My Heart My Son

by Christy

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Part 1

On the range of the Barkley ranch, a Modoc pony worked its way gamely up the bluff of the hill he and his owner were attempting to traverse. The dirt was a little dry and slipped out under his hooves, but it was clear he was trying hard. Finally, his rider, a blond haired cowboy got off the horse and led him carefully up the hill himself, not wanting to injure the animal. Overhead the hot sun beat down upon the pair. Just as he reached the top of the hill that would save him a good half day of riding, the young man saw a woman astride a horse that was clearly out of control, racing towards him. Unable to let the little Modoc rest, he mounted and rode off, intent on helping a damsel in distress and forgetting that he was already tired and even slightly disoriented.

He had to give the woman credit. She wasn’t screaming and she didn’t appear to be terrified as he rode after her. Holding the reins she had her feet tucked tightly around the sorrel’s sides. She only screamed when she saw the trees coming at her. He managed to get to her, pulling her off the horse just before they entered a forest of peach trees. The young woman let him position her in front of him until the cinch strap broke, possibly from the extra weight and they both slid to the ground. The woman felt the fall coming. She rolled the way her brothers taught her, recovering nicely. Her rescuer was not so lucky. He too rolled, but he hit his head on one of the many rocks in the area. Stunned, he lay still, blood seeping from a wound at the back of his head.

“Mister?” the woman cried, pulling her small lithe body up, and running over to her rescuer. “Mister you all right?” He could hear her calling to him, but he couldn’t answer at first. The breath had been knocked out of him. His head swam with pain. She shook him to arouse him. Slowly he came around, his blue eyes opening to look on the face of an angel.

“Are you all right?” she repeated. He sat up, rubbing the back of his head a look of surprise coming over his young face when his hand came back bright with blood.

“You’re hurt!” she exclaimed, her voice distressed, but still somehow bright and contagiously gentle at the same time. “You have to come back to the ranch with me. Mother is there. She can fix just about anything.”

“No, no,” he denied, finally finding his voice. “It’s no bother. I can take care of this myself.”

“I won’t hear of it,” she said. “You’re on Barkley land you know. I guess that’s a good thing since you just saved my life maybe. Mother will be very upset if I don’t bring you home so she can thank you and fix you up. I shudder to think what the boys would say. Now I won’t hear another word.” His face was stunned by the amount of talking the young woman did. He started to get up, but fell back after feeling a wave of dizziness overcome him.

“Here, let me help you. I’m stronger than I look.”

“What about your horse, Miss?”

“Barkley, Audra Barkley. He’ll come back. He got spooked by a rattle snack. I should have been more careful. Mother’s always warning me about riding in the south pasture because there are snakes there, but it’s such a pretty place. Are you ready to try again?”

“I reckon.” He stood with the help of the pretty blond lady, realizing he felt weaker than he should have. He stood a little dazed as she approached his Modoc. Dang, he thought, he should have warned her the animal was a little skittish. He was amazed to see the little lady walk with confidence towards the horse, talking in a soft methodical tone to her, then pulling a piece of something out of her brown skirt pocket, and giving it to the pony. After that the Modoc was won over. She allowed Audra to walk her back to her master, whinnying for more of whatever she had just munched so hungrily.

“What did you give her?” he asked in surprise. “I’ve never seen her react to anyone but me like that.” He proceeded to check the cinch. When he saw it was broken, he reached into his saddle bag and took out a new one. Picking up the saddle from the ground where it had fallen, he saddled the horse and made sure the pair wouldn’t fall again by tightening the cinch. His head throbbed in pain. He’d never had a headache so bad.

“I just gave her some sugar. She sure did like it.”

“I’ll just bet she did. Never had none before.”

“Never?” she asked in incredulous surprise. “Oh I always give my horses sugar. They love it and me then.” Her smile was infectious, one he couldn’t help returning. He shook his head.

“She’ll be spoiled rotten now for sure.” As he finished his job, he witnessed the solidification of the friendship between his horse and Audra when she gave the Modoc yet more sugar. He raised his eyes heavenward.

“Oh, Brother,” he muttered under his breath. “You ready to go before I have to give you my horse?” Audra simply smiled up at her rescuer.

“I didn’t catch your name,” she said. “I mean, I know you saved my life, but it would be kind of nice to know your name.” He silently waited. She sighed as he helped her mount the Modoc. Climbing up behind her, he took a deep breath.

“My name’s Heath,” He supplied.

“Heath? Just Heath?”

“Just Heath. Where do we go?”

“Well, Just Heath,” she teased. “Ride north about five miles and then we’ll be almost home.”

“Thanks.” Heath’s short reply was something Audra Barkley wasn’t used to. Her parents both spoke up whenever they had the mind to. As for her brothers, well Jarrod was quiet and retrospective sometimes, but not like this. As for brother Nick, well he was louder than a thunderstorm sometimes, much to her mother’s constant amusement. She smiled as Heath held the reins around her. He held himself ramrod straight as long as he could. The five miles to the ranch seemed like a hundred as the minutes and then a half hour ticked by. They were within sight of the house when a sudden dizzy spell made his legs dig in to the horse. His body leaned forward.

“Mr. Heath?” Audra asked. “What’s happening? His silence was terrifying to the girl. She took the reins before they could fall from his limp hands, noting he was muttering something she could not hear. He struggled to hold himself erect, but she could feel him weaving back and forth. She urged the Modoc into a gallop and raced into the courtyard in front of the Barkley mansion. She yelled every bit as loud and louder than her brother Nick who was famous on the family ranch for his bellowing voice.

“Mother! Nick! Jarrod! Help! Help us!” Audra’s cry couldn’t have fallen on deaf ears no matter what, since there were a number of ranch hands out by the bunk house and in the corral breaking a few wild horses. As it happened, her mother, Victoria, and brother Jarrod came running from the patio doors on the front of the three pillared mansion while Nick Barkley came racing from the stables. It was the first time in their lives they could remember Audra actually screaming for help. Heath held on barely cognizant of the commotion. He collapsed, unconscious falling just as Jarrod and Nick simultaneously arrived. Together they managed to break his fall, gently depositing him on the ground.

“What the hell?” Nick demanded first.

“My sentiments exactly,” Brother Jarrod added. He surveyed his sister’s rumpled appearance, her blond hair tousled by her fall and the wind. Even her skirt far more dirty than normal after a ride. She wrung her hands in anxiety.

“Help him,” the girl begged. “He saved me when my horse spooked, only we both fell. He hit his head on a rock. Don’t you understand? He saved my life.”

“Okay, Baby Sister, okay,” Jarrod answered, trying to appease her. “Can you get one of the men to run into town and get Doctor Merar?”

“Of course,” she replied with indignation.

“Then go, Audra. Nick, we’ll take him upstairs.”

“Are you kidding?” Nick bellowed. “We don’t know who he is. He could be a marauder or worse.”

“Yes a thief who rescues damsels in distress. I’m real worried Brother Nick.” Jarrod’s sarcasm usually would have made his mother smile. Neither he nor Nick noticed their mother’s face as they picked the injured man up between them and dragged him into the house with Victoria following. Her face was white with recognition, her heart pounding in denial. The thoughts that raced through her mind might have been private, but the distress on her face was evident. Before they reached the nearest guest room she managed to get herself under control while her sons laid their burden on the soft bed. The man never moved which was a concern for all of them. Audra came into the room as Victoria placed blankets over the unconscious stranger. The younger woman carried hot water and bandages she had retrieved from the kitchen and pantry downstairs. She had taken enough care of her brother’s to know what was needed when someone was injured. She put the basin next to her mother and handed her the bandages.

“I sent Ciego to town for Dr. Merar,” she informed her mother. Victoria nodded and started to assist their unexpected guest. Between them the two women tended to the man’s wound as Jarrod and Nick watched. There wasn’t really that much blood, and the wound was quickly cleaned. Victoria decided to leave it open for Dr. Howard Merar to see. Finished, she looked across the bed at her daughter.

“Audra, what do you know about him? What happened out there?”

“I told you, Mother. Willow panicked. Oh, dear. I was in the south pasture and a snake scared her. She was off and running. I was headed for the peach grove when he caught me and pulled me onto his horse. Only the cinch strap broke and we fell. He hit his head.”

“I wonder where he’s from or what his name is. How did you get him on the horse?” Victoria asked. Nick and Jarrod were curious as to where the questions were coming from. Usually they were the ones with questions while Victoria waited patiently. Jarrod especially recognized his mother’s tone. He listened carefully, not just to words, but his mother’s emotions as Audra answered her mother.

“He was able to saddle his horse, and get us back here. He’s not much for talking. He doesn’t have a mouth like Nick.”

“Hey now!” Nick objected.

“Oh, Nick, be still. Audra?”

“Mother, I don’t know what you are after. He said his name was Heath, just Heath. He didn’t give a last name. What is the matter?”

“Nothing, nothing. I just wanted to know about him. He’s young to be rescuing you.”

“He has a way with horses I think. He was jealous of how I made friends with his.”

“Lord, Audra and her sugar,” Nick put in again.

“Nick!” Victoria snapped. “I said.” Nick didn’t argue with his mother. There was no point. There never was with her because she was always right…well most of the time.

“That’s all I know, Mother. Honest. He was kind and gallant and very brave. I know he was hurting all the way back, but he didn’t let himself go until he got here. I was afraid he’d hurt himself more if he fell again. That’s why I yelled so.” Victoria came over and put her arm around her daughter, hugging her a little. She looked up at her since Audra was at least two inches taller than her petite parent.

“You didn’t yell nearly as loud as Nick, my dear,” she smiled. “Why don’t you go get some dinner, all of you. I’ll wait for Howard and sit with the young man.”

“Oh, no! I’m not leaving you alone with a stranger,” Nick bellowed.

“Oh, Nick, for heaven’s sake. He rescued Audra. He’s not going to hurt me and if he tries, I’ll just scream for my fearless sons.” Nick rolled his eyes. Jarrod smirked while Audra put her arm around her mother and hugged her back.

“Treat him gently, Mother. He is a good man. I can tell.” Audra’s voice echoed in Victoria’s ears as her clan left her alone with a young man she couldn’t stop staring at. She sat on a chair next to the bed, and still stared. Her mind couldn’t help picturing her husband the first time she had seen him. The stranger’s face, the way his eyes were set. She was positive his eyes were blue too, just like her Tom’s. She guessed his age to be in his early 20’s. She remembered when Jarrod and Nick were that age. Shaking her head, she felt the tears slipping down her cheeks. How could he? How could Tom have hurt her so badly? The young man started to moan. Discipline was Victoria Barkley’s second name. She pulled herself together. The children couldn’t know what she was thinking. Not until she learned more about this child in front of her and not until she learned what he was doing here. Moaning in pain, Heath opened his eyes. Victoria sighed. She had been right. They were blue, the exact same shade of blue as Audra’s and her husband’s.

“What…what happened?” his voice asked. It was a low, quiet voice. “Where am I?” He started to get up, pushing his blankets back. Victoria stood up. She firmly placed her hands on Heath’s arms and made him lay back down.

“Ma’am?”

“You’re injured. You are not to get out of this bed until the doctor sees you.”

“Aww now there’s no need for fussin. It’s just a bump.”

“Really? If it’s so trivial, why do you have a headache?” Victoria was pleased by Heath’s eyes widening in surprise. “I have two sons. I guarantee you I’ve seen my share of head injuries. You’ll have a headache at least for a few days. I’m more concerned that you didn’t have more damage.”

“My ma always said I had a thick head Ma’am. I’m guessin there’s nuthin to really worry about. Now if you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way.”

“Your mother would insist and so do I. Lay down,” Victoria ordered. She could tell Heath had a mother. He laid back in bed and didn’t move again. The look of defeat on his face almost made her chuckle. How often had she seen Nick or Jarrod’s or even Audra’s responses to her orders. They might disagree with her, but they wouldn’t dare fight back.

“Victoria?” Dr. Merar asked from the door of the room. “May I come in?”

“Oh, Howard, of course. I’m sorry. I was just teaching our guest some manners. He was trying to spurn our hospitality.”

“I wasn’t. I just…” Heath’s words fell off when he saw Victoria’s teasing smile. She was a true lady he thought, kind and supportive of him and she didn’t even know him. He looked at the doctor as Victoria went on.

“This young man’s name is Heath. He fell off a horse and hit his head. He says his head is pretty tough, but I’m guessing we need to look at it anyway.”

“Well, let’s have a look see,” Howard said. “Can you sit up?” Heath made a gainful attempt, but shook his head when he realized he was too dizzy to move.

“That’s all right, that’s all right,” Howard assured him. He checked the wound at the back of the head and nodded pleased with Victoria’s care as always. He continued his examination with verbal questions.

“Now were you unconscious for any length of time?”

“He was out for about an hour,” Victoria confirmed.

“Right after he fell or later?”

“Later. It happened off the ranch I think by the south pasture,” Victoria said. “He made it back to the ranch with Audra, but then lost consciousness.”

“I see. Heath, take my hands and squeeze them.” The young man did as he was told. “Hard as you can.” Heath squeezed. His right grip was strong causing the doctor to grimace. The left grip on the other hand was considerably weaker. His look of concern wasn’t missed by Victoria.

“Tell me honestly, Son. How badly does your head hurt and where is the worst pain?”

“I tell ya, it isn’t so bad. I’ve felt worse in the war.”

“In the war?” Victoria yelped. “Goodness sakes you couldn’t have been more than a child.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Heath agreed, not offering further information.

“Son, I can’t help you unless you answer my questions. Tell me where it hurts the most and anything else that’s wrong.” Heath sighed.

“The back of my head is killing me,” He finally admitted. “And my left hand and leg feel kind of funny.”

“Funny how?”

“I don’t know. Just different is all, like hard to move or something.” Howard nodded.

“Okay, Son, you rest and take it easy.”

“I’m supposed to be in Modesto by tomorrow. I don’t have time for no philandering.”

“What were you supposed to be doing in Modesto?” Howard asked. Victoria listened as well, her curiosity piqued.

“There’s a ranch on the other side of Modesto called the Lucky Seven. I hired on there to work on breakin some horses.”

“Well, Son, I don’t think you’re going to be going anywhere right fast. Why don’t you let Mrs. Barkley and her sons worry about you for a bit. You need some tending and that’s a fact.”

“I dunno. I always took care of myself afore,” Heath replied.

“You planning on getting out of that bed are young man?” Victoria demanded. “You wouldn’t like to show me, would you?” Heath tried. He really did, but he just didn’t have the strength to move much. He looked crestfallen and embarrassed.

“I can’t do this,” he ground out. “I gotta go.” Victoria shook her head helplessly. He was truly stubborn. Howard could see the woman was losing her patience. He held back a chuckle. For a minute the young man had reminded him of Nick or even Tom Barkley chomping against the bit per say. That was a distinct Barkley trait. He patted the blond cowboy’s hand and got up from the side of the bed where he had sat to examine him.

“I’ll be right back, Heath,” Victoria promised. Her gray eyes provided Heath with some of the reassurance he needed. However, as Victoria and Dr. Merar exited the room, his instinct was to bolt. He didn’t belong here in this fancy house in this fancy bed, not the likes of him. When the gracious lady found out what he was, she’d boot him out on his ear. He threw the blankets off again, and sat up on the edge of the bed. With his head spinning, he waited to get his bearings. Then he would be on his way…and all this would just be a memory, he was sure.

Downstairs in the family parlor, Audra, Jarrod and Nick were waiting for their mother. Jarrod and Nick were both sipping on brandies while Audra played a game of solitaire, losing badly. All three Barkley’s jumped up from their prospective seats as Victoria and Howard came walking down the stairs together.

“Mother, how is he?” Audra asked in her usual impulsive manner, joining her mother in the foyer while her two dark haired brothers followed her.

“I don’t know, Audra. Howard maybe you can tell us?” Victoria replied. Her children froze at her words. There was something they couldn’t quite recognize in her speech, worry, concern, fear? None of them could quite place it. They only knew Howard had their attention more than ever, along with their mother.

“Victoria, I won’t sugar coat this. Heath, you said his name was? Well, he’s hit his head but good. He’s got some decreased strength on his left side and he’s dizzy when he moves. He’s possibly got a blood clot pressing on his brain stem. I saw a good bump at the back of his head. It’s causing the problems he’s having. He must stay in bed. I can’t emphasize that enough, until the clot has dissolved. If he doesn’t and the clot moves, it could kill him.”

“Oh my God,” Audra cried. She had such a soft heart. “He did this trying to save me.”

“He didn’t try, Sis. He succeeded. He’s not dead yet,” Nick intervened. “Don’t give up on him.”

“What else are you concerned about Howard?” Victoria went on, still using that same voice.

“The clot may or may not dissolve. If it doesn’t, I may need to go in and drain it. Or even it does, he could be left with permanent damage or worse. My advice would be to get his family right off. This is very dangerous, Victoria.”

“We’ll manage, Howard,” Victoria said simply. “We’ll have to send a telegram to that ranch in Modesto. He’s going to be laid up a long time I’d guess.”

“At least a week,” Howard agreed.

“Well then we’ll have a chance to get to know him…and his family,” Victoria mused. “Howard, how can we thank you for coming out? Would you like some dinner?”

“No, Victoria. I’ll send the bill. That’s plenty of thanks as always. I have to get back to town. Mrs. Rutherford is dying and I’m sure her children would like it if I dropped in.”

“Tell her daughter I’ll come by in a few days if I can,” Victoria said. “She’s very old, but it’s always hard to lose your mother.”

“Yes, very hard,” Howard agreed. “Goodnight everyone.” Dr. Merar was hardly out the door when a crash from upstairs spurred everyone to rush up the grand staircase of the mansion. Victoria knew what she would find before she got there. Her mind spun as she realized how very stubborn this Heath character was. Her anger knew no bounds when she rushed into the bedroom with her children behind her to find the golden cowboy lying on the floor, helplessly trying to get up, tears of frustration in his eyes.

“Heath!” She scolded. “What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to lay still? Didn’t Dr. Merar tell you you weren’t to get out of bed? What is the matter with you? Don’t you know when to listen to your elders?”

“I…I…” Heath was speechless. He stared in alarm at Victoria, his eyes finally going back to the floor. “I couldn’t stand. My left leg is almost numb. What’s wrong with me. Why can’t I get up?”

“Oh, Heath,” Victoria sighed. Her concern for a stranger sounded very much like a mother’s love which again confused her children. Without thought, Jarrod and Nick helped the young man back to bed. He was still fully dressed. Victoria sat on the side of the bed as the children watched.

“Heath, do you have any family we should notify that you’re hurt?” she asked ignoring his questions for the moment as the young man took some deep breaths and tried to recover from the dizziness that still assaulted him.

“No Ma’am,” he said with a sharpness he hadn’t intended. “I mean there’s no one.”

“Everyone has to have someone,” Audra exclaimed before she could think, but seeing the loneliness in Heath’s eyes, she knew that wasn’t so.

“Not everyone, Miss. There’s just me and that’s all.”

“Where are you from, Heath?” Victoria went on.

“I was born in a dead end mining town. Why?”

“Your parents?” Victoria went on doggedly trying to extract whatever information she could from the boy, her fatigue evident and her heart on her sleeve despite her best intentions.

“I never…excuse me Ma’am, never had no father. My mother…well she’s gone too.”

“I see.” And Victoria Barkley did see, far more than anyone else.

“What was the town called.”

“Strawberry,” Heath supplied. “Ma’am please tell me what’s going on? Please.” Victoria closed her eyes, than faced what she had to. If ever there was a woman who faced her responsibilities she was it. She spoke in a more kind and gentle voice, telling Heath what the doctor said. Heath listened carefully, his shock at the seriousness of his condition suddenly revealed in his blue eyes. They widened in appreciation.

“You mean I could die?”

“Dr. Merar didn’t really seem to think it would be that bad, unless you insist on getting out of bed. Now, do I make myself clear? You are not to get out of bed unless someone in this house helps you?”

“My God,” Heath breathed. He seemed stunned by Victoria’s revelation. “It’s not like I haven’t thought of dyin before but this sure wasn’t the way I planned to go.”

“You are not going to die,” Nick boomed. “Not in our house anyway. My mother is the best nurse around, and we’ll be here to help.” At the mention of Victoria nursing him, Heath blushed turning a bright red. He looked at Victoria apologetically.

“I can nurse myself, Ma’am. If one of your sons will kindly…”

“Oh my goodness,” Victoria exploded. “I am not going to go through this again, Heath…what is your last name again?”

“Thomson.”

“Well, Heath Thomson, whether you like it or not, you are here at the Barkley ranch to stay at least for a week. Nick will get you one of his nightgowns, and help you get undressed. Jarrod will send a note to the ranch you were supposed to work at, and I promise I won’t hinder your manhood. Is that satisfactory?” Blunt to the point of embarrassment, Victoria didn’t wait for a reply. She fled the room, her children staring after her. Audra’s blue eyes turned back to her brothers.

“What in the world was that about?” she wondered out loud.

“She was angry,” Heath muttered miserably. “At me.” Audra shook her head while Jarrod came over to his sister. He gave the blond cowboy a reassuring smile.

“Heath,” he said. “I promise you, she wasn’t angry at you. There’s something else bothering her, but I guarantee its’ nothing you did. You saved our sister’s life, and we’re beholding to you. Let us help you until you get back on your feet.”

“Doesn’t seem as though I have a choice Mr. Barkley,” Heath answered meeting Jarrod’s gaze. “Don’t want to be no trouble though.”

“No trouble. I shudder to think what would have been trouble if Audra had been injured or killed out there. She has a knack for getting herself into trouble.”

“And then some,” Nick added. He sat down on the edge of the bed as Audra just smiled sweetly at her brothers, not at all taken in by their teasing.

“Don’t listen to either of them,” she told the young man. “They’re worse then ten of me put together.”

“I’ll just bet,” Heath replied unable to stop himself. Nick, Jarrod and Audra all caught their breaths at the comment, then burst out laughing. Nick especially appreciated the quiet sense of humor from the blond cowboy. If he could laugh at a time like this there might be hope for him yet.

“Well thanks a lot,” Audra pretended to pout.

“Boy, you sure got a wicked sense of humor. Little Sister, Jarrod, I guess I’ll be taking care of this boy since you two are probably no match for him.” Heath could hear the admiration in Nick’s voice. He couldn’t help being pleased. He didn’t know these people from Adam, but they were so free and easy with him, maybe cause he’d saved their sister. Did they know he would have done that for anyone? He didn’t know who she was when he started after her, or maybe they did know and that was why they acted as they did.

“Well I for one can take a hint. Heath, my mother means what she says. She’s not a person I would get into fight with willingly. If I were you, I would do exactly as she says. My name is Jarrod by the way in case you hadn’t guessed, and that big lug is Nick.”

“Yes, sir,” Heath answered.

“Sir? Oh no. It’s Jarrod. You’ve earned the right to call me that. Little Lady, why don’t we join Mother for dinner downstairs. I don’t think she’s eaten yet and I know we haven’t. Nick? We’ll see you downstairs?”

“Just as soon as I finish with our friend here, if he’ll let me help him.”

“Oh he’ll let you,” Jarrod teased. “Or I’ll send Mother up and she’ll gladly finish the job.” Nick smiled a little wolfishly as Heath turned red again. It wasn’t hard for Heath to make a choice.

“Like I said,” he admitted. “I ain’t got no choice.”

“Nope, you don’t, Boy. So let’s get you cleaned up and dressed for the night. Silas, our houseman will bring you a tray and then you can get a good night’s sleep.” Jarrod and Audra left the room. Heath sighed again.

“Yes, Sir.” Nick looked around the room, then back at Heath. He looked around the room too.

“You expecting someone else?” Nick asked.

“No, Sir.”

“Well then the name is Nick, and you’re Heath. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Yes, Sir,” Heath answered as Nick burst out laughing, recognizing Heath’s sense of humor again. This man was going to be interesting to get to know…and hopefully they would have the time to get to know each other, if he would just listen to reason and let strangers take care of him. Nick helped Heath to tend to his needs and wondered how he would feel if he was in Heath’s place. Heck, he knew how he would feel, helpless, trapped and bereft of his pride. Gruff and rough as a general rule, Nick Barkley reached deep within and was as soft and gentle as any woman in helping this stranger. When Heath was finally clean and in a nightgown, lying back on the bed with the least movement possible, he was exhausted.

“Thanks,” he said. Nothing else came from him as he closed his eyes. Nick didn’t need more. He left the room, the lamp still lit. Maybe the man would get some sleep and feel better in the morning…or not. He could only hope and pray the golden cowboy was all right for his sake and the family who was trying to save him. There was something about Heath that reached out to the self-possessed Nick. Heath had to be all right, because then Nick might finally have a friend he could call a friend…and not one of his hired hands. He left Heath sound asleep, not knowing that it was the finest bed Heath had ever slept in and probably one of the most restful sleeps he had ever had.

Dawn came slowly the next day. Through the night, Victoria sat by Heath’s side, watching his slow even breathing. She had heard her children laughing with Heath while she waited outside the door the night before. Jarrod and Audra had been surprised to find her standing there. One finger across her lips had silenced them as they all went downstairs. Later Nick had joined them. The children all talked about Heath, speculating about him, wondering where he had come from, and what he was really like when he was well. Silas had taken the boy some dinner, but he had been sound asleep and Silas said he couldn’t rouse him. Victoria, concerned had held her piece till her two youngest had gone to bed. She accompanied Jarrod up to his room. At the door he turned to his mother, knowing she wanted something.

“Well, Mother it’s been quite a day. I take it you’re going to go in and sit with our guest?” Victoria cocked her head gazing at her son with a mother’s love.

“How did you know that?”

“Because I know you. You’ve taken a fancy to the young man. I don’t think it has to do with the fact he saved Audra, although that does give him points.”

“Jarrod,” Victoria sighed. “Sometimes I wonder how you see so much.”

“I saw more, Mother, but I’m not certain I should say anything right now.”

“Not now, Jarrod,” Victoria agreed, “But there is something you can do for me.”

“Name it, Lovely Lady,” Jarrod said gallantly.

“Find out whatever you can about this young man as soon as possible, before he does get well enough to leave or bolt. He’s so uncomfortable now, I’m afraid he’ll try and leave no matter what I say.”

“Surely he has enough sense to listen to you and Howard?”

“I can only hope so. Who is he, Jarrod? I have to know.” The anguish in his mother’s voice wasn’t lost on the oldest Barkley son. He was four years older than Nick and those four years gave him an advantage on Barkley family dynamics. He knew secrets he wasn’t supposed to and once long ago, he had confided those secrets to his mother when she was mourning for her husband, both of them dealing with their loss and guilt over Tom Barkley. An understanding look went between the two.

“I’ll find out, Mother. That will be my job. Your job will be to keep that boy strapped to that bed.”

“Seems to be about as easy as keeping Nick strapped to a bed or you,” Victoria smiled. “Have I ever told you how proud I am of you?” Victoria’s last sentence, so out of the blue made Jarrod smile. He bent down to kiss his mother on the cheek.

“You have, but I never mind hearing it. I love you too, Mother.” Victoria watched her son go into his room, shutting his door behind her. Then she went to sit with Heath, watching him as he slept. The question made her toss and turn all night in the chair she dozed in. Who was Heath Thomson? What was his relationship to this family, beyond a knight who would put his life on the line for a lady? What other strengths and weaknesses did he have? Victoria knew no man was perfect and this smoldering young man was far from it. She could feel his anger before when he was lying on the floor, anger at his helplessness, anger at himself, anger at something she didn’t understand or maybe she did because she had some of that anger in her own heart towards a man she thought she had forgiven 22 years ago.

“Oh Heath,” She whispered, knowing he would not hear. “Why have you come now? Why this time? I suspect you don’t even know how you got here. You are so innocent, innocent of the sins of the past, and yet here you are. Does anyone know how confused I am by your presence here?” The sun was starting to peak over the horizon now, far off to the east. Victoria heard her sons moving down the hall. She knew they would be up and about their business. Slipping away from Heath’s side, satisfied that he would be safe while she was starting her day, she returned to her bedroom to get dressed. As she slipped into her room, Nick hurried down the hall, his usual bellow quiet while he took his mother’s place. He sank into the warm chair and knew she had been there. He could still smell her perfume. His mother was a woman above all others, and right now the rancher could only take her lead.

Part 2

Five Days Later

Early Evening

“Oh, come on now, Heath. You don’t eat enough to keep a bird alive,” Nick scolded his patient. Heath was sitting up in a chair by the window. Dr. Merar had finally allowed him to be out of bed a few hours each day. His weakened arm and leg were slowly improving, especially his leg. His left arm was still difficult to move, his hand unable to grasp. He was thankful he was right handed, but that didn’t help his fear that he would never be as strong as he had been before. Whoever heard of a one handed cowboy? He looked up at Nick with respectful eyes that hid the fires burning within.

“Nick, I’m not trying to be difficult. Just not hungry much.”

“You are the most frustrating man,” Nick said. “I’ll just take this tray away, but you aren’t going to get well eating next to nothing at all, Boy. You need to get your strength up.”

“Don’t I know it,” Heath agreed. But he wouldn’t say more, and Nick didn’t want to upset him by arguing. In five days of helping his mother care for their guest, he had come to respect Heath for his quiet courage. The young man never complained even though he was often besieged by terrible headaches that made his face turn quite white. Dr. Merar said it was from the blood clot that did appear to be slowly dissipating. Until the clot was gone, the headaches could only be relieved with laudanum. Then Heath slept until the pain hit again. Being an empathetic young man Nick shuddered every time he saw Heath in such severe pain.

“Where is everyone?” Heath asked. “Usually Silas brings supper.”

“Mother is resting. I think she has a cold, which is unusual for her. Jarrod went to San Francisco this morning and Audra is bullying Silas in the kitchen with supper. I thought I’d leave him to his misery.”

“Boy howdy,” Heath breathed. “Your little sister sure can pack a mouthful. She talks on end up here. Surprised she don’t lose her voice or something.”

“You complaining, Boy?” Nick demanded, placing an edge to his voice until once again he found that Heath was teasing. The cocky look on his face told him that Heath was getting more comfortable every day around the family. Audra read to him for hours on end while Jarrod came by a few times a day to check in on him and maybe ask him a few questions about himself. Heath bristled at the questions, but answered them. Dr. Merar came daily and was pleased with his progress so far. He said he could feel the clot dissolving upon palpation, but he was careful to try and not dislodge it. He promised Heath the headaches would resolve when the clot did. As for Nick, Heath treated him with an easy camaraderie that delighted the older man. Heath shared his humor with everyone and he wasn’t one bit intimidated by Nick as most of his men were. The only person Heath was still stiff with was Victoria. Nick hadn’t figured that out yet since Mother treated the kid like he was the most important guest they had ever had. She came in to see him in the morning and the evening and sat every night, all night with him. She refused to allow any of her children to relieve her. Nick didn’t understand her intensity, but decided that was just the way his mother was. Heath had saved their sister from at least an injury and possibly her life. Victoria felt she owed the boy.

“I have to go into town tonight. Why don’t you let me help you back to bed.” Heath was dressed in his regular clothes that Victoria had mended for him. It was the first day she let him get dressed. He shook his head. Nick saw that the kid’s face was slightly flushed, and he was coughing a little, but he put it down to fatigue from being up most of the afternoon.

“I’d like to stay up. I can doze here. I’m bored silly sitting here, but it’s better than lying in that bed.” Heath didn’t tell Nick that his headache had worsened slightly and he just didn’t feel like lying down which sometimes actually made the pain worse. Nick nodded.

“All right, Boy. I’ll be back around ten. Make sure you stay in that chair though else my mother tans that hide of yours.”

“She would too,” Heath agreed. “No fear.” Nick smiled as he left. Behind him, Heath sat looking out the window. With both Jarrod and Nick gone, he was somehow on the alert, though he wasn’t sure why. Or maybe it was just in his nature to worry about a family he had grown to care about despite his best intentions.

Downstairs, Victoria had joined her daughter for dinner. The two women didn’t often eat alone at night. While Victoria always missed her sons if they weren’t at the table, it was rather nice to have some time alone with Audra. They talked casually about the Stockton orphanage where Audra volunteered her time. Audra spoke of children who needed special care there, especially two new sets of siblings, one a group of three and another a group of five whose parents had died in a recent epidemic of cholera. The children were all devastated by the loss of their parents. All eight had bonded together, but the oldest two boys at fifteen and sixteen were acting up and Audra was at a loss as to what to do.

“Seems to me they need their britches tanned,” Victoria observed wryly.

“Mother! They just lost their parents,” Audra objected.

“That’s no excuse for bad behavior, Audra and you know it. Their parents probably wouldn’t accept it, although I do understand. I remember how Nick acted when your father died. He was so angry.”

“Yes, like Heath sometimes. Heath is angry, isn’t he, Mother,” Audra replied, changing the subject so artfully, she caught Victoria off guard. She nodded without thought as she picked at her steak.

“Yes, I think so. I wish I could help him.”

“Me too. He’s so kind and gentle and then he’s boiling over. He reminds me of Nick sometimes.” Victoria almost dropped her silverware at her daughter’s words. Looking into Audra’s angelic face, she sighed. If Audra only knew what she suspected. She spoke with careful consideration as always.

“Now where did that come from, Darling?” she asked putting down her fork. “You’ve been helping a great deal with Heath. You aren’t becoming infatuated with him are you?” A look of surprise came over the girl’s face. Her reaction was enough to tell Victoria she had nothing to worry about in that department.

“Heath? Goodness sakes. I hadn’t really thought of it,” Audra replied. “I don’t know. There is something about him I like. In fact I like him a lot Mother, but as a friend or perhaps an adopted brother or something, but no, I’m not infatuated with him. I get the feeling he’s led a sad life. Sometimes when I’m reading to him, his eyes wonder and he can stare out the window forever.”

“Yes, I’ve noticed the same thing. Audra, there are many things we do not know about this young man. Now that he’s out of the woods, he may want to leave soon.”

“Oh, I hope not. He’s told me he’s good with horses. I bet Nick could use him on the ranch. I just don’t think it would be the same around here if he up and left.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, Darling. No matter what, you keep those feelings. Heath will need a friend.” And a sister, Victoria reflected as she resumed her meal. That Audra didn’t bemoan the subject told her even her youngest child knew something was up when it came to their guest. Victoria knew the girl couldn’t possibly know the implications of Heath’s presence on the ranch. No one but Jarrod knew her secret or rather her husband’s, but this family was so close, they all felt each other’s emotions, their pain, their triumphs, their love. Victoria smiled as she drank some coffee. She didn’t know how she and Tom had done it, but they had raised three very special children. She gave a great deal of credit for those children to her husband’s insistence that his children be the very best at all they did, while recognizing their failures at the same time. They were never to be ashamed for being human. Victoria thought of her suspicions regarding Heath. Despite the possibilities that swam in her mind, Victoria couldn’t be completely angry with her late husband. Whatever he had done, he had had a reason…and she knew that there was another very special young man upstairs who might have the answers she needed. If he didn’t, maybe Jarrod did.

“I am so tired, I could sleep for a week,” Audra said as the two women walked out of the dining room. Silas had gone to the kitchen to clean up after dinner and they were going to adjoin to the parlor to talk a little more before bed. The warm comfort of the night was a rare time for them. Arm in arm, they made a pretty picture in their fine dresses, their faces similar in their beauty, as mother and daughter cared for each other while the men folk were gone. Victoria felt completely satisfied until she saw a sight in her parlor which completely stunned her. She drew Audra back, and was about to tell her to run when she realized it was too late.

“I’d hold it right there, Mrs. Barkley,” a voice ordered in a quiet firm way. Victoria turned to see a man coming out of the gun room holding several of the family’s prized rifles. He was a man of medium height and stocky build that she did not recognize. He pointed a Colt 45 at her and Audra while two more men came from the parlor. They too carried pistols.

“What do you want? What are you doing in my home? How dare you?” Victoria managed as Audra trembled beside her. She squeezed her daughter’s hand and Audra squeezed it back. Good her daughter had the sense not to cave into her fear.

“I dare plenty when your men folk are gone, Mrs. Barkley. The hands are on a round up and the place is just as deserted as can be. Doesn’t happen often on a ranch like this. Now what I’m really interested in is your safe. I’m sure you’ve got one around here, and I’d appreciate it if you would show me where it is.”

“I will do no such thing,” Victoria cried, her voice raising. “Get out of my house right now.” Something in Victoria’s eyes caught the man’s attention as her voice rose. He was a smart man apparently. He looked up the stairs.

“Someone’s attention you are trying to get Mrs. Barkley. It’s not the houseman. He’s tied up in the kitchen, well unconscious really.” Audra gasped in fear for Silas. Victoria’s hand squeezed hers harder. Both women remained quiet and still. The man looked to his companions.

“Go upstairs. Make sure there’s no one up there. I don’t like surprises. Take the girl with you and lock her up. The less chance we give Mrs. Barkley to rebel, the better off we’ll be.”

“No!” Audra cried. “Mother!” One of the men grabbed her. Audra fought with all she had as Victoria tried to keep her daughter with her. A sudden gunshot made them all freeze. The women looked to see the gun pointed at Audra’s blond head.

“This is your choice, Mrs. Barkley. Either the girl can go now or I can shoot her where she stands. Makes no difference to me.” He cocked the pistol as if he would carry out his threat. Victoria stepped in front of her daughter. She felt Audra’s hands grab her waist and pull her to the ground as a shot was fired and the world erupted in gunfire around them.

Victoria and Audra sank to the floor, then rolled across the foyer as a hail of gunfire erupted. Popping sounds echoed in their ears as Victoria shielded her daughter with her body, hoping and praying one of the bullets wouldn’t hit them or the young man at the top of the stairs who was shooting at the intruders who had tried to separate mother and daughter and rob their fine home. When all was quiet, Victoria still didn’t move. She made certain Audra remained still as well. A gentle hand on her back told her it was over.

“Ma’am?” Heath’s voice asked. “Ma’am, please tell me you ain’t hurt, you or Miss Audra?” Heath stood, a little unsteady on his feet, but erect. Victoria got up off the floor with Audra joining her. The two brushed their skirts. Audra cried out at the sight of the three dead bodies on the floor.

“I’m sorry, Miss Audra,” Heath said. “It was them or us. I guessed it was better them. They wouldn’t have let you live you know.”

“I know that, Heath,” Victoria replied, her heart still in her mouth. She couldn’t believe how this had ended. If Heath hadn’t been here, it was entirely possible his words would have come true. These men hadn’t bothered to wear disguises. They would have killed the women to silence them, she was certain. She might have eventually been able to get to the gun room, but the odds were something she didn’t want to contemplate. She took Heath’s hands and shook both of them in her own.

“We owe you our lives…again, Heath. It was a lucky day for us when you came to the ranch. Now, I’ll thank you to get yourself back upstairs. You look as though you are in pain again.”

“No Ma’am,” he denied, while almost clenching his teeth.

“Heath, don’t lie to me. Didn’t your mother ever tell you that a mother knows all? I’ve seen that look on Nick and Jarrod’s faces many a time. Upstairs, now.”

“We have to get these men to the bunkhouse and someone needs to go to town for the sheriff.”

“Nick will be home soon. He and Silas can get them out. The sheriff can wait till morning. It’s not like it’s an urgent matter now. Heath, I said.” Victoria’s hand beckoned towards the stairs. Heath, his eyes rolling just smiled and started to walk up the stairs. He was very unsteady on his feet as Victoria watched him. Audra had gone to the back of the house, for what, Victoria wasn’t sure unless it was to make sure Silas was safe. Just before the young man she had grown fond of reached the top of the stairs, he stumbled and tumbled backwards falling all the way back down the stairs, landing in a moaning heap on the floor. Audra and Silas came running just at that moment. Victoria’s cry cut through the air as Nick came walking through the front door.

“Heath! Oh my God! Nick!” Victoria cried. “Thank God. Oh I wish Jarrod were here. Help us, quickly.” Nick took a look at the three bloody bodies on the foyer floor and Heath’s prone body on the ground. He could only guess at what had happened in the short time he was gone. He rushed to his mother’s side as she struggled to get Heath to his feet.

“Mother, are you all right? Audra, what the hell is going on?”

“Not now, Nick,” Victoria cried. “We have to get him upstairs.” Nick knelt beside their unconscious guest. His heart stabbed with fear at what he saw around him and in front of him. He had to collect himself before he spoke so he didn’t upset his mother or sister further.

“Is he alive?” Nick wondered. “Where is he hit?” Victoria realized what Nick was thinking, that Heath had been shot in the foray that had occurred. For a minute she considered that possibility, but he hadn’t appeared injured minutes before. She checked him over carefully and could find no bullet wound, only his arm sticking at an odd angle, and the wound at the back of his head bleeding freely again.

“He’s not shot,” she told him. “He tried to get back to his room after shooting these men. He fell on the stairs.”

“Does this kid have any luck?” Nick wondered out loud. “Okay, Mother, I can take him.” Nick leaned over, and picked Heath up. Heath was awake enough to lean against Nick as he put his arm under his shoulder. Nick dragged him up the stairs to his bedroom. Audra, Silas and Victoria followed the boys upstairs, ignoring the men on the floor. There was nothing more to do for them now anyway. They had gambled to get their hands on part of the Barkley fortune. Thanks to a young man’s courage, their gamble had only gotten them killed.

“Mother, what do you think?” Nick asked after getting Heath into bed. Heath moaned but couldn’t return Victoria’s questions as to where it hurt. It was clear his left arm was broken, and he might have some broken ribs. Audra brought her some hot water from the bathroom and she cleaned his head wound.

“Run for Dr. Merar, Nick. I’m sorry to make you go out again…but.”

“Don’t worry about me, Mother. If he needs help, he needs help. He just saved your lives didn’t he?”

“Yes he did, Nick. Now go,” Audra urged. “And bring back some men with you to get rid of those, those…” Tears formed in Audra’s eyes as she thought of the horrible men who could have killed her and her mother. Nick leaned over kissing his sister on the cheek.

“Don’t worry, Audra, we’ll take care of that.” He hurried off the gruff member of the family. He turned back at the door. “Mother, maybe I should send a telegram to Jarrod to get back here. There may be some legal trouble related to all this.”

“It was a clear case of self defense, Nick!” Victoria objected. “They were threatening Audra.” Nick looked from his mother to his sister as the full scale of what had happened to his womenfolk hit him.

“Why those…” he started to bristle.

“Nick. Go, and do send a telegram. Having Jarrod home would be a comfort.”

“Yes, Mother.” Nick’s departure left Victoria and Audra to care for Heath yet again. He moved restlessly in bed, but didn’t protest the trouble he was, which upset Victoria even more. She could tell there was more going on than met the eye. Nick was right she thought as they waited for Nick and the doctor to return. Didn’t this young man have any luck?

“Silas, Audra, I’ll sit with him. It’s late. Why don’t you go to bed?”

“Oh, Mrs. Barkley, I couldn’t sleep. I’d rather help out this young man. He’s a hero isn’t he?” Silas replied.

“He certainly is, Silas,” Audra replied for her mother. “I don’t feel tired Mother. Besides, it’s too frightening to really be alone until Nick comes home.” Victoria nodded her understanding. She didn’t want to be alone either, not with what had just happened. It was amazing how brief the encounter with those men had been and yet…the effects were terrifying. She took Heath’s right hand in hers, and held it for dear life.

“We’ll stay together then. Do you hear me, young Heath? You aren’t alone, not anymore. Now you rest and the doctor will be here soon. Do you hear me?” As if he did, Heath stopped his restless movements. Only the sound of his hard breathing could be heard in the room. Audra, Victoria and Silas all sat quietly in the room, half dozing themselves until Dr. Howard Merar arrived again with Nick in tow. After examining his patient, his grim face did nothing to comfort the assembled persons.

“Well, Victoria, he’s done it this time. He’s busted several ribs and his left arm. In addition, he’s having difficulty breathing. I think he’s developed Pneumonia on top of everything else.”

“Oh, Howard. The poor boy,” Victoria sighed. “Is he going to make it?”

“I don’t know. The trick will be to keep his fever down. He didn’t say anything about feeling more sick today did he?”

“No,” Nick offered. “But I should have been suspicious earlier tonight. He wasn’t looking too good. He never complains.”

“In his case, that isn’t necessarily a good thing,” Howard told them. He reached into his bag and gave Victoria some medicine.

“Give him this every four hours. It might ease his cough. Stupid boy. If he spoke up yesterday he might not be in this position. Breaking his arm doesn’t help either. Nick, I’ll need you to help me set the arm. We’ll splint it tonight and wait for the swelling to go down. I’ll bring back supplies tomorrow and we can cast it.”

“Sure thing, Doc.” The two men worked together, Nick holding the arm and Heath while the doctor pulled on the bone until it clicked into place. Next he used wooden splints he carried with him applying them to the fractured appendage. He put the entire arm in a sling. Nick breathed a sigh of relief that Heath was unconscious, or he would have been in terrific pain.

“Don’t let him move that arm for anything,” Howard instructed.

“We won’t, Doc. You can count on it.”

Nodding, Howard Merar kept muttering as he closed his black bag and followed Silas out of the room. Victoria sighed, while Audra turned to Nick and hugged him. What was it, Victoria wondered, about this young man that tore so at their hearts. They had barely known him a week and yet he meant the world to all of them it seemed. She thought she knew the answer, but Nick and Audra hadn’t a clue. She could only hope Jarrod would hurry home…Jarrod. She looked at Nick.

“Nick did you send a telegram to your brother?” she demanded with perhaps a little more urgency than she intended.

“Yes, I did,” he answered. “I’ll check in town in the morning to see if he’s wired back. Mother, I know you’ve stayed up every night with this here kid. Why don’t you let me sit with him? I can use cold water to keep his fever down.”

“I’ll compromise, Nick. We can take four hour shifts.”

“Count me in,” Audra offered heart fully. “You two can’t have all the fun.”

“Fun?” Nick almost bellowed as Heath moved a little restlessly. Victoria glared at her son.

“Nick!”

“Sorry, Mother.” Victoria shook her head. She kissed him on the cheek.

“Relieve me in four hours, Nick. I mean it. You need your sleep too.”

“I know, Mother. I know. The ranch doesn’t run itself. You know I get a feeling he’d be a good hand if he could ever get his butt out of this bed.” Nick closed the door behind him quickly before Victoria could scold him further. Sitting again on the edge of the bed as she had so many times in the last week, she had to smile. Then her face turned serious as she talked haphazardly to the young man who slept before her. Nick and Howard had taken off his shirt and pants and put on a nightgown for him. Now she pushed up the sleeves of the gown and rubbed his warm body down with water. He had a fever that had probably been there all day but he hadn’t seen fit to tell them. She shook her head as she spoke.

“You’re a foolish young man, Heath Thomson. You don’t know do you? You don’t know the truth that looks me in the face every time I see you. How will they react when they know the truth? How will you react? What do you know Heath about yourself? What have you been told? Oh, dear, I’m rambling just like my daughter. Well I guess when a person is worried, they kind of ramble. My Tom was like that. He only talked a blue streak when he was worried. He was a man you wanted to impress you know, a man you wanted to be proud of you. He would have been proud of you I know, just as I am. Oh, Heath. I wish you could tell me about your mother, what she was like, if she ever loved your father. I can tell she loved you, just by the look you had on your face when you told me she was gone. You loved each other very much.” Victoria wondered what she was saying. She wondered as she had many times before what his mother had looked like, what kind of woman she was and how she had managed to raise Heath by herself. She knew just by Heath’s manners and quiet demeanor that his mother was a lady, poor but a lady. Heath lacked the rough manners of a regular cowboy. She knew so little about him, except for his courage under fire and his concern for life as well as his love for horses. She sighed, working silently now over him. If only she dared to ask the questions that nagged at her. Then this mystery could be solved. Not that it mattered. Victoria Barkley knew her life had changed forever with Heath’s arrival. No matter what happened she would always have unanswered questions in her life. They were questions that could never be answered because Tom Barkley was dead.

Four hours later, Nick relieved his mother. Heath stirred restlessly through the entire night, his fever rising as the Pneumonia took hold. He coughed in his sleep, his breathing growing raspy. Nick had suffered from Pneumonia himself. He knew the stages the disease would go through. He also knew the kid in front of him was in for one of the biggest fights of his life if he wanted to survive. He worked selflessly, rubbing Heath’s chest down with the cool water, then his forehead and arms. Still his fever rose. As the sun rose, it’s rays sifting into the bedroom, Nick got worried. Suddenly Heath sat up and vomited all over the bedclothes. For a second Nick lost his temper as he jumped up to avoid the mess.

“Why you stupid...” he started until he realized his words were a lost cause. Heath had fallen back on the bed. Nick knew the vomiting wasn’t a good sign. He had escaped the projectile barrage. Hurrying down the hall, he knocked anxiously on his mother’s door. She opened it quickly, dressed in her nightgown and robe.

“Nick? Is he worse?”

“He is that, Mother. His fever’s up and he’s just thrown up.” Victoria, still dressed in her those nightclothes bolted down to Heath’s room. Her urgency frightened Nick, not that he would have admitted it. What was it about the kid, he asked himself again, that concerned his mother…and the rest of them so much.

“Kid you better be worth all this fuss,” the dark cowboy muttered as he rushed after his mother. Victoria took charge of the situation. She called for Silas and fresh sheets and towels. In a matter of a half hour they had Heath cleaned up and his bed changed. Twice more that day Heath vomited. His fever never dissipated but remained high. Nick never got out to the ranch. He was too busy helping his mother and Audra care for the stranger. Heath woke around noon, his eyes glazed with fever, his cough worse, and his breathing so labored, he felt as if a rock were sitting on his chest. When he looked around the room at the people who cared for him, he wondered how he had come to such a place where folk with money worked as hard as he did to help others. Their hard labor didn’t go unnoticed by the blond man. Still he was too weak to talk or give his thanks. He alternated between being too warm and too cold, at first trying to get rid of the blankets over him and then shivering so hard his body seemed to be almost on the verge of a seizure. No one had lunch. In the afternoon, Victoria tried to get Heath to drink something but he refused. She was at her wit’s end as Heath’s condition deteriorated and he slipped in to unconsciousness again by dinnertime.

“Oh, God,” she breathed when Dr. Merar came and admitted the boy was unconscious instead of sleeping as everyone thought. “Howard what can we do?” Victoria didn’t realize her voice was laced with hysteria. Her concern for a young man who had been on her property for less than a week was beyond reason. Her next sentence took everyone completely by surprise.

“He can’t die. He can’t. I won’t let him. If I let him die, it will be too late. Oh, God I will have been too late.” Nick and Audra exchanged puzzled glances while Dr. Merar stared at Victoria as if she were daft.

“Victoria, what are you talking about?”

“You don’t understand,” she cried, the tears running down her cheeks. “It doesn’t matter right now. Just tell us what we can do. Howard, he saved our lives. The least we can do is try and save his.” Now that sounded right to the doctor.

“The only thing left to do is get his temperature down and keep him breathing. I would give him a cold bath. Then he needs to sit up. If he lays in bed, he may choke on his own phlegm. It’s the only thing.”

“We’ll do it, Doc, no fear,” Nick said. Victoria’s gaze rested on her second son. Nick would do whatever he needed to support her, and to support Heath, she knew, but when he learned what the truth could be, what would he say? More importantly, what would he do. She didn’t know, even though she always thought she knew her second son. In this instance, where it involved his father and a man like Heath, she hadn’t a clue. Jarrod and Audra were easy to predict, but Nick. Nick was the puzzle.

“Good,” Dr. Merar encouraged. “I’ll come back in the morning. Victoria, you need some rest. You’re losing weight I can tell.”

“You worry too much, Howard,” Victoria returned. “Audra, please see Howard out, and have Silas come up here to help Nick.”

“Yes, Mother.” The two left the room. Nick turned to Victoria The tiny white haired woman looked haggard and stressed beyond explanation. He took her hands in his as their guest moved restlessly in the bed next to them.

“The doctor is right, Mother. You need rest and a hot meal. Let Silas and I take care of Heath.” Mother and son’s eyes locked on each other. Victoria’s hand reached up to her son’s face. She smiled sadly at him, then shook her head.

“I can’t. He needs our help.”

“He needs men’s help, Mother. If he found out you were giving him cold baths in the tub, he’d turn more red than a ripe tomato.” Victoria resisted the urge to laugh. Nick was right in that respect. Still her worry and fear for Heath was strong, far stronger than Nick knew or so she thought. Nick was becoming very suspicious, although what he thought even he wasn’t sure. He cocked his head a little.

“Mother, please, for me. Go downstairs. Get some supper and then go to bed. Jarrod will be home soon and he can help us.”

“Jarrod will be tired,” Victoria reasoned.

“Jarrod’s just fine. What’s all the fuss,” Jarrod Barkley asked coming into the room with his little sister.

“Jarrod,” Nick boomed, then silenced himself at scathing look from his mother since she didn’t know if they were bothering Heath or not. Nick hugged his brother, and patted him on the back.

“It sure is good to see you, Brother Jarrod. Heath here has got a fever that needs to be broken and I was just telling Mother he’d probably rather face a herd of wild horses than let her see him, er…naked in a cold tub.” Jarrod smirked, then nodded.

“I would guess the same from this young man. Mother, you look terrible.”

“Jarrod!”

“He’s right, Mother. You’re peaked, and pale. You’ve been fighting off a cold for two days. Let’s go downstairs and get some dinner.”

“Audra Barkley. Do not patronize me,” Victoria warned her daughter.

“I’m not, Mother. I’m worried about you,” Audra replied the hurt evident in her gentle voice. Victoria sighed. She let her eyes rest on her oldest son. He gave her an imperceptible nod that might have been missed by most people, but not by her, nor by Nick and Audra.

“Jarrod?” Nick asked. “You got something you want to say?”

“Not now, Brother Nick, but later. Why don’t you and I get down to work while Mother and Audra get some supper?”

“Well now I do have some questions considering the looks you and Mother are giving each other.”

“Nicholas sometimes you do beat all,” Victoria scolded her son. “Heath needs your help. Are you going to do that or are you going to sit here and let his fever rise until it consumes him?”

“No Mother, of course not.” Nick’s face looked a little ashamed. Victoria nodded.

“I didn’t think so. Come along, Audra. We’ll leave your brothers to help our friend.” Victoria and her daughter left the room, even though it was clear Victoria felt she should stay. Nick and Jarrod turned to their patient. They had nursed each other over the years and cold baths weren’t new to either of them. They rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Nick’s hope was to save the kid, and Jarrod’s was much more than even he knew. If Heath died, he reflected as they dragged him out of bed and down the hall to the bathroom for the cold bath, Jarrod knew the family would be torn apart again, almost as deeply as when his father died. If he survived, the family would also be torn. He didn’t know which was worse except that losing Heath was not an option, not in his head anyway, not as long as he had breath in his body.

Part 3

After an hour in a cold tub, Heath’s fever seemed to improve. He remained unconscious however, and the fever only went down a little. Twice more Nick and Jarrod dragged him into the tub to keep the fever from devouring Heath’s tortured body. Towards morning, the boy seemed to come around a little as the fever abated enough for Heath to fall into a restless sleep. Victoria and Jarrod met early in the morning while Nick was out in the bunkhouse talking with their foreman and Audra was sitting with Heath. They went over the information Jarrod had finally gotten together about their guest. When they were finished, Victoria put the final paper down on her lap. Tears fell down her cheeks. She wasn’t ashamed of showing her pain. Jarrod respected that pain. He even understood it.

“What do you want to do, Mother? It’s your call.”

“No, Jarrod, it’s not. This is something the entire family has to discuss. Oh, Jarrod, all these years you’re the only one who has known the truth. I don’t think even Heath knows.”

“It’s clear he doesn’t Mother. I’ve seen enough of him to understand he couldn’t act the way he does and know who his father is. It’s apparent his mother never told him or at least she never told him his name.”

“The Barkley name is one of honor and prestige here in the valley,” Victoria mused. “Your father worked hard to make it that way. We raised you children to be part of that honor and the legacy that goes with it. It seems Heath has the same traits as his father and he wasn’t even here. His mother must have been a good woman.”

“Mother, one of the most important questions here is, how do you feel about Heath? No matter what happens with him, you are the one who will be hurt the most.” Victoria seemed to contemplate for a minute. She stood up, walking across the room to the life size picture of her husband which was displayed above the fireplace Her tiny hand rested on the mantle, her gray eyes searching the dearly missed image for answers.

“When Tom went to Strawberry, we had just lost our baby son,” Victoria reminded the lawyer. “I was devastated. No matter what your father did I blamed him. Oh there was no reason for the blame. He couldn’t help that the baby got sick or that he died. No one could, but I blamed him nevertheless. So he went off to Strawberry and I shut myself away in my room. It was a terrible time and a terrible loss.”

“I remember a little, Mother. I took care of Nick a lot that year. I think sometimes that summer forced us together and made us understand each other even though we might not have wanted to. He was such a little guy and so fierce. I had to admire him. I have ever since.”

“Really?” Victoria asked. “I didn’t know that. I’m glad because I’ve always been happy the two of you were close. I want that for Heath as well.”

“Mother…” Jarrod objected coming to sit on the edge of the desk and taking Victoria’s small hands in his larger ones. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“Tom told me about Leah. But he never mentioned the child. Did he know, Jarrod? That’s what is torturing me, that he could be so cruel as to leave a woman to raise an illegitimate child all by herself. From what little Heath has said, he adored his mother, but he had a very hard time of it. You can tell he’s not used to depending on anyone. Oh, Jarrod, that’s what I can’t stand. Tom owed that child a name, a home and a family to call his own, and what did he get, but a kick in the teeth.”

“So you want to take him in?”

“What else could we do? He’s a good man obviously.”

“Well, we’ve all been taken with him that’s for sure. Even Nick has grown to like him, but when Nick finds out Heath is our brother, what will he say?”

“What did you say?” Nicholas Barkley roared as he walked in to the billiard room. He faced down his brother as he took two steps to get across the room. “Heath is what? Brother Jarrod you better not have said what I think I heard.” Jarrod didn’t say a word. He simply locked his blue eyes on his brother’s in a set fashion and let Nick read his mind. Nick’s face crumbled as he realized that what Jarrod said he believed. He moved to look at his mother.

“What the hell is this about?” he demanded. “Heath is a drifter. He’s been more places in the last ten years than any of us would ever plan to travel to. He has no home or family. He’s admitted as much. If he is my brother, who the hell are his parents?”

“Nicholas, unless you plan to have me wash your mouth out with soap, I recommend you watch your tongue,” Victoria chided. “Then sit down so Jarrod and I can explain everything to you. Jarrod get your grandfather’s picture.” Jarrod went back to his desk while Nick sat down. Victoria went to the door of the billiard room and called out to Silas. He came hurrying in within in a minute.

“Mrs. Barkley? Do you need me, Ma’am?” he asked. Victoria nodded.

“Go upstairs and relieve Audra, Silas, please. And would you tell her that Jarrod, Nick and I are waiting for her. We need to have a family discussion.” Nick muttered something neither Victoria nor Jarrod heard.

“Right away, Mrs. Barkley.” The black houseman hurried to do his employer’s bidding. Victoria walked over to the settee where her second son sat. She sat on the table in front of him.

“Nicholas, what I’m going to tell you and Audra is going to come as a shock. I want you to hold your tongue until I’m finished with this story. And before you pass judgment on anyone, I want you to think twice. I don’t ask any more from you than I am asking from Jarrod or myself. This isn’t easy on any of us.” Nicholas Barkley would have done anything for his mother. Still his temper seethed beneath the surface. He clutched his hands together, then nodded as Audra came into the room.

“Mother? Silas said you wanted me? What’s happening?”

“Come in, Darling,” Victoria said. “We’re having a family meeting. It’s…about Heath.”

“Heath? Why?” Audra sat on the settee next to Nick. Jarrod leaned against the fireplace with some papers and a picture in his hand. Victoria sat across from her two youngest children.

“Audra, when you brought Heath to the ranch, he was in no shape to tell us who he was. We only knew his name. Now we know where he came from. We know from the scars on his back that he’s been through hell, although he won’t say where he got the scars from. We know he’s a man with integrity and a great deal of courage. He would have given his life to save yours and mine last night. So we know a great deal more about him now. But that first day I saw something in him that made me suspicious, so I had your brother do an investigation to find out exactly who Heath was.”

“Mother? You invaded his privacy?” Audra demanded. “He won’t like that.”

“No, he definitely won’t baby sister,” Jarrod agreed. “He’s going to be one unhappy man.”

“Not if what you said is true,” Nick put in. Victoria glared at him again, but didn’t say anything. Nick put his arms around his chest in a protective fashion. He wanted to throw up his hands and leave the room. He forced himself to stay put.

“I don’t understand.”

“Audra, Nick,” Victoria went on now addressing both of the young adults. “Jarrod found out enough about Heath for me to put the puzzle together. Jarrod, do you want to carry the day per say?”

“I’ll finish the story, Mother if you like,” Jarrod offered. Victoria simply nodded. She sat back in the chair her white and red chiffon dress crinkling as she moved. Jarrod waved the papers and the picture he had in the air. He gave Nick the picture. Nick looked at it. Confused he gave it to Audra.

“I don’t get it. How do you have a picture of Heath? How come it’s so old?”

“It’s not a picture of Heath, Brother Nick. It’s a picture of our grandfather Barkley when he was about Heath’s age.”

“My God,” Nick breathed. Audra stared at the picture then handed it to Jarrod.

“Now you all know why I’ve been so worried about Heath,” Victoria put in.

“But how?” Nick asked. “He’s father’s son?” This question was asked with a great deal of reluctance and pain on Nick’s part. Victoria’s heart almost broke at the betrayal she could see on Nick’s face. She plunged forward. He had to know the truth. They all did, all of her and Tom’s children.

“He is our son, Nick. There’s no argument there. Your father’s son is my son. Make no mistake. But the truth is that your father had an affair with a woman who did not know he was married when he went to Strawberry 22 years ago. Like her son, she was a good Samaritan. She took care of your father when some body or some men beat him practically to death. She nursed him back to health. During that time, apparently they had feelings for each other.” Victoria’s voice cracked. She quickly fought to gain control of emotions that were very painful. She gazed at Nick. “Nick, you may remember that time, and how upset I was. Jarrod says he spent quite a bit of time with you because your father and I, well we weren’t quite available to you.”

“Yes, I remember,” Nick answered. “It’s foggy. I only remember that was when I lost my little brother, and Jarrod became Pappy. I called him Pappy often after that.”

“That’s where that name came from,” Audra cried.

“Yep. It’s a da…” Nick rephrased his sentence as he got up and knew he shouldn’t swear again. His mother would wash his mouth out with soap no matter how old he was. “It’s a good thing you told us, Mother. I don’t know how to deal with this. He’s my brother, but he’s a stranger? It doesn’t make sense.” He got up and paced around the room while his mother watched him in silence, her own gray eyes filled with unspoken thoughts and emotion.

“It doesn’t have to make sense, Nicholas,” Victoria told him. “It just is.”

“There’s a letter that we found in Strawberry. A woman named Hannah gave it to our investigator. Said it was a good thing Mr. Heath was with his family at last. He deserved a family now that his mother was gone. Hannah is a former black slave who cared for Heath’s mother and subsequently Heath all their lives.”

“So he wasn’t alone,” Audra sighed. “But he’s such an angry young man.” Jarrod came and sat where Nick had been sitting.

“Audra you have to understand what being born into Heath’s situation must have been like,” Jarrod said. Nick smirked at the word, situation. Victoria’s hand reached over and pinched his with a silent scolding. He sighed knowing once again he had transgressed his mother’s graces, but he knew she loved him anyway despite his uncouth ways.

“Because he didn’t have a father?”

“Because his mother wasn’t married. You know the stigma that goes along with being born out of wedlock, Audra. Don’t you?”

“Of course I do, Jarrod. Oh, Lord. This is a pretty pickle. But if he’s our brother why hasn’t he told us?”

“There’s the question,” Victoria put in. “Audra, I don’t think he knows.”

“It’s clear to me he doesn’t,” Jarrod said. “The question is, are we going to tell him?”

“You mean you just want to let him get well and walk away, Jarrod? I may not be too thrilled about this and I’ve got one heck of a bone to pick with Father, but that’s a little cold isn’t it?”

“Well, Brother Nick, that’s one way to look at it. Here, read this letter. Father wrote it to Heath’s mother. You’ll recognize the handwriting. As for not telling Heath, my concern is that he will bolt when we do tell him. If he’s ignorant of the facts, he might stay on the ranch until we can get him more comfortable with us.” Nick read the letter silently as Jarrod went on. He got to the part of the letter that told all and read it out loud.

“You must marry, Leah. You must marry and have children. You were meant for that.” He sat on the arm of Jarrod’s chair and gave the letter to Audra. His eyes met his mother’s as comprehension dawned.

“He didn’t know,” he breathed. “My God.”

“No, he didn’t know,” Victoria said smiling. “He loved Leah and I think my Tom would have loved Heath, if he had gotten the chance to know his youngest son, but he didn’t desert his child and he didn’t desert us. He loved us as well.”

“Mother, you are an incredible woman,” Jarrod told her, coming over and kissing her. He knelt down in front of her. “If we all take our examples from you, our lives will always be based on honor and truth.”

“I took my example from your father.” For a moment the room was silent as everyone’s eyes went to the life size portrait of Tom Barkley. His actions with Heath’s mother had hurt them, but given the situation it wasn’t difficult to understand why he did what he did. Both Tom and Victoria Barkley taught their children that life wasn’t a black and white road to be traversed lightly. There were many shades of gray which required careful consideration and thought before decisions were made. And since no man was perfect, sometimes the decision wasn’t the one that everyone approved of. It wasn’t necessarily wrong. It was just a decision that someone else made. Tom’s decisions and actions had produced Heath. If it wasn’t for him Heath wouldn’t be alive today. It was entirely possible that without Heath, Victoria and Audra would have been killed. Life had a way of showing you what was important and only a fool failed to recognize that or so Nick thought.

“I vote we tell him when he’s a little stronger,”

“Mother he’s not out of the woods yet,” Audra said a little tearfully. “What if, what if he dies?”

“Dear Lord,” Victoria sighed. “I won’t contemplate that. Heath didn’t come to us to die. He belongs here.”

“Yes he does,” Jarrod agreed. “Audra, he’s not strong enough to handle news like that right now. This is going to tear him apart.”

“But why? He knows his past. He knows who he is. He fights everyday to prove he’s the best there is and he’s proven it to us, hasn’t he?” The little blond haired gal who seemed so flighty all the time had a point. “I vote we tell him now. He deserves to know. Besides, then he’ll have time to let it sink in, and maybe he won’t bolt.”

“Audra you do beat all, Baby sister,” Jarrod exclaimed. “I do believe the girl is right.”

“Of course I am,” Audra replied with a shake of her blond head. “You all think you know so much more than I do, but I’ve learned a thing or two about human nature over the years.”

“Nick?” Victoria asked. Nick sighed. His thoughts were confusing. He was angry. He was hurt, but more important Heath was hurt. He was hurt because he put his life on the line for people he barely knew and now those people had turned out to be his family. He deserved to know that and the sooner the better. If the kid bolted he’s hog tie him to a bed for a week till he figured out that being part of this family was what he needed. He nodded his head.

“Nick, speak up!”

“Yes, Mother. I vote we tell him as soon as we can.”

“Me too,” Jarrod agreed. Only Victoria hesitated.

“Mother?” Jarrod asked.

“I’ll bow to my children’s wisdom,” Victoria teased graciously. “However, I’m not sure Heath would understand anything we told him right now.”

“He’ll understand enough and maybe, maybe he’ll fight harder,” Audra said.

“All right,” Victoria said. “Let’s go.”

“All of us?”

“All of us, Audra. We face Heath together as a family. Now.”

Part 4

Victoria Barkley entered Heath’s room with her daughter’s hand in hers. Behind her, Jarrod and Nick followed in silence. They were all relieved to find Heath awake. His harsh coughing sent shivers down Victoria’s spine. It was difficult to accept how very ill Heath was. Victoria kept her fears for Heath to herself at least for the moment and prayed he could handle what he was about to be told. Silas, sitting by Heath’s bedside, telling him some sort of story or other, stood up to make room for the family. He gave Victoria as reassuring smile as he could.

“He’s been awake and talking, Mrs. Barkley. I been telling him a story about Mr. Nick.”

“A story about me, Silas?” Nick queried cautiously. “It better be good stuff, Silas or you might be looking for another job.” Silas shook his head a little, a slight smile appearing on his face.

“Only the truth, Mr. Nick, only the truth. You knows dat.” Silas started to the door. Victoria stopped him as Audra went around the double bed to sit next to Heath.

“Silas please stay. We’re here to talk to Heath. We’d like you to stay.”

“O’course, Mrs. Barkley.” The houseman stood by the dresser while Victoria sat on the other side of the bed from her daughter. Nick and Jarrod stood at the foot of the bed. Heath looked around in confusion.

“You all look like mighty suspicious.” He told them. “Is something wrong?” He coughed, holding his chest in an effort to breathe at the same time. It wasn’t easy, but finally he was able to stop coughing again. The family waited patiently.

“Mother?” Jarrod asked. “You want to do this?” Heath’s eyes narrowed in worry, his body on alert, although he didn’t sense any hostility. Nick could see his brother tense. His brother, his younger brother. The words were so amazing. He felt the young man’s worry and knew this would be difficult.

“Yes. It’s best if it comes from me.”

“Ma’am if you’re angry with me,” Heath started. Victoria smiled and patted Heath’s hand.

“Heath!,” she exclaimed, her face as warm and caring as always, “No one is angry with you. How could we be? First you injured yourself helping Audra, and then you got hurt again saving both Audra and me. Your mother would be proud.”

“Wasn’t nothing,” Heath denied waving his hand at the group and coughing again until he could go on. “Anybody would have done it.”

“Oh no, Son,” Victoria said. “Not everyone would have put their lives on the line to do what you did. Now I have another favor to ask.” Heath looked around the room. All eyes were on him and Victoria. Only Silas appeared as confused as he was. He saw the faith Victoria apparently had in him by looking into her angelic face. Victoria Barkley might have been in her fifties, but she was a beautiful woman, just like her daughter. More important, she looked so much like his own mother sitting on his bed. He could refuse her nothing and he knew it. He nodded wearily, weakened by his cough and fever.

“Heath, I know this is a sensitive subject for you, but it’s a very important question. Please tell me what you know about your father?” The rage Victoria had been afraid of came back into Heath’s eyes. He looked away, away from Audra, Nick and Jarrod, even Silas. His hands clenched the sheet and blanket until his knuckles turned white. Everyone in the room could feel Heath’s distress. Victoria looked back at Jarrod. He simply nodded. Victoria pressed on drawing on a deep and abiding strength of her own, the strength of a mother’s love. Her gray eyes narrowed in intensity and her lips spoke with firm intent.

“Heath, look at me!” She ordered. “Look at me right now.” Reluctantly, the young cowboy did as he was told. His flashing gaze met hers in a mixture of shame and pride that almost stopped the woman. She pressed on despite her concerns for Heath’s ability to deal with what was about to be said.

“You don’t know who your father is do you, Heath? Please. Just tell me the truth. What did your mother say about your father?” Heath closed his eyes. For a minute Victoria wondered if he was in pain. When Heath opened his eyes, she knew he was, but not in the physical kind.

“She mentioned him a few times, in fact talked about him quite a lot. But no, she never told me his name. She told me he was good and kind and it was her mistake that he wasn’t there. She said he wouldn’t come back, but I think she always hoped, right up until the day she died. Do you know I had to bury her in a pauper’s grave, cause I couldn’t afford her a proper burial? Is that enough for you, Ma’am?” Victoria didn’t flinch at the ragged angst in Heath’s voice as he struggled to answer her question in between coughing and wheezing. She motioned to Jarrod, taking the letter and picture from him. She held them in her hands as she went on.

“Heath, what I’m going to say is going to be upsetting, so I want you to be prepared.”

“Ma’am?”

“About your father, Heath. I know who he is. I’ve known since the first day you came here.” Heath tried to sit up as Victoria’s words hit him. He fell back on the bed, again too weak to hold himself up. Despite his fever, his face turned white.

“Please,” he begged. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to talk about him, not now, not ever.” The hatred and the rage in Heath’s eyes barely resembled the gentle young man who had greeted the family barely ten minutes before. Nick clutched at the bed stead at the end of the bed. How often had his temper changed as quickly? He looked over at Jarrod whose serious face was unreadable. It was Jarrod’s blue eyes which gave away his emotions which Nick figured were similar to his own. Audra’s body was trembling a little, giving away her anxiety. Nick hated this. Even Victoria’s distress showed in her voice as she spoke.

“You have to know, Heath,” Victoria told him. “It’s killing you. I can see that. Not knowing is eating you up inside.”

“It’s not that,” Heath declared with his heart on his chest, visible to all, and hidden to none.

“Than what is it?”

“Don’t you get it Ma’am?” Heath demanded, starting to cough which only upset him further. “He…he threw us away…” Heath broke into a spasm of coughing. Victoria raced over to the dresser and got a towel. She brought it back to Heath. Nick came forward to help him sit up and then he coughed until a large amount of bloody phlegm was deposited into the towel. Victoria gave the towel to Jarrod and then helped Heath lay back on the bed, exhausted by the ordeal as he gasped for breath. Audra, who had stood up when Heath coughed looked from one family member to the other her face almost as white as Heath’s.

“Tell him, Mother,” Audra begged, her voice on the edge of hysteria. “For the love of God.”

“Audra hush,” Jarrod implored.

“No! Can’t you see he’s suffering? Heath, your father didn’t know you existed. Do you understand? He didn’t know. He would never have done that to you. If he had known he would have loved you just the way he loved all his children.” Victoria closed her eyes as Audra’s words were blurted out.

“What? What do you mean?” Heath gasped. Victoria opened her eyes and finished what Audra had started.

“Your father was Tom Barkley, Heath. I have the proof here, and Audra is correct. Tom didn’t know. He didn’t. I’m sorry, Heath, I’m so sorry for your pain, but you’re part of our family and you have the right to know.” Heath’s fever glazed eyes stared at Victoria. He shook his head in disbelief.

“No,” he denied. “No.”

“Heath, it’s true. Read the letter.”

“No, I can’t…I can’t.” The tears in Heath’s eyes tore at his brothers and sister. Victoria simply took the letter and read it herself. Then she gave Heath the picture of her father-in-law. She told him who the man was. Even Heath couldn’t refute the resemblance. It was as if he were looking in a mirror. The facial structure, the nose, the eyes, they were all the same.

“It’s a lie,” he cried, trying once again to sit up. His face was now red from the fever and his cough. He looked around the room, then at the family that had appeared out of nowhere for him or so it seemed. He belonged in this fancy la de da house with these fancy people? Why, why hadn’t his mother told him?

“No, Heath, it’s true,” Jarrod said. He came to sit next to his brother as Audra vacated her place. Nick put his arm around her, holding his sister close. All of them were visibly shaken. Downstairs, none of them had realized how difficult this would be. Tears glistened in Heath’s eyes. Audra and Victoria both were crying just a little. Victoria fought to maintain control. Heath fought his cough, his fever, and his own desperate denial.

“This isn’t going to happen,” Heath muttered. “It’s not.”

“Heath, why is this so difficult to accept?” Jarrod asked. “You’ve seen the letter and the picture. I did my own research. Hannah in Strawberry gave us the letter and confirmed your paternity.”

“Hannah’s old…”

“Boy, you’re being plain mule headed,” Nick started. Audra tugged at him, and he fell silent.

“Heath, Father didn’t know about you,” Jarrod went on. “Audra is right. You have to believe he would never have deserted you or your mother if he had only known.” Heath pounded his hand lightly on the bed, then broke down.

“Why?” he begged Jarrod. “Why did my mother…” The words didn’t come, but Victoria knew what he was getting at. She took his fevered hand, usually so strong and calloused, and squeezed it with both her small soft hands. She brought his hand to her heart and held it firmly.

“Your mother did what she thought was best. There’s no reason that we can give. Pride, fear, anger, whatever it was, it was her right.”

“Her right? Oh God,” Heath cried. All those years wasted in horrible rejection, and ridicule, all for nothing. Or had it been? As he sorted it out in his brain he had an idea his mother hadn’t told Tom Barkley about his son for two reasons. One, she would have been afraid to break up the Barkley family, and the other would have been fear of losing Heath himself to the father who could give him so much more than she thought she could. Heath couldn’t be angry with his mother. She had sacrificed everything for him, and she had loved him with all her heart. Maybe it was because of his mother that he couldn’t quite accept the love the Barkley’s were offering him so selflessly.

“Why?” he mustered himself to ask as another coughing fit started. “Why do you…care?” Victoria spoke before anyone could answer.

“Why do we care? Heath Barkley, that is the dumbest question I have ever heard,” she declared still holding his hand in hers. “You are part of this family. No matter what you say, no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you belong here. Your destiny is here and you can’t escape it. As a family, we are one, and thanks to your father, you always have been and you always will be a Barkley.”

Heath stared at this woman who wasn’t his mother, but was so intent at making him feel welcome until suddenly his cough overcame him. He didn’t have time to react to the kind words as he fought for breath. His entire body was rigid with the effort of coughing. Seeing how hard it was for him to breathe, Audra gasped, her hand going over her mouth while Jarrod and Nick stood helplessly nearby.

“Nick, Jarrod, hold him up and forward.” Victoria ordered. The two men rushed to do their mother’s bidding. They each took one of Heath’s arms and lifted him so that he was leaning forward. Victoria held this new son against her, letting his head rest over her should. Her left arm went around his waist while her right hand hit him as hard as possible on his back. Silas and Audra watched in a suspended moment of time as Heath was gripped in a death like cough. No matter how hard Victoria pounded, she knew she wasn’t winning the battle. The coughing grew more raspy and weak. Heath was dying. She knew they shouldn’t have told him. The shock was too much and his condition was too weak to deal with it.

“Heath!” she cried. “Heath, fight!! Fight for your life, Son. Please!”

“Can’t...can’t…” Heath cried out, grabbing the blankets as he wheezed, and choked until the blond cowboy simply stopped coughing. Victoria felt the fight go out of him. His entire body relaxed. With one more sigh, Heath was still. Victoria told herself Heath was gone, then did what came naturally to her. She fought for her child.

“Heath! Don’t give up! Oh, please God.” She wasn’t strong enough to shake him. She hit him again on the back. Nearby Nick sprang into action.

“Mother, move. Let me help him!”

“Nick, he’s dying…” her agonized cry came. She was unable to admit her son was dead, and so was Nick.

“No!” the gruff brother yelled. “It wasn’t meant to be this way. He didn’t come this far to die now. I won’t let him.”

“Nick!” Victoria stood up as Nick moved Heath so that his body was laying across his knees. He hit his brother on the back as hard as he could, far harder than Victoria had been able to. Her hands were small and though she was strong, she didn’t have the width to get to the places Nick did with his rough broad hands. He pounded his brother and yelled at the same time.

“Heath Barkley, you get back here, Boy. You leave us now and I’ll curse you to my dying day. You are not going to do this to Mother or the rest of us. You hear me, Boy!! Breathe. Cough and breathe.” Victoria felt the tears come to her eyes as the seconds ticked by until suddenly she heard Heath actually take a staggered breath and coughed again. The phlegm flowed out of his mouth. Victoria grabbed a towel to catch the mess. Audra let out an audible shriek and fell into Jarrod’s arms, crying and laughing at the same time. Nick continued to hit the kid.

“That’s it Brother of mine. You’re fighting now aren’t ya. Show us some of that Barkley gumption. Show us who your daddy is.” Nick kept hitting Heath until the blond man could breath again without coughing. When Nick was finally able to help Heath lay back in bed, several minutes had gone by. Heath was barely cognizant of his surroundings. Nick sat by his side for a minute. He could feel the heat still emulating from his face and arms, but at least his breathing was easier. Victoria was stunned as the family witnessed a miracle and death was cheated at least for the present.

“That’s it, Brother. You fight, and one of these days, I’ll have you out there with those horses you talk about. You’re going to be just fine.” Nick started to get up. As he did he heard a sentence that caught on everyone’s hearts. He froze.

“Nick…don’t…leave…me,” Heath gasped. He could barely breathe but Heath Barkley knew what he needed. Nick sat down. He reached over and rinsed a towel in the cool water. He put it over Heath’s hot forehead, then used another one to wipe him down. As Victoria and the others left the room in total exhaustion, they were all relieved to hear Nick’s voice speaking in the most gentle tone they had ever heard.

“Don’t worry, Little Brother. I’m not going anywhere…and neither are you.” And it was true. Heath wasn’t going anywhere, at least not for now, not if Nick had anything to say about it.

Part 5

Two Months later

The Barkley Ranch

The Parlor

“Heath! Heath, where are you, Boy?” Nick Barkley bellowed as he came into the house.

“Nick, lower your voice,” Victoria Barkley scolded. “What is the matter that you must shout so?”

“Heath was out with the horses a little while ago. Do you know where he is? If he thinks he’s finished for the day, that boy has got a few more lessons to learn about being a real Barkley.”

“Nicholas, why must you tease him so unmercifully,” Victoria wondered out loud. “You two are always scrapping at each other.”

“Aww, he thrives on it, Mother.”

“And you enjoy having him as a brother,” Victoria conceded. Nick raised his eyebrows as he bent down and kissed his mother on the cheek.

“Nick, quiet at last?” Jarrod Barkley asked coming from the billiard room. Nick’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Jarrod, where did you come from? I thought you were stuck in San Francisco for another week?”

“I was, but I finished some work and decided to come home to celebrate.”

“Celebrate? Celebrate what?”

“Our surprise for Heath is all ready and we are ready to have family party. Now why don’t you go upstairs and get…er… cleaned up, Brother Nick?’

“I am cleaned up!” Nick objected. Victoria pointed her finger up the stairs. Nick hurried off, knowing better than to argue with his mother. He came out of his room ten minutes later to see Heath dressed in his usual tan pants and light colored shirt with a vest, but he was good and clean and rather excited.

“Well, Boy,” Nick said. “What are they up to down there?” Nick knew what the surprise was. He wondered if Heath did. By his answer and the tone in his voice, well that told everything.

“I’m not sure, Nick,” Heath replied. The men got to the top of the stairs when Heath pulled back on Nick’s arm. Nick looked back at the younger man with his usual impatience.

“Heath?”

“Nick, I know you don’t mean any harm, but I wanted to tell you. Could you call me Heath, or something else. That boy has got to go.” Nick looked into Heath’s blue eyes.

“Or what?” He challenged.

“Or you and me are goin to have more words and perhaps a set to.” Nick nodded.

“I see,” he contemplated. “Well we’ll just see what we can do.”

“I’m serious Nick. Boy is degrading and I’m not a boy. I’m Heath, and I deserve your respect.”

“I never said you didn’t. Don’t worry. It’ll be taken care of.” Heath wasn’t exactly satisfied, but Nick was. He stomped down the stairs in his usual quick manner while Heath followed him more than a little frustrated. He had confronted Nick before on this issue and it never changed, but this time, well it was going to change or else.

In the parlor, Victoria and Audra wore beautifully scintillating gowns, made of satin and silk which accentuated their perfect figures. Victoria, her white hair perfectly coifed, and her face still as young as the day she arrived in the valley came forward to greet her sons as Jarrod and Audra waited patiently. She hugged them lightly, and kissed each one on the cheek. Heath was clearly embarrassed by the attention as he always was. Heath turned his attention to a cake that sat on the liquor table. The various bottles of brandy and sherry and whiskey had been set aside for the vanilla frosted cake. Audra, Jarrod and Nick followed Victoria and Heath as they walked arm in arm over to the table.

“Happy Birthday, Heath,” Audra cried in her impulsive manner. Heath was confused. He stared at the cake and the lettering with 1 candle in the middle. The flame from the candle glittered an orange light with the lettering written on the square cake in one corner with carefully positioned flowers in the other three corners.

“Happy Birthday Heath Thomson Barkley,” the cake said. Heath shook his head.

“Boy Howdy,” he exclaimed. “You folks sure do get confused easy. My birthday isn’t today. Where did you get such a fool idea?”

“Fool idea?” Jarrod cried, trying to sound insulted. “I like that.”

“He thinks he’s so smart,” Audra laughed.

“He doesn’t know everything,” Nick added, grinning himself while Victoria drew away. On the other side of the cake, she picked up some papers. Handing them to Heath, she gave him a sheepish smile.

“I hope you don’t mind, Heath. We’ve tried to make you feel at home. Jarrod and I discussed it. If you’re angry, we’ll understand. Jarrod will only go ahead if you agree.”

“Agree? To what, Ma’am?”

“Read the papers,” Audra cried. Her excitement was contagious and the others encouraged him to read the legal documents as well. The papers were for the legal changing of Heath’s name from Thomson to Barkley. The name on the papers read Heath Morgan Thomson Barkley. Heath gapped at the papers in shock.

“Heath?”

“What, Sis?”

“Are you angry?” Heath looked for a minute at the eager faces in front of him. He shook his head, and then walked over towards the roaring fire. Victoria held her breath. Nick started after the blond man but Jarrod pulled him back with a grim look. Everyone froze waiting to see if Heath might throw the papers in the fireplace and then run off. He turned around, tears brimming in his eyes.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“What do you want to say?” Victoria asked in her soft encouraging tone. Heath walked back to the family.

“This is too much. You don’t have to do this.”

“We want to,” Jarrod told him. “Heath, you’re a part of this family.”

“A part of our hearts now,” Audra added. Nick said little. He simply watched and waited.

“I’ve always been proud to be my mother’s son,” Heath finally admitted. “So I’m glad you want me to keep her name.”

“The question is do you want the Barkley name, Heath,” Jarrod asked.

“Of course he does,” Nick answered for his brother.

“Maybe he’s satisfied with his own name,” Victoria said. “Oh, Heath, if we’re pushing you, all you have to do is say so.” The hurt in her voice was clear to all, but so was her forgiveness and love. Heath cocked his head towards her.

“No, no, you don’t understand.” He intervened quickly. “Since the day I came here, you all treated me better than I deserved. You thought I was something special when any of you would have done exactly what I did. It wasn’t nothing but pure instinct. Then you invited me to stay. When I decided to stay, something changed in me. I never had a real family except for my mama and Hannah and Rachel. I don’t want to forget them, but they’re gone now. You stepped in where they left off, and never said boo. Being a Barkley is something I’d be honored to be…iffen you really want me.”

“If we want him,” Jarrod laughed his relief evident.

“Heath, of course we want you,” Audra added. “Otherwise Mother and Jarrod would never have come up with the idea.” Heath waited for the one person who had the most to give to accept him into the family. Nick came to stand in front of Heath while his mother and brother and sister stood near by. He put his hands on Heath’s shoulders.

“Heath, you’ve already given more to this family than other people would in a lifetime. We not only want you. We need you. So if you’ll just say the word, Jarrod will make this all proper and legal. You just say the word…Brother and it’s a fact.” Heath’s blue eyes teared up again. Nick took his little brother into his arms and hugged him tight. When the two men stepped apart, their eyes met for a brief minute until Audra pulled Heath by the arm and took him back over to the cake. Heath handed Jarrod the papers.

“Jarrod, I’d be right pleased if you would make this all legal,” he told his older brother.

“Then consider it done, Brother Heath. Now are you going to cut that cake? Mother makes the best cakes you know and I happen to know this one is chocolate, your favorite.”

“Boy Howdy, that’s the ticket,” Heath exclaimed. “This is the best birthday I ever did have.”

“May it be the first of many, Heath,” Victoria told him squeezing his arm. He bent down and kissed her cheek.

“Thank you, Mother,” he said. That was enough for Victoria. She stepped back, watching her children tease each other as Heath cut the cake, very quickly making a mess of it. Audra stepped in saving the day a bit as she cut the pieces and put them on plates. Jarrod brought his mother her piece on a plate of bone china with her fork and napkin. She took it from him, still watching the others while he spoke.

“Well, Lovely Lady?”

“Jarrod?”

“You’re happy?”

“I’m very happy, Jarrod. In fact, this is one of the happiest moments of my life.”

“You love him very much, don’t you?” There was no jealousy in Jarrod’s voice, only a deep understanding and caring. Victoria took Jarrod’s hand in hers and squeezed it.

“He’s in my heart, Jarrod. He’s my son and he’s in my heart. That’s all a mother could ever ask for.” Like Heath, Jarrod bent down and kissed his mother before returning to his brothers and sister.

“And you, Madame,” he said gallantly as he kissed her, “are the mother we all hold within our hearts. We love you.” Victoria couldn’t speak. She could only feel her heart over flow as the three men and the lovely young woman in front of her seemed to blossom and shine. She’d never know how she came to be so blessed but she knew Heath had brought a special joy to their family . He was Tom’s final gift, and the most surprising of all.

“My heart, my son,” Victoria said again her own tears falling down her cheeks. Quickly she said a silent prayer to her husband to keep their sons and daughter as safe and happy as they were this night. Then she wiped her tears away, took her cake and joined her family certain that this was just the beginning of a life that would be good to them all. She had no idea it was the beginning and where it would end no one could have guessed in a hundred years, not even her Tom.

THE END