Secrets

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.

It had been a month since Jarrod and Nick learned about their brother Thomas. Jarrod had become fascinated with everything he could learn about his brother. He questioned both his mother and father almost daily about Thomas.

Jarrod was also hiding the fact that he had not come to terms with the way his father had treated him when he had returned from Strawberry two years earlier. Yes he had forgiven Tom for the harsh punishments and the whipping but deep inside he was still very leery of his father and the fact that Tom had kept Thomas a secret from him had brought those memories back to the forefront of his mind. He had thought that he was over all that but this new secret had opened up those old wounds and he was now having to deal with a brother he never knew and the feelings he still carried around about a man he loved with all his heart but still couldn’t bring himself to deal with those feelings until they almost destroyed him.

Prologue

Both Victoria Barkley and her husband Tom had tried to be as open as they could about Thomas Patrick Barkley to their other two sons, Jarrod and Nick. But Jarrod was having a much harder time completely understanding why the information was kept from him in the first place. He desperately wanted to know everything he could about his dead brother. And it was beginning to concern his parents immensely.

“Tom,” his wife Victoria said as they sat in the living room of their home late one evening after the boys were asleep, “I’m worried about Jarrod. He’s become almost obsessed with Thomas. But I think it goes much deeper than that. I can’t put my finger on it right now but I just feel that there is more to this than just wanting to know so much about Thomas. ”

“I’ve noticed that myself,” he replied looking up from reading the paper. “I don’t know what to do about this. If we refuse to discuss Thomas he becomes angry or upset. This is not like Jarrod. I’m sorry we didn’t tell them when they were old enough to understand but we couldn’t bring ourselves to even talk about him. Maybe it was more our fault than Thomas’. I don’t know. I only know what I’ve noticed about Jarrod and that is that he doesn’t want to talk about anything other than Thomas and that’s not healthy for him.”

“I think we need to sit down with him and talk about this in calm manner,” she told her husband. “I don’t want Thomas to take over Jarrod’s life. He has a bright future ahead of him and I don’t want that ruined. But it could already be too late. I’m not so sure that something else is bothering him too. Something that he doesn’t want to talk about but I feel that we need to find out what that is before it destroys Jarrod too.”

“I agree,” he said nodding. “Maybe it’s best if we just sit down with him and explain to him that he needs to stop wanting to know every detail about his dead brother. What do you think he’s hiding? I’ve not noticed anything when I’m around him but I guess since you’re his mother you can see more than I can.”

“I almost believe that Jarrod is trying to become Thomas now that he knows about him,” she replied shaking her head. That’s not healthy for him. I want Jarrod to do what he wants to do not what he thinks Thomas would want to do. I can’t put my finger on anything specific but there is something there that is definitely bothering Jarrod other than his wanting desperately to know about his dead brother and we need to find out what that is at the same time we try to get him to stop his obsession with Thomas.”

“I agree,” he told her. “This is definitely not healthy for Jarrod. I feel sometimes that maybe we shouldn’t have even told him. I know that sounds terrible but ever since he found out he’s been continuously asking about Thomas and it’s getting a little unnerving. Part of his problem may be that he’s still not over his grandfather’s death. You know it’s only been two years and he was so close to father when he died in that fall. Or it could be something at school. I don’t know.”

“I know what you mean,” she said looking at him. “It’s really scary if you stop to think about it. Jarrod needs to concentrate on his own studies not on what Thomas would do. I know he loves his brother but it’s like he wants to become Thomas instead of Jarrod. You may have something Tom. I hadn’t realized that he could still be blaming himself for your father’s death. But I think it goes even deeper than that. I just can’t put my finger on it yet but I will and when I do then maybe I can help my son.”

“I agree and if we don’t stop it now we might lose Jarrod for good,” he replied looking grim. “I don’t want that. I love all of my children for who they are. I want Jarrod to know that. Do you think it might be me? I have noticed that in the last two years he doesn’t call me father as much as he did before father’s death. Or it could be something else entirely.”

“Agreed,” she told him. “I think we should speak to him first thing in the morning before he goes to school. I’ve noticed that Matt and Frank don’t come around as much as they used to so they must see it too. The only one who can answer our questions is Jarrod and we will have to get to the bottom of this situation before it’s too late.”

“All right,” he said standing up. “We’ll talk to Jarrod first thing in the morning.”

Chapter One

Jarrod was having a very hard time going to sleep. In fact, he hadn’t slept much over the past month since learning about his older brother. He kept thinking about Thomas. In fact, he couldn’t get Thomas out of his mind. To him it was as if Thomas had just taken over his mind and body but Jarrod knew that wasn’t possible. He didn’t realize that Thomas was just the catalyst that he needed to help him deal with all that had happened to him in the past several years. He decided to get up and get some milk. Maybe a snack would make him want to sleep.

“Jarrod,” Tom asked when he heard his son walking down the hall to the kitchen, “do you know it’s after one in the morning? You should be asleep son.”

“I can’t sleep sir,” he answered as he walked over to his father who was working at his desk. “I keep seeing Thomas and I can’t stop thinking about him.”

Tom noticed that Jarrod stayed back from him as if he were frightened and he was going to say something but the expression on Jarrod’s face made him change his mind at least for the present.

“Your mother and I were going to talk to you in the morning about this but I guess now is just as good,” Tom said motioning for Jarrod to sit down. “Your mother and I are very worried about you. You seem almost obsessed with Thomas son and that’s not good.”

Again as Tom spoke he watched Jarrod as he sat down and kept his eyes down away from his father. It was as if he were walking on eggshells or something.

“I know that,” he replied with hatred in his voice. “I can’t stop thinking about him. I don’t know why. Every time I try to sleep I see him and I can’t rest. Every time I try to eat I see him and then I lose my appetite. I don’t know what to do anymore sir.”

“Maybe we should take you to see Dr. Merrar,” Tom suggested. “Although I don’t know what he could do. I’ve never really heard of anything like this before. But I don’t believe that Thomas is trying to take over your mind and body. I believe that you have become obsessed with wanting to know so much about him that that’s all you can think of. And it’s getting to a dangerous point now.”

Tom didn’t take his eyes off his son as they talked and the more he watched Jarrod the more he suspected he was the cause of all of this. Now he had to figure out how to coax Jarrod into talking about it before it was indeed too late.

“What can I do sir?” he almost begged. “I’ve tried to get interested in a book or something and then it all comes back to Thomas. I’m almost crazy from this sir.”

Tom realized that this situation was more serious than he or Victoria had even considered. He knew something had to be done soon or he might lose Jarrod forever.

“We’ll try to deal with this son,” Tom said patting Jarrod on the shoulder and feeling him stiffen under his touch. “You’re not alone in this. I promise.”

“I hope someone can help me,” he replied shaking his head. “I don’t know how much longer I can handle this without losing my mind. Matt and Frank already hate me for not wanting to play with them any longer but I can’t get them to understand what I’m feeling inside about Thomas.”

“Would it make you feel better if your mother was here now?” Tom asked very concerned about his son. “I don’t think I’m very much help right now.”

“Yes sir,” he answered beginning to cry. “I need her but I didn’t want to bother her. She’s the only one who can help me.”

Now Tom realized that he was right in his feelings. His own son was still harboring ill feelings toward him and now he would have to figure out a way to help Jarrod or lose him forever.

“You’re not bothering us when you feel this way son,” Tom said looking at Jarrod. “That’s what we’re here for to help.”

Jarrod nodded as Tom rose from his chair heading for the bedroom to wake his wife.

“Victoria,” he said very softly as he patted her on the arm, “wake up. Jarrod needs you.”

“Tom,” she replied coming awake at the mention of her son’s name, “I take it you have spoken to Jarrod.”

“He’s in the living room crying,” he told her as she stood up. “I think I’m part of his problem. The entire time we were talking he wouldn’t look at me or call me anything but sir. I think that he’s still afraid of me or angry with me and the fact that I kept Thomas a secret from him, all those feelings are surfacing again.”

“I thought so,” she said nodding. “I had thought that might be the cause of all of this but I wasn’t sure. Jarrod now has to come to grips with all his feelings and it will take both of us to help him do it.”

“I don’t think I can do that,” he replied shaking his head. “The boy is afraid of me and I won’t make it any worse for him.”

“I understand how you feel Tom,” she told him. “But if you don’t come to grips with this yourself you’re not going to be able to help Jarrod and as I said before it will take both of us to help him.”

Chapter Two

As Jarrod sat in the living room, he couldn’t stop thinking about Thomas or what had happened to him at the hands of his father. He began to cry harder as the thoughts came forward.

“No!” he cried. “Stop it! I can’t take it any more!”

Tom and Victoria came running when they heard his screams. They found him on his knees on the floor with his head buried in his hands. He was crying so hard that he was nearly horse from it. They looked at each other and then she went to Jarrod.

“It’s all right honey,” she said as she eased him up onto the couch. “I’m here and it will be all right.”

“I wish it would all stop,” he cried with a horse voice. “I want it to go away.”

“The first thing we need to do is to try to get you calmed down so you can rest,” she said as she held him in her arms. “I know it won’t be easy but we have to try.”

“How mother?” he cried. “I can’t rest. I haven’t been able to rest for weeks.”

“I know honey,” she said very calmly. “I’m going to try to help you. Just take it easy. I want you to try to stop crying.”

“I can’t!” he cried again. “I just can’t!”

She continued to hold him in her arms. She looked at Tom and whispered to him.

“Go get Dr. Merrar,” she said very quietly. “I think he needs something other than just love right now.”

Tom nodded as he went to get his hat and headed out the door. Victoria continued to try to calm Jarrod with her calming voice.

“It’s all right honey,” she said softly. “It’s all right. You’re not alone. I’m here with you.”

She watched as Jarrod continued to cry uncontrollably and she knew there was nothing she could do to help him.

“Mother,” he said with a horse voice, “I don’t understand any of this. Why do I keep thinking about Thomas? I didn’t even know him.”

“There are a lot of reasons,” she replied looking into his red and swollen eyes. “You were shocked to learn that you had a brother and then you were shocked to learn that he had died before you were even born. But it goes deeper than that. Do you remember what you went through with your father?”

“How can I forget it,” he spat with anger. “I was scared to death of my own father.”

“All right,” she said calmly. “Do you remember what happened in Denver?”

“Of course,” he cried remembering the whipping like it was yesterday. “I was beaten by my own father.”

“Listen to the way you’re saying those statements Jarrod,” she said looking at him. “Your voice is angry. I believe that this is part of the problem too.”

“I’m angry inside too,” he replied not looking with her. “I know I shouldn’t feel that way about my father but I do and I don’t guess I’ll ever stop feeling that way.”

“I thought so,” she told him still holding onto him. “What would make you put this behind you?”

Jarrod thought about the question his mother had just asked. He hadn’t really thought much about fixing the problem. All he had thought about was how angry he was toward his own father and how he had taken away the one thing that meant so much to him.

“I don’t know,” he said very sadly. “I’ve not really thought about that. All I’ve had on my mind is what father did to me not how to fix it.”

“Do you love Tom?” she asked trying to help him. “Do you trust your father to raise you to be a loving and caring man?”

“No!” he spat angrily. “Well I guess I still love him but I don’t trust him because of the way he treated me.”

“I see,” she said shaking her head. “You hate your father and want nothing more to do with him I guess.”

“Well,” he replied thinking. “I do love him mother like I just said. I’m just not sure that I completely trust him not to hurt me again.”

“I thought that was it,” she told him nodding. “Your father has the same feelings that you do.”

“He does?” he asked shocked. “I didn’t think he would be worried about me.”

“He is,” she answered. “He still loves you because you are his son, his flesh and blood. He’s afraid to touch you for fear that you will think he’s going to hit you. He’s afraid that you are pulling away from him because all you ever call him is sir. He doesn’t know how to help you. And he wants to help you Jarrod. He wants to make all of the hurt go away but he just doesn’t know how.”

“I didn’t know mother,” he said shaking his head. “I didn’t mean to hurt him that way. I thought after I forgave him that everything would be the way it was before this all happened but it isn’t and I guess it can never be. I’m not the same boy I was before he went to Strawberry. I remember what he said happened during his trip but I couldn’t feel sorry for him until now. Mother, do you think father could have died?”

“Yes,” she replied nodding. “I believe that from the way he described what had happened he could have easily died from his injuries. But he didn’t and he came home.”

“I wonder who helped him get better,” he told her. “I’ve wondered that since he told us. I think it might have been a woman mother.”

“A woman?” she asked not believing what she was hearing. “What makes you think that honey?”

“Because he won’t tell us who it was,” he answered looking up at her. “I believe that maybe this woman was pretty and he forgot us. Maybe he even fell in love with her. I don’t know.”

“You could be right,” she said agreeing with him. “But he did come home and that shows me that he still loves and cares about us.”

Victoria thought about what Jarrod had said about who had saved her husband’s life. She knew that it was possible that it could have been a woman and she also knew that he wouldn’t tell her if any of that had happened for fear that she would leave him and take her sons with her.

“I agree mother,” he replied nodding. “Do you think that maybe she might have a baby by father?”

“What makes you ask a question like that Jarrod?” she asked not believing what she was hearing. “I’m sure your father was too injured to go that far.”

At least she hoped that she was right in her thinking.

“I don’t know,” he answered shrugging his shoulders. “It might explain his behavior when he returned especially toward me. Maybe I reminded him of say you and every time he saw me he remembered what happened while he was hurt. And that’s why he was so mean to me.”

“I suppose it’s possible,” she said shaking her head. “I tell you what. Let’s not mention any of this to him right now. Let’s just keep it a secret between us.”

“All right mother,” he replied looking at her. “I promise. I want to talk to father if he’s not asleep.”

“He’s gone into town for me,” she told him.

“Why?” he asked looking into her face. “Is there something wrong?”

“Yes,” she answered looking at him. “You are very upset honey and he wants to help you.”

“I guess I’ve really messed things up now,” he said crying again. “All I seem to do is hurt the ones I love.”

“That’s not true Jarrod,” she replied holding him again. “You’re a wonderful boy with a very bright future.”

“What future?” he cried. “All I do is kill the people I love.”

“No,” she said calmly. “You know that isn’t true. You’re just very upset and when you’re calmer you’ll see things differently.”

“I don’t know,” he replied still crying. “Maybe. When will father be back? I do want to speak to him.”

Chapter Three

“I’m back now,” Tom said as he walked into the house followed by Dr. Merrar. “How are you feeling son?”

“I’m not sure,” he replied still crying. “I still can’t stop crying but I do want to talk to you. I feel that I owe you some kind of explanation about my behavior of late. I’m not really sure.”

“Jarrod,” the doctor told him as he sat down beside of the boy, “I want to give you something to help you rest.”

“Can you please wait just a minute doctor?” he asked pleadingly. “I need to talk to father. It’s very important.”

“We can talk tomorrow son,” Tom said looking at his son’s face. “You need rest.”

“Please father,” he begged crying harder.

“All right Jarrod,” the doctor said waiting for Jarrod to say what he needed to say. “But the minute you’re finished I want to give you something. You need rest.”

“Father,” he replied looking up at his father, “I know that things haven’t been very good between us for a long time. It’s mostly my fault. I haven’t been the kind of son that you wanted. But I’ve come to accept that. I’m sure Thomas was the son you wanted instead of me. He probably would have been the rancher and businessman you always wanted me to be but I’m not. I can tell by the way you speak of Thomas that he was the son that you preferred instead of what you got with me. What I wanted to say to you was that I’m sorry for believing that you could ever harm me on purpose. What happened after you returned from Strawberry wasn’t you. You had been hurt and nearly killed. I believe that you weren’t over all your injuries and that I just made you angry. For that I’m very sorry. I know I pestered you too much and got on your nerves all the time. I’ll try very hard to do real good in school so you’ll be proud of me. I just don’t know what else to say to you. I’m sorry for always calling you sir instead of father. I’m sorry for not doing my best in school and I’m sorry for everything else that I can’t remember.”

“Son,” Tom told him dropping to his knees in front of Jarrod, “you have nothing to apologize to me for. I’m the one who was mean to you. I love you with all of my heart. I only want what’s best for you and for Nick. I want you to be whatever you want to be when you grow up. I mean that son. You are destined for greatness. You will go far. You have never disappointed me even though I told you that you had. I’m sorry for that myself. You are a wonderful boy and I’m proud to have you for my son. I know I’ve not been the best father to you but I’ve tried. It’s not easy being a parent and I’m not worried about Thomas now. He’s gone but you’re here and you’re the one I’m worried about. I want you to be happy and I’m going to try to make sure that you are.”

Jarrod nodded and smiled slightly at his father. Tom held out his arms and Jarrod reached for him. He took his son into an embrace and both of them cried. The doctor took that opportunity to roll up Jarrod’s shirtsleeve and inject him with something that would allow him to rest.

“Keep him out of school for a few days,” the doctor said as he stood up. “I don’t think he’ll have any more difficulty sleeping but if he does just let me know. I’ll try to get by some time tomorrow to see how he’s doing.”

“Thanks doc,” Tom replied continuing to hold his son. “I think we can work this out now. We just needed to get all this out in the open and now we have. I believe it will be easier to deal with it now.”

“Yes,” she told him. “Now that it’s all out in the open.”

The doctor left and Tom carried his son to his room. Laying Jarrod down he looked at his sleeping son and smiled.

“You know I thought for a while that maybe I had lost him,” he said looking over at his wife. “I wasn’t sure if either one of us would be able to get through this. But now I believe that we can and we will. I still can’t believe that I struck him but I wasn’t myself I guess. I would never ever do that again as long as I live. I promise that.”

“Yes,” she replied smiling. “He’s been through a lot in the last several years and he’s grown up a lot from it. But he’s still a boy and he still needs both of us to guide him.”

“You’re right about that,” he told her. “I guess I should have thought about what I was going through back then and maybe none of this would have happened. But I can’t go back and change any of it. I can only learn from what I did and try to go forward.”

“Tom” she said looking at her husband, “Jarrod knows how close you came to dying in Strawberry and how close he came to losing you. I think he understands now that you and he must go forward now.”

“I guess,” he replied looking at Jarrod. “I wish I could tell him how it was. But I don’t remember too much about that six-month span. I guess I never will but I guess that it doesn’t matter either because I have my son back.”

“Well,” she told him, “I believe you have Jarrod back part of the way. It will still take time for him to completely get over all of this but in time he will.”

Tom nodded but she was still pretty shaken by what Jarrod had said earlier about the possibility of another woman.

Could it really be true? She asked herself. “Could he really have fallen in love with another woman?

Chapter Four

Jarrod slept all the rest of the night and was still sleeping when Tom and Victoria woke up early the next morning.

“Where’s Jarrod?” Nick asked as he walked into the kitchen to eat breakfast. “I didn’t see him when I got up.”

Victoria sat down in the chair beside of Nick.

“Sweetheart,” she said very calmly, “Jarrod isn’t going to school today or tomorrow. He had a very rough night and he’s asleep right now. The doctor wants him to stay home to rest.”

“I kind of figured that he was hurting inside,” Nick replied as he ate. “I felt the pain he was going through about Thomas and about everything else. Mother, will he be all right?”

“Yes,” she told him smiling. “He and your father made up last night. Now that they are over the worst both of them can go on.”

“That’s wonderful,” Nick said smiling. “I’ll tell Ms. Moore and get Jarrod’s homework.”

“Thank you Nick,” she replied standing up. “He will really appreciate that.”

Tom walked into the kitchen after Nick had left for school.

“Nick already gone?” he asked as he sat down.

“Yes,” she answered setting a plate in front of him. “He’s going to tell Mrs. Moore that Jarrod won’t be there for a few days.”

“That’s good,” he said looking up at her. “Is he still asleep?”

“I looked in on him a short time ago and he was still sleeping,” she replied sitting down to eat. “I believe he will sleep most of the day. But I’ll stay close just in case he needs me.”

“I thought about staying close myself,” he told her. “I just wouldn’t feel right going off right now when he needs me.”

“He would understand that you have responsibilities to the ranch,” she said nodding. “Jarrod knows that you have to be gone a lot.”

“But I don’t need to be gone right now,” he replied looking up from his plate. “That boy needs a father right now. I can turn most of the ranch work over to Murphy and stay here to be close to Jarrod.”

“If that’s what you want to do Tom I won’t stop you,” she told him. “I know that you feel that you have let Jarrod down.”

“You’re darn right I have,” he said shaking his head. “I’ve not been here when he’s needed me and when I’m here I’ve treated him like dirt. I won’t do that again. I mean it.”

“I know you won’t Tom,” she replied smiling.

Around nine that morning there was a knock at the door. Victoria rose from her chair where she had been reading to answer it.

“Hello Mrs. Barkley,” Paul, the young mail delivery boy said smiling. “I have a very important letter for Mr. Barkley.”

“He’s not in the house Paul,” she replied smiling at the young man. “I’ll take it if you like.”

“I guess it won’t hurt to give it to you,” he told her handing her the letter. “It’s all the way from Sacramento. It’s from some law firm up there. That’s all I know.”

“Thank you Paul,” she said as she closed the door.

Victoria opened the letter and read it. She was very curious why a law firm would be writing her husband since he had no interests in Sacramento. Her facial expression turned to shock. The letter said:

Tom Barkley,

My name is Preston Wilson and I’m an attorney from Sacramento in the law firm of Smith, Brandon and Wilson. I am writing you concerning an acquaintance of yours, Miss Leah Thompson. She had become very ill and would like for you to take custody of her two-year-old son, Heath Thompson. She was in the hospital here but she passed away two days ago from pneumonia and the boy is staying with friends of mine in the city. According to Miss Thompson, Heath is your son. She further stated that during the six months you two spent together four years ago, Heath came out of that bond. Please either wire me with your answer or visit me at my office on Poe Street. Miss Thompson doesn’t want her brother Matthew to take custody of the boy because she told me that he would probably kill Heath. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Preston Wilson

Attorney at Law

Victoria sat down in the chair still holding the letter in her hand. This couldn’t be true. Another child of Tom’s. What would Jarrod and Nick say when they learned about their father and this Leah Thompson? She laid the letter on Tom’s desk and went about her reading but she still couldn’t believe that her husband had been unfaithful to her.

Chapter Five

Jarrod woke up in the afternoon and immediately sensed a tension coming from his mother.

“Mother,” he asked looking up at her, “are you all right? You seem to be worried about something. I can tell. Is it something to do with what we talked about last night?”

“I’m fine honey,” she answered trying to hide her anger toward her husband. “It’s just been a long day.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” he asked again very concerned. “I can feel that you are either upset or angry but I don’t know who you are upset or angry at. Are you angry with father for some reason?”

“Don’t you worry about that now,” she said smiling at him. “How are you feeling?”

“I feel much better,” he replied smiling. “I slept really good last night. I’m sorry I bothered you last night.”

“You weren’t any bother,” she told him making him comfortable. “I’m just glad that you were able to rest.”

“Mother,” he said looking at her face, “please tell me what’s wrong. I want to help you.”

“I don’t know if I should honey,” she replied looking away from him. “It’s not very good news.”

“I can handle it,” he told her. “I won’t say a word until you are finished.”

“All right,” she said steadying herself. “Your father got a letter from a law firm in Sacramento. It seems that he is the father of a two-year-old boy named Heath Thompson and the lawyer says that the boy’s mother passed away a few days ago.”

“I was right,” he replied remembering what he had said the night before. “Father was saved by a woman and that woman was this boy’s mother. I’m not happy with father either mother but it’s not this boy’s fault. If he is father’s son and my brother, I want to see him and get to know him.”

“Are you sure Jarrod?” she asked concerned about Jarrod’s health.

“Yes I am,” he answered looking into her face. “Heath needs a family now and if he is my brother I will do everything I can to make him a welcome member of this family despite what father did.”

“I’m so proud of you Jarrod,” she said smiling. “You are taking this better than I thought you would.”

“Mother,” he replied, “I will tell Nick and make him understand about Heath. He will also be angry with father but he will accept Heath too if he is our brother.”

“All right,” she told him. “As soon as Nick gets home I’ll send him in to talk to you. I don’t know what is going to happen between your father and me but I’ll take you and Nick into consideration before I arrive at a decision.”

“Mother,” he said smiling, “maybe father thought he was going to die and she might have been pretty. I don’t know. Maybe he didn’t mean to fall in love, maybe he didn’t remember that he had a family being that he had nearly been killed. There are a lot of reasons for this. Try to hear him out first before you pass judgement on him. I’m going to do that even though it all makes sense about the way he treated me two years ago. I bet he felt guilty about what he had done and maybe I reminded him of you. I don’t know. Father is the only one who can tell us. But I do want to go with him when he goes to Sacramento to meet Heath. I’ll be able to tell if he is my brother and I can live with that because none of this is his fault.”

“I agree,” she replied standing up. “I’ll send Nick in and talk to your father about all of this.”

“All right,” he told her. “Now, do you think I could have something to eat?”

“You sure can,” she said heading out the door to fix him something.

Tom walked in a short time later and he could tell by the expression on his wife’s face that something was definitely wrong.

“All right,” he said as he sat down in the living room, “what’s happened?”

“This letter was delivered here this morning and I read it,” she replied handing him the letter.

“This is a letter from some law firm I’ve never heard of,” he told her as he began to read it. “This is impossible. It can’t be true. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“Tom,” she said looking at him, “you were rescued by this woman when you were hurt in Strawberry, weren’t you?”

“Yes,” he replied remembering her like it was yesterday. “I remember her leaning over me telling me that I would be all right once she was able to get me back to her place. She stayed night and day by my side as I fought to survive. She fed me when I think I refused to take any food or water. She never gave up on me. I guess I began to think of her as a beautiful woman instead of the person who rescued me. I never meant to fall in love. I was and still am a happily married man. And I sure never had any idea that she had a child. I’m not even sure that this boy is mine.”

“Jarrod wants to see Heath and he said that he will know if he is his brother,” she told her husband. “So I think we should all go to Sacramento to see this little boy and if he is yours we’re going to bring him back here and raise him.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” he asked very concerned. “Won’t he be a constant reminder that I was unfaithful to you?”

“Yes I am,” she answered. “I don’t blame that little boy for any of this. It isn’t his fault. He needs a family to love and care for him. He needs his father and you’re his father.”

“All right,” he said nodding. “I agree. But I know you won’t trust me again.”

“That is probably true,” she replied. “But we have to be together for our boys.”

“I agree,” he told her.

“Jarrod!” Nick hollered as he walked into the house. “Are you up?”

“Yes,” he answered from his bedroom. “Come in here. I need to talk to you.”

“How are you?” Nick asked as he walked over to Jarrod’s bed.

“I’m doing better,” he answered as he stood up. “I want you to sit down beside of me.”

“All right,” Nick said as he sat down. “What’s this about?”

“Nick,” he began very calmly, “I have learned something about father that might not sit well with you.”

“What?” Nick asked curious.

“It seems that when father was in Strawberry,” he answered looking at his brother, “that he was rescued by a woman. She has since died but that’s not all of the story.”

“What else?” Nick asked not liking Jarrod’s expression.

“It seems that there may be a son,” he answered looking at Nick’s face before continuing. “None of us are sure that this two-year-old boy whose name is Heath is even father’s son so we’re all going to Sacramento to meet him and see.”

“What do you think about this Jarrod?” Nick asked his brother.

“I know that this mess is not Heath’s fault and I’m not going to hold it against him,” he answered nodding. “We need to show him that he is part of this family and that we love him.”

“I guess you’re right about that,” Nick said in agreement. “But what about father?”

“That will take some time,” he replied. “Mother and father will have to work this out first and then I think we can confront him with our feelings.”

“OK,” Nick told him. “I’ll do whatever you say. I wonder why father doesn’t love mother any more.”

“It’s not that he doesn’t lover her,” he said. “I believe that he does. I think that he made a mistake because he was so hurt. Maybe he thought he was dying or that he wouldn’t ever see us again. I just don’t know how he felt but I do believe that he still loves mother and us.”

“I see,” Nick replied smiling. “Jarrod, do you think we can make this Heath feel like part of the family?”

“It won’t be easy,” he told his brother. “But in time I think that Heath will accept us.”

“I hope so because I won’t be the baby anymore,” Nick said and laughed.

“And I’ll have two younger brothers to take care of,” he replied laughing too.

THE END