A Town Divided

by Janet

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.

Prologue

“What do you mean father?” Jarrod asked shocked at what he had just heard. “I can’t believe anyone would do that. You must be mistaken. It can’t be true.”

“It’s true son,” Tom answered trying to calm his older son down. “I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do about it. I was just informed yesterday and there’s nothing I can do for now.”

“There has to be something you can do,” he said still not believing what he had just heard. “What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to stop going. Please don’t make me.”

“Your mother will help you until this issue can be resolved,” Tom replied calmly. “You have to be patient. I’m going to see what my options are on this matter tomorrow so for now you will just have to accept it. I’m sorry and I wish things could have been different.”

“I can’t believe this!” he spat his anger showing. “I just can’t believe any of this. I don’t want your apology. This is all your fault! You’re the one they’re mad at not me.”

“What’s going on?” Nick asked as he walked into the living room. “I could hear Jarrod yelling all the way to the barn. He never yells unless something is wrong. It’s not like him.”

“Where’s Heath?” Tom asked his son. “I need to know before I tell you. It’s very important Nick.”

“He’s still brushing his horse,” Nick answered as he looked at his father. “Murphy is helping him until I get back. Now what is going on?”

“The school board just informed me that you and Jarrod are no longer welcome at school,” Tom said looking for Nick’s reaction. “As I was telling Jarrod I don’t know for how long or what I can do to get you back in but I will see what options are open to me. In the meantime, you two will have to study at home.”

“Why?” Nick asked very calmly. “Not that it bothers me very much. I’ve always hated school but I just wanted to know the reason.”

“It seems that some people in Stockton think that since Heath has come here to live we are not the upstanding people we once were,” Tom answered shaking his head. “Mind you it’s not the entire town but at least half of it. I seem to have shocked them having a son that doesn’t belong to your mother. They are having a very hard time accepting the fact that the high and mighty Tom Barkley can make a mistake. But they are taking it out on the entire family. It seems that they think that my bad judgement as they put it will rub off on my sons so they don’t want them going to school with their children. In my opinion it doesn’t matter how they feel. I admit I made a mistake but that doesn’t change the fact that I have a son named Heath whom I love very much.”

“I don’t see what that has to do with me not being able to go to school any longer,” he said still not understanding. “This has nothing to do with Nick or me. It’s all your fault. I told you that you would have to explain what happened but you wouldn’t believe me. Now look what’s happened. I can’t go to school and it’s your fault.”

Jarrod was very angry and upset. He didn’t understand any of this and he knew in his heart that it really wasn’t his father’s fault but he blamed him anyway.

“I’m afraid in their eyes it does,” Tom replied very calmly. “It seems that they believe you would be a very bad influence on their children like I said earlier. And they have forbid you two from stepping foot inside that school. Jarrod, we have been over this. Yes I made a mistake and I’ve explained that. But you can’t keep blaming me for something that has already happened. We have to deal with what’s going on now. You have to stop going over and over past deeds. It’s not healthy for you to keep doing it.”

“Tom,” she told him speaking for the first time, “it seems to me that Jarrod and Nick are innocent pawns in all of this. After all it has to do with Heath and the circumstances of his birth. They are not to blame and so they shouldn’t be punished for a mistake.”

“True,” Tom said looking at her. “But I can’t go against the town. I don’t like it any more than Jarrod does but it doesn’t change the fact that until further notice the boys will have to be taught here at the ranch. I tried to make an appointment to speak to the board but they were too busy or wouldn’t see me. Until I can see what else I can do things will have to stay as they are now.”

“It’s not fair,” he replied still showing his anger. “I wish I had never been born into this family. All that’s happened to me is too much for me to bear. First, your behavior toward me after you returned from Strawberry and then I find out you kept Thomas a secret from me. What else are you hiding? I have a right to know.”

Jarrod was almost in tears trying to come to grips with what had happened now.

“Honey,” she told him trying to calm him, “for the time being it will just have to be this way. And as for you not wanting to be a part of this family, you are and there’s nothing you can do about it. We both love you very much and want you to be happy. Just be patient and let’s see what your father can do. He regrets very deeply the way he treated you when he returned. But that’s behind us now. We have to look toward the future.”

“What about my friends?” he asked wondering about Matt and Frank. “Can I see them? I know they are not part of this. What future? I don’t have a future anymore. I will spend the rest of my life here on this ranch. A place I am not really fond of. I want to learn things so that I can leave here and go on with my life.”

“I don’t know son,” Tom answered. “We’ll have to see how they take the news. Jarrod, will you please calm down? I don’t want to go into all of this again. It’s done and over with and nothing can change any of it. As for your future I’m sure in time you will return to school and all of this will be forgotten. What do you mean you don’t want to stay here on the ranch? I thought you loved it here.”

“You can’t believe that they would turn on me,” he said shocked. “I’ve known both of them since I started to school. I know they will still be my friends. You don’t understand how I feel. I’m the one you picked to be mean to for two years. I’m the one you yelled out and made me do things I wasn’t capable of doing. I’m the one you belittled....”

“One more thing,” Tom replied looking at both boys after cutting off Jarrod. “You are to remain here at the ranch. You are not to leave for any reason without your mother or me. As angry as the town of Stockton is I don’t want either one of you to get hurt by our so-called neighbors. Jarrod, I love you very much. I regret what I did to you. But you have to understand how I felt. I was trying to deal with the fact that I had fallen in love with a woman who was not my wife. I still loved my wife and didn’t want to hurt her either. I guess I didn’t take into consideration your feelings and for that I’m sorry. You have to get over this and let’s worry about this new threat to the family.”

“I will never forget any of this,” he cried. “How can I? It’s not fair.”

Before anyone could say anything else, there was a knock at the door.

“Wally,” Tom said as he opened the front door, “it’s good to see you. Won’t you come in and sit a spell?”

“Tom,” Wally replied stepping inside. “I just heard what happened. How are you doing?”

“I’m all right,” Tom told him smiling. “I just wish I could make Jarrod understand. He’s not taking the news too well about not being able to go to school. Of course, this is just another in a series of shocks he’s had. I guess I can’t blame him for being upset and angry.”

“Let me talk to him,” Wally said as he walked over to his godson. “Jarrod, you know I wouldn’t lie to you. I was just in Stockton and there’s a lot of talk going on. You and Nick are much safer here at the ranch until things calm down. Most of the folks that are angry are the ones who used to look up to your father and most of them don’t even know him like I do. I’m sure in time you will be allowed to return to school. But for now just be happy because I know that your mother is a pretty good teacher and she can keep you up on your studies.”

“I know that Uncle Wally,” he replied smiling. “I just miss my teacher and my friends. And I guess I still blame father for all of this even though it’s not all his fault. I’ve just had so much on my mind lately and I’m not thinking things through like I normally do. I promise to give it a chance.”

“I saw John Parker and Bob Semple in town earlier,” Wally told Tom. “They both wanted me to let you know that they are not part of this. They are appalled at the way the town is acting.”

“It’s good to know that my two best friends still like me,” he said smiling. “I was worried that Matt and Frank wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I guess I should have expected something like this to happen. After all we were all shocked by the news too.”

“I believe you will see them very soon,” Wally replied smiling. “John and Bob are planning on coming by later to talk to you Tom. They want to offer their help in this matter.”

“I appreciate that Wally,” Tom told him. “I can use all the help I can get. I was just telling the boys that I was going to talk to Harry and my lawyer to see what options I have.”

“Tom,” Wally said turning to face his friend, “I think you had better consider getting another lawyer.”

“Why?” Tom asked not understanding. “Porter Webb has been my attorney here in Stockton for the last ten years. Why would I need to get another one?”

“Well,” Wally answered, “Porter Webb is one of the ones who pushed to have Jarrod and Nick banned from school. It’s true and I couldn’t believe it when I heard it myself.”

“What!” Tom cried not believing what he had just heard. “You can’t be serious. Porter Webb is behind this. This can’t be true.”

“I heard it for myself,” Wally said very calmly. “I was in the saloon and overheard Webb telling some other men that you weren’t worthy of being a man to look up to no more. You had fathered a child in some mining camp and that you had done it behind your wife’s back. He also said that in his opinion you and the family should be run out of the valley altogether.”

“Porter Webb said that,” Tom replied shocked. “I can’t believe this. He’s been so good to me all of these years. He really helped me after the death of Thomas. How could he do this to me now?”

“I think the reason he has been is because of the prestige you brought to his law firm,” Wally told him. “Once your reputation was on shaky ground, he knew that you were a liability to him and so he’s speaking out against you. He wants to be a big man in this state and he thought you could help him become that but since this mess with Heath he now feels that you would hinder him more. So he’s running you down and a lot of people are listening to him I’m sorry to say.”

“I see,” Tom said shaking his head. “I thought once people really got to know Heath they would come to love him as I do but I guess I was dead wrong. All I want to do is raise my boys in peace. I want to raise them in this valley and the town of Stockton is just going to have to get used to it.”

“Tom,” Wally replied looking at them all, “you know where Jenny and I stand. I don’t give a hoot about where that boy came from. I know the kind of man you are and will stand beside of you. Maybe you should think about taking a trip away from here for awhile till things calm down some. It might make it easier on the boys.”

“I’m not going to run away Wally,” Tom told him. “I’m going to stand up for what I have and I’m not going to let anyone hurt my family. I will talk to Harry and see what I can do.”

“I understand,” Wally said heading for the door. “Take care and I’ll see you later.”

After Wally left Tom sat down in his chair. He couldn’t believe any of this.

Chapter One

“Father,” he said as he came to stand beside of his father after Wally had left, “I’m sorry for blaming you and yelling at you. I was just angry and upset. Please forgive me. I know how much this must hurt you and I wish I could make it all go away. I just couldn’t figure out whom to blame so I blamed you and I shouldn’t have. You are not the cause of this.”

“I do son,” Tom replied as he looked up at his son. “You are a good boy and I want you to help me with this as soon as I figure out what I’m going to do. I wish it would all go away too but it’s not going to without help. It appears that some people can’t take a mistake made by me and let it just be a mistake. They want to make more out of it then there is. They feel like the great Tom Barkley is crumbling beneath them and will eventually pull them down as well but I’m not crumbling. I’m just as strong as I ever have been. You can take that to the bank.”

“I’ll do anything I can to help you sir,” he told his father. “You can count on me. I’ll stand beside of you in this and in anything else that comes along. As for wanting to leave, I'm sorry. Like I said I was just angry and upset so I’ve said things I’m not proud of.”

“Me too,” Nick said smiling.

“By no means do I want either one of you leaving this ranch without your mother or me going with you until this is settled,” Tom replied looking at his sons. “I don’t want anything to happen to the three of you. I mean it boys. I don’t know how far the good citizens of Stockton will carry this. I understand how you feel Jarrod. I know all this has been hardest on you. But you will be stronger for it. I promise you will.”

“Do you really think someone would hurt us father?” Nick asked a little frightened. “I mean I thought these people were our friends.”

“I did too son,” Tom answered. “And to answer your question, I hope not but I don’t want to take any chances. When you are outside you are to be in sight of one of the men or your mother or Murphy or me. I’m not angry with either of you. But I want to make sure that you are safe until all of this can be straightened out.”

“We understand sir,” he said nodding. “We will do as you wish. I was going to ask if I could go over to see Matt and Frank but I guess that’s out of the question.”

“For now it is son,” Tom replied nodding. “I don’t want to take a chance of losing you to someone with a grudge. All of this will die down in time. I’m sure that all it’s going to be is just talk but why take chances when you don’t have to.”

“I certainly hope so,” she told him. “I don’t know what we’ll do if this drags on for months. You know this could get very ugly before it’s over and I shudder to think of what could go wrong if it does.”

“Do you think it will go on that long?” he asked looking shocked. “I want to go back to school very soon. Why are the people so angry anyway? Don’t they know that you didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“I’m sure you will,” Tom answered smiling slightly. “Don’t you worry about any of this. I’ll take care of it and it will be taken care of. Son, some people don’t need a good reason to do something wrong. If they are angry at a person, some will try to hurt them. Others will try other things. But like I said earlier don’t you worry about any of this. I will handle it but I appreciate your support and understanding.”

“Are you going to shoot anyone?” Nick asked hopefully.

“That’s not a nice thing to say Nick,” he said looking at his brother. “Father doesn’t want to hurt anyone. He just wants to get this mess cleared up by talking. And besides you don’t even know how to shoot.”

“Oh sucks,” Nick replied disappointed. “I was hoping to learn how to shoot so I could help defend this ranch.”

“You will son,” Tom told him. “But not everything is settled by violence. Talk is the best way to settle most things. I want you to remember that. Your brother is right. I’m going to see if I can straighten this out through talk first.”

“I still say that a punch to the jaw will settle it,” Nick said smugly. “That’s how I settle a lot of my problems at school. And you know they back off when they see my fist coming at their face too.”

“Oh sure,” he replied shaking his head. “And in the process someone will get hurt. You have to look at a problem from every angle before you can make a decision. If you don’t you could rush in too fast and then regret your actions later. You also get in trouble when you fight Nick. You are one to talk.”

“Well said Jarrod,” Tom told him smiling. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. Nick, we’ll take it one step at a time. The first thing is to talk to Harry to see what options I have available. Then I’ll see where to go next. But if it does come to violence I want the two of you to stay out of it. You’re both too young and would only get in the way or hurt.”

“Oh come on father,” Nick said very disappointed. “I want to help. I’m a good fighter. You know that I am.”

“I don’t want you to grow up thinking that fighting is always the answer,” Tom replied looking at Nick. “You have to be open minded to other ideas. It may come down to that or worse but for now I want to try to work it out without anyone getting hurt.”

“Yes sir,” Nick told him. “I’ll remember. But I still don’t like it.”

“I understand that,” Tom said nodding. “Now I think it’s time for you to get ready for bed. It’s been a very long day and I know you are tired.”

“Yes sir,” both boys replied heading off to their rooms to get ready for bed.

“Jarrod,” Nick said as they walked down the hall toward their rooms, “I hope that father puts those people in their place for doing this to him. I know he will.”

“Nick,” he replied looking over at his brother, “I know how you feel but father is right. He needs to handle this for now. Maybe after he has done his part we can step in and do ours.”

“What did you have in mind?” Nick asked.

“I’m not sure at this point,” he answered. “But we will get to help father. I promise you that.”

“How?” Nick asked.

“I don’t know yet,” he answered. “Just let me think about it and I’ll let you know.”

“I still say a punch is the way to go,” Nick said smiling.
“It may come down to that but we’ll just wait and see what happens tomorrow,” he replied nodding. “If the talking doesn’t help, maybe I can find out who’s behind all of this. I don’t think father’s lawyer in the man behind all of this. I bet it’s someone who doesn’t even live here that wants father out of this valley for some reason.”

“Jarrod,” Nick said looking at his brother, “you heard father. If we get involved he will take us both to the barn and you know what that means.”

“Yes I do,” he replied nodding. “But I meant what I said. I will find out who’s behind this and you’re not going to say a word to anyone about what I’ve said.”

“All right,” Nick said nodding. “I won’t but I still say you better be careful.”

“I will,” he replied. “I will.”

“Tom,” she told him after the boys had left the room, “you are worried aren’t you?”

“Yes I am,” Tom said nodding at her. “I don’t know what to expect out of these people. I believe some of them have revenge on their minds for things they feel have been done to them. I want to be ready just in case something happens. That’s why I don’t want those boys leaving this ranch alone.”

“I won’t let them,” she replied. “I promise.”

“I know you won’t,” he told her. “I just hope they remember.”

Chapter Two

Early the next morning Tom walked into Harry Lyman’s office in Stockton. Harry looked up at him when he walked inside.

“I thought I would get a visit from you sooner or later,” he said smiling. “I guess you’ve heard all about the ruckus going on in town. How are the boys doing?”

“Yes,” Tom replied nodding. “I have heard it from the horse’s mouth. Wally came to see me yesterday and told me all about it. The boys are fine. Thanks for asking.”

“As you know Tom,” Harry told him, “I have an obligation to defend the town of Stockton as sheriff. I may not like what’s going on but I have to be neutral in this. So there’s nothing really that I can do to help you other than just make sure that no laws are broken.”

“I know that Harry,” Tom said nodding. “I just came by to see what options I have to keep things from getting worse. I’m very worried about my family and want to make sure they are protected. Not that I don’t think someone will try to hurt them. But you never know and I don’t want to take the chance.”

“You know as well as I do that I will do everything in my power to make sure no one gets hurt,” he replied. “I mean that Tom. I suggest you talk to a lawyer or someone else you trust to see what you can do within the law. That’s the best advice I can give. I really wish I could do more but I’m not able to in my present position.”

“I’m not going to break the law I promise Harry provided that no one causes me to,” Tom told him. “I only want this to stop destroying my life and the lives of my family. Right now the boys can’t go to school or leave the ranch without someone going along to protect them. What kind of a life is that for three healthy, happy boys? And it all stems from this mess with Heath’s mother. Sure I made a mistake but how long does a man have to pay for his mistake? Victoria has forgiven me. Jarrod and Nick have forgiven me. Why can’t the town of Stockton and this valley forgive me?”

“I understand how you feel Tom,” he said nodding. “I wish I could tell you that this will die down in a day or so but from what I’ve heard there’s a head of steam being pushed into the fray. I’m not sure who’s pushing so hard to have you and your family thrown out of the valley but someone is. I’ve heard the talk. And I’m afraid that there are those right here in town who will try to carry that out. I want you to be careful Tom. Protect Victoria and the boys the best you can. I’ll do what I can but right now my hands are tied."

“I understand Harry,” Tom replied turning to leave. “What do you mean someone is pushing this? Who could it be? You’ve been a good friend Harry. I really appreciate everything that you’ve done to help my family and me. I hope after this is all over we can go back to the way it was.”

“I’m sure we can,” he told his friend. “I don’t know. I’ve only heard talk of someone spearheading the push to get you thrown out of the valley. It’s probably someone who has a grudge against you.”

“Yes but who?” Tom asked trying to come to grips with this new revelation. “It would have to take someone with a lot of pull to incite a whole town Harry. And right now I can’t think of anyone who would fit that bill. But it also makes sense. Whoever it is has to be powerful and have the pull needed to move an entire town to do this. I’ve made my share of enemies in my lifetime but I can’t sit down and think of every single one of them hoping that the name will jump off the page at me. No. I will just wait to see what happens next. If someone wants me out of this town and valley they will have to forcefully remove me.”

“I only know what I’ve heard,” he answered looking at his friend. “You just be careful. I understand what you’re saying Tom. I know how stubborn you can be. But putting yourself in the lion’s mouth so to speak is going a little bit too far in my eyes. Just wait patiently at the ranch. I’m sure in time this will all blow over.”

“Don’t you worry,” Tom said nodding. “I will and the family will be protected. I was hoping that this wouldn’t have to come to violence but looks like I was wrong. If it does, I will defend myself against whoever it is. Harry, you know me well enough to know that I’m not one to just sit back and watch what happens. I have to be in there working. So, I will work on finding out who is behind this and when I find out who he is he will rue the day he messed with me.”

“I know that Tom,” he replied. “You don’t have to tell me that. You just take care of yourself and that family of yours. I’ll do my best to keep it down here in town. And just be careful. Don’t force anything. The best thing in my opinion is to listen and maybe someone will let it slip out who it is. You never know about people.”

“Thanks Harry,” Tom told him smiling. “I’ll be careful. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open but I’m not going to back down in this Harry. I mean that. It’s already cost my boys the chance to attend school. I don’t want anything else to happen.”

“I understand,” Harry said. “Just be careful.”

“I will,” he replied as he turned and left the office.

Tom headed down the street toward the bank once he had left Harry. He needed to take care of a few matters while he was in town. He knew that it probably wasn’t a good idea to be in town with the people so up in arms but he needed to do this and now was just as good a time as any. As he walked he could see the faces he passed. Some smiled while others snarled and watched him go. He knew that his life was in jeopardy and he vowed to make sure nothing happened to Victoria or the boys.

“Hello Tom,” Otis Clark said as Tom walked inside. “I didn’t know if you would come into town the way people are feeling these days. But I should have known that this wouldn’t stop you from getting to the bottom of any problem.”

“I had business,” he replied as he faced the man. “Otis, how do you feel about this?”

“I don’t hold no grudge against you,” Otis told him. “I’ve known you since you first came into this valley and I watched the boys grow up. I don’t believe you did this intentionally nor do I believe that this is anyone else’s business. But there are those who want to stick their noses in other people’s business just because they can. And the talk is getting more nasty by the minute. It’s as if someone hates your very guts and wants to put you out of this valley and maybe end your life. I don’t know for sure.”

“Yeah I know,” he said nodding. “Otis, you and Sarah have been very kind to Victoria and me. I won’t ever forget that. I was wondering if I could have a word with Cliff Roland, the bank president.”

“Just a minute Tom,” Otis replied walking to the office and knocking on the door.

Otis Clark had been the head bank teller now for nearly two years. Tom waited patiently for Otis to return. He knew ha had another ally in Otis and he thanked God for the friends that he did have. As he stood there, he watched the people he had once thought were his friends walking by.

“How could this get so out of hand?” he asked himself. “And who could want to make this so personal? I have to know who it is before this escalates into something that no one can stop.”

“Tom,” Otis said breaking him out of his thoughts, “Mr. Roland will see you now.”

Tom nodded as he walked into the office of the bank president. Cliff Roland sat behind a large desk. He was an older man with graying hair and a mustache.

“Tom,” Roland said as he extended his hand to Tom, “it’s good to see you. I only wish it could be under happier circumstances.”

“Cliff,” he replied taking the offered hand. “I need to talk.”

“Of course,” Roland told him pointing to a chair. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to make sure that if something happens to me that Victoria and the boys will be taken care of,” he said as he sat down. “I know you’re no lawyer but you can still help me set up a trust of some kind so they can be taken care of in the event that I am killed or die.”

“I sure can,” Roland replied nodding. “I understand how hard this must be for you. But I’m sure that it will not come down to the taking of a life.”

“I sure hope it won’t,” he told him. “But I’m just not sure any longer and I don’t want this to be left undone in the event something happens to me. If you will set it up, I’ll sign whatever needs to be signed.”

“I will and have it brought out to the ranch for your signature,” Roland said smiling. “It will probably take about two days to get it finished.”

“That will be fine,” he replied standing up. “I really appreciate what you’re doing to help me Cliff. You’ve been a good friend.”

“I know you Tom,” Roland told him. “I know you didn’t intentionally do that to hurt anyone. But some people don’t care and that’s why you need to be careful.”

“I will and I am,” he said smiling. “Thanks again.”

At the ranch, Jarrod and Nick were trying to show Heath how to rope. They were in one of the corrals behind the barn where Murphy and several other of the hands could see them.

“No boy,” Nick said as he stopped Heath. “That ain’t the way to do it. You have to show the animal whose boss. You can’t act like you’re afraid cause the animal will know that and it could be too late by then.”

“Me sorry,” Heath replied looking sad. “Me try to get right.”

“It’s all right Heath,” he told his younger brother. “Nick’s not mad at you. He’s just trying to show you too much that’s all. He doesn’t mean to push but sometimes he doesn’t realize that you need time to learn everything.”

“No I’m not,” Nick said looking over at Jarrod. “It’s bad enough that we can’t leave the ranch. Now I have to listen to you tell me how to do something that you never learned to do. Why don’t you just go away and leave us alone? We don’t need you out here in the first place Jarrod.”

“Now wait just a minute,” he replied getting angry. “I do know how to rope thank you. Just because I don’t choose to is my own business.”

“No you don’t,” Nick told him. “Father never showed you and you know that. So you don’t know how even if you say you do.”

“I learned on my own,” he said looking at Nick. “And besides the only reason I’m out here is to make sure you don’t push Heath too hard. I could be doing any number of things but I want to make sure that Heath doesn’t get too much too soon.”

“Jay not worry,” Heath replied. “Me learn from Nick. You go if you want. Nick and me be ok.”

“I just don’t have anything better to do right now,” he told his brother. “I want to see how you do. Besides, I like watching you learn Heath. You are going to be a terrific cowboy when you get older.”

“Me know you worry bout something,” Heath said looking at both boys. “Me hear papa say things bad.”

“Now what do we do?” Nick asked wondering if they should tell Heath the truth. “Do we tell him or do we not?”

“Heath,” he answered sitting down on a bale of hay, “I want you to know that none of this is your fault. Nick and I can’t go to school for awhile because the town of Stockton is mad at father. That’s the best way I can describe the situation to you.”

“Why?” Heath asked.

“I’m not really sure myself,” he answered trying not to hurt Heath. “That’s the truth too.”

“Jarrod,” Nick said looking right at Jarrod, “you know that’s not true. Why don’t you just tell him the truth? He’s going to find out anyway. You can’t molly coddle him all his life. He needs to know just how bad things are.”

“Nick,” he replied showing his anger, “will you please let me handle this? Now Heath, from what I know the town is mad at father because of his relationship with your mama.”

“Papa and mama good,” Heath told him.

“I know that,” he said nodding. “But there are people in town who don’t think it was good for father to see your mama. You see father is married to mother and when he saw your mother he was breaking a commandment in the bible. He didn’t mean to because he was hurt badly and didn’t know whether he would live. Your mama made him well as well as taking care of him and he fell in love with her. She didn’t tell him about you until she got sick.”

“Me know,” Heath replied. “Mama say papa good man. She say papa has family. She say not want to hurt papa.”

“She told you about your papa,” he told his brother. “What did she say about him?”

“She say him sick,” Heath said smiling as he remembered what his mother had said to him. “She say he need help and she help him. Uncle Matt not want help but mama do. She love him. She think him love her. Not sure.”

“He did love your mama,” he replied smiling at Heath. “He didn’t know if he was going to live or die and he might not have remembered if he had a family. I do know that he was gone for a very long time. When he came back he was different then before he left.”

“He was mad at Jarrod,” Nick told him. “He pushed Jarrod hard and when he didn’t do what father wanted he made him do things that he really couldn’t do. I know because I was there.”

“Why?” Heath asked.

“I didn’t know why then but I do now,” he answered looking away. “Father was trying to deal with the fact that he had had to leave a woman he loved to return home to a family he loved. He was torn in his love for mother and for your mama. I guess I bothered him.”

“No you didn’t,” Nick said. “You looked like mother and he couldn’t deal with the fact that he had hurt her. Why don’t you tell him the truth? He can handle it.”

“I guess so,” he replied looking at Nick. “Anyway, he put it all behind him and everything is all right now.”

“Why don’t you tell him the truth?” Nick asked. “You know that father was mean to you for nearly two years. It was that trip to Denver when...”

“Shut up Nick,” he said getting up and pushing Nick. “Heath don’t need to hear about that. I mean it. He doesn’t need to know what happened in Denver and I don’t want to remember that day either. It’s over and let it go.”

“Why not?” Nick asked. “He was partly to blame for you being whipped like a dog. You know he was. Father took that belt and hit you across the back hard. I saw the red lines on your back as a result of that belt. If it hadn’t been for Uncle Jim, it might have been a whole lot worse.”

“No he wasn’t,” he answered. “Father was trying to put his feelings for Heath’s mother and his feelings for mother in prospective. That’s all. It had nothing to do with Heath. He didn’t even know that Heath even existed. Nick, why don’t you just tell the whole world? I told you I didn’t want to be reminded of that day because it hurts too much. I lost someone special at that time. Someone I needed and loved.”

“Me sorry papa hurt you Jay,” Heath said looking at Jarrod. “You good boy. Me know that.”

“Thanks Heath,” he replied smiling. “You are too. Why don’t we get back to work and forget about all this for now? We need to have some fun.”

As Tom headed out of town toward the ranch after his meeting with Roland, he heard shots. He didn’t see anyone nor could he tell where the shots were coming from. Jumping from his horse he tried to make it to a grove of trees for protection. He was hit in the leg before he could make it. He drew his pistol and waited for whoever had shot at him to finish him off. They never came. He hobbled to his horse and managed to mount it. Then he rode toward the ranch with his left hand trying to stop the bleeding. All of a sudden the entire complexion of this had changed. Violence had already come to be.

Chapter Three

“Tom,” Murphy said as he saw Tom ride up, “you all right. We heard the shots and was fixing to come see what was going on. Did you see anything when you were out?”

“I’m fine,” he replied managing to climb down from his horse. “I just got hit in the leg that’s all. And to answer your question, I didn’t see a soul.”

“Did you see who shot you?” Murphy asked as he helped Tom toward the house. “I mean you must have seen someone out there.”

“No,” he answered looking around. “I didn’t see anyone. All I heard was the shots. Where are the boys?”

“They’re in the corral playing,” Murphy said continuing to help Tom. “They are not out of our sights.”

“It’s happened,” he replied. “Now it’s become a war. I want those boys in the house until I can get to the bottom of this. I mean it Murph. I don’t want them in harm’s way. I can’t believe someone would shoot me over this. But after what I learned in town, it may not be completely over this. I believe it has to do with something else entirely.”

“Maybe it has nothing to do with the commotion in town,” Murphy told him almost repeating what Tom had just said. “Maybe someone else has something else on their mind.”

“It’s possible I guess,” he said not wanting to believe it. “I just can’t figure out who would harbor a grudge against me that they would be willing to harm people to carry it out. But it does make sense of something Harry told me. He said that someone is in a really big hurry to get me out of this valley or dead. I just can’t figure out who it is.”

“Well,” Murphy replied looking at his boss, “you’ve made enemies in your life Tom. It appears that one or more of them want to get even. They may not stop at just shooting you. They may try to do more harm to the rest of the family.”

“That’s why I want the boys in the house,” he told his foreman. “I don’t want anything happening to any of my sons.”

Murphy walked around to the corral where the boys were.

“Jarrod,” Murphy said as he came within talking distance of the three boys, “Nick, Heath, let’s go. Your father wants you in the house now. I’m really sorry about this but he’s made up his mind.”

“Oh come on Mr. Murphy,” Nick begged. “We were having a good time. We’re not bothering anyone. Please. Heath is just starting to get the hang of it. I don’t want to quit now.”

“You’ll just have to have a good time inside,” Murphy said shaking his head. “Let’s go.”

The boys reluctantly followed him toward the house. As they came around the barn Jarrod spotted his father limping.

“What happened to you sir?” he asked as he walked up to where Tom was standing. “Now I see why Mr. Murphy wanted us to come inside. You’ve been hurt by someone.”

“I was shot in the leg son,” Tom answered looking down at his son. “I want the three of you in the house for now. I don’t want you to become targets. Someone is out for blood and I don’t want to give them three more targets.”

“Father,” he said as he slowly walked beside of his father, “it’s bad isn’t it?” I mean I know that you are worried about this. I can’t understand why someone would want to shoot you over what happened with Heath. I mean it seems to me that that would not warrant someone hurting another over.”

“It’s bad all right,” Tom replied nodding. “It wasn’t too bad when there were only words being thrown about but now it’s gunshots being fired. I don’t know what’s going on but this is more than just about my having a son by another woman. Someone wants us out of this valley and they don’t care how they do it. I don’t think it has to do with Heath any longer. That was just the opening that whoever is behind this wanted. Now they are carrying out their revenge for something I haven’t figured out as of yet but I will and when I do there will be hell to pay. I can promise you that.”

“I guess we won’t be going anywhere for a while,” he told his father. “I kind of guessed that when you forbid us from leaving the ranch. It will get better won’t it?”

“I don’t know son,” Tom said looking down at his son. “I really just don’t know. I wouldn’t have thought they would carry on so much about Heath but I was wrong and now I just don’t know what to expect next. You know something we’re still very lucky. We have a wonderful family and I don’t aim to see that destroyed because of this. But there’s no need for you to worry about it.”

“Don’t you worry about us,” he replied smiling. “I’ll keep an eye on Nick and Heath. I won’t let them get into any trouble. I do worry sir. This is my family too and I don’t want any one of us hurt. I should do something to get to the bottom of this. Maybe I can if I can find out who is behind this. Since you’ve been injured you’ll need someone to help you find out who it is. I can be that someone.”

“I know you will,” Tom told him. “I’m just worried about something else happening. I will have to put on guards at night to make sure nothing happens. Son, don’t you even think about doing anything. That’s all they would need to take you from us. You have to promise me that you won’t do anything.”

“Well,” he said stopping to think about what his father was asking of him.

“I mean it son,” Tom replied looking down at Jarrod. “I don’t want to have to worry more about what you might do. Please promise me. You see they just shot me. Now think about what they might do to you if they got the chance. No. I don’t want you trying to find out who it is. I mean it Jarrod.”

“Yes sir,” he told him. “I promise I won’t do anything for now.”

“Good,” Tom said as they walked into the house.

When Tom accompanied by Jarrod walked into the kitchen, Victoria saw the blood on Tom’s pants’ leg and gasped.

“What happened?” she asked worriedly. “Are you all right? How bad is it?”

“I’m fine,” Tom answered smiling at her. “I just got shot in the leg is all. It’s really nothing.”

“Just shot in the leg,” she said shaking her head. “To you that’s nothing but to me it’s a lot. I hope you realize that the same thing could happen to the boys. I won’t have that Tom. I mean it. We have to protect them from any harm.”

“I do,” Tom replied calmly. “That’s why I am going to keep them inside for the time being until the shooter can be found. Try not to worry Victoria. Everything will be all right.”

“Oh sure Tom,” she told him. “I see that my husband has a bullet hole in his leg and you say that everything will be all right. You have to protect the boys.”

“I will,” Tom said getting angry. “I’m going to put on extra guards tonight so that all of you are protected. Now if you don’t mind I’m going to get off of this leg so I can see just how bad it is.”

Tom walked into the living room followed by Jarrod. He sat down in his chair ripping open the pants where the bullet had gone through.

“It went clean through,” Tom said breathing a sigh of relief. “Should be all right in a day or two. I just won’t be able to walk good on it for a while.”

“What about mother?” he asked sitting down on the couch. “She didn’t sound too happy about what happened.”

“You have to remember son that your mother is a woman and women tend to over react,” Tom answered smiling. “After she calms down she’ll be all right. I promise.”

“I hope so,” he said nodding. “I hope so.”

“Why don’t you go do something son?” Tom asked trying to keep Jarrod’s spirits up. “I’m going to be fine I promise. In fact, I’m going to rest here for a while and then I’ll see what needs to be done.”

“It’s not that sir,” he answered looking at the floor. “I think I can find out who shot you.”

“Now wait a minute Jarrod,” Tom said looking at his son. “I don’t want you to do nothing of the sort. I will handle this. Like I said outside, this is something I need to do.”

“But father,” he replied, “I can help. I know I can find out who it was.”

“I don’t want you to leave this ranch for any reason,” Tom told him. “I mean it son. I can’t protect you if you are out of my sight and that would be all whoever this is would need to ruin me.”

“It’s that all that’s important to you,” he said looking straight at his father. “I thought you loved and cared about us not your reputation. But I see that I was wrong.”

“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” Tom replied. “What I meant was that if they somehow get you, they can use you to ruin my life because I would be very sad if you were hurt or killed. Don’t forget that I’ve already lost one son. I don’t want to lose another one. Son, you have to promise me that you won’t do anything to put yourself in danger.”

“I can’t do that,” he told his father. “I am going to find out who is behind this and I will bring him to you. I know that I can do it sir. And no one is going to stop me. I mean it. I will find the shooter.”

“Jarrod,” Tom said getting desperate, “I appreciate that you think you can do something like this but you’re still a boy and as a boy you are not strong enough to do this. Besides, you just recently learned how to shoot a rifle. I know you want to help but not this way.”

“Why?” he asked getting upset. “Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Tom answered trying to calm Jarrod. “It’s the fact that whoever this is just shot me. He wouldn’t hesitate to kill you in an instant. Is that what you want to leave your brothers all alone? They look up to you and need you. If you get killed trying to do this, they will be all alone. They need you Jarrod.”

“No sir,” he said calmly down. “I just wanted to help. I don’t like it when you get hurt. I wouldn’t want to leave Nick and Heath alone. They do need me.”

“Son,” Tom replied, “I know that you do and I really appreciate it. But you can help me better by keeping an eye on your brothers.”

“All right,” he told his father standing. “I will do that much.”

“Good,” Tom said breathing a sigh of relief

Jarrod lay down on his bed and thought about what his father had said. He knew that if his father knew what he had in mind he would be very angry. But he also knew that his father was in no shape to do anything at the moment. So he opened his bedroom window and climbed out. Then he headed for the barn as quiet as he could so none of the men would hear him and try to stop him. He made it to the barn where he saddled his horse and walked him out of the barn. Once outside, Jarrod mounted up riding off into danger.

Chapter Four

“How are you feeling?” she asked as she walked into the living room to see her husband. “I’m sorry that I blew up at you when you first came in. I was only worried.”

“I’ll be all right,” he answered looking over at her. “I’m just worried about Jarrod. I know you were and it’s fine. I understand. I’m really going to be fine. The bullet when clean through.”

“What about him?” she asked looking at her husband’s face. “Tom, what’s wrong? You look very worried.”

“He wants to find the person responsible for shooting me,” he answered. “I tried to talk him out of it knowing that if whoever it is gets a hold of him it will be too late then. Not that I’m saying they will kill him but they will make it very uncomfortable for him. I’m sure of that.”

“Tom,” she said looking very worried, “I hope he doesn’t but knowing him as well as I do I would dare say that he will probably carry out his promise. You know that as well as I do. When Jarrod gets something in his mind that he wants to do, he’s going to do it regardless of being put in any danger. He’s seen you injured and he wants to help you by finding the person responsible.”

“I agree,” he replied standing up but having to sit back down again when a wave of pain hit him. “But I still have to stop him. I can’t let him go after whoever it is for I know his life won’t be worth a plugged nickel. Jarrod needs to know what he could get into if he carries out his promise. I know it won’t be easy to stop him but I have to try.”

“Mother,” Nick said as he ran into the room, “father, Jarrod’s gone. I just came from his room and the window is open. I bet if you go to the barn you’ll find his horse is gone too. I knew he would do it. His mind was made up and nothing was going to stop him.”

“I knew it,” he replied rising to his feet despite the pain in his leg. “How long has he been gone? Hopefully, he hasn’t been gone too long. Maybe I can catch him before trouble finds him.”

“I don’t know,” Nick told him. “He said that he was going to find the man responsible for hurting you. I tried to talk him out of going but his mind was made up. And you know how Jarrod is when he sets his mind to something. Nothing can stop him.”

“I have to find him,” he said as he headed out the door. “And I will. I just hope that I’m not too late.”

“Bring him home safe Tom,” she replied hoping that it wasn’t already too late.

Tom limped out to the barn where his worst fears were realized when he saw that Jarrod’s horse was gone.

“Murphy!” he called looking for his foreman. “Murphy!”

“Right here Tom,” Murphy said as he walked into the barn. “What’s the matter?”

“Jarrod’s gone,” he replied looking at the empty stall. “He went to find the man responsible for this. I have to find him before it’s too late. Although I’m not sure it isn’t already too late.”

“We’ll find him don’t you worry,” Murphy told him. “I don’t think you should go. You are in no condition to ride. I can take some men and search for Jarrod. You can wait here for him if he comes back.”

“I’m already worried,” he said saddling his own horse. “I have to find him before they do. I don’t care about me. I have to find my son. Murphy, shooting me doesn’t matter but hurting my son does. I want the person responsible and I won’t stop until I find him and Jarrod.”

“I know how you feel Tom,” Murphy replied nodding. “But you are in no shape to ride. Let us go and look. When we find him we’ll bring him home I promise.”

“It don’t matter,” he told his foreman. “I am going to find my son before I have to bury another one. I should have kept a closer eye on that boy. He told me what he was going to do and I tried to talk him out of it. It appears that I wasn’t successful. He is stubborn.”

“Just like his father,’ Murphy added smiling. “Come on. We’ll find him.”

Eight men accompanied Tom and Murphy as they searched for Jarrod. They separated in parties of two. Murphy stayed with Tom to make sure he could continue to search. Tom was able to follow Jarrod but lost his trail about a mile from Stockton.

“Mother,” Nick asked as he sat in the living room with Heath, “do you think Jarrod is all right? I mean he could have run into the same person who shot father. Do you think they might hurt him if he did?”

Upon hearing that his father had been shot Heath looked up.

“Papa all right?” Heath asked worriedly. “Jay all right?”

“Your father is fine,” she answered him. “He was just shot in the leg that’s all. I wish I knew if Jarrod was all right. He disappeared about an hour ago. We think he went to find the people responsible for shooting your father. Tom is out looking for him with some of the men.”

“Nick find Jay,” Heath said looking at Nick. “Feel Jay.”

“Yes that’s true,” Nick replied nodding. “But I don’t know where he is. The only thing I feel is that he is scared. I don’t understand why I can’t feel him but I can’t. It’s like he’s just gone.”

“Nick,” she asked looking at him, “do you have any idea where he might be? You have been able to help find him in the past. Can you do it now?”

“No mother,” Nick answered her. “I’m sorry. I can’t figure out where he is. I don’t know why either like I said a while ago. It’s like he’s just gone.”

“It’s all right sweetheart,” she said smiling. “Your father will find him. I have faith that he will.”

“Jay brave,” Heath replied. “He find bad man.”

“I’m sure he will,” she told him. “But I just don’t want the bad man finding him first. There’s no telling what might happen to Jarrod.”

Jarrod woke up in the dark. He didn’t remember what had happened to him because his head hurt. He knew that he must have been knocked out. He couldn’t see anything. He had no idea where he was. When he tried to move he realized that he was tied. Squirming around he managed to sit up. Then he saw a light coming toward him.

“Well,” the man said as he walked up to Jarrod, “it seems that we have a visitor. A very unwanted visitor. But a very interesting visitor. One that will be very helpful to us I know.”

“Where am I?” he asked looking around but not recognizing anything. “What are you going to do with me? How did I get here?”

“You will find out in due time,” the man answered. “First things first. You are Barkley’s son right?”

Jarrod didn’t answer. He just looked at the man. He knew he needed to be careful so that he didn’t give away any information that could harm his father.

“I asked you a question,” the man said again angrier. “Are you Barkley’s son?”

Again Jarrod stayed quiet. The man motioned for another man who came over to Jarrod jerking him up by his shirtfront.

“He asked you a question,” the second man said. “Now I suggest you answer him. You won’t like me when I get angry and I’m getting real angry right now. So talk.”

Jarrod nodded and the man dropped him to the floor. He breathed a visible sigh of relief that he hadn’t been harmed as of yet.

“You will be very valuable to us,” the first man said smiling. “You will be able to tell us how to get to your father. We don’t care about the rest of you. Just the old man. He has to be taught to mind his own business. So remember that you are expendable. You don’t cooperate and you will end up regretting that decision I promise you.”

“No I won’t,” he replied with anger. “Then this has nothing to do with Heath. Why do you want to hurt my father? What has he ever done to you? Why did you shoot him?”

“Who’s Heath?” the man asked not knowing what Jarrod was talking about. “This is something that’s been brewing for a lot time and that’s all you need to know. And if I was to tell you the reason I want your father you still wouldn’t understand so just answer our questions and you won’t be hurt.”

“I knew that the town getting angry over Heath wasn’t the whole reason that father was shot,” he answered. “I knew that this couldn’t cause someone to shoot father over. You want father for another reason. A reason I’m not familiar with. You’re not going to get anything out of me I will promise you that.”

“You just cooperate and you’ll be fine,” the man said again more slowly. “You keep this attitude up and you’re just liable to get hurt.”

“I won’t,” he replied again. “You can’t make me either.”

The second man kicked him hard in the stomach and Jarrod doubled over from the pain. When he looked up again the man was in his face.

“I told you to do as you’re told or you won’t like what happens,” the man said as he pushed him to the ground. “Now I suggest you listen before you get worse.”

“Easy Combs,” the man replied. “We don’t want to kill him yet. When we’re through with him then you can do as you wish.”

“I have plans for him,” Combs told him smiling. “He won’t like any of it.”

Jarrod swallowed hard. He knew that he had to get out of here before he was forced to give his father to them. He didn’t know how he was going to get free but he knew that he had to and soon. And he had to warn his father that whoever was after him it had nothing to do with Heath. He waited for the right moment to make his move.

“Bring him along,” the man said as they left. “We don’t want to stay in one place too long. Barkley might set the sheriff on us. We need to keep questioning the boy too. He has the answers we need and when I’m through with him, he’ll be more than happy to give them to me.”

Jarrod knew that this would be his best chance to escape.

“Could you please untie my feet so I can walk?” he asked very nicely. “I would like to walk rather than have you carry me. It’s so uncomfortable.”

Combs released the binding around his legs and forced Jarrod to follow the man. When they were outside, Jarrod saw his chance. He ran for his horse but didn’t make it as a bullet hit him in the back. He fell to the ground bleeding badly. The man looked at Combs.

“Why did you shoot him?” he asked angry. “He was our ticket to the old man. Now we’ll have to take care of Barkley another way. You stupid fool. We had everything we needed to get Barkley right here and you had to blow it. I ort to shoot you for this but I won’t because I need you. But you screw up again and I will.”

“He was getting away,” Combs answered looking at Jarrod on the ground. “I didn’t mean to shoot him there. I was aiming low so it would stop him. He moved just as I fired that’s all.”

“Leave him,” he said as he mounted up. “He’s useless to us now. From now on just follow orders. We’re not through with Barkley by no means. Maybe this isn’t a total loss. His son is dying with a bullet in him so I would say that Barkley will hurt because of that.”

“You’re right,” Combs replied smiling. “It worked out anyway. Boy you’re lucky you have a bullet in you for what I had in mind makes that look like a pea shoot.”

Jarrod heard them leave. He rolled over onto his side and managed to sit up. The pain was massive and he could feel the back of his shirt becoming wet with blood. He tried to mount his horse but he didn’t have the strength so he started walking. He was swaying badly as he tried to put one foot in front of the other. Then he fell and passed out.

“Tom,” Murphy said as they rode, “we lost his trail about a mile back. Are you sure he might have come this way? I mean there’s any number of ways he could have gone. Maybe we should split up.”

“I’m not sure what is driving me to go this way,” he replied looking for any sign of Jarrod. “I know that he is near. Call it a gut feeling but I know that Jarrod is not too far away.”

Murphy spotted the horse grazing in grass and Tom rode over.

“See I told you he was close by,” he said as he rode over to the horse. “Jarrod has to be here somewhere.”

That’s when he saw Jarrod. Jumping from his horse, forgetting his own wound; he rushed to his son. When he raised Jarrod’s head he felt blood on his back. Sitting the boy up he saw the bullet hole in his lower left side.

“Thank God the bullet went through,” he said as he looked up at Murphy. “But he’s lost blood. And he’s unconscious. We need to get him to help but I don’t think I can carry him with my leg.”

“There’s no telling how bad he is inside either,” Murphy replied helping Tom up as well as picking Jarrod up. “We need to get him back to the ranch. Come on. I’ll fetch Doc Merrar as soon as we get back to the ranch. Do you think you can hold him in the saddle?”

“Yeah,” he told his foreman. “Hand him up as soon as I get mounted.”

Tom looked at his young son after Murphy handed him up to him. Jarrod was pale and his breathing was labored. Tom knew that if they didn’t get him back to the ranch soon, he would bleed to death. The two men set out for the ranch.

Chapter Five

Victoria heard the horses and she decided to keep the boys in the house until she knew who it was.

“I’ll go have a look and let you know who it is,” she said as she headed out the door. “You two stay in the house until I let you know that it’s all right to come outside.”

“Yes mother,” Nick replied looking up at her. “I’ll keep an eye on Heath.”

When she walked up to the barn she saw Jarrod in Tom’s arms and ran to him.

“Tom,” she asked as she came to a stop beside him, “what happened? Is he hurt bad?”

“He’s been shot,” he answered her handing Jarrod to Murphy. “He was shot in the back. I don’t know how bad yet. I shouldn’t have let him go. It’s all my fault.”

“Oh Jarrod,” she said as she looked at her son. “Please let him be all right. Why did they have to shoot him? Why?”

“I hope he makes it,” Murphy replied as he carried the boy into the house. “He may know who shot him. And he can tell us but until he wakes up we still don’t know. And why was he shot? If they could have used him for information then why shoot him? It makes no sense.”

“I didn’t want to worry about that now,” he told his foreman. “We’ll take care of that if Jarrod makes it.”

“Why would anyone want to shoot a boy in the back?” she asked as Murphy laid him down on his bed. “He’s just a boy for Christ’s sake.”

“It appears that Jarrod was trying to escape,” Murphy answered her after he got to thinking about where the gunshot wound was. “I would guess that he took advantage of a lull in his captors’ watching and tried to flee.”

“But he didn’t make it,” he said as he sat down on the bed. “It’s all my fault. I should have kept a closer eye on Jarrod. He told me that he was going to do this and I tried to talk him out of it. I should have forbid him from leaving the house.”

“You know it wouldn’t have done any good,” Murphy replied as he put a hand on his boss’ shoulder. “Jarrod was determined to find the person responsible for your injury and I believe that he did find him. I also believe that he can tell us who it is. Or at least I hope he can tell us.”

“That is if he survives,” he told him. “I just hope that he will make it.”

The doctor walked into the room. He went straight to Jarrod without saying a word and went to work. A short time later he looked up.

“I don’t know how but the bullet didn’t do any damage to any of his organs,” the doctor said. “He’s very weak from the loss of blood and he’s going to be in bed for a while but it looks like he’s going to make it.”

“Thank God,” she replied relief washing over her. “That’s so good to know. He’s a very lucky boy.”

“When can I talk to him?” he asked as he looked down at his son. “I need to find out where he was and who he was with. It’s very important doc.”

“I’m not sure when,” the doctor answered. “In my estimation it will be sometime before he is awake and able to talk. Tom, Jarrod has been shot in the back. He’s lost a lot of blood and he’s very weak. He needs rest and quiet so he can recover. I don’t want you to hover over him waiting for him to wake up so you can question him about what happened. I mean it Tom.”

“All right,” he said looking again at Jarrod. “I understand. But he will be all right in time.”

“Yes,” the doctor replied nodding. “Victoria, here is some medicine I want you to give him if he has any pain or trouble sleeping. I’ve already given him a dose of each for now. Don’t let him move around for a few days until the wound can begin to heal. I’ll come by tomorrow to have another look at him.”

“Thank you doctor,” she told him. “I will make sure he gets a lot of rest.”

“Let me have a look at that leg Tom,” the doctor said as he walked over to where Tom was sitting. “And I don’t want you telling me that you are all right because you’re not. I know you’re in pain.”

“I’m all right,” he replied continuing to look at Jarrod. “I don’t need your help.”

“You do and I am,” the doctor told him examining the leg wound. “I would prefer if you would stay off of this leg for a few days but I know that’s impossible because of Jarrod. So I’m going to give you something for the pain and I want you to take it Tom. No argument. I mean it.”

“All right doc,” he said nodding. “As long as I know that Jarrod is going to recover. And as soon as I’m up on my feet again I will find out who shot both of us and why.”

“Victoria,” the doctor replied looking at her, “you’re going to have your hands full with those two. I know you will. Just try to keep them both as quiet as you can at least for a few days.”

“I will doctor,” she told him. “I can keep everything under control. I promise you that.”

“I know you can,” the doctor said as he headed out the door. “See you tomorrow.”

After the doctor left, Tom turned to his foreman.

“Murphy,” he said very adamantly, “I want you to post plenty of guards around the ranch for tonight and beyond. I don’t know who has ordered this but I don’t want to take any chances of anything else happening to the family.”

“I sure will Tom,” Murphy replied as he headed for the door. “Don’t you worry about a thing.”

“Tom,” she told him after Murphy left, “you need rest. You can’t keep pushing yourself. You won’t be any good to any of us if you’re laid up in bed for a long period of time.”

“I know,” he said looking at Jarrod. “But I just can’t bring myself to leave my son. This is all my fault. I just wish I could go back and somehow keep this from happening. But I can’t and now it’s almost cost me another son. I do hope that Jarrod will be all right.”

“I understand how you feel,” she replied smiling. “But you won’t be any good to anyone if you don’t get some rest.”

Tom nodded, rose and headed for his room to rest.

“Let me know if he does wake up,” he said before he left. “I need to talk to him when he does wake up. I mean it Victoria.”

“I promise,” she replied. “I’ll stay here with him.”

Nick and Heath were waiting on Tom when he came into the hallway.

“How is Jarrod?” Nick asked for both of them. “Is he going to be all right?”

“The doctor said he was lucky,” he answered smiling at both of them. “Your brother just needs a lot of rest that’s all.”

“That’s good to know,’ Nick said smiling. “When I first saw him, I was afraid he wasn’t going to make it.”

“Me glad too,” Heath replied also smiling.

“You two go on and play for awhile,” he told them. “Jarrod’s going to be asleep for several hours and there’s no need for you to sit and wait. I’ll let you know when you can see him.”

“All right father,” Nick said as he and Heath headed for Nick’s room.

Tom laid down on his bed but he couldn’t rest. All he kept thinking about was who was behind it all. Why had this person decided now was the time to get his revenge? He couldn’t figure out who it was and that was making him very angry. Finally, the medicine kicked in and Tom fell asleep.

Victoria stayed with Jarrod but he never moved. She knew just how lucky they had been not to lose him to that bullet. She also knew that he would have to remain still so he could heal.

“Honey,” she said as she looked down at her son, “this nightmare will be over soon. And everything will go back to normal.”

Chapter Six

Tom didn’t know how long he had been asleep. He rose from the bed heading toward his son’s room. When he entered, Victoria looked up at him.

“Did you get some rest?” she asked as he sat down beside of the bed. “You were gone for over two hours.”

“Yes,” he answered her. “I wasn’t sure how long I slept. Has he opened his eyes yet?”

“No,” she said looking at her son. “He’s been asleep the entire time.”

“I’m going to try to coax him awake,” he replied leaning over the bed. “I have to know who it was that shot him.”

“Tom,” she told him with anger in her voice, “I don’t want you to bother him. “Jarrod is very weak and more than likely he will be in pain when he wakes up. There is no need to push him to wake up when he needs rest.”

“I suppose you’re right,” he said nodding. “I’m sorry. I’m just at my wits end trying to figure out who’s behind the shootings. I don’t believe it has anything to do with Heath or his mother although we’re going to have to deal with that at a later date, which we will. Whoever shot Jarrod and me had another reason for doing so and only Jarrod can tell me.”

“You’ll have to wait until he’s ready to tell you,” she replied looking right at Tom. “And not before. I mean it Tom. You will not disturb his rest. We’re lucky to still have him here with us and I won’t have you jeopardizing his life to find answers to questions that will have to wait to be answered.”

“All right,” he told her. “I agree. I’m sorry. I’m just worried about all of us. If they’ve tried twice, who’s to say they won’t try again. I don’t want that to happen.”

“I understand what you’re saying,” she said nodding. “But the fact of the matter is that Jarrod is still asleep and I won’t wake him up so you can question him.”

“Father,” Jarrod replied trying to open his eyes even though he was in a lot of pain.

“Yes son,” he told him getting down in his face. “I’m right here.”

“I saw the man,” Jarrod said grimacing in pain. “He was tall and thin with a mustache.”

“Did he have dark hair son?” he asked recognition dawning on Tom’s face.

“Yes sir,” Jarrod answered again showing the pain he was in.

“That’s enough Tom,” she said putting her foot down. “Jarrod’s in pain and I need to give him the medicine.”

“He’s already told me all I need to know,” he replied standing up. “I know who it is and I know why he did it too.”

“You know who’s behind this don’t you?’ she asked looking up at him. “Who is it Tom?”

“Yes I do,” he answered nodding. “I knew the second he described the man. But I’d rather not say who it is for now. The less you know the better.”

“Tom,” she said looking at his face, “please tell me. I have a right to know.”

“No,” he replied leaving the room so they couldn’t see the anger and shock on his face.

“Mother,” Jarrod told her, “I’m sorry I made father angry.”

“You didn’t do anything honey,” she said smiling at him. “I have medicine I want you to take. Then I want you to go back to sleep. Rest is what you need.”

“All right,” Jarrod replied taking the medicine and closing his eyes.

Victoria walked out of his room looking for Tom. She found him sitting at his desk looking at some papers.

“All right,” she said as she walked over to him, “let’s hear it.”

“I told you I didn’t want you to know for now,” he replied looking up. “I meant it.”

“Tom,” she told him as she sat down, “you know as well as I do that we are a family. And as a family we stick together in good and bad. Now, I want to know who’s behind this. This man has shot you and Jarrod. He’s almost killed you both. I need to know who and why. Please Tom.”

“Have you ever heard the names Richard and Hannibal Jordan?” he asked her.

“Yes,” she answered nodding. “They are father and son. They have a connection with the Coastal and Western Railroad. Why?”

“Because the description that Jarrod gave me is of Richard Jordan,” he said looking up. “I now know why I was shot.”

“Why?” she asked pretty sure of what his answer would be.

“Because I’m the one the farmers come to when the railroad tries to run them off of their land,” he answered shaking his head. “I’m the one they look up to for guidance in trying to deal with ruthless men. Twelve-year-old Hannibal Jordan is going to be just like his father. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. He took Jarrod to deliver a message to me. He wants me to remember him. That’s why Jarrod was shot.”

“What message?” she asked.

“To stay out of it,” he answered. “To stay away from the framers that need to know what they can do to keep their own land. It’s been going on since we moved into the valley. And Jordan knows that I’m a big man in their eyes. So he’s trying to knock me down in their eyes.”

“And the mess with Heath...” she started to say.

“And the mess with Heath is just the tip of the iceberg,” he finished for her. “He needed something to get to me and when the town of Stockton became divided over Heath that was the opening he needed. And he took full advantage of it. He was trying to kill me to get me out of the way. When that failed he tried to get information out of Jarrod but he was too smart for them. He tried to escape and probably one of his men shot him. I’ll be he got raked over the coals for that.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

“I’m not sure at this point,” he answered. “It probably wouldn’t do any good to go to Harry with this. Jordan would just worm his way out of the charges like he always has. No. This is going to take time to bring him and his son down. I don’t think he’ll try again. Because he knows now that I know he’s behind it and he also knows that I’ll have my guard up. This part of this mess is over but not finished. Somewhere down the road it will end but not now.”

“So what’s next?” she asked.

“We try to put this town back together,” he answered. “We have to bring the two sides together and unite this town before it’s too late.”

“How?” she asked.

“By this entire family going to church on Sunday,” he answered. “If there’s one place you can get people together it’s church.”

“How do you know Jarrod will be well enough to go?” she asked.

“Because today is Monday and it’s almost a week away,” he answered. “We didn’t go yesterday because I didn’t want to put the family in jeopardy. But now that Jordan is out of the way for the time being I believe it’s time to show the town of Stockton we’re not going to be intimidated.”

“I agree,” she said smiling. “And I think the boys will be in agreement also.”

Chapter Seven

Jarrod slept most of the day before he opened his eyes again. Waves of pain from his wound hit him as he tried to move.

“Honey,” she said as she noticed that he was awake, “the doctor doesn’t want you to move around. You were shot in the back.”

“I remember a little about it,” he replied looking at her. “Where is father? I need to tell him about the men.”

“You already have,” she told him smiling. “You woke up not long after your father brought you home and you described them to him.”

“I did?” he asked not remembering it at all. “How long have I been here?”

“You were brought in early this afternoon,” she answered covering him up. “Your father and Murphy found you.”

“I know I shouldn’t have gone after them mother,” he said not looking at her. “It was wrong to worry you and father.”

“We’ll talk about that later when you’re feeling better,” she replied looking at him. “You need to rest until you are well.”

“I don’t want to sleep,” he told her. “I need to help father get to the bottom of all of this.”

“No you don’t,” she said holding him down. “Your father has everything under control. He’s going to talk to you about it all when he feels you are ready to listen but until then I want you to get some more sleep. The doctor left some medicine in case you couldn’t rest. Do you want me to give it to you?”

“No,” he replied giving in. “I’ll do what you say. Will you tell father I want to see him when he has a free minute?”

“I will,” she told him smiling. “He’s going to be coming in to check on you very soon. He just had a few things to do before dark.”

“I know I’ve disappointed you both,” he said looking at the sheets. “I haven’t thought about what I’m doing. I should have known better than to go after those men alone and unarmed. I didn’t act much better than Nick would have.”

“Jarrod,” she replied holding his hand, “I want you to know something. Both your father and I think you were very brave. You didn’t panic after you were captured. You didn’t act like a baby either. You acted just like a man.”

“I did,” he told her surprised. “I thought I acted like a baby myself.”

“It took a lot of courage to go looking for those men much less holding yourself up in the midst of being questioned,” she said. “I want you to know that we’re both very proud of you. Even after you were shot you continued to act grown up.”

“I appreciate the compliment,” he replied smiling for the first time. “You know I was scared. I thought I might die but I knew that I couldn’t give in to them. I couldn’t hand father over to them without a fight. I really tried to stand up to them but I couldn’t because I was tied and then kicked hard in the stomach when I didn’t answer their questions. But I knew that I had to try to get away to warn father.”

“You did,” she told him. “You were able to give him enough information so that he could figure out who was trying to hurt us. For now your father has put that behind us. He feels that the men won’t bother us anymore. He wants to work on turning the town of Stockton around so that they will accept Heath.”

“Do you think he can do it mother?” he asked.

“I’m not sure but he’s very determined,” she answered. “One thing I do know he will need all of our help to straighten this out.”

“He’ll have my help mother,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to help him and to help Heath. You know none of this is Heath’s fault. He wasn’t really part of this until he came to live with us. It was between father and Heath’s mother.”

“I realize that,” she replied. “But your father doesn’t want his actions to harm Heath. You have to realize that your father loves that little boy very much. After he realized that Heath was his son he knew that he had to raise him to be the kind of man his mother would be proud of.”

“Yes mother,” he told her. “And I’m sure with father and Nick working with Heath it will be accomplished.”

“Don’t forget about yourself,” she said. “You will be a very big help to him. I know you will.”

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “I’m not much help to them since they are ranchers and I’m not.”

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

“Nick told me so,” he answered. “I was watching him trying to teach Heath to rope and Nick got really angry with me because I was even there. He told me that I didn’t even know how to rope which is true. Father never showed me. I guess in a way I’ve been a complete disappoint to him.”

“No son,” Tom said as he walked into the room. “You’re not a disappointment to me. You are a blessing. When your mother and I lost Thomas we thought our lives were over but then you came along. We were so happy to have another child even though we still missed him. You were so good and I was so happy to be a father again.”

“You really mean that sir?” he asked looking up at his father.

“Yes I do,” Tom answered smiling. “And you’ve not disappointed me in the least. Sure you’re different from Nick. That’s nothing to put yourself down about. You are Jarrod Thomas Barkley and you have a future ahead of you. From now on I want you to concentrate on that.”

“Yes sir,” he said nodding. “But what about Nick and Heath?”

“You will be available to help them,” Tom replied. “But they are going to work together and they will need a lot of extra attention from me. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to ignore you. I’ll be here whenever you need me. I promise.”

“I appreciate that father,” he told him. “I’m sorry about disobeying you. After all I did promise I wouldn’t go after those men.”

“You did what you thought you had to do,” Tom said. “And for that I’m proud of you. As for what happened I think that’s punishment enough don’t you?”

“Yes sir,” he replied. “Father, what are you going to do about Heath and the town?”

“That was what I wanted to talk to you about,” Tom told him. “On Sunday, the entire family is going to church. I want to tell the people of Stockton exactly what I think of the way they are acting toward my newest son. I want all of us to go.”

“I’ll be there sir,” he said smiling. “If I know you, you will tell them exactly how you feel. That’s a very good idea sir. I think once they hear the whole story they might just change their mind about the way they feel toward him.”

“I sure hope so,” Tom replied. “Now you get some rest because you’ll need it to help me come Sunday.”

“I will,” he told him as he let his tired eyes close.

Tom stood there a moment looking at Jarrod.

“You know something Victoria,” he said as he looked at Jarrod. “I couldn’t have asked for a better son than he is.”

“I completely agree,” she replied smiling. “And hopefully on Sunday the rest of Stockton will realize that Jarrod and Nick as well as Heath deserve to be respected even though they are still boys.”

Chapter Eight

The entire family was up early on Sunday. They knew that today would be the day they got to have their say about the way this town was acting. Jarrod was feeling much better. He was still weak but he was able to get up and move around slowly.

“Jarrod,” Tom said as he met his son in the hall, “I want you to take it easy today. You’re still very weak so no cutting up.”

“Yes sir,” he replied nodding. “I’ll remember. Father, are you sure you want to do this at church? I mean what will the minister say?”

“Son,” Tom told him looking at Jarrod’s face, “this has to be settled now. And the church is the best place to settle it. Most of the people in town will be there and I can have my say about Heath. Besides, I’ve already spoken to the minister and he’s set aside a special time this morning just for us.”

“Are you sure you want to put him on trial in church?” he asked looking up at his father. “I mean it’s already been hard on him losing his mother and all. What do you think this will do to him?”

“I understand what you’re saying son,” Tom answered. “But this has to be said. I don’t want people thinking that Heath is not really worthy of being a Barkley and they will if this is not settled once and for all.”

“I see,” he said smiling. “I’ll stand beside of you sir.”

“I appreciate that son,” Tom replied smiling. “You are a fine boy Jarrod and I’m very proud of you.”

“I’m not,” he told him.

“Why not?” Tom asked looking concerned.

“I did something very stupid and got hurt doing it,” he answered looking at the floor. “I should never have gone looking for that man. If I had just stayed at home none of this would have happened and I wouldn’t have worried you and mother. I’m sorry sir.”

“I agree that it wasn’t the smartest thing you’ve ever done,” Tom said smiling at Jarrod. “But you did find out who it was.”

“I did,” he replied still not remembering much. “What did I say? Mother mentioned something about me saying something but I still can’t remember much about that day or the next few.”

“You described the man and I was able to figure out who it was,” Tom told him. “I don’t want to reveal the name at the moment to you but you were a very big help. Besides you wouldn’t even know who I was talking about if I told you. For now let’s just forget about that part of it and concentrate on getting this mess with Heath straightened out.”

“But I got shot,” he said getting angry with himself. “Of course, I did try to run and the man did fuss at Combs for shooting me. That much I do remember. I never meant to worry you sir.”

“I know you didn’t,” Tom replied. “Listen, you put that out of your mind and concentrate on getting completely well.”

“Yes father,” he told him.

At nine thirty, the family left the ranch heading for town. When they rode into Stockton, they were greeted with good mornings along with people turning away so not to look at them.

“Father,” he said as they pulled to a stop near the church, “maybe this is not a good idea. I’ve seen some of the people’s faces and they look mad. I think we should go home.”

“Jarrod,” Tom replied as he climbed down, “we are going inside. We are going to hold our heads up high and do what we do every week. Now I want you to stop worrying and come on.”

“Yes sir,” he told him as he climbed down gingerly.

“Jarrod,” Harry said as he walked up to the family, “it’s nice to see you up and around again. I heard about what happened and I’ve been meaning to get out to see you but I’ve been very busy.”

“Thank you sir,” he replied looking at the sheriff. “I’m doing a lot better.”

“Good,” Harry told him smiling.

The family walked inside taking seats in the sanctuary. Jarrod looked surprised as they sat down here.

“What about Sunday school?” he asked puzzled.

“There is going to be a special service this morning like I told you at the ranch and we have come to be a part of it,” Tom answered smiling. “You just sit back and see what happens.”

Jarrod did as he was told. He was still very confused about all of this but he also knew better than to argue with his father.

At ten, the minister walked out. The church was completely filled and some were even standing at the back and on the sides.

“I appreciate all of you coming so early this morning for a special service,” Rev. Kirby Moyers said as he stood behind the pulpit. “I have asked you all here so that a certain member of this congregation can speak to you. Tom, it’s all yours.”

Tom rose from his seat, walked down the aisle and stood behind the pulpit. He looked at all of the faces staring at him.

“First I want to say what a pleasure it’s been to have been a part of the Stockton community,” he said his voice loud and sturdy. “I’ve known most of you since my wife and I came here sixteen years ago. Some of you know that I have already buried a son ten years ago. His name was Thomas and he was my pride and joy. When I lost him I almost didn’t want to keep on living but I did for I realized that I had to go on. I had to be strong for my wife. The December after Thomas’ death we were blessed with another son, Jarrod. He’s a fine ten-year-old boy. He has a lot of potential if he’s given the chance to complete his education. Then came Nick four years later. He’s going to be a rancher just like I am. In fact, he’s going to run the ranch one day.

“When I went to Strawberry a few years ago,” he continued, “I went there with the intention of selling all my assets there. And I did. As I came out of the bank in Strawberry with the money from the sale I was attacked, robbed and left for dead. A young woman came to my aid. She took me to her home where she tended to my many injuries and nursed me back to health over a span of about five months. During that time, I fell in love with her. I didn’t mean to but it happened. It’s possible that I didn’t remember much about my life here or my family. That part of the ordeal is still very hazy for me to remember. On the day that I left, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I never wanted to hurt her but I also knew that I had a family here that I needed to get back to.

“After I got home,” he continued trying to control his emotions, “I acted terrible toward Jarrod treating him like a dog. At the time I didn’t realize that I was battling an inner war between the love for two wonderful women. And I didn’t want to hurt either one. But Leah had told me that she didn’t want to come between my family and me. After I regained my facilities I remembered my wife and family here and told her about them. She was thrilled that I had two fine sons. She never wanted to take me away from them. I accepted that. The inner war I fought was at the expense of the love of my son. I will never truly understand why I was so mean to him but I was. It’s possible that I saw a lot of his mother in him and that’s why it happened. I’ll never really know the complete reason. It took a trip to see my family that changed my life. My father told me that if I didn’t undo what I had done to him that I would lose my son for good. At this point I had already buried one son and I wasn’t about to lose a second. So I got down on my knees in front of my son asking for his forgiveness. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I knew that if I didn’t I would lose his love forever. And believe it or not he gave it to me. I didn’t deserve it but he loved me and wanted me to be a part of his life. Thank you son.”

Jarrod smiled and nodded at his father.

“About six months ago,” he said looking at his family, “I received a telegram from a law firm in Sacramento. Leah had become very ill and needed me to take over raising my son. A son I never knew I had. Again she didn’t want to hurt me by telling me that we had a son together until she became too ill to raise him. Upon meeting him, I realized that he was my son and I have come to love him as much as I do my other two sons. His name is Heath. He is a wonderful boy with a lot of promise. He will help his brother Nick run the ranch after I am gone. Some of you think I did my wife dirty having this boy while married to her. I agree. But I also know in my heart that a man is usually lucky only once with a true love. I’ve been lucky twice. Both Victoria and Leah are the one true love of my life. I love them the same no less. Some of you think that makes me a bad person, maybe so. But I also know that my wife has accepted Heath as her son. She will never take his mother’s place but she has a special place in her heart for that boy. I hope that some day you will be able to look me in the face and tell me that you understand or that you will continue to be my friend. But I also know that some of you will forever hate me for what I’ve done. I can live with that. Please don’t take it out on my three sons. They are all three innocent in all of this. They didn’t do anything to cause any of this. They want to grow and learn just like any child does. I want to be able to give them that chance. I’m asking you to please allow my sons to attend school again so they can each make something out of themselves. Thank you.”

Tom stepped down and went to his seat where Victoria took his hand in hers. The boys smiled at him.

“I think that Tom said it all,” the minister said. “What each one of us must do now is look to God and to ourselves to see if we have any room to judge this man. Certainly he has made a mistake but he has learned from that mistake and gone forward. He wants to raise his family in peace and in the sight of God. We need to give him that chance.”

After the service concluded, several of the citizens of Stockton came up to Tom.

“It took a lot of nerve to get up and say what you did,” one said. “I admire a man who can do that. It will be a pleasure to have you and your family remain in this valley Tom. And I don’t see why the boys can’t start school tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” another replied. “We judged you and we shouldn’t have. We can’t talk ourselves. I look forward to seeing you in town Tom.”

“I really appreciate it men,” Tom told them smiling. “It’s going to be a good year. I can feel it.”

THE END