Loyalty
Interlude 11
by Lindabrit

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.

This story takes place some seven years after the episode Target and uses a character from that episode.

Part 1

There were three men waiting in the library for the doctor to complete his examination upstairs. The most impatient of them had practically dragged the doctor into the house upon his arrival, angrily waving aside all offers of refreshment for the weary medical man, who had traveled from San Francisco non-stop in answer to the urgently worded telegraphic summons.

Without ceremony, the doctor had been almost bodily propelled up the broad, curving staircase to the sickroom, he had not even been permitted to shed his coat and hat. The younger of the two remaining men in the library had made an initial attempt to intervene, but the elder had dissuaded him from the task with an understanding smile and a quick shake of the head. The young doctor would have welcomed a cup of hot coffee and the chance to shed his coat but he bowed to the inevitable and allowed himself to be hurried up the stairs and ushered into the bedroom where his unconscious patient lay, with a serene faced old black man in attendance upon him.

At that point the doctor had at last exerted his authority and had inexorably excluded from the sickroom, the man whose urgent summons had caused him to drop his own important cases at the infirmary where he did his highly respected work. He would, said the doctor, do the examination without further interference, or he would not do it at all.

For a moment they had locked gazes, the rancher's blazingly angry, the doctor's coolly implacable, then with the greatest reluctance, the older man complied and stormed from the room leaving the young physician and surgeon to smile blindingly at the waiting servant and say,

"Silas, it's good to see you old friend, how are you?"


"Mighty fine Sir and all the better for seeing you! I sure hope you can help this boy, he hasn't moved a single muscle since they carried him in here."

The young doctor nodded and trod purposefully to the bed, where the slender inert figure lay preternaturally still, barely seeming to breathe.

"Hand me my bag Silas, we'll begin the examination."

Of the three men now waiting in the library for news, by far the most patient was Jarrod Barkley. He sat relaxed in his favourite armchair, placidly sipping the generous measure of after dinner brandy handed to him by his younger brother Heath. I suppose, thought Jarrod, that my profession has taught me how to wait, I wait for juries to decide the fate of my clients, I wait for committees to decide if they like the proposals I've sweated to produce, I wait for legislators to push forward my ideas for reform, I've learned that patience is necessary, indeed vital to my endeavours.

The lawyer reflected that if his mother were at home she too would be displaying patience and exercising a calming influence on daughter Audra and son Nick as well. It was regrettable that both his mother and sister, were away on a visit to Denver, their presence would have been beneficial and for more reasons than their nursing skills.

Jarrod studied the outwardly calm demeanour of the younger of his two rancher brothers, Heath too appeared to be relaxed and patient, but Counselor Barkley knew him well enough to see beneath the mask of stillness to the underlying tension. I guess this young man's life experiences have compelled him to be patient, or at the very least to conceal his impatience, thought the lawyer.

Heath's youth had been blighted by poverty and made harder still by prejudice and unkindness. His experiences had taught him to hide his innermost thoughts from all but a trusted few and his quiet persona effectively hid his very intense feelings from everyone except those who knew him best. Looking at Heath now, Jarrod could discern that the rancher was deeply worried about the likeable young man who lay injured upstairs and even more worried about the possible reaction of the third man in the room, should the injured boy lose his fight for life.

Jarrod's eyes dwelt sympathetically on his other companion in this vigil. Nick Barkley, Heath's partner in running the ranch and the brother nearest in age to Jarrod himself, was a man to whom the concept of patience was an unknown and alien entity. He it was who had summoned the talented young doctor from San Francisco and then hauled that weary young healer directly to the sickroom without so much as a word of greeting. Jarrod understood why, the injured youngster was far more than just another ranch hand to Nick, he had a deep if unspoken loyalty to the boy and if this tragic accident resulted in death, Nick was going to be inconsolable.

Nick was reacting to the long wait for news in typical fashion, unable to sit still, he prowled restlessly around the room, his staccato movements morose and purposeless. The tension emanating from him was palpable and from time to time, small indications of his inner anxiety and rage bubbled to the surface as he kicked out at the rucked edge of the carpet, or set down his empty glass on the tray with a crash.

Neither of his brothers was surprised when the heavy silence in the room was pierced by Nick's fierce question,

"How much longer is he going to be?"

"I guess he's just being thorough Nick, you wouldn't want him rushing the examination now would you?"

Heath's voice was quietly soothing but an indeterminate growl was the only response he got from Nick.

Jarrod spoke with cool firmness, "you sent for him because he's the best in his field, he's answered your summons with admirable haste and he's now doing what you've asked him to do. The very least you can do is let him take the necessary time to examine the patient, You'll be the first to complain if he makes a misdiagnosis!"

Nick rounded on his elder brother and opening his mouth to flay the lawyer, searched his mind for any inaccuracy in what Jarrod had said. Failing to find any he shut his mouth again, reluctantly nodding to show he accepted what his brother was saying. Jarrod softened his tone,

"I know how concerned you are Nick, Heath and I feel just the same and I guess we're all three feeling pretty helpless right now. Just hang on to the fact that we've arranged for him to have the best possible care, the rest is out of our hands."

Heath's soft voice added, "Jarrod's right Nick, shouldn't be too much longer now."

The fair-haired rancher uncoiled himself from the settee and crossed to the drinks tray. He refilled Nick's glass and held out the drink to his older brother.

Nick eyed both his brothers for a moment, then he let out his breath in a long slow sigh, "I know, I know you're both right, I just feel..."
He broke off, unsure how to express the turmoil in his heart.

"It's all right Nick," said Jarrod gently, "no need to put it into words, we all feel the same way."

Nick flashed his eldest brother a grateful smile, it was never easy for the dark haired rancher to talk about his feelings and from their earliest childhood, Jarrod had understood this and often voiced Nick's thoughts on his behalf.

There was a distraction as the three men heard footsteps on the stairs and at once Nick strode purposefully from the library into the foyer. Heath was already following in Nick's wake as Jarrod rose from his chair and hurried to catch his brothers up. The person descending the stairs was Silas, with a bowl and cloth in his hands. Nick intercepted the servant at the foot of the stairs,
"Well?"

Impervious to both Nick's ferocious glare and sharp tone, Silas said with gentle dignity, "the doctor will be down in just a moment Mr Nick, I'm going to fix him a pot of hot coffee and some food."

He turned away from Nick's outraged expression and encompassed all three Barkleys in his affectionate smile,

"Any of you boys hungry?"

All three brothers declined refreshment, so Silas continued serenely on to the kitchen, thinking to himself that it was to be hoped that the young doctor would have some good news when he came downstairs with which to pacify Mr Nick!

Nick Barkley didn't return to the library, choosing instead to move into the living room, from where he could see the staircase and after a moment's hesitation his two brothers followed him. Jarrod poured fresh drinks for the three of them and willed the talented young doctor to hasten down the stairs and give them some much needed hope before Nick's temper was rubbed raw once more.

There came the sound of the sickroom door being softly closed and the doctor came lightly down the stairs. Jarrod smiled at the slightly built, almost absurdly youthful figure, it was hard to believe that in the three short years since he had qualified as a doctor, this young man had acquired a formidable reputation as a very gifted healer. He didn't look a day over twenty, though he had in fact recently celebrated his twenty seventh birthday.

As soon as the doctor showed his face in the living room Nick pounced on him,

"Well it's about time! What took you so long up there? How is he?"

Dr Eugene Barkley's normally amiable face wore an uncompromising frown and his pale blue eyes were as frosty as his tone as he fearlessly faced his older brother,

"Get your spurs off me Nick and do it now," he ordered in a voice of ominous quiet.

Nick's temper was rapidly reaching boiling point,

"What the devil do you mean by that?"

"I'll tell you what I mean," said Eugene with asperity, "what the hell am I doing here? That boy upstairs has suffered a crashing fall from a wild horse and he's hit his head. He's deeply unconscious, which is no more than you'd expect after a fall that hard and eventually he's going to wake up, end of story. I'd like to know what about any of that gives you the right to send for me and make me believe that it was a matter of life or death!"

Jarrod and Heath both expected Nick to erupt into fury but he ignored everything his youngest brother had said except the part that concerned the patient.

"You're sure?" He seized Gene's arm in an iron grip, "he's going to wake up, no doubt about it?"

Dr Barkley angrily shook off the grip on his arm, "you heard what I said," he answered flatly. A spurt of temper flared in his face, "if you don't trust my diagnosis, why bother to send for me at all?"

Relief had flooded through Nick Barkley at the good news and with it, his tension and anger drained away completely, he grinned at his little brother,

"Now take it easy Kid," he said in a much milder tone of voice and laying his hand pacifically on Eugene's shoulder.

To Nick's astonishment Eugene shoved him hard enough to make him stagger backwards, following this unexpected attack up with a finger jabbed into Nick's shoulder.

"That's Dr Kid to you Big Brother," he snapped, eyes flashing with anger.

Nick was so taken aback that for the moment he did nothing, neither did Heath, though he flickered a glance in Counselor Barkley's direction, expecting him to intervene. Jarrod fixed his youngest brother with a stern glare,

"That'll be enough Eugene!"

The irate young doctor rounded on the man who had once been his guardian and mentor,

"Damn right it'll be enough! How dare you?" his angry gaze swept all three of his brothers, "how dare all of you!"

Part 2

Jarrod's voice was sharp, "I'd think you'd better explain yourself...Doctor!"

The lawyer's ironic inflexion on the courtesy title of doctor was not lost on Eugene who instantly retorted,

I'd be glad to...Counselor!"

He crossed to the drinks tray and poured himself a stiff drink, tossing it back swiftly and refilling his glass. He turned back to his brothers and spoke more evenly,

"Let's start with the telegram," he extracted it from his breast pocket and read aloud, ‘come home at once. life or death injury. we need your skill. Nick.'

Nick Barkley was getting riled again, "So? What's wrong with that may I ask?"

Eugene nailed him with a fiery glare,

"You didn't think to tell me who was hurt? I spent the whole trip here, wondering who my patient was going to turn out to be, Mother? Audra? One of you three? Thanks a lot Nick!"

The dark-haired rancher had the grace to look uncomfortable, shuffled slightly and eventually nodded, "all right I'm sorry, I apologize for worrying you, I was concerned about the accident and I didn't think to tell you it wasn't one of the family. All right?"

Eugene wasn't appeased, "It's very far from all right," he pointed up the stairs, "that isn't a life or death injury, you got me here under false pretences!"

Heath intervened, "hold on a minute Gene, how were we supposed to know that? He hasn't stirred in almost two days, we thought he was in big trouble."

Gene was too annoyed to be mollified and he set his glass down hard,

"I wouldn't mind so much if it was someone important! I mean if it was one of your old timers, Sam, Bramah or Mac, I'd understand, but who is this boy anyway? He's too young to have been with you for very long!"

It didn't need the warning flash from Jarrod's vivid eyes to tell Heath to take action, the fair-haired rancher was already moving to block Nick's path as he lunged at Eugene with a roar of anger.

"Nick, no! Take it easy," urged Heath, bodily preventing Nick from reaching the young doctor.

Jarrod's face was grim with anger as he rapped, "enough Gene, not another word!"

The youngest Barkley subsided, it was obvious that his words had touched a nerve, though he didn't immediately see why. Nick shook himself free from Heath's grasp and turned abruptly for the stairs, saying,

I'm going upstairs to sit with him!"

Jarrod's glance flickered in Heath's direction in a clear signal that he too should make himself scarce. His brother took the hint, smiling slightly and saying,

"Excuse me too please?" Then he followed Nick up the stairs.


When Heath had gone, Jarrod poured more drinks for Gene and himself and handed a glass to his brother,

"Thank you for getting here so fast, it's no wonder you look exhausted, why don't we sit down?"

Eugene took the drink and seated himself on the settee. As Jarrod sat in an armchair, the young doctor spoke in a rueful tone,

"sorry I was so tetchy, you're right of course, I am tired and that wire had me scared for a while."

Jarrod smiled, "yes I'm sorry about that, I should have remembered Nick's inability to send an intelligible wire. I still have the one he sent me, when he'd been away from home for six months without a word and you'd run away from me in San Francisco. It was six words long and said ‘Eugene is in Mexico with me.' As if that explained everything!"

Gene laughed, "God that seems like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?"

"In terms of how you've turned your life around since then and achieved so much, it is a lifetime," said Jarrod with fond pride.

The two brothers shared reminiscence had relaxed the tension between them and Gene smiled contritely at his eldest brother,
"I'm sorry I ripped into you all, I guess I outnicked Nick!"

The lawyer grinned, "I certainly could see the family resemblance," he said drily.

Gene jerked his head in the direction of the stairs, "Jarrod, it's obvious that the injured boy means a lot to Nick, I didn't recognize him though, should I know who he is?"

"Well he's been around here for the last seven years or so, but of course you've been away at school for a lot of the time, so you may not have run across him."

Gene was puzzled, "seven years! How old is he for crying out loud, he can't be a day over twenty?"

"Actually he turned nineteen a week ago."

Gene shook his head, "you're telling me that boy has worked on this ranch since he was twelve years old?"

"Well in a manner of speaking he has, although Nick sent him to school too, he did odd jobs around here until he was old enough to finish his education and work full time for us. He's a handy young fellow, helps with the accounts and very good with horses."

Gene drained his glass, "I don't understand, is this youngster special in some way? Who is he Jarrod?"

The lawyer smiled and said softly, "oh he's special all right, the whole Barkley family owe an enormous debt to him, that injured young man upstairs is Steve Mendoza."

"Steve Mendoza? I don't think..." Gene broke off, frowning in thought, "The name sounds familiar but I can't just place it."

"No? All right let me try another name on you then, do you remember Joshua Hawks?"

"Joshua Hawks! The lunatic farmer who ran for office and did his best to wreck the reputation of the Barkleys in the process? I remember him all right. He'd have done it too if Nick hadn't stopped him!"

Jarrod nodded, "yes he would. He'd rigged up a charge of dynamite to kill everyone at the hearing where he was supposed to produce evidence against Father and if it had detonated the good name of this family would have been ruined and worse still, Mother would have lost her life."

Gene grinned, "Yeah but he reckoned without Nick! He went in there and shot him before he could escape. Old Nick came close to being blown up too, didn't he?"

The lawyer nodded, "yes that's true, but the only reason Nick figured out what was planned was because an intelligent young boy working at the hardware store alerted him to a suspicious transaction on the Barkley store account. That boy was Steve Mendoza."

Eugene leaned back in his chair, "no wonder Nick thinks so highly of him, I guess you could say he owes that boy his life."

"Nick certainly thinks so, he holds Steve in the highest possible regard, that's why he sent for you. I'm sorry if it wasn't necessary but we wanted to do our best for him and Doc Merar was pretty vague about Steve's chances."

"I can understand that, head injuries are often problematical and he wouldn't want to mislead you."

"But you think Steve will recover?" Jarrod pressed his youngest brother.

"Yes I think so, he's sleeping very deeply, but it's a natural sleep, his breathing isn't stertorous or laboured in any way. He has no fever of any kind and there are no indications of undue swelling or bleeding into the brain. But, like I said, head injuries are often problematic, so I'll stick around for a day or two and hopefully he'll wake up and I can put everyone's mind at rest about him."

Jarrod smiled affectionately at the young doctor, "what about your urgent cases at the Infirmary?"

Gene grinned, "I'll arrange cover, nobody's indispensable, not even me!"

Silas appeared and smiled at the youngest Barkley brother, "supper is all ready for you Doctor."

Gene rose to his feet, "much obliged Silas, I'm starved!" He smiled ruefully at Jarrod, "when I've eaten, I'd best go and make peace with the Old Bear!"

Jarrod laughed, looking at the humourous and confident young doctor, it was hard to recognize him as the troubled and insecure boy he had once been. He watched as Gene followed Silas to the dining room and sat back in his chair thinking about the youngest of his brothers, who he himself had raised for so many years.

Eugene's troubles had begun at the age of eleven when he had witnessed the murder of his father Tom Barkley, witnessed it at close quarters, for he had been standing beside Tom at the time. When he was found, his face was still spattered with his father's blood and it had been a long time before he had even begun to recover from the shock.

In the succeeding years, Gene had suffered from a lack of self esteem and his early college years had been marred by his misbehaviour and near disgrace. He and Jarrod had become estranged but the force of the lawyer's personality had prevailed and he had become reconciled with his troubled sibling. Ultimately, Jarrod had been able to help Eugene to shed the demons of the past and pursue his goals in a fresh approach to his life and future. He had succeeded beyond Jarrod's highest hopes and was now a gifted and highly respected doctor.

Jarrod was glad that Nick had sent for Gene, he fervently hoped that Doctor Barkley was right and Steve Mendoza would soon be on the road to recovery, but if there were to be any complications, as Gene had warned there might, it was good to know that expert help would be on hand. Jarrod had no doubt that Gene would succeed in making his peace with Nick, the young doctor understood his older brother's capacity for loyalty and would realize how much Steve's recovery meant to Nick. Not only Nick, thought Jarrod, every member of the Barkley family owes a debt to that young man, for the life of Victoria Barkley and the good name of the Barkley family.

Part 3

The sun was just rising as Gene finished the last of his medical notes and he laid aside his journal and pen. He yawned, stretched and uncoiled himself from the chair. He opened the heavy curtains and blinked in the watery sunshine. He turned as the door softly opened and Heath Barkley came in dressed for work.

"Any change?"

"No, he hasn't stirred all night."

"I'll sit with him until Nick wakes up if you like."

"Thanks, I could use some more sleep, call me if he wakes though."

Gene went out and Heath dropped into the chair, looking compassionately at the still figure in the big bed. Steve was a very special boy, it would be too bad if they couldn't save him, a poor reward for what he had done for the Barkleys. Heath could remember the face of the farmer turned politician Joshua Hawks.
A compelling face in repose, but Heath remembered it distorted with hate and with a touch of insanity in the glittering eyes.

Hawks had started out with a plan to blacken the reputation of Tom Barkley as a device to help him gain public office. His plan had succeeded beyond his own expectations and he had gone further than his original plan, to the point where he had to prove his allegations or lose everything. In a flamboyant and murderous resolve to triumph he had agreed to produce his evidence to a specially convened committee.

His associates had planted a charge of dynamite in the cellar of the building, where the meeting was to be held, the detonation, timed to wipe out the committee and cover up the lack of evidence. Victoria Barkley had attended, intent on clearing her late husband's name, had the plan succeeded, she would have been destroyed as surely as the reputation of her family.

Nick Barkley's personal courage had foiled Hawks at the eleventh hour, Nick himself had barely survived the blast, but thanks to him, his mother and all the other occupants of the building had been unscathed. Just as importantly, Hawks so-called evidence had been proved non-existent. None of it would have been possible without Steve Mendoza's intelligence and quick wits, the boy had alerted Nick to the dynamite transaction, cunningly purchased on the Barkley ranch account to implicate the family in the crime. Without Steve, Nick would never have pieced the plot together in time to thwart it.

Two hours after Heath Barkley began his vigil, the door opened to admit Nick Barkley. He looked a lot better for a few hours sleep and greeted Heath with a low voiced apology for sleeping later than he had intended.

Heath waved the apology aside, "you needed your rest, you've barely left Steve's side since the accident."

"What about you?" retorted Nick, "doing all the work on the ranch, while I kick my heels here?"

Heath's blue eyes were guileless, "no change there Big Brother!"

He smoothly dodged Nick's retaliatory action and was about to leave the room, when the attention of both men was drawn to the bed as Steve Mendoza's body began to shake uncontrollably, the injured man's head lashed from side to side in a frenzied fit and his whole body convulsed in a spasm of movement.

Nick leapt for the bed, grating, "get Gene, quick!"

Heath was gone on the words, returning moments later with a fully dressed and alert Doctor Barkley beside him. Nick was struggling desperately to keep Steve's body still, but as soon as Gene entered the room the young doctor shouted urgently to his brother.

"No! Let him be Nick, don't hold him down!"

Eugene strode to the bed, bodily pulling Nick away from the fitting patient. For a few seconds Nick struggled to break free of Gene but the doctor spoke again.

"Listen to me Nick! Don't hold him down or you'll likely break his neck, just stand at the side of the bed and don't let him fall off!"

Gene's eyes sought and found Heath, "get round the other side of the bed, don't let him fall off!"

Heath obeyed instantly. Nick stood beside the bed looking on in helpless agony as Steve Mendoza's body thrashed and writhed on the bed as the fit ran its course. As soon as the convulsions subsided
Gene gently moved Nick aside, saying softly,

"Let me look at him now Nick."

Heath came to stand beside Nick and they waited as their younger brother made a thorough examination of the patient. At length, Gene stood up and faced the two ranchers.

Nick's voice was quiet but urgent, "what the hell happened to him?"

"He had a fit, it's not uncommon in head injury patients but it's vital not to try and restrain them when it occurs, I've known men's necks to be broken in such cases."

"Why didn't you warn us it might happen?"

Nick's whispered question was deadly with menace and Heath laid a restraining hand on his arm, squeezing it with gentle but warning pressure.

Gene's blue eyes were sympathetic, "these things aren't predictable Nick, he might never have had a fit, I can't warn you about every possible symptom."

Heath asked a question before Nick could interrupt. "Is it serious, has he taken a turn for the worst?"

"Not necessarily no."

Nick turned away in frustration, "for God's sake! Can't you give a straight answer to a straight question?"

Gene was unruffled, "I'm sorry Nick but I don't have any unqualified answers for you."

He moved to face his formidable elder brother once more and spoke with frank gentleness.

"Tell me this Nick, when you treat one of your horses for a leg injury, can you tell right away if it will be as good as new or do you have to watch and wait and see how the injury responds?"

A tiny smile curved Heath Barkley's lips as he saw the arrested expression in Nick's stormy hazel eyes.

Nick glared at Eugene, "you have to wait of course," he snapped.

"Exactly," said Doctor Barkley, "and when one of your prize mares drops a foal, can you tell straight off if it's going to be a champion too or do you have to monitor it's progress as it develops?"

A reluctant grin dawned, "all right Doctor, all right, you made your point," conceded Nick, his face sobering again as he glanced at the bed again.

Doctor Barkley relented, "I'm sorry boys," he said encompassing both his brothers in his gentle smile, "I'm not being deliberately vague, but this fit may be no more than an isolated incident or it could mean that Steve will be subject to them from now on, only time will tell me that."

Nick was appalled, "when you say from now on, you mean for the rest of his life?"

"Maybe Nick, I've known cases where the fits were triggered by an injury like Steve's, even though the patient never had one before." He squeezed Nick's shoulder, "but we're getting ahead of ourselves, It's early days yet. I'm going to stay here until I know exactly what's going on with Steve and I can determine how best to help him."

Gene crossed to the bed and stood looking down at the now quietened figure, he spoke with soft voiced intensity.

"This young man saved Mother's life and the good name of each and every one of us. More than that, he protected the reputation of my beloved father." Gene glanced at Nick and Heath, "you did right to summon me home Nick, we owe this boy a debt we can never repay and whatever it takes to get him well, we'll do between us all."

Nick and Heath both smiled gratefully at the youngest Barkley,

"Whatever it takes," echoed Nick and Heath nodded agreement.

Part 4

Later on in the morning, Silas brought coffee up to the sickroom and Nick and Eugene sat together drinking it. Gene was curious to know the rest of Steve Mendoza's history and how he came to be working for the Barkleys so he asked his brother for the full story.

Nick smiled reminiscently, "he was just the skinny kid that worked in George Dixon's hardware store, I can't honestly say I paid him much attention. He seemed a nice enough kid, honest and hard- working but I knew next to nothing about him really. Then he was sharp enough to realize there was something shady about that dynamite sale and quick-witted enough to tell me about it and it saved mother's bacon and all the rest of it. He didn't even get anything out of me for his trouble, all I had time to do was touch him on the shoulder and say thank you!"

Nick drank some of his coffee, "when it was all over it was a while before I got around to seeing him again, I gave him a few dollars and he took it willingly enough but I wanted to do more for him if I could, so I asked George about him. George told me that Steve was only twelve, he was tall for his age and I'd thought he was older. His father was a Mexican vaquero who died young, leaving his wife and son destitute. Mrs Mendoza came from Stockton so she came back here, although she didn't have any family to turn to for help. She was a sickly sort of a woman, pretty much an invalid and she couldn't get work.

Steve took himself out of school and looked for a job himself. He was so young, George was the only person who'd take him on so the boy worked in the store. George paid him what he could but even so Mrs Mendoza and Steve were barely making ends meet. I talked to Steve once I knew all this and told him I'd put him through school and take care of his mother too."

Doctor Barkley smiled, "he must have been so pleased and thankful," he commented.

Nick laughed, shaking his head, "you'd think so wouldn't you, but not a bit of it!"

Gene's expression was puzzled, "you're kidding me!"

Nick leaned back in his chair, mind roaming back over the years, "no, I remember it like it was yesterday. He'd always been a respectful kid and I was standing there with a fatherly hand on his shoulder, telling him he and his Ma didn't have a thing to worry about and he lost his temper like you wouldn't believe!"

Gene was laughing, "tell me," he begged.

Nick was laughing too, "believe it or believe it not, he put both hands on my chest and shoved me so hard I hit the shop counter and almost fell over."

Gene was entranced, "he shoved you? He must have a lot of guts!"

Nick grinned, "what he has is a real Mexican temper! He told me his Pa was a proud man who never took charity in his life and he wasn't about to either. I couldn't budge him at first, I had to agree in the end to let him work weekends and evenings at the ranch, it was the only way he would agree to finish his education."

"Every evening and weekends too, the kid must have been on his knees with all that and school as well?"

Nick was indignant, "well of course not! I didn't let him work too hard, I used to let him ride to his heart's content, Steve loves horses almost as much as I do!"

"Sorry Nick," said Gene smiling affectionately at his brother, he remembered the countless hours he himself had spent with the kindly Nick, learning all manner of boys pursuits, hunting, fishing and the like. Nick had always had a great affinity with kids and Gene could imagine how hard his brother had tried to make the hard-working and principled Steve's life as easy as possible.

Nick glanced at the still figure in the bed, "he was a real good kid, never late, never surly, worked his tail off if I didn't watch him. Mother moved him and his mother into the cottage but she was a real sick woman. She died when Steve was fifteen. I told him he was moving into the house with me and keeping on with his schooling, I said I'd put him through college too, he's a bright boy you know."

Gene nodded, "yes, so Jarrod said, did Steve agree to live here in the house with you? I don't remember him being here."

Nick smiled into the past, "he did not! He told me he was old enough and able enough to take care of himself. I told him to quit play- acting and pack his gear, while I had a room prepared for him. When I went back to the cottage, he'd packed his gear and gone."

"Gone, gone where?"

Nick smiled reminiscently, "he'd moved himself into the bunk-house with the rest of the men. I was so mad at him, but he wasn't having it any other way."

"What kind of a reception did he get?"

"Oh most of the men liked him, he was a worker and they knew it. One or two would have picked on the boy but Mac kept an eye on him. I gave in about the bunk-house but I insisted on school for another year. After that he worked here full time and he has done ever since."

Gene wanted to know how Steve had sustained his head injury and asked tactfully if he had been trying to break a horse.

Nick's eyes clouded, "yeah he was, a wild bronc, way too powerful for him, he caught the brute on his own and he was determined to break him on his own too. I think the horse was going to be a gift...a gift for me. I wish I'd known what he was up to, I'd have put a stop to it!"

Gene said gently, "he must think a lot of you Nick."

Nick Barkley could never bear to have a hurt touched and he shrugged, saying gruffly, "yeah...well...the feeling's mutual." He looked at his brother, "I had to send for you, I had to do everything I could for him."

"I understand Nick, after that fit this morning I'm glad you did, I need to keep a close eye on him for a while."

Nick smiled proudly at the young doctor, "I'm grateful Gene, I hope you know that."

"No need Nick, if this young man doesn't deserve the loyalty of the Barkley family, I don't know who does."

The brothers were finishing their coffee when the second fit struck Steve Mendoza, Gene was beside the boy in seconds and this time Nick knew what to do and went to the other side of the bed. Standing ready to catch the flailing body if Steve looked to be in danger of falling out of bed.

Gene was intent upon his patient, eyes fixed on the boy, but he didn't touch him, just waited patiently for the fit to pass. He stiffened as there came a strangling choked cry from the bed and snapped,

"Nick, get my bag!"

Nick strode to the table and brought the bag to his brother. Gene grabbed it and ripped it open, scrabbling inside for something. He spoke urgently to Nick,

"Open his mouth for me Nick, break his jaw if you have to, but get it open!"

Nick demurred, "but I thought I wasn't to touch..."

"Do it Nick...now!"

Nick fought to get a grip on the thrashing Steve and achieving this, he used his long, powerful fingers to prise open the foam-smeared mouth. Gene was ready with tweezers and he probed deftly down Steve's throat, producing in swift succession, three teeth, which he dropped onto the quilt. As Gene succeeded in clearing the last of the obstructions in the throat, the fit abruptly ended and the twitching body subsided into stillness again.

Gene saw the shock in Nick's face and hastened to explain, "he was choking, he must have loosened those three teeth during the accident and this latest seizure sent them into his throat, it's all right now though." He smiled at Nick's horrified expression, "try not to worry, that sort of choking hardly ever happens, it's unlikely to occur again,

Nick wiped the sweat from his brow, why was he sweating when he felt cold inside? "If...if you hadn't been here," he croaked.

Doctor Barkley smiled, "I was here Nick and I always will be if my family or anyone important to my family need me, you can depend on me, on my loyalty, just like I could always depend on my big brothers when I was growing up."

Nick Barkley grinned at his younger brother and then glanced down at Steve, two very different boys but he was deeply proud of them both, proud too of his own part in making them into the men they had become.

Steve Mendoza awoke later the same day, he was confused and dazed and for a while totally bewildered about what had happened to him or how he came to be in the Barkley mansion, but it wasn't long before his aching head had cleared sufficiently for him to know what had befallen him.

He answered Doctor Barkley's gentle questions as fully as he could and Gene met the anxious gaze of his brother Nick and nodded reassuringly. Nick breathed a sigh of relief, evidently Gene was satisfied with the boy's answers, that was a good start. Nick himself was unusually quiet and restrained around Steve, not aggravating the young man's obvious aches and pains with any noise or ebullience. He stayed with him though, sitting beside the bed and smiling at Steve each time the young man opened his eyes.

Silas brought thick wholesome soup and fed it to Steve himself. The stubborn Steve put up a fight about being fed but Silas just pointed at Nick and said,

"Son, I've fed him against his will before today, you think you're gonna present any problem to me?"

So Steve gave in and took the soup from his gentle nurse, it was delicious and took away the nausea he had been suffering from. After a further sleep, he felt a good deal better and was able to sit up in bed again and give Nick a full account of his accident. He admitted that he had been keeping the wild horse secluded and attempting to break him alone and confirmed Nick's theory that the horse was destined to be a gift for Nick himself.

Steve proved reluctant to divulge exactly how the accident had occurred and at first Nick thought this was memory loss due to the injury but when he talked with Doctor Barkley, Gene told him Steve's recollection of the actual accident was sharp and clear. Resting his shrewd hazel gaze on his young protege, Nick came to the conclusion that something had happened, something he didn't want Nick to know about.

With uncharacteristic forbearance, Nick didn't try and worm the details out of Steve, truth to tell, he was still worried about the boy and didn't want to run the risk of making his condition any worse. Nevertheless he was a man who liked things clear and he was determined to get at the truth some other way. So when Steve fell asleep again in the early evening, Nick softly left the sick room and made his way to the Barkley bunk-house.

Most of the hands were sitting idly around the big table waiting for the cook to produce their supper, one or two of the newer hands came respectfully to their feet when Nick entered, the longer serving hands did not, knowing he didn't stand on any ceremony. Nick's stern gaze swept the room, and though he spoke loud enough for all the hands to hear, there was a quiet and ominous edge to his voice, which was not lost on the men who knew their boss well.

"Some of you may like to know that Steve Mendoza has woken up, I'm not sure yet that he's going to recover as well as I would like, but he's not going to die anyway."

Nick's iron hard gaze searched the attentive faces for any signs of guilt and he thought he saw a flash of shame cross the features of another young Barkley protege, Lud. Heath Barkley had taken Lud under his wing after the boy had been accused of murder and under Heath's training he had become an excellent line-rider and a good member of the Barkley team.

Nick raised his voice a little, "any of you men know exactly how young Steve came to fall and hit his head?"

There was no reply, but Lud's ready blush deepened to a purple stain that suffused his neck and face. In a different mood, Nick would have hauled him off and extracted the truth from him by rough and ready means, but this young man was as much Heath Barkley's protege as Steve was Nick's and Nick didn't want to upset Heath. So he left the bunk-house and returned to the Barkley mansion to tell Heath what he suspected.

Part 5

Heath heard Nick out in his usual unemotional fashion, sitting on the edge of the table in the living room, arms crossed and frowning as he turned the matter over in his mind. At length, he looked up, met Nick's gaze and said simply,

"it doesn't make any sense."

Nick bridled instantly, "I TOLD you what I saw, he reacted the same way you did when Mother caught you sneaking in here at dawn the night you got drunk at the Haskins party!"

Heath was unruffled, "take it easy Nick, I didn't say you were wrong, just that it makes no sense. Lud and Steve hardly know each other, their paths don't cross much, Lud being a line-rider and all, he's missing most of the time and I've never heard tell of those boys having a falling out."

"Well...me neither I guess, but I'm telling you Heath, Lud knows something about all this and I aim to find out just what!"

Heath stood up and said firmly, "leave it to me Nick, I'll talk to Lud myself."

It was what Nick had expected his brother to say and he assented readily. Heath went out in search of Lud and found him hanging around outside the barn. The ready blush flamed again in Lud's cheeks,

"I was just coming to find you...it...well it's about Steve Mendoza, it's kind of my fault he had the accident with the bronc. I guess you'll be firing me huh?"

Heath shook his head, "not without hearing the full story, why don't we walk over to the paddock?"

The rancher and the line-rider strolled to the sheltered meadow behind the barn, where the Barkleys kept a few of their own retired horses and one or two old animals they had acquired through various means. One of these was Jenny, the elderly mule once owned by the gold prospector that Lud had been accused of killing. Lud owed his freedom to the evidence found in Jenny's saddlebags, evidence pieced together by Jarrod and Heath Barkley and used to clear the innocent Lud.

Lud had been grateful enough for his freedom, he hadn't expected a job as well, but that was what Heath Barkley had given him. Lud had the same strong sense of personal loyalty to Heath as Steve Mendoza had to Nick, it was the reason the two young men had locked horns with one another in the first place, each contending that their Barkley hero was the better man. Lud wasn't looking forward to trying to explain this stupid rivalry to Heath, but he thought he had better get to it.

Heath heard him out in silence and then delivered a short, pithy and very cutting lecture on the foolishness of trivial feuds. Lud listened in abashed misery, awaiting his inevitable dismissal. No dismissal was forthcoming, instead Heath fixed him with an arctic glare and said sternly,
"do you see Nick and me clashing heads that way, trying to best each other all the time?"

"No Sir I...I guess not," said Lud quietly.

"You're damn right we don't," said Heath sharply, mentally putting aside the weeks following his arrival in the valley, when he and Nick had done precisely that. He eyed the crestfallen Lud in cold silence for long enough to make the boy squirm, then he said sternly,

"if you're standing there waiting for me to fire you, it ain't going to happen, but you and Steve Mendoza are going to have to find a way to work alongside each other as a team, the same way my brother and I do, if you don't, then both of you are going to be riding out of the Barkley ranch for good, clear?"

Yessir!" Lud could hardly believe that he had escaped with his job intact and he fervently assured Heath that he would make every effort to work amicably with Steve Mendoza in the future. He ventured to ask a diffident question,

"is...is Steve gonna be all right?"

Heath was honest, "don't know for sure yet, he may not recover completely, it's too soon to tell yet."

"If there's anything I can do to help him, I will," said Lud quietly.

Heath knew Nick would be incandescent when he learned the truth, but he saw no way to avoid telling him, so he went indoors and broke the news without delay.

Nick reacted with predictable and vehement wrath, "I want him out of here!"

Heath had been ready for this demand, "why?"

"What do you mean why? According to you he taunted Steve into trying to break that ornery horse, a horse you and I agree is unbreakable!"

"And their rivalry with each other doesn't remind you of anyone?"

"No! Why should it?"

Heath's calm question and Nick's denial betrayed the watching Eugene and Jarrod into open laughter, causing Nick to turn in their direction,

"What's amusing you two?"

Jarrod looked at Gene, "are you amused about something Doctor?"

Gene grinned, "no Counselor, are you?"

Nick's hot gaze swiveled in Heath's direction again, Heath's blue eyes were as innocent as a babe's but Nick was not deceived, reluctantly he laughed,

"all right, all right, they're butting heads just like we did a good few years ago, what of it?"

Heath's lop-sided smile dawned, "well like us they'll probably grow out of it."

Nick looked into Heath's eyes, I guess maybe those two boys could turn into a pretty good team one of these days huh?"

The smile was returned, "I think so Big Brother!"

Doctor Barkley spoke quietly, "I don't want to be too pessimistic gentlemen, but it may be that Steve is going to need to be a part of a team in the future."

Nick's vulnerable eyes were fixed on Gene, "you think he's going to keep having the fits don't you?"

Gene was honest, "well he's had four all together so far, the chances are that though the frequency will diminish, yes, he will continue to have fits for the rest of his life."

Jarrod frowned, "what does that mean in terms of his work Gene? I would think he won't be busting broncs any more."

Gene shook his head, "you're exactly right, he would need to be doing something relatively peaceful and non-violent and the important thing is that he shouldn't be alone too much."


The germ of an idea was starting to form in Heath Barkley's mind, he turned and headed for the door,

"where are you off to?" demanded Nick.

"I need another word with Lud," answered Heath.

Nick came to the fireplace to join his other two brothers and said ferociously, "what the devil is he up to now?"


Jarrod Barkley slapped Nick's back, "doubtless you'll find out soon enough Nick old boy!"

Gene said, "Nick, do you want me to explain what his future is going to be like to Steve tomorrow?"

Nick shook his head firmly, "no, I want you to explain it to me tonight and I'll talk to Steve myself in the morning."

Doctor Barkley nodded, "it'll be better coming from you."

Part 6

The next day, Nick had a short talk with his protege, Steve was apologetic about the amount of trouble he was putting his boss to and Nick told him firmly to cut it out.

"Now you listen to me Boy, it was a mighty kind thought, you wanting to give me that horse, it ain't your fault he turned out loco, I've had the same happen to me a time or two believe me!"

The rancher scrutinized the tired face of his young friend, "I'm going to leave you to rest soon, but I need to tell you what my brother the doctor says about your condition first."

As gently as he could, Nick explained to Steve that in future he would have to lead a comparatively quiet life, no bronc busting or undue excitement. Steve listened attentively but without comment until Nick said,

"The main thing is that you can't take any long trips by yourself, you need to have a friend around in case you need help."

Steve jerked himself more upright and gripped the bedclothes in agitated fingers, "you mean I need a damn nursemaid!"

"No, that isn't what I'm saying at all..."

"Yes it is! I'm supposed to be going with Bramah on his horse purchasing trips, he said you were happy for him to train me to take over from him in a few more years."

I am happy about that..."

"How can I do that if I can't go to a simple horse sale alone?"

Nick pressed the distressed boy back against his pillows, "take it easy Steve, time enough to think through these little wrinkles when you're fully recovered, right now you need to get well."

"I'm going to leave when I'm fit to ride, I...I'm no use to you like...like this!"

Nick tried to keep his voice calm and even, "there's no need for that, we'll work something out, try not to worry."

Steve tried to interrupt once more and Nick said more firmly, "I said that'll be enough Steve! Now you do like I say and get some rest, I'll look in on you later."

Steve subsided and rather wearily closed his eyes, Nick patted the boy's shoulder and went softly out of the room. When he had gone, Steve Mendoza opened his eyes again, they were wet with unshed tears now, he had stayed in this wonderful place for the last seven years, accepting all the kindness Nick Barkley had shown him.

He had been given all that he needed, work, some education, a place to belong and he had gladly accepted these things, salving his conscience by working hard and doing his best. But now? Steve was not a young man who could bear to be a burden on anyone, now he saw no help for it, as soon as he could ride, he must leave the Barkley ranch and make his way alone. The prospect was a bleak one but his pride would permit of no other course of action.

Nick and Heath Barkley rode in to the compound outside the barn about lunchtime. Both needed to look at the boundary maps in the study and arriving at this hour was a guaranteed way of obtaining an appetizing lunch from Silas, as opposed to hard tack in the saddle.

The old retainer didn't let them down and the brothers tucked in to baked ham and potato salad, apple pie and cream, all washed down with cider pressed from Barkley apples. As they ate, Nick recounted his conversation with Steve to his brother.

"Trouble is Heath, I know that boy! He's likely to ride out of here and never come back, soon as he can sit a horse."

Heath's eyes held a lurking smile, "I reckon you and him get along so well because he's damn near as stubborn as you are."

"You may be right at that," said Nick ruefully.

Heath set his glass down, "I had a talk with Lud last night, I told him the situation Steve's in and he wants to help if he can."

Nick frowned, "I thought those two didn't get along."

"I don't think it's a case of that, more like Lud sees himself as my champion and Steve sees himself as yours, I reckon if they got to know each other better they might quit fighting and turn into a pretty good double-act."

Nick was thoughtful, "I guess they might, after all we did!"

After lunch. Heath and Nick talked with Lud and it was agreed between the three men that Lud himself would talk to Steve later in the day. Heath set off back to the men and the herd and Nick harnessed the buggy, ready to take Eugene to the station in Stockton to catch a train back to his overdue work at the San Francisco Infirmary.

When Gene emerged from the house, the buggy was at the door and he blinked in surprise when he saw Nick at the reins.

"You're driving me to Stockton yourself?"

"I am Doctor," grinned Nick, "least I can do when an important man like you comes to stay with us cowboy folk."

Gene shook hands with Silas and gratefully accepted a basket of food for the train. He jumped in and Nick set the horse in motion.

"You've seen Steve again?"

"Yes I've answered all his questions and he knows how to get hold of me if he's worried about anything."

"And his medicine, did you arrange with Doc Merar about all that?"

"Yes Nick I did, this is the third time I've told you so, stop worrying, will you, Steve's going to be all right."

"Did I thank you, for all you've done?"

Gene's smile was full of affection, "yes Nick you did, several times over,"

Nick waited with his youngest brother until the train was about to depart then he stood with him as Gene gave his ticket to the conductor and handed his bag over for stowing. The young doctor turned to his brother,

"Take care of yourself Nick, it was good to be home for a while."

Nick drew his little brother into a hug and held him close for a moment, "you take good care of yourself and get your tail on home a bit more often you hear?"

"I will Nick, I promise."

" Thank you for everything Gene," said Nick with quiet sincerity.

"No thanks necessary Nick, if my family need me again, you just holler all right?"


Nick Barkley didn't stop waving until the train had pulled clean out of sight, then he strode from the station back to the buggy. He was eager to be home again, he was still afraid that Steve would insist on leaving, only Lud could now prevent that by talking Steve into the scheme Heath Barkley's ingenious brain had hatched up. Nick hoped and prayed that Lud could pull it off, Heath had been right in his theory that Nick saw something of his own stubborn nature in Steve, Nick wanted his protege to stay and he was hoping against hope that he would do so.

To the satisfaction of Silas, Steve managed to eat a good lunch and he took the black man's advice and settled down to sleep through the afternoon. He woke up as the sun was beginning to set and sat up in bed, gingerly touching his bandaged head, the powders Doctor Barkley had given him were certainly helping with the pain. He wished his spirits were in as good a shape, he couldn't remember ever feeling so low before, not even when his mother had died.


Back then, he had still had his job and a home of sorts, but he had made up his mind not to stay here and be a burden to the Barkleys in light of what he now knew from Nick about his condition.

The future seemed to stretch before him, bleak and lonely and he knew an urge to cry like a baby. He suppressed it as the door opened and to his surprise Lud walked in.

"Hey Steve, how're you doing?" asked Lud sheepishly.

"I've been better I guess," said Steve with a wan smile, "what can I do you for?"

"I just wanted to say I was real sorry about the fall you took, I was a damn fool urging you on to ride that sorry horse!"

Steve shook his head, then wished he hadn't as a sharp pain reminded him he was an injured man, "it wasn't your doing, I was set on breaking him anyway, don't worry about it."

"Lud sat beside the bed, "I told the Barkleys about my part in it, I thought Heath might fire me but he didn't. What he did say was that you and me got to work together as a team from now on, or we're both likely to get fired."

Steve's eyes were shadowed with pain and loss, "no need for you to concern yourself over that either, I'll be leaving when I'm on my feet again."

Lud said quietly, "The bosses said you were set on that, mind telling me why?"

"The way Doctor Barkley tells it I'm going to be a burden on account of my accident, I ain't sticking around here for people to pity, I'll make my own way."

"The way I've heard it you could wind up dead if you're not within reach of help."

"That's my affair," said Steve flatly.

Lud leaned forward, "listen Steve, Mr Heath's been talking to me about your situation, he's come up with a plan I reckon will work pretty good."

"This has nothing to do with Heath Barkley, why should he concern himself with me?"

"It ain't you he's concerned about, it's his brother."

Steve turned puzzled eyes on Lud, "Nick? I don't understand."

Lud smiled, "seems you rate mighty high in Nick Barkley's estimation, Heath thinks Nick'll be cut up if you leave."

Steve closed his eyes to hide his sudden emotion, when he opened them again he said, "what is this plan anyway?"

Lud talked for perhaps ten minutes and when he was done, Steve lay in thought for a few minutes more. When he spoke again, his voice was stronger and more positive, with a distinct note of hope.

"So, you and I would go out line-riding as a team and that way we could do more of the repairs than you can alone."

Yep, I do what I can, but any time it's a two man job, we have to send out a team to do it later. This way, we can clear all except the biggest jobs."

"Did the Barkleys say anything about the horse sales and Bramah?"

"Yeah, they're going to let us both go with him, we can take care of him and learn from him and when he retires the job passes to us."

Steve glared defensively at Lud, "and it's all right with you, the... the...babysitting!"

Lud had been warned by Heath and Nick that this would be on Steve's mind. He spoke tactfully, "the doctor told me what to do if...well if you have one of those spells, it ain't much for one friend to do for another."

Steve's searching gaze scanned Lud's honest face, "are we friends?"

Lud met his gaze squarely, "I think we could be, I'm willing to give it a try if you are."

Steve said, "the friendship Nick and Heath have, it'd be really something to have a friendship like that wouldn't it?

Lud nodded, "I reckon it would, so do we give it our best shot?"

Steve extended his right hand, "I'd like to Lud."

Lud shook the offered hand, "I'll tell the bosses we're a team."

When Lud reported the success of his mission, he was amply rewarded by the grateful smile he got from Heath Barkley and the friendly buffet on the back he received from Nick.

"Good work Lud," beamed Nick, "you sure it's all right with you working as a team with Steve?"

"Yes Sir, it's fine and my mother said Steve can stay with us too."

Heath said quietly, "a family home, just what Steve needs, well done Lud."

Before he turned in that night, Nick Barkley visited his protege and was pleased to see that the settling of his future had brought about an improvement in his young friend's condition.

"Well now Boy, you're starting to look almost human," smiled Nick

""I'm real grateful for all that you've done for me, I don't deserve it," said Steve humbly.

"You surely do Young Man! Listen to me Steve, it's all about loyalty. You were loyal to me seven years ago and you enabled me to save my mother's life. That was the most important thing you could possibly do for us but you also saved this family's good name. Since then, I've tried to return that loyalty by taking care of you. My brother dropped his urgent work and came home here to treat your injury because I said I needed him, loyalty again you see. You and Lud locked horns out of your separate loyalties to me and Heath, loyalty is an important thing."

Nick stood up and drew the quilt up over Steve, he smiled at the boy he had come to admire and trust and for whom he had an avuncular affection.

"That's enough speechifying from me, you get some rest, by the time you're fit to ride, there should be plenty of broken fences on this ranch! Good night Steve."

"Good night Nick and thanks for teaching me about loyalty, I won't forget it."

THE END