be a part of this but right now she didn’t know if she should interfere. Getting a little annoyed with herself over still having thoughts like that she decided to go to the study and sit down for a moment. Nick was just going to point out where to hang a glass boll when he noticed his wife standing by the table, just as she was going to turn towards the study instead. He quickly moved up to her, put his arms around her and held her close to him for a few seconds before he took Dawn from her. With his hand steady on her lower back he led her towards the living room instead.

“Now what do you think? Doesn’t it need more decorations to the left?”

“No it’s perfect as it is. I think it’s the most beautiful Christmas tree I have seen for a long time.” Heath looked up from the floor.

“I think you said that when we brought it in too.”

“And I still think it’s beautiful. I would have loved it without the decorations too.” Nick slid his arm around her waist and held her close to him, he knew that she hadn’t celebrated Christmas for many years and he wanted this one to be special for her, for them. He placed a kiss on her head.

Victoria looked at the couple and their daughter. A lot had happened since the day they had got married and not to mention that horrifying day in October when Nick was shot. And then Beatrice had gotten ill, just after Nick was on his feet and they nearly lost her too. It had been a very tough autumn, one she never wanted to re-live. To see them standing there in the doorway made her happy and proud, proud over that those two had managed to make the very best out of the situation they had been forced into. And then there was little Dawn. Well, if you didn’t know the truth she could be Beatrice’s daughter with the signs of having chestnut coloured hair and eyes with green in them. She turned her attention to the group of men helping Audra to do the last bit. Warm feelings run through her, having her family around her.

Nick moved Beatrice over to the sofa and sat her down before he joined her. He wasn’t totally recovered from the wound and still got easily tired, something he felt really annoyed over. Beatrice knew this but never fused over it, she knew he would rest when he felt the need for it. As for herself she was happy to sit down still feeling very weak. He let his fingers braid with hers.

“Audra, what do you say? Shall we let Bea have the honour?” Heath hinted with his head towards the top.

“Of course.” Audra had loved her sister-in-law from the first minute they had met. She went over and held out a hand. “Come”

“What?” Smiling Nick nudged at her.

“Hurry up Bee. When the angel is on the top Christmas starts.” Smiling she took Audra’s out-stretched hand and followed to the tree. Victoria’s warm laughing eyes smiled at Nick as he sat there with his baby girl on the knee, eyes following every move his wife made. Heath gave her the silver angle.

“Up there Bea, up there.” Audra had wondered shortly after she had come how come the family called Beatrice one thing but Nick another. For Heath that answered had been easy. Bea was the official short form of Beatrice, said by family and friends, Bee was the unofficial, private name only to be used by the husband and that was it.

“Just one problem. I’m too short and even if I stand on a chair I don’t think I’ll reach.” Before she even finished the sentence Heath and Brian, Audra’s husband, had lifted her up and placed on steady shoulders Beatrice reached out and put the angel in place. Gently she was put back on the floor and Heath let his arm stay around his sister-in-law. She was still too skinny and he looked worriedly over her head towards his brother. Nick smiled back nodding that he knew. Heath held her a little closer.

Just as Silas came in with the coffee tray there was a knock on the door and Jarrod who stood closest went over to open.

“Philippe Montmarie. What a pleasure to see you again. What brings you to this part of California?”

“Jarrod. If I have arrived at a bad time, then please let me know and I’ll return after the holiday.”

“Won’t hear of such a thing. Come on in and meet the rest of the family.” He showed the Frenchman in and led the way to the living room. Victoria had handed over the child to Audra and greeted her friend. Beatrice also walked over to him as he entered the room. For the others this was interesting. They had only heard of this man and yet both Jarrod and Victoria greeted him as an old friend. After introductions were made he was seated on the sofa together with Beatrice as Nick went over to his normal place by the hearth.

“What brings you here?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt like this on Christmas Eve but I have been on the way from Baton Rouge for nearly two weeks. I should have been in Stockton for five days ago but things have just went wrong on the trip.”

“Baton Rouge?” Nick felt the tension in every muscle his body had. He changed his mind about the hearth and moved back to the sofa, sitting down on Beatrice’s other side.

“Yes, after San Francisco I went back to Baton Rouge. It had to do with something Victoria had said. I got in touch with Monsieur Stuart on Jarrod’s recommendation. I decided to come rather than wire or write. Gabriel and I have found out and done some things that I wanted Beatrice to know and some even concern you all.”

“Found out what?” Nick looked at the Frenchman but before he could question any more Victoria cut in.

“I hope you didn’t check into the hotel in town, Philippe because I would be insulted if you didn’t spend Christmas with us.”

“No, I didn’t take time; I came direct from the train. I have a chest and suitcase standing outside.” Nick got up and looked at Heath.

“What are we waiting for? Heath, come with me.” Nick strode off to the door, with Heath close behind. Shortly after, they came in carrying the chest between them, having put the suitcase on top.

“That’s mama’s.” Beatrice’s wide open eyes and pale face scared Nick as the boys put it down on the floor. Just as Beatrice glided down on the floor Jarrod managed to get hold of Dawn.

Nick sat with Beatrice on his lap in their bedroom where he had carried her after she fainted. The rest of the family had been as shocked as he over her reaction. Philippe didn’t know what to do, never could he imagine that the sight of the old chest would cause such strong reaction in Beatrice. Victoria had showed him the guest room and they were now sitting at the dinner table, all but Nick and Beatrice. Silas had instead brought in a tray to the couple hoping they would eat something.

“Sorry Nick.”

“Mind telling me why Bee? Why did the old thing cause this?” He tucked the warm blanket tighter around her.

“Last time I saw it was shortly before mama died. I remember going into her room one evening and it was gone. It was so strange because as long as I could remember it had been placed under a window. Mama used to keep her privet things in it, things that meant something special to her. When I was ill she would let me look at the pictures she kept in it, or the drawings. She also had boxes of ribbons, dried flowers and other things. I think she had books too, perhaps they were diaries, I don’t know. I was never allowed to touch them. I know she had a few of my childhood things too.”

“Did you ask her where it had gone?”

“Yes, and she said that in due time I would know. I never thought I would see it again. And here.”

“What do you say about having some dinner and then find out how your French friend found it?”

“I would love that. Dawn needs …”

“Dawn has been taken care of by Audra and Mother.” He pressed his lips softly against her forehead. “Is he the man you and Mother suggested I should talk to when it came to the winery?”

“Yes, he said his family had made the best champagne in France.”

“Huh. Now we make some of the best wine in California but that is a long way from French champagne. Why would he be interested in a partnership?”

“Because he …. I don’t know. You will have to ask him.”

“Alright. Then shall we ...? I want to find out more about his trip to your hometown.”

“Yes, I want to know where he found the chest.”

“I shall start from the beginning of my trip. After Victoria and I had our afternoon walk around in the parks of San Francisco I changed my plans and went back.”

“It was the same day you were out with the girls, Bea. I knew you wouldn’t miss me and we had lunch with Jarrod.”

“Yes, and Jarrod told me to contact Gabriel Stuart. A lawyer with an investigation firm it turned out to be. His staff was amazing in finding things and I do owe him a lot.” Philippe took a sip from the brandy, gathering his thoughts. He wasn’t sure how to continue. “Just as we had started I got Victoria’s letter telling me that Nick had been shot. Gabriel and I sat down and wondered if it had anything with the information we had gotten.”

“Excuse me.” Nick interrupted. “What was it you two were looking into? What caused you to change your plans? I’m a bit lost here and now you mention the shot I took.”

“Excuse moi, Victoria told me about Wheeler and what Gabriel had found out about Beatrice. I didn’t like this Wheeler and it sounded as he hadn’t been very … well … nice to the woman I adored. And then something else bothered me deeply. You see about fifteen years ago I got a key sent to me with just a note saying that I should keep it safe. I recognised the handwriting, scent and stationary, it was from my angel, Beatrice’s mama. So I just had to find out more. Gabriel was more than helpful after I told him who I was. Jarrod had wired him. And it turned out that Gabriel had French ancestors. And the French group in Louisiana didn’t like Wheeler for many reasons, which I’m not getting into here. Just when we found out that Nick had been shot, we had just talked to a banker who told us that Wheeler had forged Beatrice’s signature and done so for many years it turned out. This banker had seen a small note in the local news paper that Beatrice had married Nick and now lived in California so he didn’t accept the check and he alarmed his colleagues around Louisiana. And then he went to a lawyer which was turned out to be Gabriel. He was worried that he was going to be sued by the Barkleys since he had accepted these checks and now understood that it wasn’t Beatrice who had signed them.”

“But I have never had any money, I don’t understand?” Philippe pulled out a key and handed it to her.

“I think you need to open the chest before I continue. I’m afraid I’ll just get more mixed up otherwise.” Beatrice sat holding the key for a while before Nick nudged her to get going. He was as curious as the rest to find out what was in it but at the same time knew how difficult it was for her. He watched her sit down by the chest, touching it gently, letting her fingers follow the drawing on it, the letters.

“Perhaps you can continue to tell us what happened after you got the information and how you found the chest. I think my wife needs some time before she is ready to open the chest.”

“I will, we went to the police and told them what we knew. By that time several bankers had reported that Wheeler had been trying to get money on the checks. When word came about the shot, the policeman, who by the way… “

“Had French ancestors.” The family continued in chorus and laughter broke out.

“Got a warrant for a search of the mansion. I got the feeling there was more but I never asked. Anyway I went along as a police officer. I had told them about the key and Gabriel and I were convinced that it went somewhere in the house. After I had tried it every where and given up that I would ever find the lock it opened, an officer noticed a strait crack in the wall in one of the rooms. It led to the attic and up there among a lot of things stood the chest. I was so relieved when I heard the click.” Just then Beatrice turned the key. “Just that click.” Beatrice lifted up the lid. At the top lay several papers, official papers. She took them and looked at Philippe, before Jarrod leaned over and took them from her. Quickly he looked through them before he found the ones he was looking for. He gave them to Beatrice. The first was a marriage certificate of Louie Pilon and Angelique Masarine, the next was Louie’s testament and the third was Beatrice’s birth certificate. He didn’t say anything but let her look at them. Nick got worried when she got paler again and sat down on the floor next to her. Beatrice sat with her birth certificate and looked at Philippe.

"Mais..."

"Oui, je suis ton père."

"Mais Gaspard Masarine?"

"Il n'existe pas. Ton grand-père était en fait le mari de ta mère. Je devrais peut-être raconter toute l'histoire, et le faire en anglais afin que ta famille nous comprenne."

"Ce serait mieux." Nick looked at the pair, not understanding a word of what was said. He looked at the papers and even if he wasn’t a lawyer he understood that what these papers meant. That Beatrice whole world once again was turned over. She had grown up on a lie. How was she going to react now? He looked worriedly at her and gently touched her. She looked up at him and smiled. He wasn’t comforted by that smile.

“Bee?” She looked at him again. He saw insecurity in her eyes. “I’m here and will be what ever happens.” Victoria understood that Beatrice needed some time for herself before they continued.

“It’s getting late. Why don’t we hear the rest tomorrow and give Bea time to look in the chest without us looking over her shoulder.”

“I’m nearly finished. The papers in the chest showed that Beatrice is my daughter and the testament from Louie made her a very rich woman. Wheeler knew this but thought that he could marry her off and keep the money, house everything but when he couldn’t get to the money he got desperate. He couldn’t go to Stockton himself, the papers he signed before the wedding made that clear and he didn’t want to risk his neck but he also had a wife who demanded more and more. So he got help. He thought that if Nick got killed you would put Beatrice on the next train back to her father.”

“Like we would have done that.” Heath sneered. “We would have married her off with someone else.” Beatrice and Nick’s eyes turned towards him.

“What!” Nick almost rose from the floor.

“Like me or Jarrod.” Heath grinned when Nick turned his rising anger into a chuckle.

“So when his plan got mixed up he got desperate and when the police turned up he gave up. That is really all.” Audra looked confused.

“It can’t be all. How can you be Bea’s father? She is born here. How..?” Nick smiled at his sister.

“Audra, you will have to wait until tomorrow. Right now Heath and I will get this chest up to the bedroom for Bee. Dawn needs to be put in bed and from the look of it, so does Bee.” He stroked the face of the woman he loved.

“Nick is right Audra. Knowing the habitants in this household you’ll all be up early tomorrow. Philippe, if you want to sleep in tomorrow morning I suggest you use earplugs. I don’t know who is worse but I do know that Nick’s voice will be heard.”

“Mother!” He chuckled as he stood up. He gave Beatrice his hand and helped her up before he put the lid down. She looked at Philippe, who stood up and took her hands.

“Cherie we will talk later. I know it’s all very confusing. Have a look at Angelique’s things and we will talk when you are ready but tomorrow I’ll tell you all how I met her and about Louie. Listen to your husband and put your daughter and yourself to bed.” He kissed her wrists and then took Dawn from Victoria, grasped Beatrice’s elbow and led her upstairs. Nick and Heath grabbed the chest and followed them.

Nick woke up during the night missing something in his bed. He let his hand travel over Bee’s side and he realized she wasn’t there. Worried that she wasn’t feeling well after the news she had gotten, he got up. Being surprised over that the room was still warm he walked towards the hearth where he found her sitting on the floor, by the chest. Sitting down on the table he tilted his head as he watched her. She was so concentrated on the drawings she didn’t notice him right away.

“Did I wake you up?”

“I would say that it was the feeling of missing something. If you are going to be up, you need to wear something warm. I don’t want you ill again.”

“I wasn’t going to sit long. I just wanted to see what else was in here, then I was going back. I got stuck I guess.” Nick help out his hand and took the drawings from her.

“They are good. Who?”

“Mama. Except this one. I didn’t know she had saved it.” She reached him the one she was holding. Nick took it and studied it.

“How old were you?”

“Six. The year I started art school. I was in a competition and got a prize for it.”

“I love it. I want to frame it.”

“Nick!”

“This room has to be more you and I love this one. Got any more?” He picked up the bunch again and studied the drawings more closely “Your mother was really good.”

“I know, she stopped when I was born. I guess gallery was a substitute.”

“Those you will have to look at more tomorrow. Now you are coming to bed Mrs Barkley.” He took the diaries away from her and pulled her up. “Did you have a look at the papers, besides the three Jarrod sorted out for you.”

“Not really. I didn’t understand the testament either. I guess I’ll just let him sort everything.”

“That’s what’s he is best at.”

Epilogue

A month later Nick and Beatrice went down to Baton Rouge to sort out her heritage. Louie Pilon had given her everything to make sure that Wheeler wouldn’t get anything but before he had been able to give the papers to a lawyer he had died and Angelique had hid the papers in fear of her husband. Wheeler had married Angelique straight after Louie had died in a secret ceremony according to the diaries, not several years before as Beatrice had thought.

Nick and Beatrice sold the land and mansion and after they sorted out what they wanted of the interior furnishings they sold the rest of that too. From the garden plants, flowers and trees were dug up or samples were taken. When everything was packed and sealed Nick rented a train coach to ship it to Stockton.

For the two it wasn’t just a trip to sort things out, it was their belated honeymoon. Nick used everyday to find out more about the woman he had come to love and on several occasions, he saved things from being sold that he knew that she would regret having sold later on.

Beatrice had decided that the art in the mansion was to be the basis of the art museum except for a few paintings that she felt especially attached to. And some of the money from the land was to used to build it.

And on their first wedding anniversary, their daughter Faith was born.

THE END

Note -- The French lines say:

"But ..."
"Yes, I'm your father.

"But Gaspard Masarine?"
"He doesn't exist. Your grandpapa was in fact your mother's husband. Perhaps I shall tell the whole story and in English so your family understands us?"

"Best so."