Nick's Saga

Parts 1-2

by nlindabrit

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 -- Nick's Departure from Home

(Everyone knows how deeply attached Nick Barkley is to his beloved ranch, so his disappearance causes consternation to his family, especially Jarrod who bitterly regrets his harsh words during a recent quarrel with Nick!)

People who knew Counselor Jarrod Barkley, the urbane and sophisticated lawyer and who also knew the brother nearest to him in age, the volatile rancher Nick, some four years younger than Jarrod, often thought it strange that the two were such close friends. After all, they were so very different, the elder a cool educated and gifted attorney, the younger, a prominent rancher, renowned for his toughness and hot temper. Two very individual and different men, but tied by affection every bit as much as by blood it seemed. It had always been so, almost from the hour of Nick's birth, they had played, learned and worked together and through all the many diversities of their lives this closeness had remained. It had even survived the arrival in the family of the twenty four year old Heath, claiming his rights of kinship and his heritage as the illegitimate son of Jarrod and Nick's father Tom Barkley. Jarrod and Nick had both found their own way of forging a brotherly bond with the newcomer and each had achieved a great measure of closeness with their younger sibling Heath, whilst somehow miraculously maintaining their own long friendship in the process.

The close nature of their friendship, did not mean that the Barkley brothers never had a cross word between them, indeed the reverse was the case. It sometimes seemed to Victoria, their mother, that despite the fact the two brothers had been friends from the cradle, they had virtually been arguing with each other since that time too! It was to be expected really, they were different men, each viewing life their own way and they were bound to disagree from time to time. Most of the arguments between Nick and Jarrod Barkley related to their family and it's interests, which were many and various.

Jarrod Barkley, at thirty-four, was a prominent lawyer, with offices in San Francisco as well as his hometown of Stockton. He was a successful attorney, with a thriving practice and so keeping a hand on the reins of the burgeoning Barkley businesses, mining and ranching empire was hard work at the best of times, whilst he simultaneously juggled his own work as well. Nick had stepped into his formidable father's shoes running the thriving Barkley ranch at the tender age of twenty-two, now eight years later, he was respected and admired for his forthright and honest dealings, his notable personal courage and his sheer hard work. For the last two years he had been ably assisted in his efforts by the newcomer Heath. After a faltering start, Nick and Heath had learned to trust each other and work together, to such good effect that, in his more candid moments, Nick had been heard to wonder how he had managed before the advent of his younger brother, now aged twenty-six.

Heath Barkley was different again from either Jarrod or Nick, less educated than Jarrod, he nevertheless possessed a shrewd intelligence, which helped him get close to the lawyer and become his friend. He was a quiet, self-contained young man, but he established a remarkably good rapport with the much noisier and more ebullient Nick. Heath was aware that, at times, he and Nick had a tendency to "gang up" on Jarrod over ranch issues, he tried hard not to let such occasions cause any brotherly discord, but the truth was that he was grateful to Nick for sharing his power and would, whenever possible back Nick up in any family disagreements.

Heath agreed with Nick about the latest issue to cause a row between Jarrod and the rancher brothers, although he had no particularly strong feelings about it himself he suspected that Nick did. The matter concerned a small meadow, on the northern edge of the Barkley property line. It was an unimportant piece of land, in many ways, it had no major water source, nor was it big enough to accommodate more than a fraction of the Barkley herds of either cattle or horses. In addition, it was cut off from the bulk of the other Barkley grazing lands by a dense wood, making it too remote to be especially useful. For these reasons, Jarrod had singled out Soreback meadow as a suitable piece of land to exchange, as part of a much bigger deal, for some far more useful ranch land.

Jarrod had been surprised and annoyed by Nick's initial reluctance to agree to the sale of Soreback meadow. The lawyer had patiently explained the many benefits of the deal, going through the terms and asking his brother for valid reasons for his opposition to it. Nick had given him none, but hadn't wavered in his hostility either, refusing to explain himself or accept Jarrod's proposals. The argument had gone from bad to worse, Jarrod rapidly losing patience with Nick and the rancher, unflinchingly vetoing the lucrative land deal altogether.

Called upon to express his own opinion, Heath Barkley had found himself in a dilemma. He could see the sense of Jarrod's arguments, but he was convinced that Nick had deep personal reasons for his hostility to the deal and he wondered what these might be. Nick was in intransigent mood and didn't enlighten Heath, nevertheless the younger man felt he had to side with Nick in this matter. He said as much to Jarrod, with an apologetic smile and the lawyer was unsurprised, in the two years since Heath's arrival in the family circle, this was far from the first such incident.

"I understand your reasons for what you've just told me Heath, believe me I do, but can you throw any light on this issue? Have you any idea what it is that's making Nick dig in his heels over Soreback Meadow?"

"Sorry Jarrod, I wish I did! I'm sure there's something though, I keep hoping he'll share it with me. You know it's kind of funny, sometimes I can't shut Nick up, but over this, he hasn't said one word, not a single one."

"Have you actually asked him Heath, I mean right out?"

"No, but I will Jarrod, first chance I get, I promise."

As things stood, with his mother Victoria and sister Audra away in Denver for the next few days and young Eugene back in college, the lawyer had to be content with Heath's promise. With both the ranchers in opposition the deal was stalled until either Nick and Heath or Jarrod had a change of heart.

Heath took the bull by the horns next morning when he was alone with Nick as they rode into Stockton to look over some agricultural machinery that the Stockton blacksmith had been making for them. He knew as soon as he asked him that Nick wasn't about to tell him anything, his dark- haired brother's ferocious frown told him that much!

"What the devil's up with you Heath? You sided with me didn't you, why the questions?"

Heath answered the angry demand in his usual quietly peaceable voice, glancing sideways at the glowering Nick as they rode.

"I just think if we could give Jarrod a solid reason for opposing the deal, he'd understand and it might save a lot of trouble in the long run. It isn't as though you don't have a good reason, is it Nick?"

The scowl he got from his brother would have shaken a lesser man than Heath.

"My reasons are MY business, I'm not about to lay out my feelings for you OR Jarrod to walk all over and that's my last word on it, do what you like!"

With that Nick had angrily spurred his horse away and Heath had wisely let the subject drop. To have persisted would only have antagonized Nick and if Heath knew anything about his brother, it was that he was the sort to just dig in harder, the more he was pushed.

Heath didn't relish the prospect of reporting the failure of his mission back to Counselor Barkley, but decided he should do it without delay, for there were time restrictions on the deal and Jarrod was growing impatient. He called at his brother's home, which was situated close to the Barkley mansion, that evening and baldly told the lawyer exactly what Nick had said. Heath had known that Jarrod would be displeased but the depth of the lawyer's anger surprised him, he had never seen such cold, bitter fury in Jarrod's vivid blue eyes before and fervently hoped that he could keep Nick and Jarrod apart until his oldest brother's wrath had cooled a little.

Heath was destined to be disappointed! Jarrod had had just about enough of Nick's stubborn behaviour and declared his intention of riding back to the mansion with Heath for the purpose of confronting Nick at once.

Heath did his best to dissuade Jarrod, offering to tackle Nick again himself but the lawyer shook his head, "no Heath, enough is enough! I'm prepared to listen to any reasonable argument against this deal, but all I'm getting from Nick is a stone-wall and I'm not about to whistle an advantageous transaction down the wind for that! Let's go!"

Sighing, Heath accompanied his brother back to the mansion, wondering how the hell he was going to keep his two older brothers from each other's throats! He wished with all his heart that Victoria would hurry home from Denver, if anyone could bring about a truce, it would be the Barkley matriarch, Heath doubted if anyone else could do it at this stage, but he made up his mind during the short ride to at least try and broker some sort of peace deal.

Thirty minutes later, Heath abandoned his attempts to play the peace-maker and left his two brothers alone in the library to continue their slanging match without him! He had tried every compromise he could think of to reach some kind of consensus between the opposing positions of Jarrod and Nick, all to no avail and he was fed up to the back teeth with the recriminations and accusations flying between the rancher and the lawyer. He went upstairs to the peaceful sanctuary of his own room and tried not to strain his ears to hear what was going on down in the library. Stretching himself out on his bed with a weary sigh, for he had spent a long day in the saddle working alongside Nick, Heath tried for the umpteenth time to figure out what Nick's motivation in refusing to part with Soreback meadow might be.

Some days earlier, when the problem had first arisen, Heath had consulted the detailed maps that delineated the boundaries of the extensive Barkley lands. He had found the one which included Soreback meadow, but it had not told him a great deal. The date of it's acquisition was noted and the name, which Heath thought a strange one, was written on the map in longhand, as though it had been added when it occurred to someone as a suitable name for this apparently insignificant piece of land. Heath didn't recognize the hand-writing but assumed that it must be Tom Barkley who had named this meadow and inscribed the name on the map. Heath sat up on his bed as an idea occurred to him, maybe Nick's stubborn resistance to parting with this piece of land had something to do with Tom Barkley. Nick had been devoted to his father and they had worked very closely together on the ranch, as closely as Nick and Heath did now. Heath was willing to bet that something had happened there, an event involving his father and that this event, whatever it was, was the reason for Nick's intransigence. He lay down again considering this new idea, what could the unknown event have been? Plainly Jarrod knew nothing of it, who else might conceivably know? Victoria was the obvious person, but she wasn't due back from Denver for several days yet. Heath knew he had no time to wait for his mother, Jarrod had already told him that time was fast running out to close the deal. Cudgeling his tired brain, Heath tried to think who else might be able to shed some light on this obscure piece of family history. He sat up again and swung himself to his feet, grinning, there was one other person in this house who just might be able to enlighten him. Heath came out of his room and ran lightly down the back stairs that led directly to the kitchen.

In the library, the dispute between Jarrod and Nick was reaching white heat, already both men had said things that they ought not to have said and the situation was rapidly deteriorating. The simple fact was that both brothers, in their different ways, were exhausted and each was taking out their weariness on the other. Had their mother been at home she would without question have intervened, calling both sharply to order. Victoria was a slender, diminutive woman, but her strong character and powerful personality were such that she could and did command both the respect and obedience of her sons. She could probably have prevented the worst of this argument and it's outcome, but she was far away in Denver and so Jarrod and Nick continued to rage and fume at each other unchecked.

Jarrod was over-tired, he had been working ferociously hard on a number of important cases, in addition to keeping a grip on the ever-growing Barkley holdings. He was a father now too, his baby son Jack was doing an effective job of ensuring that the lawyer didn't get much sleep and as if all of that were not enough, there was another family matter monopolising Jarrod's time. His youngest brother Eugene was in his second year at college, studying medicine and seemed hell- bent on being even more badly behaved and inattentive to his studies this year than he had been the last! Both Jarrod and Nick had played a part in the raising of Gene and Audra after their father's death but Jarrod was not only Gene's elder brother, he was also his guardian. He had tried hard to help his troubled younger sibling, at first exercising the greatest tact and patience, trying to understand and sympathize with the boy's discontent and restlessness. As time went on, the worse became Gene's conduct and Jarrod had found it increasingly necessary to take a firmer line with him. He was growing tired of having to play the heavy father and this was a matter weighing heavily on him at the same time as he was trying to finalize the land deal involving Soreback meadow.

Nick, like Jarrod, was no stranger to hard work, their father had been a firm believer in the work ethic and both brothers had grown up, aware of the need to strive hard for things and to always do their best. Nick had set a punishing work schedule in the lead up to the annual round-up and he and Heath were both working flat out and with dogged determination to meet the deadlines they had imposed on themselves. Unknown to anyone at home, Nick had taken a nasty fall from his horse about a week ago. The fall had done no visible damage but Nick had badly jarred his spine and it was giving him major trouble. He had reluctantly allowed Doctor Merar to check him out and the Doc had assured him that his aching back would heal in time. There was no need to fear any lasting disability. He was though, in constant pain from the injury and this was aggravated by his stubborn refusal to rest and give his back a chance to recover. The pain was rubbing his temper raw and he was in no mood to compromise with his eldest brother about the sale of Soreback meadow! In his heart Nick knew that he was acting foolishly, his reason for opposing the sale was of so personal and to Nick so intrinsically trivial a nature that he could not bring himself to share it. Certainly not with his enraged eldest brother who would disdain Nick's reasons, of that Nick had no doubt whatsoever.

Old Silas had been a staunch ally of Heath's, ever since the angry natural son of Tom Barkley had arrived in this house. Many were the occasions on which Heath had sought out Silas here in this homely kitchen and he couldn't think of a single occasion when he had needed help, that his friend Silas had failed to give it. Heath hoped fervently that Silas could help him now, for if the old Barkley retainer couldn't shed any light on the story of Soreback meadow, Heath wasn't sure what the heck to do next!

Silas didn't disappoint his young friend, "Yeah, sure I know how that sorry place got it's name, Mr. Tom named it, he and Nick near enough broke their backs there!"

Heath seated himself opposite Silas at the big table and picked up the coffee he had been served with, "for the Lord's sake Silas, tell me all about it, otherwise there's gonna be a murder in the library before too long!"

Silas smiled serenely, "don't you fret about that pair none, they've been scrappin' since Nick learned to talk!"

Heath brushed aside the happy reminiscences, "Silas please, Soreback meadow, I need to know...now Silas!"

It was true that Jarrod and Nick had been arguing from childhood onwards and it was not unusual for them to disagree profoundly about matters of Barkley family business, but as the blazing row in the library continued, both brothers were aware that this particular fight was different from any of it's predecessors. It was hard to say what the difference was but the atmosphere had subtly altered to the point where the confrontation was turning ugly.

"I am sick and tired of trying to explain to you how damned important this whole deal is," declared Jarrod. "In fact I'm tired of you full stop! You fight every innovation I ever try to make and half the time you don't have the least idea what I'm trying to do!"

Nick's hazel eyes flashed, "well now, compared to your genius, I'm just a thick-headed cowboy aren't I?"

"Your words brother Nick, not mine!"

The rancher jabbed a hard hand in his brother's shoulder, "don't you dare patronise me," he warned, his face dark with rage.

"Don't you dare threaten me," warned the lawyer slapping Nick's hand away, "I'm giving you fair warning Nick, either you give me a valid reason for your opposition to this deal or you sign the papers right here and now, I've had enough!"

True to form, Nick dug his heels in, "my reasons are MY business, if my word isn't good enough, then you can go hang Big Brother!"

Perhaps if he had been less tired, less stressed, Jarrod might have read between these intransigent lines, divining that Nick had some highly personal but important cause to dislike the sale. As it was, he was feeling every bit as stubborn as his younger brother and he almost shouted at Nick, "That's it! Things are going to have to change around here! I'll be damned if I'll be thwarted at every turn by you and Heath every time you don't like a deal I've strained every nerve to make!"

Nick immediately flashed back at him, "that's about the size of it isn't it Jarrod, everything has to be your way or no way! Well go ahead," Nick's voice was a positive roar now. "Take it all, you think you're the only member of the family with a brain so go ahead, run the ranch, I wash my hands of it!"

Without a backward glance Nick strode from the library and after setting his glass down with a crash, Jarrod too left the room and indeed the house, to return to his own home. Of the two men, it would have been a toss-up which was the most enraged.

Silas had come through as Heath had fervently hoped he would, now at last Heath understood why Nick felt so strongly about an insignificant piece of pasture, perhaps once Jarrod was made aware of the problem, this terrible quarrel could be ended. Heath entered the library uneasily, there was silence from within, he smiled grimly, he hoped the hot-tempered Nick had not resorted to using his fists to settle the issue! He stood in the doorway looking around the deserted library, both his elder brothers had vanished, seemingly into thin air.

Hearing a commotion at the front door, Heath hastened to see what was happening. He exclaimed with pleasure at the sight of his mother and sister, in travelling clothes and clutching those of their bags that the sweating Ciego was not carrying. Heath hurried forward to relieve the ladies of their burdens and Ciego carried their trunks slowly up to their rooms. Heath kissed both women and when they had all seated themselves comfortably and a smiling Silas had brought coffee, he asked Victoria why she and Audra were home early.

Audra made a face and Victoria herself cast up her eyes, "to tell you the truth Heath we were sick of the social whirl, there didn't seem to be a moment of the day that wasn't filled with little gatherings of some kind. We liked it at first and joined in everything with a good grace but the novelty has long since worn off!"

Audra nodded, "I reminded Mother one evening that it was six weeks since either she or I rode a horse and that was that! We packed our boxes and here we both are."

Well it's mighty good to have you both home," said Heath sincerely.

Victoria's shrewd hazel eyes rested thoughtfully on her blond son, "so how are things here Heath?"

His rueful blue eyes met hers and he smiled his lop-sided smile, well Mother, I'd like to tell you that Jarrod's land deal is all signed, sealed and done but..."

His mother smiled encouragingly, "but?"

Heath sighed and held out his cup to his sister for more coffee, "I guess I'd better start at the beginning," he said quietly.

The ladies heard him out in attentive silence and Audra wrinkled her brow thoughtfully, "but I don't understand something Heath, in fact there are two things I don't understand. This meadow isn't important to us as far as I know so why is Nick so set on keeping it?" She peeped at her brother, anxious not to give offence, "and if you don't feel strongly about it yourself, why did you take Nick's side?"

"Because it was as plain as day that it mattered to him Sis!"

She nodded, "yes I see."

Victoria had been thinking and now she looked at Heath, "this meadow, what is it called Heath?"

He looked significantly into her eyes, "Soreback meadow," he said gently.

Victoria's hand flew to her mouth, "oh no!" Of all the places on this ranch! No wonder Nick was so upset, now why on earth would Jarrod..." She broke off, thinking, then went on, "oh of course, poor Jarrod probably doesn't know anything about it, it all happened when he was away at college, oh I wish I'd been here to tell him." Victoria's hazel eyes were wet with unshed tears.

Heath squeezed Victoria's hand, "easy now Mother, it'll all come right."

She rallied herself, sitting straighter in her chair and nodding, "I hope you're right Heath!" She looked at this young man who had swiftly earned as dear a place in her heart as any of the children to whom she had given birth. "Do you know the story of Soreback meadow Heath?"

Her son nodded, "I do now," he said ruefully.

"Did Nick share it with you," asked Victoria curiously.

Heath shook his head, "no Silas just got finished telling me all about it, then I came into the library to break up their fight, only both of them had gone."

"Gone? Gone where?"

"I wish I knew Mother," answered Heath soberly.

Audra leaned forward, "Mother, why don't I know about this?"

Her mother smiled at her, "because you were a tiny girl when it happened, no more than four or five at the most. Your father won the meadow in a poker game with a neighbour of ours, Amos Carter was a stiff-necked bullying sort of a man, Tom didn't like him a bit! I think he quite enjoyed winning the land, because it was on our side of the Stockton road, the only bit of land that side that wasn't ours. He said at the time that it felt as though he was evicting Amos from Barkley property. Amos took it badly, that man always was a sore loser, he persuaded your father to take another bet."

Audra was listening intently, drinking in every word of this hitherto unheard story of her beloved father. "What was the bet," she asked eagerly.

Victoria sat back in her chair, remembering how angry she had been with Tom when he came home and confessed to her that he had been suckered into an almost unwinnable bet by Amos Carter. "Well Dear, the meadow wasn't a meadow then, it was a rock-strewn wilderness and needed a serious amount of clearance before it could be in the least useful. Amos challenged Tom to clear it within the week, with only Nick to help him. Amos undertook to do the same with a similar meadow on his side of the Stockton road, helped only by his son Todd. Well when Tom told me, I nearly murdered him!"

Audra was puzzled, her blue eyes wide, "why were you so cross about it Mother?"

"Well Todd Carter was twenty years old and as tall as a tree! He was renowned for his strength too and Nick was only fourteen. He was getting tall even then but he was skinny too, he'd shot up and hadn't put much flesh on his bones."

Audra couldn't restrain a giggle, "Nick? Skinny?"

Victoria smiled, "he was Darling I promise you. Well they started work, your father and Nick, they laboured night and day and at the end of a week, they had cleared Soreback meadow and also won the bet, by sheer hard work and Barkley effort. Tom named the place Soreback because he and Nick certainly had them when they finished their task!"

Audra clapped her hands, "they won? How splendid!"

Victoria nodded, "I remember how proud Tom was of Nick, the boy worked past the point of exhaustion, doggedly determined not to let his father down. If it was possible I think what they did in Soreback meadow brought Tom and Nick even closer together than they already were."

She glanced at the quiet Heath, she always felt slightly uncomfortable talking about the bond between Tom and his sons, a bond that Heath had never had himself. He understood her worried look and smiled to re-assure her, she felt a rush of love for this intelligent and sensitive young man, so swift to comprehend her fears and so keen to allay them.

Heath had a question for his mother, "Silas mentioned something about a horse?"

Victoria smiled reminiscently, "ah he was a beauty, Tom gave him to Nick as a reward for his hard work, Nick was so happy. He had him corralled in Soreback meadow away from everyone else until he could ride him creditably. As a matter of fact I nearly murdered Tom again! Nick had already missed a whole week of school working beside his father, then he played truant for a further week, training his beloved horse!"

Her eyes sought Heath again, "I'm sure you can understand why Soreback meadow has a worth to Nick far beyond it's actual value."

He nodded, "yes of course I can understand that, so would Jarrod have understood, so why wouldn't Nick tell him Mother, or tell me either come to that."

Victoria's tone was tactful, "as far as you are concerned, Nick is always hesitant to flaunt his strong relationship with his father in your face, as to Jarrod? Well if I know Nick, he thinks his reasons for being attached to Soreback meadow are silly and sentimental, not a good enough reason to cancel a lucrative land transaction, he would rather put his fist in the fire than tell Jarrod such a tale."

Heath nodded, "I'm sure you're right Mother," he smiled, "you usually are! So what do we do now?"

Victoria was decisive, "we three all turn in and get a good night's sleep and in the morning I'll talk to your brothers and see if we can't resolve this situation."

Heath was apologetic, "I wish I could have had it settled for you before you came home Mother."

She cupped his cheek in her hand, "it sounds to me as if you had already begun to do so Darling. Leave Jarrod and Nick to me, if necessary I'll take a strap to the pair of them!"

"I believe you Mother," laughed Heath.

The Barkley matriarch's eyes sparkled, "it wouldn't be the first time Heath, I can assure you of that!"

Victoria was not overly concerned about the rift between her sons, there had been such disputes many times in the past and she had never found it too hard to effect a reconciliation. Her eldest son, admittedly a clever lawyer, was not so puffed up in his own conceit that he didn't have the greatest respect for his mother's opinions and judgement. Her rancher-son Nick was one of life's confident creatures, more likely to give advice than to take it, there were few people to whom Nick would defer his own views but his mother was one of them. Nick respected her wisdom and she, who knew the depth of his affection for his sire, could best understand and enter into his feelings about this contentious issue.

She was not unduly anxious about the land deal either. She could appreciate her lawyer-son's exasperation that his diligence might all come to nothing if the deal fell through, but Jarrod would be philosophical enough once his mother had put him in possession of all the facts. Better than most people, Jarrod would comprehend his brother's deep attachment to this land. This meadow had been the source of the youthful Nick's pride and happiness, secure in the knowledge that he had made his adored father proud of him, Victoria knew that Jarrod would understand and forgive Nick his intransigence.

Victoria was tired from her journey home and slept soundly, awakening early next day refreshed and eager to sort out the family strife without delay. She washed and dressed in riding clothes and instructed Ciego to saddle her bay mare Misty Girl for her. She intended to ride over to Jarrod's house before breakfast to ensure that she caught Counselor Barkley before he left for his Stockton office. Silas made no demur to her delaying her breakfast but the old retainer was reluctant to let her leave his kitchen without her morning tea inside her and so she gratified the old man by drinking it. Gratifying him further still by declaring that it was the first decent cup of tea she had drunk since leaving for Denver.

Victoria enjoyed her ride, the day was bright and crisp and she relished the exercise. Before leaving home she had knocked on Nick's bedroom door and softly opened it, looking around the magnificent apartment, it was clear that Nick had not spent the night there. His mother was not concerned, doubtless Nick had ridden off in an almighty rage and it might be some time before he returned home. Nick was one of the toughest and most resourceful people Victoria knew, he could more than take care of himself.

She arrived at Jarrod's elegant house just as the lawyer was leaving the table after an early breakfast, Sarah was still upstairs dealing with baby Jack's morning bath.

"Mother! What a pleasant surprise, tired of the Denver high life?"

Victoria kissed her handsome son, "exactly so, Audra and I found ourselves longing for a good gallop through Sky meadow!"

Jarrod led the way back into the breakfast parlour and sent the servant for fresh coffee, "speaking of meadows Mother..."

"I know Darling, I know, by the sound of it, you've shown exemplary patience with your brother and whilst being kept totally in the dark as well."

They sat at the highly polished table and Victoria poured the coffee.

"I don't know about exemplary patience Mother, at one point last night I seem to recall declaring my intention to run the ranch as a dictatorship from now on," confessed Jarrod ruefully. The lawyer's shrewd eyes looked a question at his mother, "would I be correct in assuming that you can shed some light on this matter?"

"You would Counselor!"

"Thank heaven for that! Tell me all about it Mother, everything you know, please!"

Victoria did so, telling Jarrod the whole history of Soreback meadow and the lawyer heard her out, listening with a frown of concentration on his face. The frown didn't lift, as his mother finished her tale, rather it intensified until he was looking very severely displeased indeed.

Before Victoria could probe his obvious annoyance, there was a welcome interruption as Sarah entered the room with the baby in her arms. There could be no reverting to the subject of Soreback meadow until Victoria had held and kissed her grandchild and exclaimed at his rate of growth during her absence. Eventually, the nursemaid bore Jack away to his breakfast and at Jarrod's request Victoria repeated the history of the meadow for her daughter-in-law's benefit.

Sarah looked searchingly at her husband, "well at least now we know why Nick was so determined to hang onto Soreback meadow," she said carefully, unsure how Jarrod felt about the matter in the light of this new information.

Jarrod's striking blue eyes were unusually austere, reluctantly softening as he looked at his wife, "yes I guess we do, what we don't know is why the devil Nick didn't tell me all this himself! I'm well aware of his devotion to Father, does he really think I wouldn't have understood? In the circumstances, I would have done what I intend to do now, cancel the deal completely!"

He sounded both annoyed and hurt and his mother made haste to re-assure him.

"Of course you would Darling and your brother knows you well enough to know that. Don't you understand Jarrod? It isn't that Nick believes you would think his reasons for opposing the deal trivial, it's Nick himself that believes it. He thinks he is being foolishly sentimental and frankly I think he'd rather die than admit to his true feelings on the subject."

The lawyer considered his mother's words for a long moment, eventually smiling at her, all trace of his former irritation had vanished. "As usual Lovely Lady you're absolutely right! Shall I ride back with you and make my peace with the old Bear?"

"Not this morning," smiled his mother, "Nick hasn't shown his face at home since you quarreled, I'll have him ride over to you when he shows up."

Sarah was a trifle concerned, "didn't Nick sleep at home last night?"

"No but he was always one to take himself off and lick his wounds," said Victoria, "don't worry, he's probably headed home right this minute!"

Content to leave any further diplomacy over Soreback meadow to his mother, Heath Barkley headed out early to continue the preparations for round-up, due to begin any day now. He could have done with Nick's energetic presence for there was a great deal of work still to do, but then again, Nick was likely to be in a pretty bad mood once he discovered that his whole family knew the story of how the meadow got it's name. On balance thought Heath, I'm probably better off without him today!

Heath had only been here in the Valley, living as a member of the Barkley family for three years. He had grown up in ignorance of the identity of his father, only learning it from his real mother's dying lips. There had followed a period of aimless wandering, as he contended with the bitter emotions boiling within him. He felt lost and confused, an uncertainty from which he had emerged determined to confront the Barkley clan in their stronghold, demanding recognition and his birthright. He had expected hostility and rejection and initially he had been met with both of these things. But circumstances allowed him to demonstrate his capacity for loyalty and steadfastness, standing shoulder to shoulder with his three half-brothers against the hired thugs of the Coastal and Western Railroad. Looking back, Heath believed his decision to do so was the best thing he ever did in his life, leading as it did, to his whole-hearted acceptance by his new family.

Not that it had been easy with Nick! After their dramatic first meeting on the rickety bridge, an encounter which led to a soaking for both men in the stream as the bridge collapsed, they had met again when Heath rode in asking for work. Nick hired him, on Jarrod's orders but viewed the stranger with deep suspicion, their first fist fight came the same evening. Even after Heath was admitted into the family, Nick and his new brother vied with each other constantly, each anxious to demonstrate his abilities to the other. It had taken Heath's superb handling of the difficult trail drive, only weeks after he joined the family to convince Nick of the newcomer's worth. Since that time, their relationship had deepened and strengthened until there was now an unbreakable bond between them, forged from their shared experiences, for they had worked hard, played hard and saved each other's necks in the last three years. Heath was in a strange position when it came to trying to understand Nick's feelings about his late father, but despite his own lack of such a parental bond, he believed he understood a little of what Nick must have been going through. He would do his best to help smooth over any awkwardness between Nick and Jarrod, as and when Nick chose to put in an appearance again! Until then there was plenty to do and joining his men, Heath briskly detailed them to their allotted tasks.

Ranch foreman Dave Mc Call bossed one of three work gangs, old Brahma had the second and Heath took the rest of the men himself. Half-way through the afternoon Brahma sustained a bad injury when he was kicked by a horse and over-riding the old man's vehement protests, Heath had him loaded into a wagon and himself drove the protesting ranch hand into Stockton. After forcing Brahma to submit to the ministrations of Doc Merar, Heath left the old man at his daughter's house to be looked after, forbidding Brahma to report for work for a few days. Climbing aboard the wagon, Heath picked up the reins, and urged the team forward, stopping the horses again almost at once when he spotted Nick's horse Coco, hitched to a rail outside the telegraph office.

Leaving the wagon, Heath made his way across the street, almost colliding with Nick as his brother emerged from the telegraph office.

"Heath! What are you doing here? Never mind, I'm glad to see you, have you got any money?"

"Money? Well yeah Nick," Heath dug into his shirt pocket, pulling out a wad of bills, "how much did you want?"

"All of it! Nick snatched the wad of bills from his brother and strode toward his horse, throwing over his shoulder, "I don't have time to explain now but don't let them get in a worry at home, I may be gone a while."

"Gone a while?" Heath was startled, "er Nick...I hate to be a bother but it is round-up time you know, where are you headed?"

Nick was tightening Coco's cinch, he glanced guiltily at Heath, "yeah I know Heath and I hate to leave you in the lurch but I have to go, I just got this wire," he patted his shirt pocket but didn't elaborate.

Heath spoke with cautious tact, "Nick if you're leavin' because of Jarrod's deal..."

Nick shook his head incredulously and yelled, "leaving because of Jarrod? For God's sake Heath get a grip! It had nothin' to do with that! But you needn't tell that stiff-necked, big-headed, arrogant, overbearing lawyer I said so!"

Heath did his best to take control of the situation, speaking with quiet authority, gripping the departing Nick firmly by the arm, "hold it Nick! If it isn't Jarrod and the sale of Soreback meadow tell me what's taking you away in such an all-fired hurry?"

Nick grinned at his younger brother, "you aren't about to let me ride out until I tell you are you Boy?"

Heath returned the grin, "nope!"

Nick patted his shirt pocket again, "I got a wire from an old friend, he needs my help and I owe him, besides...well never mind that now but I have to go!"

"I'll go with you Nick," offered Heath at once.

"No, I appreciate the offer Heath but I'd be happier knowing you were here running things."

"If you're sure Nick?"

"I'm sure Heath, thanks though."

Nick had evidently decided that explanations were over, for he turned away from his brother and swung himself into Coco's saddle.

With another grin and a wave he headed the big horse away and Heath had to call after him, "Nick! Where exactly are you headed?"

The dark rancher slewed round in his saddle and flashed a departing grin at Heath, "Mexico!"

Riding home to the ranch Heath chuckled to himself, Mexico, Nick's going to Mexico. As a full explanation of his doings it leaves something to be desired, leastways Jarrod and Mother are gonna think so! Heath was inclined to think that Nick's temporary absence might be no bad thing, it would give both the rancher and the lawyer a cooling off interval. It was going to mean a heck of a lot of extra work for him personally but Heath didn't mind that a bit! Truth to tell he quite liked demonstrating his ability to assume command of the entire ranch and he was no stranger to hard work. So he rode home in a tranquil frame of mind, which persisted for a long time, as the days of Nick's absence lengthened into weeks. It was only when the weeks had become months that Heath began to have misgivings, even then he persisted in his belief that his big brother Nick could take care of himself and would assuredly turn up at home one day soon.

Part 2 -- Nick's Arrival in Mexico

Nick Barkley made his way down toward Mexico at a leisurely pace, old Coco was beginning to feel his years and Nick didn't want to put too much strain on the old horse. These two had been together many years and Nick was deeply attached to the animal. Lately, Heath had been gently urging Nick to try out one or two of the fine young horses the two brothers had been raising. Nick realized that Heath was right, old Coco was about ready for retirement, but as yet he couldn't quite bring himself to replace his old friend.

Nick had deceived Heath to some extent, the telegram from his friend Don Miguel Del Rio had certainly asked Nick to come to the Del Rio estancia, as Don Miguel required his young friend's help. There had not been any great need for haste though, Don Miguel had said he would deem it a favour if Nick could arrive by June 1st. That was still a few weeks away. Nick was guiltily aware that he had made the trip seem a lot more urgent than that to his younger brother. The truth was that he was still seething after his encounter with older brother Jarrod and relished the idea of a little time away from his onerous duties on the ranch.

Nick had been stung by some of Jarrod's more cutting remarks during their quarrel, though his honest nature acknowledged that he too had said some bitter things in his turn. The truth of it was simple, Nick knew that he was in the wrong over the sale of Soreback meadow. Jarrod had put together a complicated business deal that would bring great advantages to the ranch in the future. It necessitated the sale of the meadow and Nick had no valid reasons for wanting to hold on to it...except...involuntarily, his mind went back to that golden moment long ago.

After a grueling week of back breaking effort, Nick and his father had cleared the rock strewn pasture of stones and scrub, leaving it ready to be used for grazing, either by horses or cattle. They had worked like demons, each as stubborn as the other, refusing to yield until their task was done. On that memorable afternoon, father and son had stood surveying their achievement and Tom Barkley, tall and fair-haired had smiled down at his son, slipping an arm around Nick and saying warmly, "well Boy, I guess we did it!"

"Yes Sir, we sure did." Nick had replied with a triumphant grin.

Tom's vivid blue eyes had smiled into his, "you know Nicholas, Amos Carter made that bet with me for one reason only, he thought it was impossible for me and you to do this job in a week. After all, you're half the size of Todd Carter and seven years younger. It was what we grown-ups call a sucker bet. I think Amos was surprised I took it."

Nick had been puzzled, "so why did you take the bet Sir?"

Nick could remember his father's next words, indeed he would never forget them, not if he lived to be a hundred!

Tom had gripped his son's shoulder, "I took the bet because I knew that you wouldn't let me down Son. I knew you were worth ten of Amos and Todd Carter put together and I knew you'd work until you dropped to help me win that bet! I'm a very happy man today Nicholas, you've shown me what you're made of and I'm proud to be your father!"

Nick could remember how he felt in that moment, heart almost bursting with pride and full of love for the father he hero-worshipped, it was one of the greatest moments in his life. Later, when Tom had bestowed the magnificent horse on him as a reward he had kept and trained his new treasure in Soreback meadow, it was these memories that had made it so painful for Nick to consider parting with the meadow. Nick felt foolish now, maybe he should have leveled with Jarrod and Heath from the outset? Nick shied away from this thought, he could no more have told the story to either of his brothers than he could fly! Nick Barkley was not the sentimental or the confiding sort. At least, so he thought. His mother would say differently, so might one or two other people who knew Nick really well. Well enough to see through the overtly masculine bluster, to the more sensitive and kindly man beneath the tough exterior.

The day was fine and bright and Nick relished the sense of freedom he felt as he rode away from his responsibilities for a while. Dismissing the matter of the meadow from his mind, Nick turned his thoughts instead to the telegram in his shirt pocket. He had met Don Miguel in Sonora, how many years ago? He thought it must be about ten years or more. It was the first time Tom Barkley had trusted him to buy the new stock all on his own, without even the watchful eyes of Dave McCall on him. Nick had met Don Miguel at the horse sales and the courtly Mexican aristocrat and the young rancher had found they had a surprising amount in common. They had dined together that evening and the Don had introduced his new young friend to his fourteen year old daughter Dominica.

Nick remembered Dominica to this day, her deep unfathomable brown eyes and cascading black hair, warm golden skin and just about the prettiest face Nick had ever seen. He had been reduced to speechless shyness by her radiant loveliness and she had laughed at him, until her father reproved her for her rudeness. Nick had been careful not to allow himself to become entangled with the girl, she was far too young for that! Dominica had other ideas, she did all in her power to entice Nick, behaving with a degree of worldliness that would have horrified her father had he noticed what she was up to.

The Del Rios had invited Nick to come to Mexico and visit their estancia the next year and he had gladly accepted, eager to know both father and daughter better. It was a trip he was destined not to make, for that was the summer of Tom Barkley's murder and Nick had neither the opportunity nor the inclination for leisure trips or dalliance. He had not kept in touch, a fact he had occasionally regretted through the years, so the telegram, asking for his help had been a complete surprise. The wire had told him little, just that Don Miguel wished for him to arrive by June 1st and that he needed Nick's help. As he rode, Nick wondered what the flirtatious Dominica was like now, she had been a very pretty girl, not a doubt but that she would have blossomed into a stunningly beautiful woman, well he would soon see. Nick grimaced wryly, she would be about twenty four now, probably married too!

It took Nick a good few days to reach his destination, travelling by easy stages, so as not to exhaust Coco but at length he rode in through the tarnished gates of the Del Rio estancia early one mid-May evening and handed his weary horse over to a liveried servant. Don Miguel came himself to the front door to welcome his guest, striding forward to shake hands and exclaiming warmly, "Nicholas, my young friend! It is good to see you again, thank you for coming."

"Good to see you Don Miguel, I've often thought of you over the years," responded Nick, admirably concealing his shock at the haggard appearance of his host. He had expected the Don to look older, how could he fail to after ten years? Nevertheless, the frail figure clasping his hand seemed older than his sixty plus years, the skin was an unhealthily waxy grey colour and the old man was so thin, he seemed little more than skin stretched over bones.

The Mexican smiled, "I am something of a shock, yes? I should have told you in my wire that I was ill, I apologize."

Nick shook his head, "no apology necessary Sir, but I'm sorry to see you like this."

The Don led the way into the comfortable living room, waving a hand in negation, "it is not important, now that you are here, all will be well. Please my friend, be seated and take some wine, my servants will unpack your things and prepare a hot bath for you, dinner will be served when you are ready."

Nick sat in a comfortable armchair and sighed with pleasure, "ah that feels good," he smiled.

Don Miguel handed him a glass, "this will feel even better!"

The two men sat companionably drinking their wine and Nick gently asked his host about his illness. Don Miguel grimaced, "my heart is weak, I am under the orders of my physician not to exert myself in any way, which is why I sent for you Nicholas, I am grateful that you came. I am well aware that I have no claim upon you, but I know so few men I can trust!" He smiled at the rancher, "I remember you so well from Sonora, do you recall our night in the saloon there?"

Nick leaned back in his chair and laughed, "yes Sir, I remember it very well! As I recall it, you tangled with a very dangerous man and we both got into quite a fight with him and his men."

"Indeed we did! You were little more than a boy then but you had the courage of a man, I was impressed by you."

Nick raised his glass in salutation, "I was impressed by you."

Don Miguel regarded his guest through half-closed eyes, "I recall my daughter admired your bravery very much," he murmured dulcetly.

Nick flashed the old man a guarded look, anxious not to offend him, "well she was very young then Sir, how is Dominica?"

"Willful!"

Nick laughed, I'd very much like to meet her again Don Miguel."

"You shall my friend, she will be home tomorrow, she and her companion have been at the Mission for a few days helping the Holy Sisters there."

The Don made no allusion to his reason for sending for Nick and the rancher did not wish to press him at this stage. It was clear to Nick that his host was a dying man, he didn't yet know what he could do to help Don Miguel but he was resolved to do anything in his power if it was humanly possible. He accepted the offer of a hot bath and changed into fresh clothes before re- joining his host for dinner. Only when they had dined and were once more seated in the airy Spanish-style living room did Don Miguel at last explain why he had asked Nick to come to Mexico.

The old man handed his guest a glass of brandy and seating himself again, took a reflective sip of his own drink before looking Nick straight in the eye and saying flatly, "I asked you to come here Nick because I trust you, I need a man I can trust, if I am to save my estancia, safeguard my daughter's future and salvage my honour!"

Nick frowned, evidently his host's troubles were very serious, "I find it impossible to believe that you have done anything detrimental to your honour Sir," he said gently. "Tell me how I can help, I promise you that I'll do anything I possibly can."

Don Miguel looked into the younger man's earnest hazel eyes, there was no doubting Nick's sincerity. The Mexican smiled, "how wise I was to send that telegram! I knew you were the man to help me, the very man! I think I had better start at the beginning Nick, as you know, I raise horses and cattle here, also I have extensive crop fields. There have been a number of factors that have affected the estancia this year, poor Spring weather, so only a poor crop yield to be expected this Fall. There have been other things too, we have been raided several times by a renegade gang, I will tell you more about them later, but one way and another my coffers here are empty. This would be no great matter in the ordinary way, my people and I, we have weathered many such times in the past and could again. There is however...a complication. I signed a contract to supply cattle to the Mexican army and the latest disaster to befall my estancia is an outbreak of Anthrax that has all but wiped out my herd. The contract...I was ill, that must be my excuse...but it is ruinous Nick! I ought never to have signed it, it contains penalty clauses severe enough to bankrupt me."

Nick nodded sympathetically, he was both a rancher and a businessman and knew the pitfalls of contracts. In his first favourable thought of his eldest brother since leaving the Barkley mansion, Nick inwardly acknowledged that he had Jarrod to thank for the vigilant supervision of Barkley contracts that Counselor Barkley always undertook. The fate that was now threatening Don Miguel would never befall Nick and Heath while Jarrod was doing his job!

Don Miguel went on, "I have thought of a plan to extricate myself from this problem, but the Doctor forbids me to make the trip to San Francisco myself and the man I was to send is badly injured and cannot go alone. I have a horse here, a mare, the finest animal I have ever bred. I can sell her for a considerable sum and buy new stock to bring here by train and fulfill my contract. I have already arranged a viewing of stock at the San Francisco stockyards but since Carlos was hurt, I have been in a quandary, then I thought of you Nick. I have no right to ask anything of you and I know you must be busy running your own rancho, I remember reading of the murder of your father, so now you run the rancho alone yes?"

Nick shook his head, "no, not alone," he smiled. "Since you and I knew each other I've gained a new brother, Heath and I run the Barkley ranch together."

"Ah! So your responsibilities have been halved my friend?"

"Yes and since Heath is also a very good friend as well as a brother, I'm a fortunate man!"

Don Miguel leaned forward gasping slightly in his eagerness, "then, perhaps you will consent to help me Nicholas?" His eyes were fixed on his guest, their expression painfully intense. He was white with strain and Nick hastened to re- assure the older man.

"I promise to do all in my power to help you settle your affairs satisfactorily Sir, you can count on me."

The old man leaned back against his cushions, "Gracias Nick, forgive me, I need to rest."

"Of course Sir, let me help you." Nick helped his host to his feet and the major-domo Luis appeared as if from nowhere. Nick accompanied Don Miguel upstairs and saw him safely into his room, then leaving him to the care of his servants, Nick went into his own room. Presently Luis knocked on his door and entered, carrying a silver tray. "I have brought you a decanter of brandy Senor, may I get anything else for you?"

" No, thanks for the brandy though."

The servant lingered, "pardon me Senor, you may think me impolite, but, will you be able to help my master?"

Nick could see the genuine anxiety in the dapper Mexican's eyes. "Your master can count on me Luis, try not to worry."

"Gracias Senor, sleep well."

Before he fell asleep, Nick lay for some time in thought. Having given his word to Don Miguel, he would not fail him, but he wondered what the immediate future held for them both. Nick was a man of considerable personal courage and more than his fair share of confidence, so he didn't imagine that there might be anything to be faced that he couldn't deal with. Before he at last dozed off he inwardly rebuked himself for failing to elicit two important pieces of information from Don Miguel. Firstly, he wanted to know who "Carlos" was, secondly and more importantly, he wanted to know if Dominica was married. Mentally resolving to clarify these matters in the morning, Nick fell deeply and dreamlessly asleep.

He was destined to see Dominica the instant he descended the stairs next morning. She was in the act of coming in through the front door, he stopped half way down the stairs and watched her, mixed emotions fighting for supremacy within him. She had been a lovely child at fourteen, now ten years on she was radiantly, luminously beautiful. He caught his breath at the sight of her, already losing his soft heart to her all over again. He was conscious of huge disappointment at the same time, for in her arms she carried a tiny girl, perhaps two years old. So, she was married then! Just my luck thought Nick, what a wife for a man to have, lucky fellow, whoever he is!

She had seen him now and hastily handing the child over to Luis, she ran to the foot of the stairs, crying and smiling through her tears at the same time. "Senor Nicholas! Oh, you came, but I knew that you would!"

He came to her, clasping the hands she was holding out to him and at once she kissed his cheek. He could feel himself blushing like a schoolboy, she still had that effect on him! He was not noted for his eloquence but he could usually charm women and he did so now, flashing a grin at her and courteously bowing over her hand, "you're even lovelier than I remember you," he said simply.

She swept him a regal curtsey, "Gracias Senor, and you are still as handsome as I remembered!"

He laughed but said reprovingly, "now, now, what would your husband think, if he heard you paying compliments to another man?"

She laughed at him, "but...I am not married...oh you saw me with the little one? She isn't mine Senor Nick!"

"Then...you're not married Dominica?"

"But no, I assure you I am not!"

He smiled and said nothing, but within him his heart sang joyously.

Dominica was the chatterbox that Nick remembered, she led the way into the dining room talking nineteen to the dozen. Don Miguel was not joining them for breakfast, she told Nick, he was tired and needed a day or two to rest in bed. Nick must meet Carlos and Dominica could tell him anything that Carlos could not! Her beseeching hands clasped his arm, "you will help my Papa won't you Senor Nick?"

He looked into her pleading brown eyes and was a lost man, even if he had not already decided to help her father he could not have resisted her for a second.

He re-assured her at once, adding wickedly, "there is a condition though Dominica...you have to stop calling me Senor Nick! Nick will do just fine."

She cast him a naughty look through her lashes, "bueno...Nick it is."

After breakfast Dominica went to visit her father and Nick was alone in the big living room when Luis entered. In his wake came a tall moustached Mexican man of about forty, handsome and dressed in the Mexican style. His left arm was in a sling. Luis bowed politely, "Senor Nick, this is Carlos Castillo, he is the foreman of the Del Rio estancia."

Castillo came forward to shake hands with Nick and Luis bowed again and effaced himself.

Nick smiled, "well now I know who Carlos is, Don Miguel mentioned you last night and Dominica did too at breakfast."

"I am pleased to meet you Senor, I have heard a lot about you from Patrone."

Nick had already noticed that all of his people called Don Miguel Patrone.

Nick was his usual direct self, "I've told Don Miguel I'll do everything I can to help him Senor Castillo."

"Por favor Senor Barkley, call me Carlos."

"Gladly Carlos and my name is Nick."

The two men liked each other immediately, Carlos took Nick on a tour of the estancia and it was apparent to Nick that the foreman knew his job. The place was well run and the men were all working hard. Carlos told Nick about the series of problems facing the estancia and amplified the details given by his master the night before. Nick's experienced eye could see that there was a serious lack of cash, all around him was the evidence of things that had been patched up rather than replaced, and the whole estate had an air of faded former glory. Nick thought that Don Miguel had probably wrecked his health struggling to keep the estate afloat. He could understand why, many people depended on the Del Rio estate. Nick was honest enough to admit to himself that if it was the Barkley ranch facing these trials, he too would fight with his last breath to save the ranch he loved.

Castillo rode well for a man with his arm in a sling and Nick asked him how he had come by his injury.

"The older man grimaced, "alas my pride was my undoing. I decided that none of my gauchos could break Patrone's prize mare and I would do it myself. As you can see, she broke me!"

Nick was sympathetic, "I've done the same in my time Carlos, how bad is it?"

"The arm is broken in two places and I dislocated the shoulder as well. It will be some time before I can dispense with this thing!" Carlos indicated the sling he wore.

Nick was curious to see the horse, remembering the spark of life in his host's eye when he spoke of her the night before. Carlos took him to the corral behind the barn where Coco was resting, and Nick caught his breath as he looked appreciatively at Don Miguel's pride and joy.

The mare was jet black save for a few white spots on her rump, delicately made, clearly a suitable horse for a woman to ride. At least she would be when broken, right now, Nick would have thought twice about putting a saddle on her! She was obviously a nervy, temperamental animal and cantered restlessly around her enclosure, snorting and pawing the ground with her hooves. Her thoroughbred body was quivering with hostility.

Carlos regarded her without enthusiasm. "Patrone calls her Royale, I would have named her Diabolo myself!"

Nick leaned on the fence-rail, "God she's a beauty though Carlos, I've never bred a better animal myself." He spoke without vanity, for Nick was renowned for the fine horses he bred. A passion he and Heath shared, it was one of the factors that had helped Nick and Heath to bond as brothers.

Carlos ran a hand through his hair, "Patrone intends to sell her to pay for the new cattle."

Nick nodded, "Yes he told me so last night."

The foreman looked Nick in the eye, "did he also tell you how much his daughter loves this little she-devil?"

Nick shook his head.

Carlos pulled a face, "two spitfires together! To be frank Nick, There is little to choose between them!"

"I can believe that!"

It was to be several days before Nick could see or talk to Don Miguel again, the old man's health was giving cause for concern and complete rest was ordered for him. Nick didn't mind, he spent his time very pleasantly, either riding around the estancia with his new friend Carlos, or riding around it with the entrancing Dominica! Nick made a determined effort to get to know Dominica better, he wanted to know what lay beneath the lovely surface, what kind of person she was. His heart had turned over at the sight of her, she was so beautiful that she took his breath away. Nick had made mistakes before though and if he was to seriously consider offering marriage to this girl, he wanted to know her character. Over the next several days, he walked, talked and rode with her. They played chess and checkers together, they quarreled, they laughed and the more Nick saw and heard of her the more sure he felt that he was destined to spend the rest of his life with her.

Nick soon found out what Don Miguel had meant when he called his daughter willful, Dominica was an intrepid horsewoman and frequently put both herself and her horse at risk, with her fearless exploits in the saddle. Nick would have lectured the life out of his little sister Audra if ever she got up to some of the tricks that Dominica regularly did. The little lady had a temper too it seemed, several times Dominica and Nick fell out and she screamed her rage and defiance at him, more than justifying Carlos's choice of soubriquet for her, she was indeed a spitfire of the first water! Yet the more he saw of her, the more Nick loved her, for beneath the recklessness and the temper there was a warm- hearted, fun-loving and lively girl, full of zest and energy. Nick was always full of energy himself and he too relished life, this was a girl after his own heart and he knew himself to be falling very deeply in love with Dominica Del Rio. From the warm and tender glow in the girl's brown eyes whenever they looked in his direction, Nick was as sure as a man could be that she reciprocated his feelings.

From Carlos, Nick learned a great deal about the state of affairs existing on the estancia. There had, it seemed, been troubles other than the poor crops and the diseased cattle. One afternoon, Carlos and Nick sat together on the shady terrace beside the sparkling fountain, in the courtyard before the big house and the estancia foreman told Nick of the real reason Don Miguel was so anxious for the safety of his daughter.

"Nick you haven't yet met Mademoiselle Derval have you?"

"Dominica's companion? No, I gather she's still helping out at the Mission, apparently she's quite a nurse."

Carlos smiled, "indeed she is, she is a very fine young woman and has many good qualities. You have made the acquaintance of little Melissa?"

"Little Missy?" Nick grinned, he was a man who loved children, "yeah, she's friendly with me now, she sure is a shy one though, I'm usually pretty good with kids but it took me a while to win her around!"

"Has anyone told you how it comes about that Mademoiselle Derval is a mother at the age of only seventeen and without a husband?"

"No," said Nick quietly, "I assumed she had made a silly mistake, these things happen after all."

Carlos shook his head, "Adrienne's misfortune was not of her own choosing. I think I had better tell you about the renegade gang which has plagued this place for the past year and a half.

Carlos told Nick about the small but ruthless group of bandits which had been making regular incursions on farms and ranches in this region for more than a year. "Their leader is a young Yaqui, called Jai. His tribe expelled him long ago and he is without doubt evil. He became enamoured of Adrienne, even wanted to court her properly, but Patrone would not hear of it and drove him off. He returned like the thief he is and stole the poor girl, by the time we effected a rescue, she was already with child."

Nick had been doing rapid arithmetic in his head, Missy was aged two now and her mother was seventeen, "are you telling me that Miss Adrienne was fifteen when that monster abducted her?"

Carlos shook his head gravely, "but no, the unfortunate girl was still only fourteen then."

"God Almighty," breathed Nick appalled.

Carlos explained that Jai had by no means abandoned his attempts to snatch Adrienne and his child back, hence the need for vigilance and the presence of so many heavily armed men around the house and out-buildings.

Nick frowned, "is the girl safe at the Mission Carlos?"

The foreman smiled grimly, "Mother Mary, the head of the Mission is the one person Jai respects. While Adrienne is there she is safe and just now she is needed for her nursing skill, there are many sick orphans in the Mission. Jai probably orphaned a good few of them!"

Nick declared his willingness to help defend the vulnerable girl Adrienne, of whom he knew little, only that she was an un-married mother, through no fault of her own and that she was the much-loved companion of Dominica. Carlos thanked Nick and prophesied that before too long, Nick's help might be vitally necessary!

When Don Miguel was at last permitted to leave his sick bed, Nick lost no time in having a heart to heart with him. He told him, with his customary honest candour, of his feelings for Dominica and formally asked the Don for leave to pay his addresses to her. Don Miguel's consent was freely even gratefully given and the older man explained her situation to his guest. "She was betrothed to the son of a wealthy merchant in Mexico City, but the young man jilted her on his father's orders, when my straitened financial position became known. It has been a worry to me, how to provide for her future, your proposal is more than welcome my young friend, if I can be sure I have not lured you into it, by asking you to come here!"

Nick hastened to re-assure his host on this point, adding simply, "I love Dominica Don Miguel and I promise you with all my heart that I will take good care of her."

The lady herself proved just as willing, when Nick took the first opportunity of their being alone together to pop the question. Raising adoring brown eyes to his earnest hazel ones she accepted him in a shy voice, adding with a twinkle, "though I shall be a bad wife Nicholas! I am too disobedient as you very well know!"

He laughed, catching her in his arms and kissing her tenderly, "then I shall have to tame you Love, shan't I?"

Eliciting from Carlos the fact that Don Miguel had not yet sold the fine mare Royale, Nick had at once offered to buy the lovely creature himself and again the Don had assented, though once more he expressed the hope that his guest did not feel obliged to do so. When he learned that it was Nick's intention to give the horse to his bride for a wedding gift, he was delighted, only urging Nick to ensure that the nervous horse was properly trained first. Nick assured him that he would not even think of permitting Dominica to ride Royale until the horse was fit for her to do so.

About three weeks after Nick's arrival in Santa Alva, he sat with Carlos and Don Miguel arguing about the details of the trip to be made to San Francisco for the cattle inspection and purchase. Carlos, despite the severity of his injury, was insistent that he should go with Nick on the Don's behalf. It was Nick who answered him, saying vehemently, "no Carlos! I'll be a whole lot happier about leaving here if I know you're here in charge of Santa Alva's defences, you know as well as I do, better, that Jai and his renegades could strike again at any time. There's the village and the estancia to protect, maybe even the mission as well."

Reluctantly, Carlos consented to remain behind and the next day, Nick set out alone to ride into the train depot about three villages North of the tiny and isolated Santa Alva. He had reached the depot and was almost about to board the waiting train when he heard his fiancée's imperious little voice calling his name with desperate urgency. Alarmed by her unexpected appearance Nick hurried to her and helped her dismount from her sweating horse. "Dominica, what the devil are you doing here? You surely didn't come alone?"

She shook her head impatiently, "no, no of course not! I have an escort but I out-rode them! Listen to me Nick, my father is in great distress, the contract for the cattle, he has mistaken the settlement date on it!"

"What? Well when is it?"

Her eyes swam with tears, "oh Nick, you have only two weeks to inspect and buy suitable cattle, get them back here and deliver them to the Army depot at San Cristobel."

He held her close, speaking into her silky hair, "now you leave it to me Princess! I admit it's a tight schedule now but I am not about to let your father's life be ruined or yours either Darling."

She clung to him but released him at last to let him board the train, standing and waving until she could no longer see the slightest mark on the horizon to mark where the train had gone. Then sighing, she re-mounted and rode decorously back to the estancia, this time staying with the men sent as protection and reaching home safely, much to her almost distraught father's relief. Dominica relayed Nick's heartening message to her sire and was pleased to see the trouble lift from him a little. Don Miguel smiled at her, "if any man can do it, Nicholas Barkley is that man! You do love him Querida Mia do you not?"

She smiled and there was a warm glow in her face as she softly answered, "oh yes Papa, I love Nick with all my heart! She peeped naughtily at him through her lashes, "do...do you think I shall be a good wife?"

Her father laughed and patted her cheek, "no my Angel, you will be a bad wife, disobedient and difficult and badly-behaved. I hope he beats you, as I should have done many years ago!"

As Nick made the journey to San Francisco, he had leisure enough to think over all that had happened to him in the weeks since he had ridden away from his home. He smiled to think of the reactions to be expected from the various members of his family when he announced to them his intention to marry a girl they had none of them even set eyes on! He did think, a little guiltily, that it was high time he communicated with the ranch, if only to stop them worrying about him, but he reasoned that once the contract was fulfilled, he would be bringing home his bride anyway and why not surprise them all at home huh? In his heart, Nick knew that this was an excuse, he was rather enjoying his impromptu vacation from the grueling schedule he and Heath had imposed on themselves. He did at least have the grace to feel for Heath, no doubt manfully coping with round-up at this very minute, well he would make it up to his brother and that was for sure! Dismissing the Barkley ranch entirely from his mind, for the first time in a lot of years, Nick turned his full attention to the difficult task immediately before him, that of saving his future father-in-law's estate and making the girl he loved proud and happy.

Continued…