Trust

Interlude 16
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

She shouldn't have done it of course, she knew that well enough. It had been a silly, rather vain act of defiance against the orders of her strict older brother Nick. He had absolutely forbidden her to ride the new young mare until her other rancher brother Heath had worked his own special magic on the nervous animal. Only Joshua Watson could gentle a horse better than Heath Barkley could and Joshua was away with Steve Mendoza buying horses in the Sonora sales.

Jarrod was away too, he would be back tomorrow at the conclusion of a long trial in San Francisco, which had kept him fully occupied for several weeks. Audra missed Jarrod, her eldest brother took his responsibilities as her guardian and mentor very seriously and invariably made time for her, no matter how busy he was. If he had been working at his Stockton office, Audra would have solaced her boredom by riding into town and distracting the lawyer from his work. He always indulged her when she did this, usually taking her out to lunch and often buying her some pretty trifle or another from one of her favourite emporiums.

In Jarrod's absence, Audra had only her two rancher brothers Nick and Heath for company and she was getting very short shrift from both of them, which was how it had all come about. Nick and Heath were preparing for Fall round-up and had little time to spend on entertaining their wayward younger sister. Her mother would have found plenty for Audra to do, but she had been called away to her ailing sister's bedside in Denver and had chosen not to take Audra with her. Her childhood companion and younger brother by a year, Eugene was not due back from college for another week.

For no particular reason, there seemed to be a dearth of social activities in Stockton or the valley in general at the moment and Audra Barkley was bored to death with her far too quiet life. So she had pestered her brothers about the pretty, fiery little mare and a busy and distracted Nick Barkley had curtly banned her from riding the horse.

It was Nick's manner that had annoyed Audra so much, he was usually very fatherly with her, but sometimes, as now, when he was harassed with his work, he rapped brusque orders at her, very much as though she were one of his ranch hands. To a high spirited girl with a fearless nature, his stern, dictatorial behaviour was like a red rag to a bull.

Heath didn't ever treat her like that, his manner towards Audra had never varied since his arrival in the valley. He was always quietly, gallantly, courteous and although he was brotherly in all his dealings with her, there was never any hint of the mentor in his treatment of her. Both Nick and Jarrod could be stern with her if they felt it justified, so Audra appreciated Heath's very different manner. Even he though had told her firmly to find something to do which didn't involve either him or Nick as they were far too busy.

She had flounced away from the two ranchers and wandered moodily away to the corral where the newer horses were gathered. The showy, spurting little mare was a vivid chestnut colour and she moved with swift, nervy grace. A dedicated horsewoman like Audra could tell at a glance that this mare was full of promise and her jaded spirit ached to ride the fascinating little horse.

Audra couldn't say exactly what had prompted her to disobey Nick's stern injunction, she didn't usually go against him in matters concerning her safety. When she was a child, her father had dealt with such behaviour in summary and painful fashion and after his death Nick had become the recognized authority in safety issues around the ranch. She rode the horses he told her she could ride and accepted his veto over those she was not permitted to ride. He had simply angered her this time, with his testy dismissal of her riding skills and it had led her into her unwise decision to ride the mare. A ride that had now ended in disaster for both horse and rider.

* * * * * * * *

It had been easy to catch and saddle the mare and ride swiftly away from the corral, for all the men were busy, even the watchful Mexican groom Ciego, whose job it was to look after the Barkley ladies. Audra had ridden exultantly away across Sky meadow undetected and was fiercely glad that she had done it, the mare was a superb ride, fast and willing and Audra gloried in the latent power she could feel in the horse.

With deliberate naughtiness, Audra struck away from her usual haunts, not wanting her brothers to catch her, at least not until she had enjoyed a long ride on her exciting new mount. Her ride led her to a point far distant from the Barkley mansion, consequently, when disaster struck, both Audra and her horse were about as far from aid as it was possible for them to be.

The crashing fall stunned Audra and it took several minutes for her to fully regain her wits. As she opened her eyes, the slanting sunlight caused sharp stabs of pain in her head and underlying this was the dull grinding ache that told her she had damaged her hip in some way. She dashed a shaking hand across her eyes, trying to compose her jangled nerves and pull her scattered wits together. She knew what had happened to her, that was plain enough, she had fallen very heavily, what she did not know was exactly why she had done so. She tried to recall the sequence of events, but she felt too sick and dizzy to be sure her remembrance was accurate. Had there been a noise, a sudden movement that had startled the mare? Audra couldn't say and there was one other thing she didn't know, where was her horse now?

* * * * * * * *

It was the sharp eyes of Heath Barkley that spotted the mare first, though she was so far away that at first he was unsure of precisely what he was looking at. The blond rancher reached into his saddlebag and extracted his field glasses from it. They were a superbly balanced piece of precision engineering, a birthday present from Nick a year ago. The ivory grip had his initials inlaid in gold on it and he had told Nick at the time the gift was given, that he had never in his life owned anything so beautiful.

Heath swiftly focused on the distant horse and his mouth tightened to a grim anxious line as he recognized, or thought he recognized the stricken animal. He raised his voice and called, "Nick?" without taking his eyes from the lenses of his field glasses. Nick glanced around from his scrutiny of the holding pens and his brows twitched into a displeased frown as he saw Heath training his field glasses off into the distance.

"What?"

Heath ignored the angry tone, "come here Nick now!"

Nick Barkley's voice was a roar, "in case you'd forgotten we have a round-up to organize Boy!"

Heath's voice was as calm and even as usual, but his tone brooked no argument, "I said come here Nick, now!"

Sudden, nameless anxiety gripped Nick and he manoeuvered his horse alongside his younger brother's mount.

"What is it," he asked softly, "what can you see?"

Heath handed over the field glasses, "isn't that the nervy chestnut Sis was nagging you about riding?"

His belly crawling with dread, Nick took and focused the glasses, staring long and hard at the distant animal, now moving high up on a ridge some distance away.

"Yep, it's her all right and she's dead lame, now what the devil has happened I wonder?"

Heath grimaced, "I'd like to think that she just got out of the corral somehow and ran off, but she's saddled isn't she?"

"She sure is," answered Nick grimly, "which pretty well tells us what's happened to her now doesn't it?"

Heath accepted his field glasses back and swiftly replaced them in his saddlebag. He spoke quietly, "I guess it does, what we don't know is what's happened to Audra."

Nick's frown was grim, "well she'd better hope she's broken her disobedient little neck, because if she hasn't I'm going to do it for her!"

Part Two

When Audra recovered consciousness for the second time she opened her eyes cautiously, braced for the renewed glare of the sun, but realized with a slight shock that it was now considerably lower in the sky than previously. With a stab of fright, she concluded that she had been out of her senses for a good while. Still, she told herself, I can think pretty clearly, so I can't be that bad.

She was aware that the stabs of pain behind her eyes had receded somewhat and wished that the nausea she was experiencing would also lessen. It didn't however and she couldn't help vomiting copiously, which brought some measure of relief at last. She sat up gingerly, she was not precisely certain where she was, but knew she was lying in rough pasture at the high end of a long sloping ridge some ten miles or more from the Barkley mansion.

It was an exposed area, wind-swept and bleak and she had been immobile for long enough to feel very chilled and sore. She was not exactly afraid, but she was uncomfortably aware that she was far from her usual haunts, which would impede any search for her. Also, she had not said what she intended to do, so unless the runaway mare headed back for the ranch, any search might not begin for many hours yet. Neither was she sure how badly she was hurt. Her loss of consciousness spoke to her having suffered a concussion but she didn't know how bad this was or what she had done to her hip.

She made the experiment of trying to rise and the sickening, jarring agony that shot through her pelvic area made her cry out, as she sank down again into the rough grass. Mentally, she savaged herself for her folly, in disobeying Nick and in riding so far afield and to her annoyance, she felt tears rolling down her face. With an enormous effort of will she forced her frightened mind to think, what could she do to improve the dire situation in which she had landed herself?

Bleakly, she concluded that she could do nothing, except slowly crawl to the slight shelter of some nearby rocks, skirted by a thin fringe of scrub. This would at least afford her a bit of a refuge from the biting wind and it was higher than where she now was, so she could see further afield. With slow, painful movements, she began her dogged journey to the rocks, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she covered the agonizing distance to her meagre sanctuary.

* * * * * * * *

The rancher brothers had agreed a strategy, splitting their men into two search parties. Nick and his men were scouring Audra's usual routes for her and Heath had deployed his men in less likely areas, based on the point where he had first spotted the mare. He had retrieved the injured animal himself and a cursory examination had revealed a severely injured leg, consistent with the mare having suffered a crashing fall. Detailing a man to walk the mare gently home, Heath had pressed on with the search, sick with worry over the fate of his sister.

As the late afternoon shadows deepened into evening, Heath's men at last reached the ridge where the accident had happened and one of the hands drew Heath's attention to the small patch of scrub and rocks at the high end of the ridge. With a wave of relief, the blond rancher saw the seated figure of his sister and as she in turn spotted him, she waved weakly.

Spurring Charger toward her, Heath covered the distance between them in rapid time and came out of the saddle in one supple movement. He squatted beside his sister, slipping a comforting arm around her and saying gently, "You hurt anywhere other than your poor sore head Sis?"

"Yes, I've done something to my hip, but I can't tell what. I tried to walk but I couldn't so I crawled over here for shelter."

She had barely managed to answer him, for the chattering of her teeth and it was plain to her brother that she was dangerously cold. Heath glanced at the sky, night was falling fast and worse, his experienced rancher's nose could smell a severe storm coming. He stripped his coat off and wrapped it around Audra, as the other two men in his team rode up. Heath conversed briefly with them and one man rode away.

The other man helped Heath tenderly lift Audra and making a cradle of their hands they set her between them and carried her as gently as they could to the horses. Heath experimented with setting his sister on Charger's back but the pain made her scream aloud, even though she tried bravely to suppress it.

Heath turned to Clem Hanks, the man was a long time hand and knew these lands better than most.

"She sure isn't going to make that ride back on a horse," said Heath worriedly, "and she's as cold as ice!"

"Storm comin', best get Miss Audra under cover ‘til the boys get the wagon out here," advised the older man.

Heath thought fast, "isn't there a cave, just past that rock formation somewhere?"

Clem nodded, "it's on the other side of that rise, I can lead you right to it."

"Do that, I'll carry my sister," ordered Heath.

Clem gathered the reins of his own horse and Charger and led the way. Heath followed, holding Audra in his arms as tenderly as if she were a new-born babe and walking as carefully as he could to avoid jarring her injured hip unnecessarily. The cave proved easy to access and was dry within, there were no signs of animal occupation and Heath brought his precious burden inside out of the wind.

Clem made a mattress of the two saddle blankets and Heath settled Audra onto them as comfortably as he could, covering her with his own coat and the blankets from both bedrolls. Clem stripped off his own coat, but Heath shook his head and made him put it back on again.

"Much obliged Clem, but I want you to take your horse and head on back. Tell Nick we need a wagon and the doctor brought here. I'm scared to move her without the Doc's say so, we don't know for sure how bad her hip is busted up."

"I'll take care of it Heath, want me to help you get a fire going first?"

"No thanks Clem, I'll take care of it, you get going."

Heath went outside into the gathering dark, to swiftly gather the wood he needed for a fire. Clem followed in his wake, but not before he had quickly removed his coat and added it to the coverings over Audra's supine form. As Clem rode away, Heath set about collecting wood and in a remarkably short space of time he had amassed a sufficient quantity and coaxed a small but bright fire into life.

Squatting beside his sister, Heath anxiously scrutinized her wax- white face. She was dozing fitfully and he didn't try to rouse her. He was sure she had dislocated her hip in the fall from her horse, but he made no attempt to set it, fearing that she might also have other injuries, which he would do well not to worsen by inexpert handling.

The rancher looked around the cave and was fairly well satisfied with his situation. The rain had just started softly falling but Heath knew that soon it would be torrential and probably accompanied by thunder and lightning as well. The cave was dry and not very big, the fire was generating a measure of warmth and Heath had brought Charger inside out of the weather. Horses disliked being inside in bad weather sometimes but Charger was intelligent and even-tempered and would be quiet enough not to disturb Audra.

Heath had no coffee with him but he had warmed some water in his tin drinking cup and when Audra next woke, he would get some liquid into her. He was satisfied that she was lying as comfortably as possible until proper medical help arrived, but there was one factor that still deeply concerned him. His sister was cold, worryingly cold and not showing any signs of warming up, despite the coats, blankets and the cheering warmth of the fire.

Audra surfaced from her fitful doze and instantly shivered, teeth chattering as she thrashed about and then cried aloud as fierce agony shot through her pelvis. Heath's gentle hands restrained her from unnecessary movement and he talked soothingly to her, "Take it easy Sis, try not to move, help is on the way."

Audra settled down as Heath's calming tones penetrated the fog of confusion in her mind, "Heath?" Her voice was weak and tearful, "I fell...but...I don't know how...and...and I don't know what happened to...to the poor horse."

"Never mind that now Sis, just stay as still as you can until the doctor gets here all right."

Another paroxysm of shivering wracked Audra and she moaned again as renewed waves of pain coursed through her. A deep frown marred Heath Barkley's handsome features, he had told his sister that help was coming soon, but there was truly no way of knowing exactly how long it would take for help to reach them. Gnawing his lip with anxiety, Heath wondered if he had done the right thing seeking shelter for his sister, rather than putting her on his horse and heading back to the ranch.

A huge crash of thunder, followed almost instantly by flashes of lightning gave him his answer. He had been right to opt for the cave. Already heavy rain was battering down, if he had set out to return to the ranch with Audra, she would have been drenched to the bone, causing her to lose what little body heat she had left. Heath inwardly savaged himself for not making his sister drink some water before letting her lose consciousness again.

Part Three

The first of the two men despatched by Heath from the scene of his sister's accident was long time Barkley hand Ace Rogers, he reached the open ground of Sky meadow and pulled up his horse. He assembled the rocket flare and lit it, watching as the red light traversed the clear night sky. He had managed to do as Heath had instructed, he had sent up the signal flare in time to be seen by all the men now engaged in the search for Audra Barkley before the impending storm broke.

Now all the searchers would reassemble in the Barkley barn compound and Ace could fulfill the rest of his instructions from Heath. He rode in to find Nick Barkley and his men there already and quickly rode up to his haggard-looking boss, touching a respectful hand to his hat.

"What's the situation Ace?" Nick's question was rapped out in a voice taut with anxiety and Rogers made haste to put his boss's mind at ease.

"Miss Audra's alive Sir, Mr Heath and Clem were taking care of her when I left and Mr Heath said he'd send Clem in with more orders."

"How bad is it?"

"She's hit her head pretty hard and it looks like a hip problem of some sort."

Nick nodded a curt thanks and turned to his foreman, "we wait for Clem to ride in Mac, no sense in heading out until we know what Heath wants us to do."

"Yessir," said McCall, hiding a smile at the change in his volatile boss. Time was, he would have been halfway to the scene of the accident by now, not waiting for his younger brother to dictate his next course of action. Things had sure changed in the last couple of years, there was a deep understanding between the brothers these days, I guess when it comes down to it, thought Mac, it's all a matter of trust.

* * * * * * * *

The rain was falling very heavily now and the smoke from the fire was gathering in the cave rolling downward from the low rock ceiling to engulf the fitfully sleeping Audra and her worried brother. With extreme reluctance, Heath quenched the flames of the fire and waved an arm to disperse the worst of the smoke. He had feared he would have to do this and it gave him a profoundly difficult problem to solve.

Audra was still not warm and now without the warmth of the fire, her brother had to somehow keep her alive until help could reach them. The blond rancher thought hard and came swiftly and inescapably to the only solution he could find, he had to pass his own body-heat to his sister and he had to do it now. His heart thumped with fright, this meant inevitably that he must move her and he had no idea how badly she was hurt, or what effect moving her might have on her injuries.

Heath gently awakened his stricken sister and coaxed her into sipping some of the water he had warmed. He explained to her as he did so about the need to get her warm and she seemed to understand him, although her eyes were unfocused and she shivered with mingled pain and cold. As carefully as he could, Heath rolled Audra onto her side, with her sound hip beneath her, placing his own body between his sister and the cave mouth, Heath stretched his tall body out on the hard bare rock. He pressed his body against Audra's and wrapped his arms tenderly around her, holding her as carefully as if she had been made of spun glass. He pulled the available coverings over her and prayed that he could keep her warm enough to survive until help came to them. Outside their rocky refuge, the storm continued to rage unabated and Heath silently uttered another prayer, that help would come swiftly.

* * * * * * * *

When Clem Hanks rode in to the compound he wasn't given the opportunity to dismount from his horse or open his mouth before his boss Nick Barkley descended on him like the wrath of God, demanding the latest news. Clem explained the situation and told Nick exactly where Heath and Audra were and of the need to get the doctor to ascertain the extent of Audra's hurts. This information drew forth a roar of rage from Nick.

"If Heath told you to get the Doctor, what in blue blazes are you doing here? You should be halfway to Stockton by now!"

Clem said quietly, "I wanted to get a coat is all."

Nick frowned, "what happened to your coat?"

"I put it over Miss Audra."

Nick gripped Clem's shoulder, "sorry Clem, you're a good man, I'll go into town myself you get some dry gear on."

Nick issued curt orders to McCall and the foreman hastened to have a big covered wagon harnessed to a pair of strong, placid draft horses. The wagon was swiftly loaded with blankets and medical supplies and with Clem Hanks at the reins and Dave McCall beside him, the wagon headed out into the raging storm on its ponderous way to the cave on the far side of the north ridge. A group of hands rode with the wagon, that wagon was going to get to Audra and Heath Barkley, even if the Barkley hands had to pull it up a dozen inclines, or dig it out of every morass between the ranch and their goal.

* * * * * * * *

Nick Barkley rode into Stockton like Nemesis itself, his willing horse thundering down the mercifully smooth and rock-free Stockton road. He hoped to God that Doctor Merar was home, most people would be on such a bad night but the good doctor was a most dedicated man of medicine and if one of his patients needed him, no storm would prevent Howard Merar from attending that patient.

Nick's anger with his little sister was still white hot, he had seen the stricken mare being led painfully slowly back to the ranch and the sight had fuelled his rage, he loved horses and couldn't abide careless or stupid behaviour that injured one. Especially not when the person responsible for the injury was the sister he had trusted to do as she was told. Nick hoped and prayed that Audra would not pay too high a price for her disobedience in terms of her own well- being, but at some point in the future he intended to see that she answered to her big brother for the condition of the chestnut mare.

As soon as Nick got to Stockton, he turned his horse up the rain- sodden street where Doctor Merar lived, but he was destined to be disappointed, Merar's wife hadn't seen her husband since lunch and didn't know if he was to be found in his office or not. Concealing his irritation, Nick thanked her and apologized for disturbing her before remounting and pointing his horse toward Merar's Stockton office.

As Nick reached the street where Doctor Merar had his office, his eye was drawn to the other side of the street, where Jarrod Barkley's law office was. Nick peered through the driving rain, for a split second it had looked as though there was a light on in Jarrod's first floor window. Now though, all seemed to be dark and Nick cursed himself for a fool. How the devil could Jarrod be in Stockton when he was not due back from San Francisco for a week or more?

The rancher pulled up his horse and burst through the door into Merar's office. To his profound relief, he found the doctor within and proceeded to pour out his problem. Merar heard him out in calm silence and when Nick drew breath he simply said, "very sensible of Heath not to tamper with the dislocated joint and also to get her under cover. I'll break out my rain slicker and you'd best hire me a horse Nick, not the terrain for the buggy I fear."

"Thanks Doc, sorry to put you to the trouble, you can ride back dry in the wagon at least and I'll take the rest of your suffering out of Audra's hide one day soon, I can promise you that!"

Across the street, Jarrod Barkley had turned out the lamp in his office and locking the inner office door behind him, he descended the stairs to the street door and came out into the rain. He locked the door and was turning to walk to the livery stable when he spotted his brother Nick dismounting in a rush and bursting into the doctor's office. A cold fist closed around Jarrod's heart, only a dire emergency of some sort could have prompted Nick to be in such a hurry to find a doctor on such a storm-lashed night.

Jarrod swiftly crossed the street and opened the door into Merar's office, almost colliding with Nick who was on the way out.

"You are here! I thought I saw a light in your window, then I wasn't sure."

Jarrod spoke impatiently, "my case closed early, I was catching up paperwork before heading home. Nick, what's happened?"

"Our dumb, defiant brat of a sister has managed to half-kill herself and one of my horses into the bargain!"

Jarrod's brows snapped into a heavy frown, "how badly hurt is she?"

"Don't know yet, Heath has her holed up in a cave on the north ridge, out of this damn storm. I'm riding out there with the doctor now."

"Me too," declared Jarrod falling into step with Nick as the two men made their way toward the livery stable. Jarrod wanted to know how they were to transport Audra from the cave and Nick told him the wagon was already on its way.

The Barkley brothers left Jarrod's buggy in the livery stable and hired two horses for Jarrod and Merar. The livery owner also lent Jarrod a serviceable rain slicker and in the shortest possible space of time, Jarrod, Nick and Doctor Merar were heading out into the storm, bound for the cave where Heath Barkley had taken refuge from the weather with his sorely injured sister.

* * * * * * * *

Heath Barkley closed his mind to the cramps in his back and legs, he lay deathly still, unwilling even to breathe too heavily for fear of hurting the girl he held so tenderly in his aching arms. He knew that she was warming up at last, her body felt warm against him and that was a comfort because his coatless back was facing the mouth of the cave and was frozen into cramped agony. He didn't know if there was anything else he could have done, he thought not, he hoped he had done his best for his sister, for he loved her very deeply.

From the first, Audra had welcomed him into the family, she had treated him with unequivocal love and friendship and had made it so much easier to assimilate into the Barkley clan than it might have been. Heath would always love her for her willing acceptance of his presence in his life. It made it easier to forgive her foolish impulse to ride the nervous horse today.

In fact most of Heath's anger had dissolved at the sight of her wounded head and agonized torso earlier. She had suffered for her folly and he could forget her stupid, wayward behaviour. A grim smile curved Heath's mouth, not that his forebearance would avail Audra much, she would have to face the wrath of Nick Barkley soon enough, if I can keep her alive to do it, thought Heath desperately hoping that help would arrive soon.

Part Four

As Nick and Jarrod Barkley rode with Doctor Howard Merar towards their beleaguered brother and sister, Nick told his older brother the exact circumstances of Audra's fall from her horse. The lawyer could understand the depth of Nick's anger, the rancher had been fiercely protective of his little sister all her life and her actions had hurt Nick almost as much as Audra had hurt herself and the mare.

As the men battled their way towards the north ridge, the weather seemed to worsen, as a high wind slanted the torrential rain straight at the three riders. Nick Barkley was leading, he had told Jarrod that there was a route to the cave that would skirt the ranch and get them to the cave as quickly as possible.

"Fair enough Nick, but keep the speed reasonable, Howard Merar isn't a young man any more and he doesn't ride much these days," Jarrod had warned.

The lawyer rode beside Merar and grinned at his friend through the driving rain, "Just the day for a ride in the country Howard, I guess we city types are a mite rusty!"

The doctor smiled manfully, "it'll do me good Jarrod, I'm getting soft in my old age."

Jarrod had to admire the older man's gallant attitude, he was a fine doctor and had been a good friend to the Barkley family over the years. Jarrod hoped fervently that Merar would be able to help his foolish sister, if only the silly girl had not done herself any permanent harm through her folly.

Jarrod's thoughts turned to his mother, pleasantly engaged in visiting her sister in Denver, blissfully unaware of what had befallen her beloved daughter. Counselor Barkley wasn't looking forward to having to break the news to her that Audra had come to grief. Victoria Barkley sincerely loved all her sons, including the young man to whom she had not given birth, the man who was now doing his best to keep Audra alive. But there was no denying that there was an especially deep bond between mother and daughter, Victoria would be very upset if any serious or lasting harm had come to her precious Audra.

Nick Barkley was pushing himself and his two companions as hard as he could, given the warning Jarrod had given him, even so the pace was too slow for his patience, his spirit was fretting and would continue to do so until he saw for himself what state Audra was in. He peered ahead through the driving rain and grunted with satisfaction as he saw the dark mass of the ridge in view, not much further now.

Glancing off to his right and back, Nick could see the glimmer of several lanterns, his men were making good progress with the wagon. His heart swelled, he could always rely on his men, there wasn't a hand on the ranch that wouldn't give his all if Nick asked him to. The rancher was experienced enough to imagine some of the difficulties the wagon would have encountered during their torturous journey to the cave. No doubt the men had levered it free of muddy patches, pushed it up steep inclines and dragged it over rocky terrain, Nick vowed to reward his men suitably in due course.

He slowed his horse, slewing round in the saddle to bellow to the two companions in his wake.

"Almost there! Bear to the left now and keep close behind me, the ground could be treacherous."

The other two bunched up and all three riders gingerly skirted the ridge and brought their mounts to a halt in the stand of trees adjacent to the cave. Jarrod dismounted and assisted a stiff Howard Merar from the saddle. Nick was already scrambling up a small rocky bank to the cave mouth, holding his lantern high to cast a tiny illumination on the scene before him. The rain still battered down unabated and Nick's eyes were slitted against the downpour as he peered desperately into the dark chasm of the cave mouth, shouting his brother's name.

"Heath? Heath! Where are you Boy? Cavalry's here!"

Nick's heart lurched with fright as the lantern's fragile beam found the supine figure of Heath Barkley laying virtually across the cave mouth and in the same instant a fierce tremor of relief and exultation surged through him as his brother's feeble voice answered him.

"Nick? Right here Nick, thank God you're here!"

In an instant Nick was beside his brother, holding the lantern to light the path for Jarrod and Merar, close on his heels. Jarrod had a lantern too and now the little cave was bright enough for the three newcomers to see what measures Heath had been forced to resort to in order to preserve his sister's life. Nick reached out to take Audra from Heath's grasp but the quiet authoritative voice of Howard Merar stopped him.

"No Nick, don't attempt to move Audra, we need to lay her down flat and that means moving Heath first."

Nick obediently moved back and squatted anxiously beside Jarrod as Merar laid a hand on Heath Barkley's shoulder.

"How long have you been there like that Son?"

Heath fought to control the chattering of his teeth, "too...too long. Had...had to kill the fire...too much smoke...didn't know what...what else to do...had to keep...keep Sis warm."

Merar's hand felt for the pulse in Audra's neck and found it beating with reassuring steadiness, he smiled slightly at the warmth of her skin under his fingers.

"I don't doubt you're in agony from cramp and the cold Heath but you've done the right thing and thanks to you she's as warm as a July morning," said the doctor heartily.

"Glad to hear it," croaked Heath, "wish...wish I could say the same."

The blond rancher tried the experiment of shifting slightly and froze into immobility again, agonized breath hissing from him as cramp struck.

"No, don't try to move yet Heath, let me take charge," warned Merar.

"Anything you s...say Doc," groaned Heath.

Merar glanced at the impatient Nick, "Nick come around to Audra's front and lay down there, I need you to support her exactly as Heath is doing, we can't move him until you have tight hold of her, understand?"

Nick was already moving, laying in front of his sister and reaching eager hands to take her from Heath's grasp.

"Careful Nick, take it easy," warned Jarrod, afraid that Nick would be too hasty. Realizing in the instant that he spoke that he needn't have worried, for Nick was as careful and as gentle in taking over the support of Audra from Heath, as he was when delivering a foal from one of his precious breeding mares.

Merar turned to Jarrod, "help me drag Heath away from Audra and go carefully Jarrod! Your brother is going to be mighty stiff and cramped."

The lawyer and the doctor gently disengaged Heath's rigid body from Audra's, which was now safely supported by Nick Barkley's strong arms and together the two men managed to move Heath a few feet nearer the cave mouth. They rolled him onto his back and a groan of pain escaped him as his cramped and sore body moved after its long period of enforced stillness.

"Rub your brother's arms and legs Jarrod, get his blood circulating again," ordered Merar turning his attention to the inert form of the still unconscious Audra once more. The doctor took a gentle hold of the injured girl's shoulders and told Nick to slowly relax his grip upon her so that Merar could lay her tenderly on her back again. In a short space of time this objective had been achieved and Audra was being carefully examined by the doctor. Nick Barkley stood up and gazed down at his unconscious sister for a moment. She was deathly pale and there was a lump the size of a duck egg on her forehead.

Conflicting emotions warred in Nick's breast, for he loved his little sister very much and he couldn't help but be moved by her bruised and battered state. Nonetheless, he was deeply angry with her for disobeying him and coming to grief on the nervous mare. He glanced across at Heath, Jarrod was helping to restore the circulation to Heath's cramped limbs and it was working, but with the renewed blood flow came severe pain and Heath was wincing and grunting like a man under the lash.

Nick shook his head, it was hard to believe that just a few hours ago he and Heath had been busy overseeing the Fall roundup of their herd, absorbed and happy in their work, without another care in the world. Now, thanks to one spoiled young girl, the Barkley herd was once more scattered across the range and would need to be gathered anew. Heath Barkley had undoubtedly saved his sister's life, at what cost to his own health, Nick didn't yet know, but he was sure that there would be a cost. Nick glanced again at his sister's inert figure and his mouth tightened to a thin hard line.

Doctor Merar spoke, "Nick I'm going to need you to..." he broke off as he realized that Nick had already moved over to his brother. Nick knelt beside Heath and started briskly rubbing the blond rancher's legs.

"I'll take care of Heath, you go help the Doc," he said quietly to Jarrod.

The lawyer's intense gaze bored into Nick for a moment then he moved to his sister's side and asked Doctor Merar how he could help.

Heath managed to grin weakly at his ranching partner, as Nick briskly stroked his brother's legs.

"The last person who did that for me was Lulabelle in the saloon, I kissed her for it, I don't have kiss you do I?"

Nick grinned back, "try it Boy and see what happens to you!"

Merar finished examining Audra, "I've manipulated her a little and I can find no fracture of the pelvis, but Heath was right to keep her still, this is a serious dislocation and I want her stabilized before we try to move her. Come to the other side of her Jarrod and do exactly as I tell you, we are going to put the hip back into place."

Jarrod did as he was asked and together he and the doctor reset the dislocated hip. Inevitably, the resultant pain brought Audra to her senses and she cried out piteously. Jarrod soothed her as best as he could, smoothing back her tangled her and talking gently to her.

"Take it easy Honey, we're going to get you home as fast as we can, everything's going to be all right."

Jarrod hoped he sounded more confident than he felt.

There was a noise outside, as Nick helped Heath get to his feet. The two ranchers looked at each other, "if that's the wagon the boys have performed miracles," remarked Heath.

"Of course they have," grinned Nick, "they're our boys!"

The two men went outside to greet their men and Merar told Jarrod what would be needed to move Audra from the cave into the wagon. The lawyer nodded and followed his brothers outside into the rain.

Part Five

Under Doctor Merar's expert guidance, Audra Barkley was carefully lifted onto a board and secured on it to prevent any unnecessary jarring to her reset hip joint. She had received laudanum and was able to bear the process of carrying her carefully from the cave to the back of the covered wagon with reasonable fortitude. The Doctor clambered into the wagon, edging his way alongside the makeshift stretcher and sat on the bench seat beside his patient. Merar sighed, he was thankful to be out of the rain and the biting wind for the rest of this journey.

Before boarding the wagon, Merar had conferred briefly with Jarrod Barkley and as a result of what the doctor had said to him, the lawyer went looking for his brothers. Heath had retrieved his coat and he and Nick were preparing to mount their horses when Jarrod appeared beside them.

"We all set?" Nick enquired tersely.

"Not quite," said Jarrod turning to Heath, "Howard wants you to ride back in the wagon Heath, he's a little concerned about you."

The blond rancher shook his head, "I'm fine Jarrod."

"Nevertheless Heath, I think you should do as the Doctor says," said the lawyer firmly. "He says you're wet and cold and a good candidate for pneumonia if we don't get you under cover right away."

"Heath Barkley's brows contracted into a frown and his chin jutted stubbornly, "I'm fine," he repeated, preparing to vault into the saddle, "let's get Sis home."

"Now you hold on there Boy," ordered Nick taking Charger's reins from his brother, "if Howard says you ride in the wagon, that's just what you're going to do!"

Heath opened his mouth to protest but Jarrod said flatly, "We insist Heath."

Heath hesitated, looking from Nick to Jarrod and back to Nick again, there was no hint of compromise in the faces of either of his older brothers.

Nick dropped a hand on Heath's shoulder, he grinned at his ranching partner, "Now don't make me get rough with you," he warned.

Heath's mouth curved reluctantly in a half-smile, "all right, I'll ride in the wagon, but only because Nick's too young to die!"

The dark rancher laughed, "in your dreams Boy, in your dreams, now get your sorry tail into that wagon before I teach you some respect for your elders, come on Boy git!"

As Nick and Jarrod helped Heath into the back of the wagon, it was plain to see that his limbs were scarcely obeying him and his brothers exchanged anxious glances. Clearly Doctor Merar's concern for Heath's well being was justified. He was a strong and healthy young man but he had been forced to lie with the length of his body exposed on one side to the wind and rain for several hours as he kept his sister alive with the warmth of his own life-force. Nick and Jarrod Barkley were uneasily aware that their brother would almost certainly have to pay a price for his devotion to his sister's welfare.

The journey from the north ridge cave to the Barkley mansion was a slow nightmare of rain and mud and at times it seemed as though it would never end. The Barkley hands worked like heroes, dragging the big wagon clear of bogs and obstacles and helping the magnificent Belgian draft horses top the inclines on their route. The men worked as the highly skilled and disciplined team they were and rancher Nick was fiercely proud of them all.

Nick and Jarrod rode in the vanguard of the party and top hands Ace Rogers and Clem Hanks led Charger and Doctor Merar's horses. Barkley ranch foreman Dave McCall was at the reins of the team with a sharp eyed hand beside him on the watch for obstacles that might damage a wheel as the wagon made its ponderous way back to the ranch. As Nick and Jarrod breasted the last rise between themselves and home, they reined in their mounts and peered ahead through the rain and darkness, the hearts of both men lifted as they glimpsed the cheerful lights of the Barkley mansion ahead in the distance. Nick turned and raised his mighty voice to bellow above the wind, "One more push Boys! Almost home now."

The weary men braced themselves for one final effort and all breathed a sigh of relief when at last the big wagon rumbled to a halt outside the big front door of the mansion. Jarrod Barkley dismounted and handed his horse over to the waiting Ciego, he opened the front door and found Silas waiting in the foyer to receive him.

The houseman's anxious eyes were fixed on the lawyer's face and Jarrod hastened to reassure his old friend that Audra was alive.

Silas beamed, "thank God, I've got her room all ready they can carry her right on upstairs Sir."

Jarrod had glanced at his watch as the cavalcade left the cave and he was surprised now as he glanced at the big clock by the staircase, to find that only two hours had passed. It had seemed an age as they made their way slowly home.

Outside, Nick handed his horse over to Ciego, "Give ‘em the best and I mean the best, they've earned it," he commanded.

He turned, his eyes searching for his foreman, spotting McCall, Nick beckoned him over and handed him a key.

"Take half a dozen bottles of whiskey from the liquor safe in the kitchen, see that every man gets a good belt and tell them there's a fat bonus coming in their pay too. Tell them I said thanks will you Mac?"

McCall hid his surprise, the rule here had always been no drinking on the job, still he would welcome a warming shot of whisky himself and he knew Nick's gesture would be well received by the men.

"Leave it to me Boss, what do you want to do about the herd tomorrow?"

Nick smiled grimly, "well we rounded ‘em up once Mac, I guess we can do it again. Tell the men work starts at noon tomorrow, fair enough?"

"Yessir, I'll have ‘em ready for work," Mac said, secretly relieved that Nick wasn't proposing that they start work at dawn as usual.

Nick noticed that his younger brother had not gone indoors with the doctor and the men carefully carrying Audra's stretcher and was instead moving among the hands praising them for their efforts. With a muttered oath, Nick descended on Heath and proceeded to drag him indoors, "For the love of Heaven, will you get your carcass inside before you catch your death," scolded Nick thrusting Heath through the front door and into the foyer.

Jarrod was at the drinks tray pouring four generous measures of whisky and he smiled as he saw Nick hustling Heath in out of the weather, scolding all the way.

"Stop yelling at your little brother Nicholas and both of you come here and drink your medicine," ordered Jarrod.

He handed both men their drinks and took his own and Doctor Merar's up the stairs to the sick room. Nick and Heath followed in his wake after stripping off their rain slickers and coats. The door to the sick room was open and Jarrod halted just inside the doorway, his two brothers were just behind him. Silas stood beside Doctor Merar on one side of Audra's bed and to the surprise of the three Barkley men a woman none of them had ever seen before stood on the other.

She was a small, thin person of middle age and prematurely grey hair. Her face was grave as she looked with quiet compassion at the stricken girl on the bed. She was listening as Howard Merar gave her detailed instructions about undressing Audra and making her comfortable and when the doctor had finished, she said, "I understand Doctor, I'll call you when I have Miss Barkley ready for you to examine." Her voice was pleasant and her eyes held a kindly expression.

Merar came to the door and joined the three anxious brothers. He gratefully accepted the glass of whisky and Nick led the way along the landing to his own magnificent room. The four men went inside and Nick pulled chairs up to the bright fire.

"Who is the lady Howard?" asked Jarrod.

Merar shook his head, "all I know is what Silas told me, her name is Mrs Gordon and she's a competent nurse."

Jarrod smiled inwardly, what a marvel Silas was, in the few short hours at his disposal he had found a nurse to help take care of Audra, the lawyer looked forward to learning more about Mrs Gordon in due course.

"I want to thank you for undertaking this ordeal Howard, I hope you know we're grateful to you," smiled the lawyer.

"Well it isn't the first time a member of your family has done their best to kill themselves Jarrod and I don't expect it'll be the last," smiled Merar. "When Mrs Gordon has Audra undressed and washed, I'll examine her again and see about more pain relief and then she should sleep for a while."

Jarrod nodded, "will you stay the night Howard? The weather's still atrocious and your wife knows where you are."

"Thank you Jarrod I'd be grateful." The doctor smiled at Heath, "you need a hot bath young man and a change into dry clothes as soon as possible."

"I'm fine Doc," said Heath irritated to again be the centre of attention, "I have to go and check on Audra's mare first."

"It isn't Audra's mare," growled Nick, "it's my mare and I'll check her myself, you're going in the bath like Howard says!"

Nick hauled Heath off without ceremony and Jarrod watched them go, his vivid eyes gleaming with amusement. When the door had closed behind the ranchers, Merar leaned forward and spoke earnestly to Jarrod, "Keep an eye on Heath for a day or two Jarrod, I know he's a strong boy but he was exposed to some severe weather and a lung infection is a distinct possibility."

"I'll do that Howard," promised the lawyer.

In the bathroom, the big tub was rapidly filling with hot water and Nick was bullying Heath into undressing, pretending to unbutton his shirt for him. Heath slapped his hand away, "For crying out loud Nick! Anyone would think I was five years old, I'll take the damned bath, get out of here will you?"

Nick laughed and desisted, but turned at the door to say, "I'm going out to the barn to check the mare and then I'll be back. You'd better be up to your neck in hot water Boy or you'll answer to me!"

Part Six

In the Barkley barn, Ciego had rubbed down, fed and settled the splendid but weary draft horses, the two hired horses from the Stockton livery stable, as well as Nick's Appaloosa and Heath's beloved Charger. Nick inspected them all and uttered an indeterminate grunt, which Ciego correctly interpreted as satisfaction with the job he had done. The Mexican stood behind Nick as he gently approached the nervous chestnut mare that had thrown Audra and started this nightmarish episode.

Nick spoke with deep soothing tones to the mare and her sensitive ears twitched responsively. The rancher ran experienced hands down her lame hock and the animal stood trembling but passive as he determined the extent of the damage. Nick glanced at Ciego over his shoulder, "What do you think?"

"I think is a strain, a bad one but only a strain, but..." the Mexican shrugged expressively.

Nick nodded grimly, "I know what you mean, it's the type of injury that bobs up over and over again, she's never going to be fit for anything but the lightest of use is she?"

"No Senor, she is a pretty creature but skittish si?"

"Yeah, too skittish, I wouldn't want to sell her on, she could cause another accident."

Ciego's eyes clouded, he had feared this, "you want me to shoot her?" asked the stable-hand sadly.

Nick looked at the mare, she was a lovely animal and this shouldn't have happened, it was Audra's fault not the mare's. A fresh wave of anger against his foolish young sister swept Nick, deepening the forbidding frown on his stern face.

"I'll think about it," he said curtly.

Ciego knew his master better than to push the matter any further, but as Nick left the barn, the stable-hand stroked the mare's satin neck and murmured to her, "Gently chiquita, be a good girl, maybe he won't do it if you are gentle ayee I hope not!"

When Nick re-entered the house after checking the mare, he stripped off his rain slicker and handed it to the waiting Silas.

"Silas, I know you've been pretty busy but are you planning on feeding us any time soon, I'm starving?"

Silas grinned, "ain't no need to tell me that! The day you come home not starving is the day I hang up my apron for good! Table's already set, soon as Mr Jarrod and the doctor come down and Mr Heath's out of the tub, y'all can eat."

Nick grinned at him, "Silas you're a marvel! Tell me about the nurse-lady."

"Why don't you join me in the kitchen, I'll make you a roast beef sandwich and tell you all about her?"

"Now you're talking!" Nick said heartily, following the houseman to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later, Nick, ensconced at the kitchen table, polished off the last of a substantial sandwich and beamed at Silas, "Ah that's better, I reckon I can hold out until supper time now. So tell me about Mrs Gordon."

Silas poured coffee for them both and sat opposite Nick.

"She's a widow lady, first name's Hope, she just moved into the empty cottage off the Stockton road."

"What, the old Palmer place, that's not much of a home for a lady!"

"No, it ain't too fancy at that."

"Fancy? It's a hovel, barely has a roof on it!"

Silas nodded, "I know, I think your Mama has plans for Mrs Gordon, but I don't know what exactly. She was leaving for Denver as Mrs Gordon moved in and she just told me to take her some eggs and some things and make her feel welcome. I think Mrs Barkley plans on seeing her when she gets back."

"So what's Mrs Gordon's story? I suppose she's yet another of my mother's lame ducks!"

Silas smiled with huge affection at his favourite Barkley, for he had known and loved Nick since he had first started to live with the Barkleys, when Nick was just two years old. He thought of the dozens of times over the years when Nick had burst in to the house demanding help for a lame duck of his own. There had been many such occasions, for Nick had a heart as big as a harvest moon and anyway philanthropy was a way of life for this family.

"I guess your mother does want to help her at that. Seems her husband gambled away all their money and left her destitute, his family don't want to know her and she don't have none of her own. She used to look after an old lady in Stockton and lived with her, but the lady died and didn't leave Mrs Gordon anything so she's fallen on hard times. Her husband had won the Palmer cottage on a bet and it wasn't fixed up enough to sell, so she moved in there. She does one or two nursing jobs in town but she's mighty up against it."

Nick smiled, "so you thought it would be a good idea to fetch her here to take care of Audra?"

"Well I reckoned it was a good notion, Mrs Barkley being away and all."

"Silas, what would we do without you?" said Nick affectionately.

"You get along out of my kitchen and let me get supper on the table," smiled Silas.

The three Barkley men and Howard Merar dined handsomely and afterward sat contentedly in front of a roaring fire in the Barkley living room drinking brandy.

Jarrod was concerned about his sister, "She seems to be sleeping very deeply Howard, are you sure her head injury isn't worse than a simple concussion?"

"Quite sure Jarrod, in fact as far as I can tell, Audra has been extremely lucky, the hip dislocation is going to cause her a lot of pain, but there's no reason to think it won't heal fully in time. As to her head, she sustained a nasty bump when she fell, but I've kept a close eye on her since I got to her at the cave and I see no symptoms other than concussion. She needs a few days complete rest in bed and to be kept quiet and tranquil but she should be just fine in time."

Jarrod's voice was warm, "that's wonderful Howard, we can't thank you enough for all you've done."

Heath smiled at the doctor, "yes thanks Doc, I was sure worried about Sis for a while back there."

Howard Merar shook his head, "Audra owes her life to you Young Man, your prompt action stopped her succumbing to shock and exposure, she's a very lucky young lady indeed."

Jarrod was looking at Nick, the rancher's face wore a forbidding frown and he was staring into the flames of the fire. The lawyer spoke softly, "You hear that Nick? Howard says Audra's been very lucky."

Nick's hard hazel gaze met Jarrod's for a moment, "She's doing better than the mare then, I'm going to have to shoot her tomorrow!"

Heath's quiet voice asked, "is that necessary?"

Nick met his brother's frank blue gaze uncompromisingly, "I don't want to, but I'm not happy about selling her and she's going to be fit for only very light work, I'll think about it."

Heath caught Jarrod's eye and winked briefly, he knew Nick would solve the problem of the mare some way that didn't involve killing her.

Silas entered with a fresh pot of coffee and set it down in front of Jarrod. The lawyer thanked him and asked about the nurse.

"Silas, has Mrs Gordon had supper and does she have everything she needs?"

"Yessir, she's sitting up with Miss Audra tonight and I've prepared a room for her too."

"It was good of her to come out on such a bad night, she won't be offended if I offer her a handsome payment for her trouble will she?"

"No Sir, she'll be glad of the money," Silas assured him.

Over dinner, Nick had told the other men as much as he knew about the kindly woman who was now taking care of Audra and the brothers had speculated as to what their mother had planned for her new protégé. All three knew Victoria well enough to know that she was undoubtedly up to something and they looked forward to her return from Denver when they would find out what it was.

Heath looked at Jarrod,

"Are you going to wire Mother tomorrow Jarrod?"

The lawyer grimaced, "to tell you the truth Heath, I don't know. I was intending to, but Audra spoke with me before she fell asleep after Howard examined her and she doesn't want me to. She says Mother was worried about Aunt Grace's health and wanted to spend some time with her, Audra begged me not to call her home."

Nick frowned then grinned, "I'm all for not worrying Mother but you know her! When she eventually does find out, she'll have your hide if you keep her in the dark."

The lawyer laughed, "she certainly will! I don't suppose either of you boys want to take this responsibility off my shoulders do you?"

Nick laughed, "not a chance Big Brother, telling Mother or not is definitely lawyer's work, isn't it Heath?"

"Definitely," confirmed Heath, breaking off as a huge coughing fit got hold of him.

Jarrod and Nick looked at their sibling in concern and Doctor Merar stood and held a hand to Heath's brow.

"Just as I expected Heath, you're running a fever and getting an infection in the lungs, you should be in bed."

Heath conquered the fit by a sheer effort of will, "I'm fine," he said unconvincingly.

Nick was on his feet too, "we can do this the easy way or the hard way Boy, your choice."

Heath stood up, "all right, all right, I'm tired anyway but I'm telling you there's nothing wrong with me."

Part Seven

By the following morning it was clear that there was decidedly something wrong with Heath. He was heavy-eyed and feverish and had obviously not slept well. He was streaming with cold and so croaky that he wasn't able to argue when Nick commanded him to stay in bed. Jarrod and Nick had taken note of Doctor Merar's warnings regarding their brother's health and both were looking very worried when the good doctor joined them for breakfast having examined both of his patients.

Howard was inclined to be optimistic in both cases though. He reported that Audra had passed a peaceful night under the watchful eyes of her nurse, Hope Gordon and was very much improved by her sleep. Her head ached but there were still no symptoms of anything worse than concussion and Howard had given her more laudanum for the pain caused by her injured hip. The doctor repeated his view that in all the circumstances Audra was a very lucky girl.

As to Heath, the doctor acknowledged that the blond rancher was now paying the price for his selfless actions in preserving his sister's life. But Howard had now revised his original diagnosis of Heath's problems and he felt that a very bad chest cold was about as bad as it looked likely to get.

"Basically, I feel that if Heath will only be sensible for a few days and rest in bed, he'll recover very well, but if he tries to ignore this cold, it's going to worsen. Is there any chance of your being able to keep Heath in bed for a few days?"

"Oh there's more than a chance Howard," said Nick Barkley with a grim smile, "I guarantee it!"

It was not to be expected that Heath would view matters in the same light and he didn't but Nick made it clear that he was going to stay in bed even if his brother had to hog-tie him and Jarrod backed Nick up as well.

"We've got round-up to finish!" protested Heath croakily.

"Oh and you think I can't handle that without you?" Nick's chin jutted aggressively, then he grinned. "Well you're right! I do need you and this is the fastest way for you to get yourself fit, so be a good boy will you please?"

Heath sank back on his pillows and smiled seraphically at his older brothers, "do I get breakfast in bed?"

Mrs Gordon had been relieved at Audra's bedside by Doctor Merar in the early morning and had retired thankfully to the guest room for a sleep. In the middle of the morning, she awoke and dressed herself again and after washing her hands and face she went in search of the doctor. He told her that Audra would need continued pain relief and some help with her personal needs but was otherwise recovering well.

Jarrod Barkley had a short interview with Hope and insisted with his charming smile that she accept a handsome sum for coming to the aid of the family at such short notice. Jarrod engaged her to stay in attendance on Audra until such time as his mother arrived home and she thankfully took the job. She had been in very real fear of not having enough money to feed herself or her ancient horse Dorcas and this well paid employment was a real God-send.

In contrast to the dreadful weather of the previous day, the morning was mild and pleasant, so as soon as she had eaten the breakfast Silas insisted upon serving her, Hope walked the mile to her cottage and packed herself a change of clothes and some other necessities. She saddled old Dorcas and rode very slowly back to the Barkley ranch. Her dear old horse had served her well, but there was no denying that she was an ancient lady now and Hope wondered how long the old mare could keep going. She beat down a stab of fear, if Dorcas gave up the ghost, how would she ever be able to get to Stockton for the few jobs that came her way?

Thrusting her own troubles aside, Hope rode in to the Barkley compound and found to her surprise that the man holding her stirrup to assist her from the saddle was the formidable ranch boss Nick Barkley himself. Hope had heard Nick's deep, wrathful voice the previous evening and had found him a mite intimidating but as she dismounted and turned to thank him, she discovered that he had a smile every bit as charming as his brother the lawyer.

"Now Mrs Gordon, I think I'm going to have to shout at you," said Nick in a gentle teasing voice.

Hope looked at him in surprise.

"There was no need for you to walk back to your cottage for your things, Ciego would have been more than happy to take you in the buggy."

Hope smiled, "that's very kind, but there was no need, I rode back as you see."

She indicated her old mare and Nick reached a hand to stroke the old girl's velvet nose.

"Yes, so I see, now you and this old gal must have been friends a long time?"

Hope nodded, "yes she is an old gal, 27 in fact, I rode her as a girl, she was my father's gift to me."

Nick smiled, "I thought you must have been riding all your life, you sit your horse very well indeed."

A shade of worry crossed Hope's face, "Yes I've always loved riding and of course it's vital now that I can get to Stockton when I need to. I really don't know what I'll do when Dorcas can't cope any longer."

Nick's soft heart went out to this gallant little woman, facing an uncertain future with so much dignity and courage. He flashed his warmest grin at her, "That need never be a problem, we send wagons into Stockton every day for various things, we can always see that you have transport when necessary, please don't give it another thought."

The rancher could tell how little good news ever came Hope Gordon's way, from her reaction to his neighbourly offer of help. She was almost overcome, thanking him with tearful warmth and he felt another wave of compassion for her. Nick took the old mare's reins and told Hope he would take care of her and when the nurse had gone off to join her patient, he led Dorcas into the barn.

Ciego watched them approach, "that old mare, she's lamed bad," remarked the stable-hand.

Nick nodded, "yeah I noticed as Mrs Gordon rode in, I reckon this old gal's about fit to drop."

Ciego patted the gentle horse's neck, "I feed her good and give her some medicine too?"

"Do that," agreed Nick.

The rancher glanced at the chestnut mare, still un-named, who had thrown his sister.

"How's she doing today?"

Ciego spoke with earnest emphasis, "I think she is a nice horse, not bad, just needs gentle treatment is all. Her leg is fragile, but if she was ridden gently..." he broke off looking hopefully at his boss.

Nick smiled, "all right, all right, I get the message, I wasn't going to shoot her anyway!" He glanced thoughtfully at the old horse Dorcas, then at Ciego.

"Ciego, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

The stable-hand beamed, "si, I think so Senor Nick!"

* * * * * * * *

Audra Barkley was disinclined for breakfast but Silas made her some tea and took up some little cookies he had made, they were thin and so rich they almost dissolved on the tongue. Audra managed to eat some of the delicious little cookies and drank several cups of the refreshing tea. She was in pain from her injured hip and also from her aching head, but these hurts were as nothing compared to her lowness of spirits.

Audra had quickly relaxed under the gentle ministrations of Hope Gordon and the two women were now on first name terms. Poor Audra, miserably aware that she had abused her brother Nick's trust and hurt one of his precious horses, was both upset and disconsolate. She was sure that Nick must be furious with her and wished that he would come and see her. She didn't doubt that he would give her a fearsome tongue-lashing but she knew she deserved it and wanted to get it over with.

To add to Audra's woes, Doctor Merar had told her in some detail how hard her brother Heath had worked to save her life and she knew that he was now ill in bed because of it. It was round-up time and so all the work would fall on Nick until Heath was well again, no wonder he had not yet been to see her, he must be too angry to trust himself.

Audra had seen only one of her brothers since arriving back from the cave. Jarrod had visited her this morning and although he had kissed her and spoken gently to her, Audra knew him well enough to know that he was displeased with her behaviour. She had begged him not to summon Victoria back from Denver, but Jarrod had shaken his head, telling her with gentle firmness that he had no choice. Victoria would be very angry to think that her daughter was hurt when she was from home and would feel her trust had been violated if she was kept from the truth.

"We work on a basis of trust in this family Audra, at least that's how it's supposed to work," said Jarrod with gentle austerity.

Audra shed tears when Jarrod had gone and the lawyer was satisfied that his reckless little sister had learned her lesson. He made up his mind to persuade Nick to clear the air with Audra before too long, it was needlessly unkind to leave the girl to stew as Nick seemed intent on doing.

Hope Gordon didn't find it hard to coax Audra into confiding her woes and she proved herself a kindly and sympathetic listener as Audra poured out the whole story to her new friend. Hope was able to understand Audra's feelings, she thought Nick Barkley was a formidable man and wouldn't want to be in his bad books herself. One at least of Audra's troubles, Hope was easily able to help her with. Audra was worried about her brother Heath and wanted to know how ill he was. So, after helping Audra to wash and brushing her hair for her, Hope called on Heath and found him finishing a substantial breakfast. She took the tray from him and sat in the chair beside his bed, asking him in her soft, calm voice how he was feeling.

"I'm okay Ma'am, it's just a bad cold, I'll be right as rain in a day or two," Heath assured her with his sweetest smile.

Hope had admired the dark and dapper good-looks of Jarrod Barkley and she was even more impressed with the ruggedly handsome masculinity of Nick Barkley, but Heath Barkley's angelic fairness and wonderful smile completely eclipsed the other brothers in her admiration. She liked his quiet, courtesy and natural manners too and found herself smiling back at the handsome young man.

"Your sister is very concerned about you and the poor girl blames herself for your illness, may I tell her you're doing fine?"

"I'll come see her right this minute," declared Heath, making a move to get out of bed.

"No, I don't think you should, she needs rest and quiet and it won't help her to catch your cold, but I'll tell her you're not too bad and that you aren't blaming her, shall I do that?"

"I'll be real grateful to you Mrs Gordon, please give my sister my love and tell her I'll come see her as soon as I shake this cold off." He smiled dazzlingly again and then comprehensively sneezed all over Hope. She handed him a handkerchief and in between their laughter and his apologies, they too settled on first name terms.

Later in the day, Hope went out to the Barkley barn and was surprised to find her old horse Dorcas had not only been fed and treated with a preparation to relieve her lameness, she had also been brushed to satiny gloss and was highly delighted with herself. Hope warmly thanked Ciego for his efforts and expressed her obligation. He waved her thanks aside and told her that his boss Mr Nick wished to speak with her about the horse when he returned that evening. Hope had intended to remain at the Barkley house anyway and she went back indoors, wondering what Nick Barkley's business with her might be.

Part Eight

She was not left to speculate for long, in the early evening, Hope was sitting with Audra when Silas entered the room and smilingly told her that Mr Nick would appreciate it if she would join him in the Barkley barn for a moment. Audra was very agitated, clinging to Hope's hand and begging her to find out the condition of the chestnut mare for her.

"I'm so afraid she's badly hurt, I'll never forgive myself if Nick has to shoot her!"

Hope did her best to soothe her patient and promised to find out what she could. She went out to the barn and found Nick Barkley stroking the satin neck of her dear old horse Dorcas. Hope came over to the slightly stern looking rancher and warmly thanked him for Ciego's efforts looking after her horse. Nick smiled at her and once again she marvelled at how different he was when he smiled, his whole face was transformed and softened.

"It's our pleasure Mrs Gordon, but I have to be honest, I think this old lady is good and ready to hang up her horse-shoes for good," said Nick gently.

Hope's eyes were shadowed with sorrow, "oh Mr Barkley I know it, but I can't do without her, I know you've offered me rides with your wagons but..."

Nick silenced her with a smile and an upraised hand, "hear me out, please." He turned to the stable-hand, "Ciego?"

The Mexican smilingly brought the young chestnut mare from her stall, she was still a little lame but her quality and beauty showed clearly as Ciego led her up to Nick and handed her leading rein to him. Nick patted the skittish horse soothingly and she settled down and stood passively.

"This is the mare my sister came to grief on," said Nick quietly, "as you can see she's still lame but she should be fit in a day or two."

Hope said diffidently, "may I ask you a question Mr Barkley?"

"He flashed his infectious grin at her, "you can if you call me Nick."

She readily returned the smile, "Please won't you call me Hope, your sister and your sick brother both do already?"

Nick inclined his head politely, "gladly Hope, you wanted to ask me a question you said."

"Yes, poor Audra is most anxious about this lovely horse, she feels terribly responsible of course and hopes you won't find it necessary to shoot the animal."

"To tell you the truth Hope, that's why I wanted to see you. I was considering shooting the mare, this isn't a life threatening injury but it's a recurring one and she can realistically only be ridden lightly from now on. I wouldn't feel right about selling her, as you can see she's a nervy kind of a horse, I wouldn't want another accident on my conscience, God knows I feel bad enough about this one!"

Hope was a little puzzled, what cause had he to feel bad about the accident, hadn't his sister disobeyed his ban on her riding this particular horse?

Nick said more cheerfully, "I would however, consider giving this mare as a gift to the right person. An accomplished horsewoman and a person who knows how to deal with a nervous horse. That person would only be able to use her for gentle riding and it occurred to Ciego and I that you might be the very lady for the job."

For a long moment she was unable to reply, her appreciative eyes drinking in the finer points of the pretty little mare, at last she found enough command over her voice to say,

"Me? Oh Nick...I don't know what to say, she's so...so beautiful, I'd just love to have her, it would solve all my problems, well a very big problem anyway and...and she's such a lovely creature."

He grinned at her, "well that's settled then! I can pass this mare on to you and not have to worry about her any more and you have a fresh mount, which you need badly. Incidentally, she has no name as yet, she can be Dorcas the second if you like."

Tears shone in Hope Gordon's eyes, "I'd love to call her that, thank you so much Nick!"

"No," he said gallantly, "thank you, I was very unwilling to shoot the mare, now I don't have to."

Hope's tremulous smile faded and died, "actually, I was going to beg another favour of you, would you please shoot poor Dorcas for me? I...I could never do it myself and...and I can't keep her, I have no spare stabling for a second horse and even less money. It's a poor reward for all her years of faithful service but...I have no choice."

His smile was so kind and gentle that she wondered how she could ever have thought him stern or forbidding.

"No I won't shoot your old friend Hope, there's no need for that," said Nick gently. "Did I hear you say you had gotten to know my brother Heath?"

"Yes, I've been taking care of him, not that he needs much taking care of, but I've been looking in on him from time to time."

"How is the work-shy little runt?"

Hope smiled but said reprovingly, "well he only has a bad cold, I grant you, but the poor boy is ill, let's just say if the State were to hold a sneezing contest he'd be a contender for champion!"

Nick grinned, "did he by any chance mention Heath's Hospital to you?"

"Heath's Hospital? Why no...what on earth is Heath's Hospital Nick?"

He held out a hand, "come on out to the corral in back of the barn and I'll show you."

Wonderingly, Hope followed Nick out to a grassy meadow that sloped gently down to a stand of trees at one end. There was a stream running across it and it was sheltered from the prevailing wind by the massive bulk of the barn that formed one side of the enclosure. There were a number of animals wandering and grazing contentedly in the corral, ranging from a pair of ancient looking draft horses, through a small dark Modoc pony, an old and beautiful chocolate roan cutting horse and a fat, tufty mule.

Nick waved an expansive arm, "this is Heath's Hospital," he said.

The rancher whistled and the chocolate roan trotted up to the rail, thrusting her velvet nose into his chest, clearly delighted to see him.

"Hope meet Coco, I've had him about as long as you've had Dorcas and I know what a wrench it is parting with an animal you've ridden for so many years. I wanted him to have a happy retirement and as you can see all these animals have all they need here. We have shelter for them in bad weather, but mostly they live out here and they love it."

Jenny the importunate mule was making Hope scratch her long ears and was enjoying the fuss.

Hope laughed, "why is it called Heath's Hospital?"

Nick's hazel eyes gleamed, "well I'm a hard-headed rancher Hope, I'm strictly business, you don't think I thought of this idea do you?"

She laughed and shook her head, but inwardly she thought that she was learning more about Nick Barkley every minute, it would not surprise her at all to find this soft-hearted notion was indeed his own idea.

"You really don't mind if my dear Dorcas joins this happy herd?"

"Not at all, in fact I insist," smiled Nick.

"Then all I can say Nick, is thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you from Dorcas and from me too. I'll take very great care of Dorcas the second, I can promise you that."

Nick's face was serious, even a little strained now as he asked quietly, "Hope, how is my sister?"

"Well she's in a certain amount of pain of course, but if you ask me, she's more upset about what she's done than anything else, she feels she's let you and her other brothers down very badly, especially you Nick, if you don't mind my saying so."

"She hasn't let me down," said Nick softly.

"Then if you don't mind a word of advice from a comparative stranger, you should see her and tell her so Nick."

He met Hope's gaze but only for a moment, "maybe tomorrow, we'll see."

Ciego brought old Dorcas out and she was turned into the meadow, the old horse wandered cautiously for a minute and sniffed the noses of a couple of new friends. Then, almost as if she knew this was to be her new home, she kicked up her heels and cantered joyously to the stream to drink. Hope and Nick laughed at her enthusiasm and were joined by Jarrod Barkley who had just ridden in. He smiled at Hope,

"I see Nick has got you to agree to take the young mare off our hands, are you sure you don't mind?"

"Hope and I have it all settled Counselor, no need for you to stick your long lawyer's nose in!"

Smoothly granting himself first name privileges, Jarrod turned to the widow. "Tell me Hope, what do you think of Nick's Nursery?"

"It is NOT Nick's Nursery!" Nick's indignant voice rattled the corral gate.

"Well that's what Heath calls it," twinkled Jarrod, "after all, it was established before he ever came here." Jarrod pointed out the black Modoc, "that's Heath's Gal, he's very fond of her."

Hope's merry eyes quizzed Nick, "Nick's Nursery huh?"

He joined in her laughter and then sobered as he noticed a rather grave look in his brother's expressive eyes.

"Anything wrong Jarrod?"

"Yes, I'm afraid there may be Nick, although I'm not sure what to think. Can we all go indoors and talk please?"

Hope demurred, "if you want to be private with your brother Mr Barkley..."

There was that devastatingly charming smile again, "Please call me Jarrod, no, I'd like you to come too Hope, I may need your help."

They all three went indoors and seated themselves in the living room. Silas brought coffee and was slightly surprised when Jarrod signaled to him to stay.

Nick's impatience was bubbling to the surface, "what's going on Jarrod?"

The lawyer sighed, "I wish I knew Nick, I rode into Stockton this morning to check my office and to wire Aunt Grace's house in Denver. I just said that Audra had been hurt and was recovering and asked Mother to come home."

"Yeah, so?" demanded Nick.

"So, just as I was locking the office to come home, a wire arrived for me, from Aunt Grace. Mother isn't there."

"What?" Nick's hazel eyes were deeply troubled.

"She had been staying with Aunt Grace, but she packed her box and left four days ago, apparently to return home."

Nick's voice had dropped to an anxious whisper, "then where is she?"

"I wish I knew Nick, I wish I knew." The lawyer looked at Hope, "are you able to stay on here Hope, keep looking after Audra until we get to the bottom of this?"

"Yes," she assured him, "I wonder..."

Jarrod looked an enquiry at her. "Please, I'm happy to entertain a theory if you have one."

"Well," said Hope slowly, "I have yet to meet your mother so you will know how her mind works better than me, but Silas tells me that she has some sort of plan in mind that has something to do with me."

She glanced at Silas and he nodded in confirmation, "well I don't know what that plan may be, but perhaps her...well her disappearance has something to do with it?"

Jarrod looked at the houseman, "Silas, do you know what Mother's plan is?"

"No Sir, but she's had the west cottage all fixed up and refurnished, I guess that must be a part of it?"

The Barkley brothers exchanged worried glances and Nick shook his head, "you know Mother!"

Jarrod smiled reluctantly, "I can get a continuance of my case in San Francisco but I'll have to go there to get it. I'll make what enquiries I can as to where Mother may have gone."

Nick nodded, "if she decides to turn up here at home, I'll let you know!"

Silas glanced at Hope and she understood his silent anxiety, she turned to Counselor Barkley, "Jarrod, what do you want me to say to your brother and sister about this?"

The lawyer thought for a moment, "Heath will want to know, Nick will you tell him and make sure he stays in bed where he belongs?"

Nick's smile was grim, "you can count on it!"

Jarrod looked at Hope, "as to Audra, I think it best we keep this from her for the time being, I'll tell her Mother is staying on in Denver because Aunt Grace is ill." The lawyer glared at his brother, "Audra is suffering enough at the moment."

Nick's expression was grave and unreadable, but he said nothing.

* * * * * * * *

In between snuffles and sneezes, Heath was inclined to be philosophical about Victoria Barkley's antics. He grinned at Nick, "You know Mother, she just loves surprises and she's not going to have come to grief between Denver and here. My money says she's on her way home, with whatever surprise she has planned."

Nick thought for a minute, then grinned at his younger brother

"You know the Duchess too well! I believe you're right, I'm just going to get on with round-up and wait for Mother to show up."

Part Nine

Heath Barkley opted for supper in front of the fire in his room that evening and Hope Gordon chose to keep Audra company by dining with her upstairs, so it was just Jarrod and Nick who sat down to dinner that evening. To give Silas less trouble, they ate in the breakfast parlour and were served a simple, substantial and delicious meal.

The two brothers chatted in a desultory way as they ate, speculating on what their redoubtable mother might be up to, discussing the progress of the round-up and Jarrod's court case in San Francisco. Jarrod thought Nick seemed quiet and withdrawn, which was unfortunate as the lawyer badly wanted to bring up the subject of their sister and he wasn't sure quite how Nick was going to react. He decided to come at the matter from an angle, smiling at Nick and saying,

"You seem to have come up with an ideal solution to the problem of the horse that threw Audra."

Nick nodded, "yeah, Hope is a good rider and I think she's just the woman to give that little mare a good home."

Jarrod concurred, "you've done a good deed too, Hope would be stranded without a horse and clearly she's in pretty desperate straits financially."

"Seems so," grunted Nick.

"Hope says Audra is mending well, but that she seems very unhappy," said Jarrod quietly.

Nick shot his brother a fierce glance, but didn't reply.

Jarrod ploughed on, "I notice you haven't been to see Audra since we got her home Nick, do you think that's quite fair?"

Nick's hard hazel gaze bored into his brother, "it may have escaped your notice but I am trying to complete round-up without Heath!"

Jarrod met the angry glare calmly, "you seem to have found the time to visit Heath more than once," he pointed out gently.

Nick grunted again but didn't answer.

Jarrod spoke earnestly, "look Nick, I know you're mad at Audra and I don't blame you, you told her not to ride that mare and she disobeyed you. She's suffered the consequences of her folly and I'm sure you're as glad as I am that those consequences weren't any worse than they are. I don't doubt that you want to give her the lecture of her life and I'm sure she's expecting you to do just that, but you owe it to her to get on with it Nick. It's unkind to leave her in suspense this way. Father never left us in limbo when we were in the wrong did he?"

A reminiscent grin lightened Nick's frowning features for a moment, "no, he never did that." The rancher sighed and met his elder brother's eyes, "I'm not mad at Audra, she knows well enough that she acted foolishly and no tongue-lashing from me is going to teach her anything she hasn't already found out the hard way. If I'm mad at anyone it's at myself! You're right, I have been avoiding Sis, for the simple reason that I don't know what to say to her."

Jarrod had been four years old when Nick was born and right from their earliest days together the two had been friends. Some people found the closeness between them surprising, because they were so very different, the elder a cool calm intellectual, the younger a volatile and hot-headed man of action. Their father understood their mutual devotion and respect, both were Barkleys, both were persons of courage and integrity, Tom Barkley knew that his sons shared more traits than others realized.

Jarrod had always been Nick's confidant, a never failing source of good advice and practical help. The rancher had always been able to tell the lawyer what was troubling him and the lawyer had always listened and understood. It had almost become a ritual between them over the years, Jarrod would simply say, ‘tell me Nick' and Nick would pour whatever was bothering him out to his older brother. Such talks always ended the same way, Jarrod would listen, consider and then give Nick his honest opinion of what he should do next.

This occasion was no different, seated by the fire in the library, Jarrod laid a friendly hand on Nick's shoulder and said, "tell me Nick."

The rancher studied his hands clenched in his lap then started to speak in a low, self-critical tone.

"I blame myself for Audra's accident, I knew she was bored and lonely, she was missing Mother and she was missing you too, she got pretty scant notice from me and Heath, we were up to our eyes with round-up. When I found out what she'd done, I was angry, but more with me than with her"

"You told her not to ride that mare Nick, you're not responsible for her decision to do just that," pointed out the lawyer gently.

"That's just it Jarrod, I am responsible because I knew exactly what she would do! I know that little girl better than anyone, I've always understood her and known what was going on in that head of hers."

Jarrod smiled, "she's a little like you at the same age I guess."

"No Jarrod, She's a lot like me! That's why I've always been able to handle her, it's why I know how her mind works and it's why I should have known she'd ride that horse!"

Jarrod could see from Nick's hunched figure and bent head that he was very torn up about his sister and he searched his mind for words of comfort.

"Nick, you and I were both pretty young when we had to step into Father's shoes and take over his responsibilities, it was hard enough for us running the ranch and the businesses as well as supporting Mother through her grief and keeping my law practice going. But we had to become fathers to the two young ‘uns as well. All you and I have ever been able to do is our best, sometimes that best has been good enough, sometimes it hasn't, but we've tried and that's all anyone can ask of us. I accept that you feel guilty about Audra, personally, I think you're being too hard on yourself and my guess is, she'll say the same but my advice to you is to tell her how you feel."

Nick raised his head and his eyes were full of pain, "she trusted me," he said sadly, "she trusted me to always be there for her and this time I wasn't."

Jarrod smiled affectionately at his stubborn brother, "talk to Audra Nick, talk to her about trust, she'll understand you, believe me she will."

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod departed for San Francisco the next morning and bade a tender farewell to his sister. He assured her that he would be back as soon as he could and that her mother should be home before too long as well. Audra was still very down-cast and as he rode away, the lawyer could only hope that Nick would take his advice and talk to his sister before the misunderstanding between them deepened into a more serious rift.

Nick made no attempt to see Audra that morning but he did look in on his younger brother and was pleased to see that Heath was much improved. The cold had gone beyond the streaming stage and he had no fever to speak of. Heath made a spirited attempt to persuade Nick that he felt fit enough for a day's hard work in the saddle but Nick over-ruled him and won the ensuing argument in his customary over-bearing fashion. The brothers made a deal that if Heath spent one more day in bed, then he could resume light duties the next day. Heath could see it was as far as he was going to get with Nick so he gave up trying to change his brother's mind. He did however tackle Nick about Audra, saying in his quiet way that he felt Nick needed to have a talk with their sister sooner rather than later.

"I know Heath, I know and I will I promise."

Heath was satisfied, he trusted his brother and if Nick said he would talk to Sis, then he would.

Nick spent a grueling day out on the range with his men and when dusk eventually fell, he had the satisfaction of knowing that the Barkley herd was well and truly rounded up. He rode home in a reflective frame of mind, Jarrod had said that Audra would understand his feelings if he opened his heart to her and Nick trusted his elder brother's judgement, the lawyer had been right too many times for Nick to doubt him. He arrived back at the Barkley barn just as Hope trotted in from the Stockton road, on her new mare. Nick helped her from the saddle with a smile.

"How did you find her?"

Hope was enthusiastic, "she's a beauty Nick! I rode her to town and back, very quietly and her leg held out just fine. She has such a smooth action, I can't thank you enough."

"No, I can't thank you enough Hope. I wonder if you'd mind doing me a favour this evening?"

"Of course Nick if I can, I'd be happy to."

"Would you please have dinner with Heath in his room tonight, so I can invite Audra to dine with me, I need to have a private talk with her."

Hope was pleased with him, "I'd be pleased to do that, actually I have a small gift for Heath and one for Audra too, they should keep the two of them occupied for a while."

Nick was intrigued but too polite to ask what the gifts were, privately, he thought what a nice woman Hope was, she had so little, but she had bought gifts for her friends. The rancher escorted Hope indoors and upstairs and she went to her room. Nick hesitated outside his sister's door for a minute, then knocked and went inside as she called come in. Audra was sitting in a comfortable chair beside the fire, clad in her dressing gown, there was embroidery on her lap but it didn't look as if she was engaged upon it. She was staring into the flames of the fire and glanced up to see who had entered. When she saw it was Nick her eyes brightened, for she had missed him these last few days, but her expression was also rather apprehensive.

Nick came into the room shutting the door behind him and stood looking down at his sister.

"How are you feeling Honey?"

His gentle tone brought a tremulous smile to her lips, "I'm all right, better than I deserve to be," she said ruefully.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that. I was wondering if you'd like to come downstairs for supper tonight. Hope is eating with Heath in his room this evening and Jarrod's gone to San Francisco, so I'm all alone. Would you like to do that?"

Relief was flooding through Audra, despite what she had done he wasn't mad at her, dear Nick! "I'd love a change of scene Nick, I'd be delighted to join you."

He smiled at his sister, "that's great, I'll go take a bath and get rid of all this trail dirt and then I'll carry you downstairs. No need for you to get dressed, we're all alone, you come down in your dressing gown Sis."

"All right Nick, I will, thank you!"

Part Ten

Thirty minutes later, a freshly bathed and shaved Nick carried his sister down the stairs and into the breakfast parlour. He carried her as gently as he could and in answer to his anxious enquiry, Audra assured him he wasn't hurting her. He set her down gingerly in the chair Silas was holding for her and the beaming houseman went to fetch their dinner.

Nick smiled lovingly at Audra,

"Comfortable Sis?"

His kindness un-nerved her totally and tears spilled from her eyes and down her cheeks. She reached for him blindly, saying,

"Oh Nick, I'm so sorry," in broken accents.

He was on one knee beside her at once, enfolding her in his comforting arms, soothing her with his deep velvet voice,

"Easy Honey, easy there, don't cry, everything's going to be all right."

She clung to him, sobbing her heart out and he stopped talking and just held her close until the spasm of weeping had passed. When she was quiet again, he kissed her wet cheeks and her forehead and dried her tears with his own handkerchief.

"Better now?" He asked her tenderly and Audra nodded, sniffing and saying tremulously,

"Poor Nick! The last thing you need is me crying all down your shirt front!"

He held her face between his hands and smiled gently, "my shirt front is at your service whenever you want it Little Lady, I'd do anything for you Princess, you know that."

"Yes, I do know that," she answered in a low, penitent voice, "it's why I feel so badly about the mare. I let you down and you don't deserve that from me! You've always been so good to me Nick!"

He kissed her again, "well you're my little girl right?"

Her arms were tight around his neck, "yes and I always will be Nick."

He smoothed her silky hair, "you know Darling, I've been feeling real guilty about your accident," he confessed.

Her eyes widened in surprise, "why in the world should you feel guilty Nick?"

"For neglecting you and for not stopping you from riding the mare,"

"But...you didn't know I was going to ride the mare Nick."

"Oh yes I did! I know you Princess, it was a sure thing you'd ride that mare and I should have known that and stopped you from hurting yourself. Can you forgive me?"

She smiled at her beloved brother, blinking through her tears, "Yes Nick, if you can forgive me."

He hugged her close again and they stayed locked in the embrace until Silas reappeared with the food.

The meal did much to restore the spirits of brother and sister and by the time they were served with their dessert, they were both talking and laughing with their customary openness and easy familiarity. Audra was delighted to hear that Hope and the mare were getting on well and warmly thanked her brother for his generous gift to her friend. Nick told his sister what Silas had said about the west cottage and they speculated on what Victoria might be planning. Nick told his sister the truth about her mother and she was as mystified as the rest of them as to where Victoria could have gone. Audra shared Nick's opinion that they need not be concerned and that they should wait and see what Jarrod managed to find out.

After dinner Nick carried Audra upstairs again and into Heath's room. They found Heath and Hope seated side by side at a small table engrossed in something they were piecing together. Nick set Audra tenderly down in a chair and himself perched on the side of Heath's bed.

"What you got there Heath?" asked Nick curiously.

"It's mine," said Heath defensively, "Hope bought it for me because I'm sick, you can't have it, it's just for sick folks."

Nick bent a mock frown on his younger brother, "you told me this morning you were feeling fine!"

"I was just being brave," said Heath candidly, "I'm really very sick, I just didn't want to worry you."

Nick's hazel eyes gleamed, "is that so?"

Hope laughed at the scepticism in Nick's voice and smiled at Audra, "I got you one of these too Audra, it'll keep you entertained I'm sure."

Audra was staring at the little wooden pieces on the table.

"It looks fascinating Hope, what on earth is it?"

Hope showed her the picture on the box, "it's a dissected map, this one is of the United States, but I have a map of Europe for you Audra. As you see it's made of wood and you have to assemble all the little pieces to make the map whole again. It can be quite a puzzle figuring out which piece goes where. Heath has been enjoying himself with it haven't you Heath?"

"I sure have," he answered enthusiastically, then recollected that Nick was watching him and gave an unconvincing cough. "That is, as much as I can for feeling so ill."

"Oh knock it off," ordered Nick trying to suppress a grin. "It may interest you to know that the boys and I have finished round-up despite being deprived of your presence, so you can stay home and finish your game tomorrow, in fact, kind big brother that I am, I'll stay home and help you!"

"No!" said Heath with more haste than civility, "that is...I don't need any help...why don't you help Audra with hers?"

"No, I want to do it myself," objected Audra.

Hope was laughing helplessly now, she hadn't heard the Barkley banter before and she thought what a wonderfully close and loving family they were.

"Well of all the selfish.." began Nick. He looked at Hope, "do they have any more of those things in town Hope?"

"Oh yes," she assured him, "there are several more, one of them is a naval battle scene and one is a huge round one, it's supposed to be a map of the world, I gather that's a particularly difficult one."

"Good! I'll get that one for Jarrod, and I'll get the naval battle for me!"

* * * * * * * *

The next day brought news from Jarrod, a wire to Nick which he carried upstairs to share with Heath. He found his brother up and dressed and said sharply, "where might you think you're going?"

"Only downstairs," said Heath, I'm tired of looking at the same four walls, I promise to stay indoors today," he grinned, "I have to finish my map!"

Nick laughed, "go right ahead Boy, I have my own puzzle now, in fact I bought the four that were left in the store!"

Heath indicated the telegram in Nick's hand, "news from Jarrod?"

"Yep, but it just deepens the mystery, he says he made enquiries at the train station in Denver and Mother got the train to a little town North of here. So Jarrod wired there and the local Sheriff did some checking and found out she hired a carriage at the local livery to take her to Strawberry."

Heath's brows contracted into a frown, "Strawberry? Why in the world would Mother..." he broke off, thinking hard and then his face relaxed into a warm smile. "I bet I know what she's up to," he smiled.

"Well?" demanded Nick impatiently.

"The last time I went to visit Hannah she wasn't very well, I told Mother I was concerned about her. I bet Mother fixed up our west cottage so she could bring Hannah here."

Nick's face split into a grin, "and she plans on having Hope care for her on a permanent basis."

"I'd bet on it Nick," said Heath, his eyes glowing at this renewed evidence of his adopted mother's love and concern for him.

Nick was thoughtful, "I guess we'd better keep your theory to ourselves in case we're wrong."

Heath was in agreement, "let's do that Nick."

They weren't wrong though, late that same afternoon, as Hope, Heath, Nick and Audra were all engaged in their wooden puzzles in the Barkley living room, they heard the sound of a carriage pulling into the compound in front of the Barkley barn. Leaving Hope with Audra, Heath and Nick went outside and Nick was in time to lift the diminutive figure of his mother from the driving seat of the carriage.

He stood holding her by the waist, smiling tenderly down at her, it was a smile he kept for her alone, "Now what do you deserve for running away from Aunt Grace's house and worrying us all to death?"

Victoria laughed and kissed his lean cheek, "you weren't supposed to know," she told him. She smiled at Heath and reached for him to kiss him too.

"Heath Darling, you look very pale, are you all right?"

"Just fine Mother, I caught a cold, but it's all gone now."

Victoria could tell there was more to this and she looked enquiringly between her sons.

Nick said, "everything's all right, Audra took a nasty tumble from a horse and Heath caught the cold looking after her, but she's recovering fine, come on inside and see her."

Victoria's hazel eyes had darkened with worry when Audra's accident was mentioned but she knew that Nick wouldn't tell her things were all right unless they were so she relaxed and smiled at the two men.

"In a minute, I have a surprise for Heath first."

She indicated the door of the carriage and Heath opened it, reached in and backed out with the frail figure of his old nurse Hannah in his arms. Hannah smiled seraphically up at him and stroked his face with one thin hand.

"I told your Mama I won't live in that big fancy house no Sir, I won't. But she say I don't have to, so I come with her."

Heath kissed her, "I'm glad you did," he assured her.

Heath glanced at Victoria, his eyes full of love, "thank you Mother," he said simply.

"My pleasure Darling," said Victoria softly. "Bring Hannah into the cottage please and I'll get her settled."

The west cottage was attached to the complex of barn buildings and originally it had been the home of Tom and Victoria Barkley, before ever the graceful white mansion had been built. It had been the first home of Jarrod and Nick, for the family didn't move into the newly built mansion until Nick was almost four years old. Over the years, the little cottage had housed a number of different proteges of the Barkley family and now it was to be a comfortable home for old Hannah.

Nick fetched Hope from the house and introduced her to his mother and Hannah. Victoria explained the situation and offered Hope the job of undertaking Hannah's care. A generous salary was offered and gratefully accepted and Victoria told Hope that she was free to move into the cottage herself is she wished to do so. Nick smilingly told Hope that her horses could live in the Barkley barn and be fed and cared for as part of her salary and Hope shed tears of joy, as her new friends solved all of her worries for her.

Heath had an idea, "tell you what Hope, now round-up is over, we'll get the boys to work on that cottage of yours and you can sell it when it's fixed up. How's that?"

She could only smile mistily and thank her new friends for everything.

Later, sharing a quiet cup of tea with her new patient, in the neat, warm privacy of their new quarters, Hope told Hannah how good the Barkleys had been to her. Old Hannah smiled, "Yes, they's good people, strong people, they did right by my Heath and I bless ‘em for that."

Hope smiled, "I think you did right by him too Hannah, Heath tells me you looked after him when he was a child, if you had something to do with the fine young man he's become, I'd say you should be proud."

"I am Miss Hope, I'm mighty proud of my Heath, he's a good boy." The kind old eyes shone, "it's all about trust Miss Hope, you has to have folks you trust in your life, folks you can depend on to stick by you, no matter what. Heath has that now, those Barkleys know the meaning of love and trust, you know what I mean?"

Hope Gordon smiled, "yes Hannah, I know exactly what you mean."

THE END