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
short piece is linked into the episode Judgement in Heaven and explores the
relationships that Heath is building with his brothers Nick and Jarrod.
This short piece is linked into the episode Judgement in
Heaven and explores the relationships that Heath is building with his brothers
Nick and Jarrod.
Whenever Heath Barkley had something on his mind and felt a need for a little
solitary reflection, he usually contrived to find himself a job he could do by
himself in some remote corner of the ranch. He would ride away from his brother
Nick and the rest of the men and while working industriously to carry out
whatever task he had appointed himself to, he would use the time alone to think
through his problem and try to come up with a solution.
In the very early days of their relationship, Nick had found Heath's propensity
for slipping away in this fashion irritating, but as his knowledge of his
newest brother deepened and grew, Nick began to understand why Heath found it
necessary. Jarrod had helped him to come to terms with this closed off aspect
of Heath's personality, reminding Nick that Heath had grown up relying only on
himself and was used to mulling his troubles over privately.
"Well he doesn't have to do that now!" Nick had exploded, "he
has us, we're his brothers and what's more we're his older brothers, he should
come to us, same as Audra and Gene do!"
"Perhaps he will in time," Jarrod had patiently answered, "but
neither you nor I can force his confidences from him, it has to be his decision
and we need to allow him to gradually learn that he isn't alone in the world
any more."
Jarrod had proved to be correct, Heath had slowly learned to confide in and
trust both of his older brothers, but there were still times when the quiet
cowboy liked to think things over and today was one of those times. He had told
Nick at breakfast that he was going up to a distant part of the range to repair
a piece of fence and Nick had accepted it without a blink.
Heath had smiled inwardly, time was, Nick would have argued about it, insisted
they send someone else or demanded to know what was bothering Heath. It was a
testament to how far their relationship had come that he no longer argued, just
accepted what Heath said without comment.
Riding Charger up through the pasture to the area of broken fence, Heath had
the solitude and the peace he needed to think about the events of yesterday,
when Counselor Barkley had arrived home from Stockton just as Nick and Heath
were erecting the Christmas tree in the living room. Jarrod had not been alone
either, he had, as he smilingly informed the family, brought them a house-guest
for Christmas.
Heath grinned and pulled Charger's sensitive ear as he rode, the visitor was no
ordinary house-guest, that much was plain. Pretty enough, but dressed in the
roughest of clothes and sassy as hell with it. Maybelle Williams was Jarrod's
latest client and he had brought her home with him in order to avoid the poor girl
having to spend Christmas in Stockton jail.
Victoria Barkley had greeted the inclusion of Maybelle in her Christmas
household with admirable calm and had spoken graciously enough to the girl.
Audra had been a little undiplomatic perhaps, but Heath knew his sister's
capacity for compassion and didn't doubt that she would be kind to the girl
too.
Looking at Maybelle's hostile scowl and determined posture, Heath had known
that she would prove troublesome, he could foresee sparks flying and wondered
if Counselor Barkley knew what he had undertaken when he told the judge he
would assume responsibility for this wildcat!
From the moment when he sensed the stiffening of Nick's tall figure beside him
as they stood looking at the new guest, Heath had known something was up. He
had waited for the problem to surface, which had happened as soon as Audra had
taken Maybelle upstairs to settle in.
Nick had instantly taken Jarrod to task for bringing Maybelle to the ranch. It
was the first time Heath had ever heard of the outlaw Billy Joe Gaines and from
Nick's angry words it became clear that the erring Maybelle was the mistress of
this outlaw. Heath listened intently as Nick explained that his friend Dave
Ross, a teller at the Stockton Cattlemens bank had been shot and killed by
Billy Joe Gaines a year before, just a short time before Heath had arrived to
claim his birthright.
Heath had turned puzzled eyes on his eldest brother, why on earth had Jarrod
brought home with him a woman, a criminal, who was in league with a outlaw who
had murdered Nick's friend? It seemed needlessly unkind to expect Nick to
extend a welcome to Maybelle Williams in these circumstances.
Almost as soon as he asked himself this question, Heath knew the answer. Jarrod
was...well Jarrod was Jarrod. He had felt a compassionate impulse to rescue a
young girl from a miserably lonely Christmas in a cell and he had done it
without hesitation, because he thought it was the right thing to do.
Heath had emulated Jarrod, when asked for his personal opinion on whether
Maybelle should be allowed to stay or not, he had sided with Nick against her,
because it seemed the right thing to do. Heath hadn't been surprised when
Counselor's Barkley's eloquence had prevailed and Nick had reluctantly agreed
to Maybelle's presence in the house, but the decision had bothered him, for
Nick's sake.
Something else was bothering Heath too, he had several times found himself in a
position where he had to side with one of his two older brothers against the
other. Not in any serious dispute, for the Barkley brothers enjoyed a close
relationship with one another. Such clashes as they had tended to be
disagreements about some aspect of the Barkley business interests. Only
occasionally, was the dispute over a personal matter, such as this one,
Jarrod's decision to bring Maybelle home.
Heath had decided to back Nick, he could understand why his rancher brother
objected to sharing Christmas with the lover of the man who had murdered his
friend and so he had sided with Nick. Thinking the matter over, as he mended
the fence, Heath was uncomfortably aware that he more often than not did side
with Nick against Jarrod. It was not that he consciously tried to do so, he
always tried to consider any decision he was called upon to make rationally. He
liked to think that he was dispassionate and impartial, but whatever way you
came at it, there was no denying that he almost always wound up backing Nick.
This realization had prompted Heath's desire to spend some time alone today, he
wanted to think about two things. Firstly, there was the need to clear the air
with Jarrod, it troubled Heath that his eldest brother, whom he greatly
respected, might resent Heath's lack of support for his actions. Secondly,
Heath wanted to know more about Nick's friendship with the dead man, Dave Ross.
On the face of it, it seemed an unlikely friendship, for what did a prosperous
rancher have in common with a humble bank teller? Nick had spoken of the dead
man as a ‘very good friend' and Heath admitted to himself that he was curious
about this friendship. It was one of the many tiny mysteries that made up the
puzzle that was the Barkley family. It had not been easy for Heath, joining
this united and tightly knit clan as an adult and he badly needed all the insights
into the Barkley past that he could obtain.
His task accomplished, Heath vaulted lightly into Charger's saddle and headed
for home. He would, with luck, be served a handsome lunch by his good friend
Silas and he also hoped to find Counselor Barkley working in the study. Heath
wanted to talk to his eldest brother Jarrod, he felt instinctively that the
lawyer was the man to shed a little light on the issues bothering him.
Silas didn't let Heath down, he served the hungry rancher
with a substantial and delicious lunch and Heath polished it off with relish.
When he had finished his meal, he went in search of his eldest brother and
found him just where he had expected to, seated at the big desk in the study,
absorbed in legal paperwork. Jarrod was surprised to see either one of his
rancher brothers at home at this time of the day, but he was only too happy to
take a break from his work and brushed aside Heath's apologies.
"No problem Brother Heath, I have worked hard all the morning and an hour
after lunch, I am now entitled to coffee and conversation."
The brothers moved to the chairs set around the fireplace as Silas entered with
a tray of coffee. Jarrod poured and passed his brother a cup and saucer,
glancing shrewdly at the silent rancher as he did so.
"Something I can do for you Heath?"
Heath said quietly, "well since you mention it Jarrod, I would like to
talk to you about a couple of things."
Jarrod smiled affectionately at his younger brother, from Heath's first days at
the ranch the lawyer had encouraged the newcomer to consult him whenever he
felt the need to do so. He had always been willing to listen to any problem
Heath had, or to offer advice when it was asked for. At first, Heath had found
it difficult to open up, but the more he got to know Jarrod, the easier these
conversations became. For a long time now, he had relied upon the lawyer to be
his sounding board and it had been a major factor in the development of the
strong bond of trust that now existed between them.
Jarrod Barkley spoke amiably, "out with it Heath, what's on your
mind?"
"I wondered how you felt about my having taken Nick's part over Maybelle
staying with us," said Heath frankly.
Jarrod hid his surprise, "well that's rather academic isn't it? You and
Nick have allowed Maybelle to stay after all."
Heath's pale blue eyes were troubled, "yes I know, but just the same I had
a choice to make and I sided with Nick and not with you."
Jarrod kept his tone light and friendly, "well it wouldn't be for the
first time Heath."
Heath met the lawyer's gaze squarely, "that's pretty much my point really,
I've been thinking it over this morning and...it seems to me that I almost
always do side with Nick."
Jarrod tried to help his brother, "and perhaps you were wondering how I
felt about that?"
"I guess I was."
Jarrod chose his words with care, he knew that empty reassurance was not what
this extremely honest young man wanted, he would accept nothing less than the
plain unvarnished truth.
"Well I certainly don't resent it Heath, I've never taken it personally
and I think I know you well enough to know that you've never meant it
personally either. Your decisions have been reached honestly and they represent
what you believe to be right, I've always accepted that whatever conclusion you
came to was your honest opinion."
It was satisfying to the lawyer to see the relief in Heath's eyes, the
rancher's smile was grateful,
"Thanks Jarrod, that helps. I wouldn't want you to think I just
automatically agree with Nick because he and I work together."
"I've never thought that Heath. I know you feel a strong sense of loyalty
to Nick, it's totally natural that you should, you two are partners in running
the ranch and he's shared his power with you. I understand that you feel a need
to back him when you can."
Heath's smile was rueful, "Isn't it kind of rough on you though Jarrod? I
mean there are two of us and if Nick and I keep ganging up on you, doesn't it
put you at a disadvantage?"
Jarrod's vivid eyes gleamed with amusement, "ah you're forgetting that I'm
a wily attorney My Boy! I have my own devious methods of getting my way when I
need to."
Heath grinned, "I believe you Counselor!"
"As to Miss Maybelle," continued Jarrod, "I firmly believe that
she's not as bad as she's been painted, I hope we can have a pleasant Christmas
and that I'm proved right."
Heath had his doubts about Miss Maybelle but he kept them to himself and
instead moved the conversation to the second matter on his mind.
"Jarrod, do you think she is Billy Joe Gaines girl?"
"I expect so, but she's very young and I'd say under his influence as
well."
"I sided with Nick because of his friend at the bank."
Jarrod nodded, "yes, I thought that was your reason, Nick was pretty cut
up when Dave Ross died, they'd been friends a long time."
"Jarrod do you mind if I ask you about Dave Ross? I don't want rub open a
wound with Nick, but I admit I'm kind of curious about him."
The lawyer smiled, "you know the rules Heath, you can ask me anything you
want whenever you need to. I can understand why you're curious about Dave and
Nick, on the face of it, it's not the most likely friendship in the world is
it?"
"That's what I thought, I mean Nick's friends tend to be ranchers, it
didn't fit that Dave Ross was a bank teller."
Jarrod smiled inwardly, he had learned a good deal about his younger brother in
the year and more that Heath had been a member of the family. This quiet young
man needed to know as much as he could find out about his new life and his new
family. He had set about gathering the information he needed in his own
fashion, Jarrod knew all about the long kitchen conversations Heath had enjoyed
with Silas, the old man had helped his young friend as much as he could and
since Heath was an intelligent young man, he had rapidly assimilated a good
deal of knowledge about the Barkley family and its history in this valley.
Heath never missed an opportunity to add to his understanding of his family, so
it didn't surprise Jarrod that Heath was so curious about Dave Ross.
Jarrod let his mind roam back over the years, his smile reminiscent,
"You said just now that Nick's friends tend mostly to be ranchers, that's
not really true, he knows a lot of ranchers and he has many acquaintances
amongst them, but only one or two, men like Carl Wheeler are his actual
friends. To Nick, there's a world of difference between acquaintances and
friends, friends to Nick are not just people you know, they are people you care
deeply about, people you would give your all for."
Jarrod smiled at Heath, "that's why I know Nick considers you and I to be
his friends as well as his brothers, am I making sense?"
"Yes, I see what you mean. It wouldn't matter to Nick what a person did or
was, not if he decided to make them his friend. So how did Nick become friends
with Dave Ross?"
Jarrod smiled, "I actually witnessed their first ever
meeting. Nick and Dave were eight years old, I was twelve and we were all at
the Stockton Boys School together."
Heath frowned, "I thought you went to that swanky boarding school, St
Michael's."
"Not until I was fourteen, I was still in Stockton then. I was in the
schoolyard and I noticed Dave come out and down the steps. He had a diseased
hip and walked with a pretty bad limp all his life. It's the main reason he
worked at the bank, otherwise he would have followed his father into the army.
He was a tough, courageous little boy but I believe he was in constant pain
from the bad hip, not that he complained, but you could see the lines of
suffering in his face. It really wasn't the face of an eight year old, it was
old before its time.
His father was disgraced some way, I forget the details but he was booted out
of the army and from the sound of it he was lucky to stay out of prison. He
abandoned his wife and son soon after he left the army and Mrs Ross was forced
to seek work."
Father found her some sort of easy clerical work at one of his businesses and
paid her well, so she could keep Dave at school and live decently. Mother
admired her, she was a very devoted mother to Dave, he was always sickly and
under-sized, a legacy of the bad hip and she nursed him throughout his
childhood, with a less loving parent he might not have made it to adulthood.
Sorry, I'm digressing aren't I?"
Heath had been listening intently and he shook his head, "no, no not at
all, I want to know everything anyway. Go on Jarrod, please."
The lawyer thought to himself, what a good brother he is to Nick, he wants to
know all of this but without giving Nick the pain of dredging it all up. And
why does he want to know, so that he can understand Nick's feelings and not
trample them inadvertently.
"Well like I said, I witnessed the first meeting between Nick and Dave.
They had both been at the school for two years by then, but I honestly don't
think Nick had even noticed Dave before."
The lawyer laughed, "I guess the best description of Nick in those days
would be to say that he was a sort of human hurricane."
Heath smiled, "a pretty noisy hurricane, I'm guessing."
"Exactly right! He roared, fought and joked his way through life, he was
totally fearless and had so much energy he couldn't sit still for two minutes
together. Father used to get worn out licking him and he might as well not have
bothered for all the effect it had on Nick!"
Heath's eyes were full of laughter, "did he get in trouble a lot?"
"Only when he was awake! His saving grace was that he was a decent upright
boy at heart, he never did a mean thing in his life, he knew what was right and
wrong and his pranks never went beyond the line. He didn't tolerate bullies or
brutes and that in fact is how he met Dave.
Dave was using his cane to help himself down the steps and a couple of thugs
his own age kicked the cane away and sent him flying. He wasn't badly hurt,
just bruised and shocked, but there was enough pain in that boy's life already,
he didn't need any more. I saw what happened and I was on my way to help him
when Nicholas Nemesis descended on the perpetrators from nowhere and I wound up
having to pull him off them before he did them some lasting damage."
Heath grinned, "he does seem to like fighting people two at a time, I
guess he always has."
Jarrod smiled, "he was a sight to behold, he'd ripped his new school
clothes and what wasn't ripped was covered in blood, his own and theirs! I got
him off the hook with the teachers and he was sent home with me, which was just
as well, because Father had already told him that his next school fight was
going to earn him the whipping of his life, so I needed to set the record straight
at home too."
Heath was laughing, "so you were already a defending counsel back then
Jarrod?"
Counselor Barkley joined in the laughter, "you know you have a point
Heath, is it any wonder I became a lawyer with a little brother like Nick! I
smoothed the teacher down and while I was doing that Nick made a speech to the
rest of the class, to the effect that Dave Ross was HIS friend and anyone who
tormented Dave was going to have to deal with Nick. Anyway, we got our horses
and I sat Dave on mine, it was strange, considering it was his hip that was
damaged but he was always comfortable on a horse, more than that, he was
pain-free. Nick and I took him home to his mother and then we went on home
ourselves."
Jarrod poured fresh coffee for himself and smiled at the happy memory in his
mind as he resumed his anecdote.
"We got home and Nick erupted into the house in his customary
fashion."
Heath was leaning forward, forearms on knees, drinking in this previously
unknown piece of family history. He grinned, "he used to burst into the
house even at that age huh?"
Jarrod thought for a moment, "I think he was about three before he could
reach the door handle and that was pretty much it from then on! We joined
mother in the living room and Father was there too. He gave Nick a look that
would freeze your blood, and he said ‘Nicholas! Have you been fighting again?'
Heath was loving this story, "did you cover for him?"
Jarrod's grin was reminiscent, "I never got the chance! Nick stalked smack
up to the Old Man and craned his neck up so he could look him in the eye and he
said, ‘Yes Sir, I sure have and I'd do it again too, and again if I had to!' I
think he even jabbed Father in the vest while he said it."
Heath was entranced, "how did your...our...er...how did he take it?"
Jarrod silently noted Heath's momentary embarrassment, the lawyer wondered
when, if ever, Heath would feel comfortable enough to say ‘how did Father take
it?' He ignored his brother's hesitation and answered smoothly, "Father
saw the funny side of it, he was looking at Nick perfectly seriously but I
could see the twinkle in his eyes and Mother had a handkerchief to her face to
stop herself laughing out loud. Nick told him about Dave and then stood there
with his little hands clenched into fists and waiting for the wrath of God to
drop on him."
"And did it?"
"No, Father told him he'd done the right thing and he asked me if Dave had
been badly hurt in his fall. I told him I didn't think so and that we'd taken
him home to his mother. Which put Nick in mind of something else he wanted to
know. He glared at Father and asked him if he paid Mrs Ross enough for her
work."
Heath was stunned, "how did that go down?"
"Oh I think Father was too intrigued to get mad, he said he believed that
he did and asked why Nick wanted to know. Nick said how come Dave didn't have
his own pony, when it hurt him so much to walk and he really needed to ride.
Mother told Nick she didn't think Mrs Ross would ever be able to afford to give
Dave his own pony. So Nick fixed his scowl on Father again and said we should
give Dave a pony ourselves.
Father was pleased with him, but he had a thing he used to do with both of us
all the time. He sort of tested us a bit, he liked his sons to show him what
they were made of, so he told Nick with a straight face that there weren't any
suitable ponies on the ranch unless we gave Nick's own pony to Dave."
Heath was fascinated, "what did Nick say?"
Jarrod's smile was warm, "I watched him struggle with himself, then he
said if that was the case so be it, Dave could have the pony and he'd ride in
to school with me. I was so proud of him I wanted to scoop him up and kiss him!
When Father's eyes met mine, I could see he felt just the same way. He ruffled
Nick's hair and told him that wouldn't be necessary. The next day, we found a
strong, quiet pony for Dave and a good saddle and Nick and I took it over to
Dave's house.
It was the start of a new phase of his life for Dave, on a horse, he could do a
lot of things that were just too painful if he had to walk. He and Nick found a
mutual liking for fishing and hunting and they began to spend a lot of time
with each other."
"Did Dave have any more trouble at school?" asked Heath.
"With Nick looking out for him? You jest of course."
Heath leaned back in his chair, "I guess I didn't realize how far back
their friendship went."
"They stayed friends throughout Dave's life and Mother always felt Dave
was a good influence on Nick. Father offered Dave a college education, he was
an intelligent boy, but he had a lot of different health problems and he told
Father he wasn't up to it. He got the job at the bank through Father's
influence and he did well there, they thought well of him and promoted him
twice."
Heath was surprised, "I thought he was just a bank teller?"
Jarrod shook his head, "no he was being groomed to become vice- president
of the bank at the time of his death, why he was behind the counter when the
robbery occurred I don't know, but I could probably guess. He was the type of
man who would deliberately put himself in the firing line, he very likely took
the place of the clerk when the outlaws hit."
"I'm beginning to understand why he was a friend of Nick's," said
Heath quietly.
Jarrod's smile was rueful, "Nick thought the world of Dave, it really
isn't any wonder he objected to Maybelle's presence here. I didn't consider
that aspect of it when I brought her home, I don't equate her with Billy Joe
Gaines, but I should have known that Nick would."
The lawyer looked at his brother, "I imagine what I've told you has
convinced you that your decision to side with Nick was the correct one?"
Heath was honest, "well yes I think so and I'm glad I did. But I want you
to know that I'll try to help Maybelle enjoy her Christmas here."
"I don't doubt that Heath and I'm grateful."
"No, I'm grateful Jarrod, for you taking the time to tell me all this,
I...well I like to know this sort of thing."
"I know you do," said Jarrod gently, "and I'm always here, don't
forget that."
"I won't," promised Heath.
"There are a couple more things you should know about Nick and Dave Ross,
it was Nick who led the posse that went after Gaines and I know, although he's
never said it, that Nick blames himself for not capturing the gang. The other
thing is, has Nick ever made an excuse to leave you for a few minutes when you've
been in town with him?"
"Now you mention it Jarrod, yeah he has once or twice."
Jarrod spoke quietly, "Dave Ross is buried in the cemetery there, Nick
likes to pay his respects sometimes."
Heath's eyes were warm with gratitude, "I'll bear that in mind Jarrod,
thanks for telling me."
There was an interruption as the front door was roughly opened and then
violently slammed, neither brother had any doubt who had just come home and
Heath looked ludicrously guilty as he glanced at his watch and realized that
his lunch break had lasted most of the afternoon.
The wrathful figure of Nick Barkley strode into the living room and he fixed
his stern hazel gaze on his younger brother.
"Well now, here am I doing the work of two men and sending hands out
looking for your sorry tail in case anything's happened to you and here you are
taking a siesta!"
Heath sprang to his feet, "sorry Nick! I was just heading into town for
the mail, how about we both go and I buy you a beer to make up?"
Jarrod hid a smile, he often thought young Heath would have made a fine lawyer!
Nick's ready grin flashed, "now you're talking Boy! You coming with us
Counselor?"
"No thanks Nick, I have work to finish, I'll see you boys at dinner."
Nick and Heath Barkley rode companionably into Stockton, talking over a number
of ranch issues they needed to sort out and as they left their horses at the
livery stable, Nick asked, "Has the family attorney been talking your ears
off all afternoon?"
"Only because I asked him to," smiled Heath, "I wanted to know a
little more about your friend who died and I didn't want to upset you by making
you dwell on his death."
"Dave Ross? He was a fine man, you would have liked him and he'd have
liked you too. Incidentally, I appreciated your support about that girl
staying. I may not always say so, but I do appreciate it when you back me over
things that way."
Heath's lop-sided smile was warm with affection, "any time Big Brother.
Nick? If you were thinking of paying your respects at your friend's grave while
we're in town, would you mind if I tagged along? I'd like to pay mine
too."
Nick looked into Heath Barkley's eyes, "I'd be glad of your company
Brother," he said.