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.
Part 1
The weather had been cold, wet and decidedly unpleasant for
almost the whole of the trip to and from the Barkley logging camp in the high
country, but now, as Nick and Jarrod Barkley neared their home after two days grueling
journey home, the sun was at last making an appearance and the spirits of both
brothers were lifting along with the rain clouds.
There had been no real need for Jarrod to accompany Nick up to the camp,
admittedly there were legal papers to be signed, but Nick could easily have
handled the matter alone. The truth was that Jarrod rarely missed an opportunity
to visit with his ward Danny Matthews, who lived up at the camp with the
Bentells. The lawyer had enjoyed the break from his law office and even more
the time he and young Danny had spent together.
Jarrod glanced curiously at his rancher brother, "tell me Nick, how is it
you made this trip and not Heath?"
Nick shrugged, "no special reason, just he seems to make most of these
trips and I thought I should do my share. Also, Joshua Watson's release date
was last week and he should be at the ranch by now."
"That's really what I had in mind Nick, I thought you would have wanted to
be there to welcome him yourself."
Nick grinned, "I'm glad his prison term is over, I was worried he'd change
his mind and not want to take the job. But this cattle drive is Heath's
brainchild and it didn't seem fair to send him up to the logging camp, he
should be trail boss."
Jarrod hid a smile, he could remember a time when Nick would have pleased
himself, without considering the younger brother's wishes in the matter, but
those days were over, now there was a true partnership between the rancher
brothers. Thus it was that it had fallen to Heath to welcome back to the ranch
the extraordinary wrangler Joshua Watson.
The gifted black man had bravely agreed to serve his two year prison sentence
and thanks to Jarrod, he had been granted an early release. Nick had promised
him a deputy foreman's job if he wanted it and he had gladly agreed to return
to the ranch. Joshua possessed all the skills needed to more than hold his own
on the ranch, but it was in the gentle breaking of horses that this amazing man
excelled.
Nick and Heath Barkley's shared passion for horses had been a major factor in
bringing them closer together as brothers over the years and with the addition
of Joshua Watson to their team, both men had high hopes for the future of this
particular area of their ranching empire.
In the early afternoon, the two brothers arrived back home and thankfully
handed over their horses to Ciego. The Mexican promised to take good care of
Jingo and Saracen and the two brothers headed indoors to cajole Silas into
finding them a late lunch. The houseman greeted their arrival with relief and
gestured toward the living room, "Miss Audra she just ran in and commenced
to crying, she won't say what the problem is but I'm sure glad you two are
here!"
Both brothers went immediately into the living room where their concerned gaze
fell on the forlorn figure of their younger sister, indulging in a hearty burst
of tears. As soon as she saw them, Audra sprang up and cast herself into
Jarrod's arms, sobbing her distress into his shoulder. The lawyer was an expert
in soothing ruffled female feathers and he talked soothingly to his sister as
he coaxed her to sit beside him on the settee.
Nick sat on the edge of the low table in front of them. His hazel eyes full of
concern, for Audra was his pet and he hated to see her unhappy.
"Come on now Honey," said Jarrod encouragingly, "you tell us who
it is that's upset you and Nick will knock his teeth out for you."
Nick chimed in, "you bet I will Sis, now who was it?"
Audra was blowing her red nose on the handkerchief that Jarrod had thoughtfully
provided, but at her brothers half-joking words, she reared up her head and
said tearfully, "It was Heath!"
Nick and Jarrod exchanged startled glances, "er...I think perhaps you'd
better start at the beginning Young Lady," said the lawyer.
The thoughtful Silas having supplied the hungry Barkley
brothers with sandwiches and a pot of coffee and Audra having got over her fit
of tears, the two men and their sister sat down comfortably, in front of the
welcome warmth of the fire. Jarrod gave Audra his best fatherly smile and said,
"all right now Sweetheart, what exactly has Heath done to upset you?"
Audra's musical voice trembled slightly, "I went out to the herd this
morning, I took Heath and Joshua some lunch."
Nick's face split into a grin, "is Joshua here already? That's
great!"
"Is it?" flashed Audra. "I shouldn't think he'll be staying
long! I heard what...what some of those hateful men said!"
Nick was frowning in deep puzzlement, but Counselor Barkley was beginning to
see the light. A faint smile lit his eyes, bless her tender heart, no wonder
Audra was upset! He took his sister's hand in his own and squeezed gently. He spoke
with quiet kindness, "Do I take it Sweetheart, that some of the hands were
abusive to Joshua on account of his colour?"
The blonde head nodded vigorously, "if I hadn't heard it with my own ears,
I would never have believed that any of our men could say such...such dreadful
words, I don't think I ever knew such...bigotry actually existed! At
least...well I know that it does...I've heard you say so in the past, but I
never..."
Audra broke off as her voice became wholly overwhelmed by her tears. Jarrod
slipped a comforting arm around her shoulder and said soothingly, "I
understand perfectly Darling, it's one thing knowing that such things go on,
but witnessing it is a lot harder and worst of all is when it happens to
someone you know and like. It's no wonder you're upset."
Audra raised a tear-drenched face to her adored older brother's sympathetic
countenance, "I'm sorry Jarrod, you must think I'm very silly."
The lawyer kissed her hand, "on the contrary Miss Barkley, I'm very proud
of you," he said gallantly.
He was rewarded with a tremulous smile and another adoring look from his
sister, but Nick Barkley, who had thus far watched and listened in silence, had
just about had enough. His voice was an angry growl, "Oh, enough of this!
What the devil do a few harsh words from a bunch of ranch hands matter? The
Joshua Watson I know wouldn't turn a hair at that sort of nonsense and that is
a fact! What I want to know is what Heath has to do with any of this?"
Audra was defensive, " I didn't say he had anything to do with it
Nick."
"Sure you did! When Jarrod asked what was wrong you said it was
Heath," thundered Nick.
"Nick!" There was an icy note of warning in Jarrod's voice.
The rancher's stormy hazel eyes encountered his elder brother's implacable blue
gaze and he subsided reluctantly.
Jarrod smiled encouragingly at his sister, "tell us what happened
Honey."
Audra sat up straight and with a defiant glare at Nick, she half turned toward
Jarrod and went on, "I tried to tell Heath what was happening but he
wasn't listening to me, I never would have believed that he could be so
heartless Jarrod."
Nick sprang up and stomped to the fireplace, "for God's sake! Heath has a
trail drive to boss, he doesn't have time for this sort of stuff!"
Jarrod was frowning in thought, but he smiled at his sister, "if I know
you Audra, you didn't let Brother Heath get away that easy."
The blonde girl's distress had given way to indignation again, "I
certainly didn't! I made him listen to me! I told him which two men had been
giving Joshua trouble and I asked him to fire them and he wouldn't! I just
gaped at him, I couldn't believe it was Heath saying it. I tried to argue with
him, but he said it wasn't the right thing to do and he wouldn't budge, no
matter what I said!"
Nick's exasperation bubbled to the surface once more and it was plain that his
sympathies were entirely with his brother and fellow rancher, "well of
course he didn't fire any of the men! He has a trail drive to boss, he needs
his men, you don't understand."
"I understand what I heard," flashed Audra, "how you can defend
Heath or those hateful men, I just don't know!"
Nick was tired and rapidly losing his temper, "I'm not defending anybody,
you don't understand..."
Audra interrupted him without ceremony, "there's nothing to understand, I
just want to know one thing Nick. Are you going to over-rule Heath and fire
those men?"
Nick's spurt of temper had died away and he looked more kindly at his little
sister, "sorry Sis, I can't do that," he said quietly.
Audra jerked herself free of Jarrod's restraining hand and sprang up from the
settee, "I hate you," she told Nick, her voice throbbing with anger,
"I hate you and I hate Heath!"
She ran from the room and upstairs and the two brothers heard her bedroom door
slam.
Jarrod let out a long slow breath and glanced at Nick, raising an eyebrow,
"would you care for something a little stronger than coffee Nick?"
The rancher had been staring after his sister, his hazel eyes rather hurt by
her outburst, but he glanced at Jarrod and slowly relaxed, "yeah, I could
use it!"
Jarrod brought drinks for both of them and handed Nick a glass, "Are you
going out to the herd?"
Nick shook his head, "No, I'd like to see Joshua, but this is Heath's job,
I'm not going to interfere."
Jarrod smiled inwardly, "there had been a time when Nick would have
interfered without compunction, but that time was past, he and Heath had a very
different relationship now.
"Do you know how Heath will handle the situation Nick?"
The dark haired rancher nodded decisively, "I know exactly how he'll
handle it!"
The two brothers were standing in front of the fireplace and
Jarrod looked into the leaping flames, a reminiscent smile on his face.
"What are you thinking?" asked Nick curiously.
"I was thinking about Heath when he first came here, he had to fight for
respect too."
Nick nodded, "I was pre-occupied with the herd and I threw him in at the
deep end, you thought I was wrong."
"Perhaps I was the one who was wrong Nick."
"No you were right Jarrod, I was on him all the time telling him to lead
the men, only every time he tried to do it, I cut the ground from under him. I
didn't see it then, but now I do."
Jarrod wasn't convinced, "I don't know Nick, it evidently worked, he was
on top of the world when he came back from that trail drive and the men
respected the hell out of him."
"Heath did that all on his own Jarrod, I had to let him lead the drive
after I got shot and he succeeded beyond his own wildest hopes. He showed the
men what he was made of, not only coping with the drive, but exposing Wallent
for the madman I should have known he was!"
"Heath exposed Wallent for the madman he had become Nick," said
Jarrod gently, "you had every reason to respect your former commanding
officer, don't blame yourself."
Nick smiled grimly, "our brother saw him pretty clearly though didn't he?
Dealt with him too! Do you remember how Heath was when he came home
Jarrod?"
Jarrod laughed, "he was...I suppose triumphant is the right word, he was
so excited and pleased he couldn't calm down and I don't think any of us had
ever heard him talk so much!"
Nick grinned, "he gave me a look, it said all right Nick Barkley, what do
you think of that? He knew he'd shown me what he was made of! I think he
thought I'd resent it and it did dent my confidence a bit but I didn't resent
it. In fact I was proud of him, my new little brother was a Barkley to his
boots and I was proud of him!"
"Is that how you think Heath will deal with this situation with Joshua,
give him a chance to lead and win the respect of the men?"
"Yeah, something like that, he'll probably put him in command of a team
and if I know Heath, the two big mouths doing the talking will be a part of
that team!"
Jarrod crossed to the drinks tray with both glasses and was just pouring
refills when the front door opened and Heath Barkley strode in, removing his
hat and shaking the trail dust from it all over the polished floor.
"Are you pouring one of those for me Jarrod?"
"Gladly Brother Heath, gladly," smiled the lawyer extending his hand.
Heath shook hands warmly and then crossed to Nick at the fireplace, shaking
hands with him also.
"I was hoping you were back," smiled Heath, "I wanted to talk to
you about something."
Nick nodded, "about Joshua?"
Heath nodded sombrely, "yep, I wanted to run an idea past you."
Nick winked at Jarrod and said briskly to Heath, "it's your drive, you
don't need me making your mind up for you!"
Heath's blue eyes sparkled with mischief as Jarrod handed him his drink,
"well I may not need you making my mind up Nick, but that doesn't usually
stop you," he murmured drily.
"Who were the two men abusing Joshua?" Jarrod wanted to know.
"Two newish hands, Briggs and Franklin, they weren't here eighteen months
ago when Joshua was with us before."
The three brothers sat around the fire, and Nick fired a question at Heath,
"why didn't you bring Joshua in with you, I was looking forward to seeing
him?"
"He's out on his own looking for strays, he'll camp out tonight,"
answered Heath quietly.
Nick was noisy, "what? You knew I was looking forward to seeing him!"
He encountered a flash of Heath's expressive eyes that almost nailed him to the
wall, "this isn't about what you want Nick, it's about what Joshua wants!
The man's been cooped up in prison for eighteen months, he wants a taste of
wide open space and a chance to rediscover his own sense of freedom."
Jarrod's eyes met Nick's, a faint smile in them, and the dark haired rancher nodded
slightly, "All right, all right, I see what you mean," said Nick
pacifically, adding a gruff, "I'm sorry!"
Heath smiled, "I'm sorry too, I guess I get a little hot about
prisons."
"I know," said Nick softly, his hazel eyes warm with affection.
Jarrod asked, "what is this idea of yours about Joshua?"
Heath sipped his drink, "well first off, I was going to have him boss one
of the teams and make sure Briggs and Franklin are a part of it, but I've had a
notion and I wanted to sound Nick out about it."
Nick spread his hands in an expansive gesture, "I'm listening."
Heath looked earnestly at his elder brother, "I want to put Joshua in
charge of the whole drive, have him boss the thing on his own, I'll stay
home."
Nick had already guessed what his sibling was going to say and he approved of
the idea but he didn't answer straight away. He wanted to twist little
brother's tail some. Eventually he looked calmly at Heath and said, "This
had better not have anything to do with you trying to cut me out with Lucy
Randall at the Social on Saturday."
Heath grinned, "I knew you'd approve."
Jarrod had listened to their banter with a smile but now he asked a question,
"I can see that this is an excellent opportunity for Joshua to prove
himself, but is it fair on him? It's quite a jump from being a prisoner to
bossing a trail drive. Are you both sure the men will follow him?"
Both the ranchers nodded, and Nick said, "most of the hands remember him
from before, they know what he's capable of."
Heath added, "you know what he's capable of too Jarrod, Joshua can do this
and I want to give him the chance."
Nick smiled, "it's your drive, you make the decisions."
Heath was pleased, "he's riding in first thing, I'll tell him then."
Nick turned a rueful gaze on Heath, "we have a bigger problem right here
at home you know."
Heath's expression clouded, "Audra?"
Nick nodded, "she told me she hates us both."
Heath said quietly, "I know she was pretty upset, but I couldn't do what
she wanted."
"I know, I told her that," Nick assured him.
Heath said, "where is she?"
Nick grimaced, "she ran off to her room, crying."
Heath looked at Jarrod, "should Nick and I try talking to her?"
Jarrod stood up, "tell you what Gentlemen, I'm sure you two have ranch
business to discuss, why don't you let your lawyer plead your cause with
Audra?"
Nick nodded, "good idea Counselor, straighten her out will you?"
Heath said quietly, "do you think you can explain to her Jarrod? I hate
for her to be mad at us."
Jarrod laid a hand on Heath's shoulder as he passed, "leave it to me
Heath."
Part 4
Jarrod knocked softly on his sister's door and smiled
slightly when her tearful but defiant voice said firmly, "go away!"
He called pleasantly to her, "it's your attorney Miss Barkley, may I come
in?"
"All right," she said in a subdued tone and the lawyer went in,
closing the door behind him. Audra was sitting on the window seat, decidedly
tear-stained and gripping her handkerchief in both hands.
Jarrod came up to her and indicated the space beside his sister, "May
I?"
Audra nodded and her brother sat down, smiling kindly at her and proffering a
much larger and more businesslike handkerchief, which she took with a reluctant
laugh.
"I suppose you think I'm being childish," Audra's glance was half-
challenging, half-sheepish.
Jarrod shook his head, "not at all Honey, your feelings are perfectly
understandable, but I'd like to try and explain to you why your brothers didn't
want to fire the men who abused Joshua."
The blonde girl looked at her eldest brother, she had adored him all her life,
from her earliest days he had been her protector and guide. A role that had
deepened when Tom Barkley was killed and he had become her mentor as well, she
respected and admired him.
"I'm listening Jarrod."
"You asked Heath to fire those men and you were taken aback when he
refused, why was that?"
Audra thought for a moment, "well...I suppose I was sure that he'd feel
just the same as me and...when he wouldn't fire those men, I assumed that he
didn't care about Joshua. I couldn't understand it because I thought that Heath
would know better than anyone what Joshua was going through. By that I mean,
well, there've been times in his life when he's been a sort of outcast himself,
haven't there?"
The lawyer smiled and slipped an arm around his sister, gently kissing her
forehead, "indeed there have, Heath knows a great deal about prejudice and
ostracism, yet he still didn't fire those men. Later when you asked Nick to do
it, he told you the same thing, did you wonder why Nick wouldn't fire them
either, after all if anybody here is Joshua Watson's friend, it's Nick?"
Audra nodded, "yes I did! I thought he'd understand, Nick always stands up
for those weaker than himself, I guess that's why I was so furious with
him."
"Does any reason occur to you, now that you've had time to think it
over?"
Audra was sounding more doubtful with every second that passed, "I thought
maybe he was just siding with Heath, not wanting to run counter to what Heath
had already told me."
In a gently teasing tone, Jarrod said, "now Miss Barkley, I must invite
you to consider the evidence again, when did you ever know Nick and Heath to
not tell each other what they thought, especially if either felt the other was
going the wrong way about anything?"
There was an arrested expression in Audra's china blue eyes, "Jarrod...have
I misjudged my brothers?"
"Yes Sweetheart, I think maybe you have. You see Audra, it would have been
a simple thing for Heath to do this afternoon, he could have fired those men
and solved Joshua's problem. But he would have been creating a much larger
problem and one that Joshua would have struggled with for the foreseeable
future. You see Darling, the men would have concluded that Joshua needed
protecting, that he was weak and vulnerable. Heath would have had to fire a
great many more men, it would have been impossible for Joshua ever to win the
respect of the other hands. Am I making any sense to you Audra?"
She nodded gravely, "yes, I think so."
"You were half-right in thinking that Nick didn't want to go against
Heath, Nick put this whole trail drive into Heath's hands and he would be very
reluctant to interfere, but in this case the need didn't arise."
Audra nodded her comprehension, "because Nick agrees that it would have
undermined Joshua's credibility?"
Jarrod was pleased with her, "yes Honey, that's exactly right."
Audra was still troubled, "what will they do though Jarrod, I mean they
have to help Joshua somehow, don't they?"
"Audra, do you remember when Heath first came here, how Nick just threw
him in at the deep end and let him sink or swim alone?"
"Yes! I also remember you and Nick fighting about it," retorted
Audra.
Jarrod laughed, "touché Honey, but Nick was half-right all the same. Heath
had to show his detractors what he was capable of and given a suitable
opportunity, that's just what he did. Well your brothers plan to do the same
for Joshua Watson, he's going to be bossing the trail drive and it will be
pretty much a make or break situation for him."
Audra was doubtful, "isn't that...well...a little harsh? I thought you all
liked Joshua, what if he fails?"
Jarrod took her hand, "think of it as a compliment to Joshua, Nick, Heath
and I all have a lot of faith in him and we think he'll triumph, just as Heath
did once."
Audra wasn't convinced, "if you all like him so much, why would you make
him prove his leadership this way?"
Jarrod looked into her eyes, "because we respect him and we don't want him
to be less than the man we believe him capable of being."
The girl sat silently, absorbing all that Jarrod had said, "I guess it's
sort of the Barkley way isn't it, expecting the best of people?"
The lawyer nodded, "yes, if you think back through our family experiences,
there have been times when we've asked a great deal of one member of the family
or another, because we knew that the person in question had a lot to give. It
may seem hard or even cruel to some, but if it works, it bestows a fine gift on
the person involved. The gift of being able to stand tall and proud, secure in
the knowledge of your own self-worth."
Audra nodded slowly, "so, even if it seems hard on Joshua to make him do
this, you and Nick and Heath all think it will be worth it in the end?"
"We do Darling," said Jarrod gently.
Audra smiled, "all right Jarrod, I won't get upset about it any more,
though I am going to worry about Joshua until he gets back from the drive all
the same."
Jarrod kissed the small hand he held, "believe it or not Sweetheart, your
brothers will be just as worried."
The lawyer rose to his feet, smiling at his sister and extending his hand,
"shall we go down to dinner?"
Audra took his hand and rose, "I'll just wash my face and then I'll join
you. With Mother away, I should really cook for you boys this evening!"
As Jarrod had left the living room to have this fatherly talk with his little
sister, Nick's voice had pursued Jarrod, "whatever you do, keep her out of
the kitchen! I want one of Silas's dinners this evening, not burnt
offerings!"
Stockton's most celebrated attorney rose magnificently to the occasion,
"oh no Audra, Nick, Heath and I want the pleasure of your company until
dinner, may we have the honour?"
She dimpled adorably, "oh Jarrod! All right, Silas has probably started
dinner anyway, I'll be right down."
Well satisfied with his efforts, Jarrod rejoined his brothers and reported the
success of his mission.
"She'll be down in a minute and she understands the situation a little
better now."
Heath was grateful, "much obliged Jarrod, I just didn't know what to say
to her this afternoon."
Nick scowled at Jarrod, "she's not cooking is she?"
"You under-estimate me Nicholas, of course she isn't cooking," smiled
Jarrod.
Audra appeared a few minutes later and as she came into the living room, all
three of her brothers rose courteously to their feet. She blushed rosily and
addressed herself to Nick and Heath.
"I'm sorry I was so silly," she said shyly, "I guess I didn't
understand, can you forgive me for saying I hated you both?"
"No, never," said Nick with a grin.
"Depends," said Heath.
Audra smiled, "on what?"
"On whether or not I get a kiss," smiled Heath.
She came to him at once, hugging him warmly and planting a kiss on his cheek.
She turned to Nick and twined both arms around his neck, murmuring that she was
sorry. Nick held her tenderly and kissed her forehead, "The day you stop
caring for other people the way only you can do Little Girl, you'll have me to
deal with," he told her.
As they ate the splendid dinner served to them by Silas, who was almost as
grateful to Counselor Barkley for keeping Audra out of his kitchen as Nick and
Heath were, Audra asked when Joshua would be back.
"Tomorrow," Heath assured her.
"Good," said Nick, "I sure am looking forward to seeing Old
Joshua again!"
"How soon will the drive be assembled and ready?" asked Jarrod.
"I think they'll be ready to head out the day after, no later,"
answered Heath. He looked at Nick,
"I hope we're right," he said softly.
Nick looked affectionately into the anxious eyes of his younger brother, "Well
it worked pretty well the last time," smiled the dark haired rancher.
Part 5
Joshua Watson rode reluctantly in to the Barkley ranch in
the mid- morning of the next day. Reluctantly, because his solitary night under
the stars had had the desired effect of banishing the prison demons that had
been oppressing him, even after his release. He had sat up late, toasting his
toes in front of a handsome campfire, his back against a smooth rock as he
gazed contentedly at the night sky.
The stars were spectacularly beautiful and Joshua felt his spirit soar as he
drank in the wide stellar vista. His soul had dwelt in dark torment during his
imprisonment, this brief sojourn in the wild and open space of the range was
healing his inner self and he wept freely and without shame as his psyche came
to terms with the fact that he was again a free man. Joshua Watson gave quiet
and humble thanks to God for helping him to endure his prison term and promised
that same God that henceforth his life would be blameless and if he could
manage it, lived with honour from now on.
As his horse neared the compound in front of the Barkley barn, Joshua felt his
heart leap with joy, he had been happy during his brief spell as a Barkley hand
and this place had been in his mind's eye throughout his incarceration. His
face split into a happy grin as he saw a familiar figure emerge from the barn
and heard the mighty voice of Nick Barkley raised in greeting.
"Joshua! It's about time, how are you my Friend?"
Joshua came out of the saddle and gripped Nick's outstretched hand, "All
the better for seeing you Nick! It sure is good to be back."
"It's good to have you back," Nick assured him, pumping his hand
enthusiastically.
Heath and Jarrod were both queuing up to shake hands too and Joshua thanked
Counselor Barkley for helping him to obtain an early release.
"I don't believe I've ever undertaken a legal task with more pleasure
Joshua, it's wonderful to have you back here," smiled Jarrod.
Heath in his turn shook hands with Joshua and the deputy foreman touched his
other hand to his hat in a small gesture of respect, "I found that bunch
of strays you were hunting Heath, I left ‘em with the boys up at the holding
pen."
Heath shook his head in wonder, "Joshua, you're a marvel, I've had boys
out after them for days!"
Joshua smiled, "it's what you pay me for."
Nick slapped the wrangler on the back, "come on in and have some coffee
Joshua, we want to talk to you about something."
The Barkleys went indoors with their guest and the two hands who had derided
Watson's race stood with a group of hands, who were receiving their day's
orders from Dave McCall, the foreman. Shep Briggs turned to Franklin, "Seems
the bosses ain't too particular who they make a pet of," he remarked
laconically.
His trail companion Bill Franklin nodded lazy agreement and muttered under his
breath, spitting a vile epithet in Watson's departing wake.
McCall frowned and spoke with whiplash authority,
"That'll be enough out of you two, we don't judge a man by anything other
than his work around here!"
Long-time Barkley hand Ace Rogers nodded, "which is why Joshua Watson
rates number one in this outfit, that man's the best I ever saw!"
There was a ripple of agreement amongst the other hands and Mac was satisfied
that he had at least given the two newer men something to chew over. The
Barkley foreman grunted with pain and shifted his bandaged arm in its sling.
The notion! Getting stomped by a horse at his age, he should have known better.
Silas brought a tray of coffee into the Barkley living room, his face wreathed
in smiles as he beheld his much-missed friend.
Joshua grinned, holding out his arms, the two black men pumped each other's
hands and exchanged hearty back slaps.
"Welcome back Joshua, it sure is good to see you!"
"Good to see you too Silas, it feels mighty fine to be here again."
Jarrod poured coffee and smiled at the new deputy foreman, "Sit down
Joshua, Nick and Heath have a proposition for you concerning the trail drive
and we'd like your opinion on it."
"I'm all ears," said Joshua.
When Heath finished explaining, Joshua drained the last of his coffee and set
his cup and saucer down. He thought for a moment and then looked straight at
Heath.
"You want me to boss the whole drive in your place, take care of the sale
and all and bring the profits on home?"
"That's about it," smiled Heath.
"How come McCall isn't doing it?"
"Didn't you notice? He's got his right arm in a sling, he got stomped the
other day, he's going to take a while to heal."
Joshua glanced at Nick, "this all right with you too Nick?"
Nick Barkley nodded saying firmly, "you bet it is Joshua! If Heath hadn't
suggested it, I would have done."
Joshua Watson studied his hands for a moment, "you fellas aren't
forgetting I just got out of prison are you?"
"No Joshua, we're not forgetting that," answered Jarrod gently.
Heath studied the foreman's face, "you don't like the idea?"
Watson shook his head, "it ain't that Heath, but you boys are sure placing
a deal of faith in me."
"And we couldn't be placing it in a better man," declared Nick
Barkley firmly.
Joshua Watson scanned the faces of the three Barkley brothers and saw nothing
in them but sincere good will and honesty. His grin embraced the men who were
both his employers and his friends, "I'd be honoured to lead the drive
Gentlemen and I'll do my darnedest not to let you down!"
Jarrod Barkley was as busy as usual with his law practice, but the delegation
of the drive to Watson's leadership, left the two rancher brothers with an
unexpected period of leisure. Both men proceeded to enjoy this respite from
their labours to the full, riding out almost daily, on a series of fishing and
hunting trips.
They also consolidated their good understanding with their sister, riding with
her, taking her to lunch in Stockton and buying her little presents. Audra was
delighted that her brothers had put Joshua Watson in command of the drive, but
she worried about any difficulties that the men might make for him and confided
as much to Jarrod. Her brother was sympathetic but assured Audra that in his
opinion there was very little that a man as resourceful as Joshua Watson couldn't
cope with.
The drive was supposed to last about five weeks in total and the men were
expected back on or around the 27th of September. When the 30th came and went
with no word from Watson, the rancher brothers began to wonder what might have
gone amiss. The lawyer reiterated his belief that all would be well and Audra
prayed her eldest brother was correct.
Jarrod Barkley was proved right, six weeks to the day after setting out with
the Barkley herd, Joshua Watson and his men rode back in to the Barkley
compound. The lawyer had decided to spend the day at home and was about to go
for a ride with his sister when he heard the bustle of the return of the hands.
Brother and sister emerged from the Barkley mansion just as the men rode in,
all weary and dusty, but looking well pleased with themselves.
Nick and Heath were in the barn looking over a sick horse and came out
together, in time to see Joshua dismount from his horse. Both the rancher
brothers, silently noted that as each man got off his horse and passed Joshua,
they touched a hand to their hat in a small but highly significant gesture of
respect. Nick caught Jarrod's eye and the lawyer nodded slightly to acknowledge
that he too had noticed the obvious esteem the men held for Joshua Watson.
Watson had spotted them now and came forward to shake hands with the three
Barkley brothers, his amiable face split in an enormous grin.
"What kept you?" growled Nick Barkley in mock anger, "you're
almost a week overdue!"
Watson wasn't perturbed, "well we ran into a small problem," he said
in his deep, sleepy drawl. "It's all sorted out now though."
Watson turned to Jarrod, "I hope you keep some money on the premises
Counselor, I took the liberty of promising these boys a bonus for their extra
trouble."
The three Barkley men had begun to notice that some of the men were sporting
bandages and as Joshua spoke, the supply wagon rumbled into the compound and
the foreman excused himself and went to give a hand unloading a wounded man
from the wagon. Heath Barkley murmured to his brothers, "that hurt man
there, it's Shep Briggs."
"Yeah," agreed Nick grimly, "and the man helping Joshua get him
out of the wagon is Bill Franklin!"
Audra whispered to Jarrod, "aren't they the men who were rude to
Joshua?"
The lawyer nodded and watched with interest as Joshua helped Franklin get the
unsteady Briggs on his feet.
"Easy there Shep, don't you go bustin' open my needlework," warned
Watson with a grin.
"No Boss I surely won't," gasped Briggs.
Joshua turned to Franklin, "Bill, I want you to take Shep straight into
Stockton and have the doctor check him out."
"I will Boss," said Franklin respectfully.
"Aw come on Boss, I ain't hurt that bad!" protested Briggs.
Watson took off his hat and cuffed Briggs around the head with it, "You
get your sorry tail to the doctor like I told you and then you meet the rest of
the boys in the saloon, like we agreed. I aim to buy you the coldest glass of
beer that can be had!"
Briggs grinned, "you're the boss Joshua!"
Franklin helped his injured friend away and Joshua returned to the wondering
Barkleys.
"What happened Joshua?"
Nick's quiet question was echoed in the worried faces of the rest of the family
but Joshua Watson grinned reassuringly, "Nothing to fret about now, we had
a mite of rustling to deal with on the way to the railhead, but we held ‘em
off. The boys did a great job, I hope you don't mind my promising them a
bonus?"
"Not at all," Nick assured him, "we generally give the men a
token of our gratitude after a successful drive."
Heath cocked an eyebrow at Watson, "I take it the drive was a
success?"
Heath's dry question drew a slightly smug chuckle from Joshua, "Oh yeah, I
don't think you'll be disappointed!"
The rest of the afternoon passed in a bustle of activity, Jarrod and Nick
organized and paid a substantial bonus to the hands and the men set off for
town to do some serious celebrating. Heath Barkley had a private and very
interesting conversation with ranch foreman Dave McCall, who had received the
full story of the drive from one or two of the men. Mac told Heath the details
and finished by saying, "I reckon he did it about as well as it could have
been done! I reckon he's got his sights set on my job!"
McCall was only half-joking, he was uneasily aware that he wasn't getting any
younger and there was no doubt that Joshua Watson was a charismatic man with
superior talents. He watched as the quiet, self-contained black man readied
himself to ride into town with the men for an evening of celebration and
dedicated beer drinking.
Mac spoke lightly, "You got your heart set on taking my place as foreman
here Joshua?"
"Joshua Watson's shrewd brown eyes saw past the casual question to the
anxiety that underlay it and he answered with honest gravity.
"I'd be lyin' if I said no Mac, but I reckon there's no hurry about it,
seems to me you've still got a few good years in you. In the meantime while I'm
waitin', I reckon there's a lot you could teach me, if I had the sense to
persuade you to do it."
McCall was a good judge of a man and he warmed to the frankness of this
extraordinary wrangler, he smiled and extended his right hand.
"Fair enough Joshua Watson, you got yourself a deal!"
Watson shook the proffered hand, "much obliged Mac!"
The three Barkley brothers sat down to dinner that evening with their sister.
Joshua had been invited to join them but had politely declined, his presence
was required in Stockton with the men he had said. Nick Barkley amplified this
somewhat, "Mac told me the men insisted on his going, seems they all want
to buy him a drink, every man jack of ‘em!"
Heath shared the information he had gleaned about the drive with his brothers
and sister.
"It seems that Joshua spotted the rustlers before anyone else did, so he
had the men pretty well prepared by the time they hit."
"Did they spook the herd?" asked Nick.
Heath nodded, "yeah they did and that fella Briggs was unlucky enough to
get thrown, seems he would have been trampled good, but Joshua saved his
bacon."
Nick grinned, "that explains a lot!"
Jarrod concurred, "no wonder Joshua was being treated so
respectfully."
Heath went on, "That's not all, Mac told me Ace Rogers said that Briggs
spotted a rustler taking aim at Joshua, had him cold apparently, but Briggs got
in the way and took the bullet himself."
Jarrod smiled around the table, "well Family, our strategy seems to have
worked pretty well, I think we can pat ourselves on the back."
Later, they took coffee in the living room, Jarrod sat in his favourite
armchair, legs stretched out before him. Audra sat on the settee and Nick and
Heath stood in their accustomed places, at either end of the big marble
fireplace. Jarrod brought up the subject of Joshua Watson again. He addressed a
question to his two rancher brothers, "So, do you boys think Joshua is
going to stick around?"
Nick was emphatic, "sure he is, we'll make the deputy foreman's position
permanent and take it from there, right Heath?"
The blond rancher nodded, "I think he wants to stay, Mac seems to think
Joshua wants his job."
Nick nodded, "seems to me we could do worse than give it to him
eventually, when Mac decides to retire."
Heath agreed, "I told Mac he still had a long time yet though."
"Oh sure," said Nick, "but I can see Joshua and Mac making a
good team."
"Me too," said Heath.
Jarrod glanced at his sister who had been sitting staring into the flames of
the fire for some little while.
The lawyer smiled at her, "Honey, you're very quiet, is everything all
right?"
Audra glanced up from her reverie, "I was thinking about how things have
turned out for Joshua. You were right in what you said about respect Jarrod, it
isn't something that can be bestowed by right or forced in any way. It has to
be earned and sometimes that's hard isn't it?"
The lawyer nodded, "yes, sometimes it is hard, but when it works out well,
like it has here, it's a prize worth winning don't you think?"
Audra's china blue eyes were troubled, "yes, I'm sure you're right, but
what if it doesn't work out, what then?"
Jarrod's tone was quietly understanding, "there are a lot of bigots in
this world Honey, it isn't possible to change all of them into enlightened
human beings, but we'll give it a try shall we?"
To Jarrod's satisfaction, the shadow cleared from his sister's eyes as she
smiled and answered him, "yes, let's try!"
The blonde girl stood up, "I think I'll go to bed now."
Jarrod stood and put both hands on her shoulders, gently kissing her forehead,
"good night Darling, sleep well."
Audra kissed Heath's cheek, then Nick's and moved to the doorway. She stopped,
looking back at her three brothers and smiling at them.
"Thank you all for teaching me what the word respect means, I hope the
three of you know how much I love and respect each one of you."
She turned and went across the foyer and up the stairs. Jarrod's affectionate
gaze followed her, a faint smile on his face.
Nick Barkley's dark brows twitched together in a frown, "What's she
talking about, why wouldn't she respect us, we're her older brothers?"
The lurking twinkle dawned in Heath Barkley's eyes, "There's no reason why
she shouldn't respect me and Jarrod I guess," he said reflectively,
strolling away toward the library to rack up the balls for the game of pool the
brothers had promised themselves.
Jarrod choked down his laughter as an indignant Nick pursued Heath across the
foyer,
"Hold on a minute, what the devil do you mean by that Heath Barkley?"
"Nothin'" said Heath innocently.
"Don't you nothin' me Boy!"
Jarrod listened as Nick rose irresistibly to Heath's bait and his own eyes were
sparkling with amusement as he followed his brothers to the library. He thought
tenderly of his sweet sister and her admiring words, to command her respect was
indeed a prize worth having and Jarrod Barkley considered himself a very
fortunate man.
THE END