Nick's Saga

Parts 16-17

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 16A -- Friends, Old and New

(When Heath brings Marric home to the Barkley mansion, Nick is out hunting for his missing son, so the reunion of the brothers is delayed yet again. But there are other people to meet and one person in particular will strike Heath Barkley as forcefully as a bolt of lightning!)

It was growing dark when Heath cantered into the Barkley compound and he had never been more pleased to be home, eager as he was to be re-united with his brother Nick. A smiling Ciego stood ready to greet him, tenderly taking the drowsy Marric into his arms, to allow Heath to dismount from Saracen. Heath patted the grey's sweating neck, "take real good care of him Ciego, he's had a hard trip home."

"Si, leave it to me Senor Heath, also, I will let the men know that you have found the boy, Senor Nick is out looking for him, Marric's horse came back an hour or more ago."

Heath felt an almost absurd degree of disappointment, he and Nick had been apart for far too long and he wanted his reunion, well it would have to wait a little longer he supposed. He took Marric from Ciego and went towards the house. A smiling Silas, on the watch for him, opened the big front door as he approached and bowed him inside. "Welcome home Mr. Heath, you found Marric too!"

"Good to see you Silas, is my mother home?"

"Yes Sir, Mr. Jarrod's with her too. Miss Audra's upstairs with her little namesake just now, but I'll let her know you're home right away."

"Do that Silas, Ciego is sending one of the hands into town for the Doc, Marric's dislocated his knee."

"So I see, I'll take him upstairs and put him to bed," said Silas with unruffled placidity, holding out his arms for the child.

"Can you manage him?"

Silas grinned, "he ain't any more ornery than his Daddy was at that age, I can handle him!"

Heath returned the grin, "I believe you Silas!"

He handed Marric over and turned toward the living room to go and find his mother. But Victoria and Jarrod had heard his arrival and were already coming into the foyer to greet him.

"Heath! Welcome home Darling," smiled Victoria taking his handsome face between her hands and drawing his head down to kiss him warmly.

"It's lovely to see you Mother, I've missed you."

Heath turned to shake hands with his eldest brother, "hello Jarrod, good to see you."

"You too Heath! I see you've found Marric for us."

"Yeah, his horse threw him up on the North Ridge, he's put his knee out of joint but I've put it back, he'll be all right."

"Have you sent for Doctor Merar?"

"Yes Mother, he should be here soon."

"I'll go and see to Marric in a minute," said Victoria tucking her hand in Heath's arm and walking toward the living room with him, "but come and have some coffee first."

Jarrod followed his mother and brother but as they crossed the foyer, Heath stopped, his attention caught by movement at the top of the stairs. The rancher watched curiously as a tiny, dark-haired little girl began to slowly descend the stairs. Her baby mouth was pursed in concentration as she carefully took one step at a time, grasping the banister rail for support. Heath smiled, he liked kids and she was a cute little thing, with a cloud of dark brown hair and a serious, pretty face.

Heath smiled at Victoria, "this is Melissa I take it?"

"Yes, she ought to be safely in the nursery, but she's something of an escape artist I'm afraid."

Heath moved away from his mother and stood a few feet from the foot of the stairs.

Victoria said, "I'm afraid she won't come to you Heath, she's a shy little mouse with strangers."

"That's right Heath," confirmed Jarrod, "it took me almost a week to win her over."

Heath flashed his mother and brother a smug, rather enigmatic look and as Missy neared the end of her long descent, he held out his arms to her smiling, "hello little lady, are you gonna come see me?"

Missy liked what she saw, the tall man was not dark like Nick or Jarrod Barkley, he had fair hair like Marric's and he had a gentle smile. Missy thought he was the most beautiful human being she had ever seen. To the astonishment of Victoria and Jarrod, the little girl toddled to Heath without the slightest hesitation and held out her arms to him to be lifted. He bent and picked her up and Missy put her fat little hands on either side of his face and kissed him full on the mouth, saying "Papa," in the manner of one making a delightful discovery.

Heath laughed and the little girl joined in with him. "No little lady, I'm not your Papa, but I kind of wish I were," smiled Heath.

"Papa," repeated Missy firmly, bestowing a dazzling smile on her new hero.

Heath could not resist casting a glinting, triumphant smile at Victoria and Jarrod, both watching his conquest of the toddler.

"Melissa!" Adrienne had appeared on the landing in time to witness her daughter's behaviour and now she hurried down the stairs, blushing hotly with embarrassment. Heath had turned at the sound of her voice and stood as rigidly still as a statue as she came towards him. Like her daughter, Adrienne also liked what she saw. She thought both Nick and Jarrod Barkley very handsome men, but nothing in their dark good looks, or in the pleasant youthful face of Eugene Barkley had prepared her for the sight of Heath Barkley. His angelic beauty reminded her of a picture of a Greek God she had seen in a book long ago, he quite simply took her breath away and she stood, unmoving, her soft brown eyes staring at him candidly.

She jerked herself out of her short trance, in the same moment as she realized that he too was staring at her with undisguised admiration, as still and as stunned as she was. Adrienne stepped quietly forward and took her child from Heath's arms. "I beg your pardon, I do not know what came over her, please forgive her."

Heath had already been entranced by Adrienne's looks, now, her low musical voice, with its hint of a French accent made him shiver with pleasure. He thought her the loveliest girl he had ever seen, liking the frank, open expression of her pretty face and the gentle softness of her huge brown eyes. Her long straight silky brown hair hung loose. She looked very innocent and vulnerable and in that instant Heath Barkley knew he was a lost man. This girl was the one, she was so...so sweet, so young. His mind repeated the words, she's so young, and in almost the same instant he came to a conclusion...she was too young, too young for him. After all that had been done to this unfortunate girl, only a man with no heart and no conscience would dream of taking advantage of her. Gathering his wits, Heath smiled reassuringly at the girl, "please don't apologize, your daughter couldn't have paid me a greater compliment Mademoiselle. She's a lovely child and a credit to her mother."

Adrienne blushed more hotly than ever, "merci Monsieur."

Not for the first time Jarrod marveled at the smooth gallantry of his allegedly unsophisticated younger brother. Heath may have had little in the way of formal education and he had certainly not moved in polite circles all his days, but he rarely found it difficult to communicate with the fairer sex, whatever age they might be. As witness his conquest of little Missy and her mother Adrienne. He almost always set female hearts in a flutter, be they seventeen or seventy! The lawyer stepped forward, "Heath allow me to introduce you to Adrienne Derval, Adrienne, this is my brother Heath, he's just rescued young Marric and brought him home. Marric's managed to dislocate his knee so we're expecting the doctor shortly."

Adrienne set Missy down and held out her hand, saying "how do you do," in a soft shy voice. Heath took her hand, "welcome to the Barkley ranch, I hope you and little Missy will be very happy here."

Silence fell again and Adrienne broke the awkward moment, scooping up her child and smiling nervously, "if you will excuse me I will take Missy to her nurse and fetch the coffee."

She walked away with Melissa and Heath watched her go, not turning back to his mother and brother until she was out of sight. He flushed slightly at the satirical lift of Jarrod's brows and the decided twinkle in his mother's eyes, "er...she's a nice girl," he said awkwardly.

"Yes, isn't she," agreed Victoria blandly and as Jarrod opened his mouth to tease his younger brother, Victoria flashed him a compelling look and he wisely remained silent. The trio moved into the living room and sat down, moments later Adrienne entered, carrying the heavy silver coffee tray. At once Heath rose and took it from her, setting it down on the table. She thanked him shyly and went to sit beside Victoria on the settee.

Jarrod wanted to know exactly what had been happening up at the logging camp and Heath started to tell his brother about the sabotage but sensing his mother's hazel eyes upon him, he stopped and glanced at her. Victoria gave a tiny, almost imperceptible shake of her head and Heath adroitly changed the subject. As soon as the coffee had been drunk, Victoria whisked herself and Adrienne from the room to see to young Marric and await the arrival of the doctor. Heath watched his mother and the fair young visitor go and turned back to his eldest brother, to find the lawyer's enigmatic blue eyes upon him.

"She's a lovely girl," remarked Jarrod casually, "and her nature is as sweet as her face."

"I...don't doubt that," answered Heath quietly.

Jarrod was too curious to let it drop, "you seem...very taken with her Heath."

Heath's mouth tightened to a thin, hard line, he shook his head, "no, she's too young for the likes of me."

"Well, she's only seventeen, but her life experiences have made her pretty mature for her age."

Receiving no reply from the rancher, Jarrod continued in a carefully neutral voice, "of course the poor girl's misfortunes will deter plenty of men..."

Heath's eyes flashed angrily, "that shouldn't matter a damn to a man worth calling a man!"

Jarrod smiled, "no it shouldn't," he agreed cordially.

Heath opened his mouth again, realized he was being deliberately drawn out and promptly shut it. The closed off expression in his stubborn blue eyes told Jarrod to drop the subject, the lawyer knew his brother well enough to know that the rancher had no more to say on the matter.

Jarrod poured them both more coffee, "tell me about the sabotage Heath."

Heath did so, telling his brother everything that had occurred up at the camp and what young Marric had said about the renegade Chango, who was quite possibly lurking somewhere near by. Heath also showed Jarrod the talisman before replacing it carefully in his pocket again. Jarrod stood up and paced worriedly across the carpet, hands characteristically jammed in his vest pockets, stopping to face Heath. "Do you think Marric is right about this man Chango!"

Heath shrugged, "he seemed pretty sure he'd spotted him, I'm just glad he dislocated his knee before he caught up with him!"

"Amen to that!"

The arrival of Doctor Merar brought the brothers discussion to an end, both men agreed to talk the matter through with Nick later and Jarrod left for his own home, promising to return after dinner. Heath took a welcome hot bath and changed his clothes, he was just running a comb through his short fair hair when he heard a familiar bellow from the foyer.

"Mother?"

Heath grinned, big brother Nick was home, the longed-for reunion was about to happen at last. Suddenly, Heath felt shy and diffident about it, almost reluctant to go downstairs to meet Nick. He inwardly chided himself for a fool and his twisted grin dawned as he wondered whether Nick felt the same awkwardness he did himself. Well, he thought, only one way to find out!

As Heath came out of his bedroom, Nick's mighty voice reverberated again, "Mother? Where the devil is everyone?"

There was a jangle of spurs as Nick headed for the drinks table and poured himself a whisky, as he did so, he saw the flash of movement at the top of the stairs and with a thrill of pleasure, he knew Heath was home. Nick felt awkward as hell about this reunion, painfully aware both of the length of time he had been absent and the amount of work Heath must have faced on his own. He knew a sudden impulse to go straight out the door, but suppressed it, a tiny smile playing around his mouth as an idea occurred to him. Heath was always teasing him, perhaps it was time to get little brother back?

Heath came slowly down to the foyer, to find Nick standing at the drinks table, with his back to the stairs. Heath was surprised that Nick didn't turn to greet him, so surprised that he stopped at the foot of the stairs and hesitated there a moment. Now at last Nick did notice him, just with a casual glance over his shoulder, before turning again to the two glasses of whisky he was pouring. "Oh, howdy Heath," said Nick casually, for all the world as if he had parted from Heath just that morning, instead of over six months ago!

An appreciative smile tugged at the corners of Heath's mouth, so big brother wanted to play games did he? He strolled over to join Nick, responding in the same careless tone, "evening Nick, you pouring one of those for me?"

"Yep, here you go."

Heath took the glass and stood facing Nick, who picked up his own glass and chinked it against Heath's, "cheers!"

"Cheers," said Heath, adding, "you got the message about Marric huh?"

"Yeah, much obliged for bringing him on home," replied Nick, still speaking lightly but his hazel eyes shone with the warmth of his love and his voice grew quiet and serious, "in fact Heath, thanks for everything, I know I left you well and truly in the lurch here and..."

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up and pour me another drink," ordered Heath draining his whisky.

Laughing with relief, Nick reached for Heath and the brothers hugged briefly as Nick slapped Heath heartily on the back, "good to see you Boy!"

"You too Nick!"

They sat beside the bright fire with their drinks and Heath told Nick about Marric's knee and also what the boy had said about tracking Chango.

"I told Marric if he tried that again you'd have his hide," smiled Heath.

Nick wiped the sweat from his brow, "I'll say I would! Chango is a very dangerous man, as bad as Jai himself just about." He looked gravely at Heath, "thank God you found him Heath, thanks for taking care of him."

"No problem Nick, he and I hit it off pretty well after a slight false start."

Nick grinned, "did he bite you?"

Heath displayed a mauled hand, "I walloped him."

Nick roared with laughter, "that's all three of us then."

Heath grinned too, "so he told me, I made friends with him on the way home here, I think he trusts me Nick."

The older man smiled, "now why on earth would he want to do a thing like that? Of course he trusts you," he said affectionately.

Part 16B

Doctor Merar came downstairs accompanied by Victoria and smiled at Nick and Heath, "nothing to worry about Nick, the boy tried his best to cripple himself but Heath did a good job on that knee, if you can keep Marric quiet for a day or so, it should settle down just fine."

"Thanks a lot Doc, can I get you a drink?"

"Thanks, I don't mind if I do, it's a raw evening." He took the drink Nick poured for him and said quietly, "I've had a look at little Audra-Jane too Nick, between Silas and his magic food and Audra's devoted nursing, I feel it's safe to say that she's no longer in grave danger."

Nick grinned, "that's wonderful Doc, thank you very much!"

When Merar had left, Heath turned to Nick, "well I've met your son Nick, how about introducing me to your daughter too?"

The two men went upstairs to the cosy nursery where Audra-Jane lay in her crib, watched over by her attentive and loving Aunt Audra. Audra was delighted to have her two brothers home and re-united and she greeted both affectionately before standing aside to let Heath get acquainted with his new niece. Heath sat down on the chair beside the crib, smiling down at the pinched, little face, on which the marks of her suffering were plainly etched. He stroked her cloud of pale gold, almost white hair away from her face and said gently, "hello pretty girl, nice to meet you."

She didn't answer him, but a tremulous smile curved her lips and she stretched up a shy hand to touch his crisp fair hair. Heath's heart was touched by the painful thinness of her little arm. A shy whisper came from the still, ghost-like little figure, "like...like Marric's."

Heath smiled, "yeah, just like Marric's hair," he agreed gently.

Nick crouched beside his daughter's crib, "this is your Uncle Heath Honey, he brought Marric home today. That dumb brother of yours hurt himself, hurt his knee. Uncle Heath made it better and brought him safely home again."

The little face had been watching her father attentively but now she turned again to her new uncle and this time her pale blue eyes glowed with feeling, Heath had helped her precious Marric, he needed no other recommendation, she loved him already. The two men stayed a while and then left the nursery together, Heath glanced back to see his sister leaning lovingly over the crib. There was clearly a deep bond between the namesakes.

Heath mentioned it to Nick as they came downstairs and the dark-haired rancher gave a worried nod. "Yeah, Sis spends virtually all of her time with my little girl, tell you the truth Heath, I'm getting kind of uneasy about it. Audra had the chance to go to Denver with Minnie Perlman a couple of days ago and she refused, said she couldn't leave the little one. She's missed two parties as well, I ask you does that sound like Sis?"

Heath had to agree that it didn't, "maybe you should talk to Mother about it Nick, she usually knows what's what with Sis."

"I did talk to Mother, she gave me that look, you know, the ‘if you were a female you'd understand' look!"

Heath laughed, "yeah I know the one you mean! Well maybe you should talk to Audra yourself, you and she usually understand each other pretty well."

Nick considered Heath's words, then grinned, "sounds like good advice, I think I'll do just that!"

It was plain to all observers that Nick and Heath were glad to be together again. There were no overt displays of affection or high-flown speeches, for that was not their way. There was just a deep unspoken satisfaction, a serene contentment that glowed between them, as they chatted easily to one another, catching up on the long months of separation.

Heath brought Nick up to date with events at the ranch and his older brother expressed himself well satisfied with all Heath had done, including any changes he had wrought in the ranch routine. Heath took this with a hefty pinch of salt, a secret smile lurking in his pale blue eyes, ah well, time would tell!

As he had promised, Jarrod looked in after dinner and the three men sat alone in the library to talk over the sabotage at the logging camp and the possibility that trouble might be lurking nearer to home as well. Nick concurred with Heath that Marric was almost certainly right about the presence of Chango, he and Reno usually did their dirty business as a team and it would have been Chango's expertise behind the attempted destruction of the giant log flume. Heath handed Nick the amulet found by young Danny Mathews and the rancher's black brows drew into a deep frown, "I've seen these before, all Jai's men have them, we've got big trouble gentlemen!" He laid the amulet down on the table and the three men talked over the situation, putting in place what plans they could to protect their loved ones.

Jarrod's vivid eyes were shadowed somewhat, he had been upset to learn how close Danny Mathews had come to harm and not even Heath's re-assurance that it was he, not young Danny, who had killed Reno, had totally satisfied the lawyer. He would not know complete peace of mind until he had written a concerned letter to his ward and received a pacifying reply. He jerked his thoughts away from his ward and concentrated on the trouble here at hand. "I'll talk to the Sheriff in the morning Nick and set about hiring some more good men, we need plenty of protection here, at my house and maybe up at the camp too. What do you say Heath?"

Heath shook his head, "Matt thinks Reno was the only bandit up there and the camp is winding down for Winter anyway, he doesn't see a need for more men."

The lawyer was satisfied, "all right, just a strengthening of our defences here at home then. Nick you must brief all the men thoroughly, we need everyone to be alert and watchful."

Nick agreed and added, "I need to have a long talk with my son as well! Otherwise he's going to try and outdo Tomas again."

Nick smiled at Heath, "it sure feels good to be here Heath, facing all of this with you at my shoulder, well...it makes a difference."

"Thanks Nick," smiled Heath.

To cover his embarrassment, Nick took the glasses over to the drinks tray for refilling. Jarrod smiled at Heath, "he means it you know, I think it surprised him how much being apart from you affected him. From what he tells me, Nick seems more than happy with the way you've run things here too."

"Uhh huh, about a week I reckon," said Heath dryly.

"Excuse me Heath?"

Heath grinned at Jarrod, his eyes filled with laughter, "I figure about a week," he explained. "A week from now, big brother's gratitude is going to run out and he'll commence to picking holes in pretty near everything I've done for the last six months. A week after that, he'll be telling anyone who'll listen that it's a miracle the ranch survived without him!"

Jarrod burst out laughing and laid an affectionate hand on his brother's shoulder, "you know him far too well Heath!"

Nick returned with the drinks, "what's so funny?"

"Nothing at all Nick," returned Jarrod smoothly, his face grew more serious, "I think it might be as well for me to send a wire to Coalhuo tomorrow, just to make absolutely sure that Jai is still in custody."

Nick nodded, "good idea! I'll talk to Marric too, he knows a lot about Jai's band, including how many of them there are, it might help."

The three men drank their whisky and looked up as the door opened and Adrienne entered, bearing a coffee tray. All three men stood as she came toward the table, which was fortunate, for the instant the girl set eyes on the amulet, lying on the table, she uttered a scream of fright, dropped the tray and fainted dead away. Heath moved with swift efficiency and caught her before she fell, sweeping her into his arms and staring down into her ashen and unconscious face with deep concern.

Nick immediately bellowed for his mother, but she was already arriving, having heard the noise of the coffee tray crashing to the floor. Victoria took in the details of the scene with one swift comprehensive glance, calmly desired Nick to lower his voice and ordered Heath to follow her with his fair burden. They left the room and Silas glided in to restore order, sweeping up the broken china and mopping up the tide of spilled coffee. When he had gone, Nick turned ruefully to Jarrod, "I guess that was my fault, I left the damn thing on the table!"

"Don't worry Nick, Mother will take care of her, I'm sure she'll be fine." The lawyer looked shrewdly at Nick, "thanks to Heath, she didn't hit the floor, Mother and I thought Heath seemed smitten with her earlier, but he says she's too young for him." Jarrod couldn't quite keep the curiosity out of his voice and he was watching Nick closely.

His brother's reaction surprised Jarrod, Nick's face hardened into a stony mask and his voice was equally grim, "well he's certainly right about that!"

The intensity in Nick's voice puzzled Jarrod, why on earth should Nick disapprove so strongly of Heath and Adrienne's obvious attraction to one another? True, the girl was only seventeen but her life's experiences, as Jarrod had remarked to Heath, had made her older than her years, more mature and level-headed than a girl of that age was wont to be. Jarrod opened his mouth to pursue the matter but thought better of it and didn't. For there was something uncompromising in Nick's rigid jawline, the lawyer thought it would perhaps be wise to let the matter drop until he had more facts to go on. Perhaps a word with the wisest lady he knew? Yes, he would discuss the situation with Victoria before raising it again with either Nick or Heath.

The chiming of the clock in the foyer made Jarrod pull out his pocket watch to check the time.

"It's getting late, Nick, I need to be going."

"Sarah lay down the law about staying a little closer to home, Counselor?" Nick teased.

Jarrod's eyes widened and he wondered if Sarah had said something to Nick.

Before coming to the ranch that evening the lawyer and his wife had clashed over the time he had spent away in the last several months.

He did not think his wife had yet seen the long-absent rancher. She had not been to the family ranch since Nick's return because the baby was teething and slightly feverish.

Perhaps Nick had made his way over to see Sarah while he was out looking for Marric. The two were very close and shared a similar temperament, both were most often in good, high spirits, but they were also capable of mercurial and monumental flares of anger and withdrawal into somber silences.

He really doubted Sarah would have aired her grievances against him to Nick. She knew he had a great deal on his plate and was still coming to terms with the loss of his young wife.

Jarrod gave his brother a half-smile and replied, "She is a little put out."

"Well, what are you doing here? Get home to that wife and baby of yours. I'll give everyone your goodnights."

"Thanks, Nick."

Heath came downstairs and beyond saying quietly, "Mother says to tell you Adrienne's going to be just fine Nick," he made no further reference to his older brother's ward.

Nick was equally reticent, just offering a muttered thanks to his younger brother for catching the fainting girl, before rather pointedly turning the subject.

Jarrod thought it was rather a shame, for there was now a noticeable air of constraint between Nick and Heath. It seemed sad that their relationship should have been soured so soon after they had been re-united. The lawyer half wanted to stay with his brothers and do what he could to banish the slightly awkward silence that had sprung up, but Sarah had been less than pleased by his leaving his own house again straight after dinner and Jarrod thought he ought to get along home. Reluctantly, he wished his brothers goodnight and left the ranchers alone together, hoping as he rode home that relations between Nick and Heath would not deteriorate any further, before he had a chance to consult his mother on the matter.

Riding back to his home in the cold night, Jarrod reflected on the days since his return from Mexico.

His homecoming had been nothing short of blissful. But as he started sharing his thoughts of the problems his brother and the others might encounter adapting to one another he noticed a subtle change in Sarah. She did not exactly ignore him or give him a cold shoulder, but she seemed to pull back from the "them" they had been so wrapped up in recent days.

As he had left that afternoon to hear what Heath had to say about problems at the logging camp, Sarah had not seen him off. The baby was unusually fussy, so he had not given it any thought.

At dinner that evening, he discovered he would have been better off had he paid a little closer attention to things under his own roof.

Part 16C

As they sat down to dinner, Jarrod said he had to return to the ranch to talk about things at the logging camp and joked he needed to see about giving Heath some encouragement regarding the lovely Adrienne.

To his surprise, his wife did not laugh at his plans for matchmaking. Instead her back stiffened and she pushed her chair back from their table. She did not stand, but her beautiful eyes were stormier than he had ever seen them.

"Why do you feel so continually compelled to stay so involved in the lives of your brothers and sister. They are adults, do you really think they cannot make even a single decision without you? Apparently not, the way you insinuate yourself in their lives with your brotherly guidance and advice before it is asked for."

She stood up them and leaned on the table, glaring at him, "Have you ever considered I might have needed some of that guidance and advice these last, long lonely months."

"Sarah! It was only a few weeks," Jarrod protested.

"A few weeks? What about all that time you were wallowing in that crippling guilt over Nick and Gene? I kept hoping you would work through it and realize they are grown men and entitled to their mistakes and victories without you. Instead you left me alone with our son for what has now amounted to several months, chasing after them to make things right, like a good big brother, and never seeming at all concerned about whether or not I might need your help and advice as my husband and the father of my child."

"Darling, I knew you were perfectly capable of handling things on your own," he said, using his most soothing tones.

That only seemed to enrage her more, "Of course I'm capable! I have been handling things on my own since my father died. I was nine at the time. I thought when we married I would finally have someone to share the burdens of life. Someone to be here so I would not always have to handle things on my own."

She was getting unreasonable and Jarrod felt his patience failing as he demanded, "What burdens, Sarah? You have someone to cook for you, clean the house, take care of the baby. We have men to take care of our property. You have people to take care of the paper. What burdens do you need me here to share?"

"I don't mean the physical burdens, Jarrod, not the day-to-day things," she replied, her voice soft and sad, "But what about sharing the burdens of fear and uncertainty when the baby is sick? The burden of worry over making the right choices for Jack? The burden of having no one to share the joy of all the firsts in our son's life? The burden of having no one to share a sunset, the moon rise or a rainbow? When we married, Jarrod, that is what I hoped to finally have in my life, someone to share my life."

She turned to go then, something stooped and defeated in her lovely shape, but she stopped at the door and straightened. Not looking back at him, with ice in her voice, she said, "Once I told you I couldn't sleep alone anymore. I was mistaken. I discovered I sleep just fine alone. Obviously you do too. I will put your things in the guest room, that way you can come and go to help your family as much as you please without disturbing me or your son."

With that, she moved through the doorway, leaving Jarrod sitting alone and stunned.

As it happened, within five minutes of Jarrod's departure his two brothers voluntarily cleared the air between them and harmony was once more restored.

They were standing at either end of the great marble fireplace, both leaning an arm along the mantelpiece and staring moodily down into the leaping flames of the fire. For a minute or two neither spoke, although both cast frowning glances the other's way from time to time. Clearly, each was waiting for the other to make the first move. Inevitably, there came a split second when their eyes met and in that instant, both men realized how comical their stiff attitudes must look and wisely, they cleared the atmosphere with a hearty burst of laughter before anyone caught them squaring up to each other like a pair of jealous hounds.

Nick poured both of them a drink and the brothers sat together talking. Nick grasped the tricky conversational nettle first, "Mother and Jarrod both reckon you were pretty taken with young Adrienne earlier."

"She left me speechless," acknowledged Heath honestly. "I don't believe I ever met a lovelier, or a sweeter girl in my life."

Nick nodded grimly, "yeah, she made the same impression on me, when I first met her and since then, well, since then, I've learned all there is to know about her and about her life. That little lady is pure gold, they don't come any better!"

"I believe you Nick."

The dark rancher looked searchingly at his younger sibling, "she's been through hell," he said quietly, "I don't know how much of it you know, but she's suffered abduction, rape, violence and the somewhat more subtle tortures of being an outcast! I've made up my mind she isn't going to suffer any more."

Heath's frank blue eyes met Nick's fearlessly, "I can promise you Miss Adrienne won't suffer any harm through me Nick."

Nick's expression was uncompromising, "I want your word on that Heath."

"You have it," answered the fair-haired rancher, adding quietly, "don't forget Nick, being an outcast is something I know about."

Nick flushed a little, "of course you do, sorry Heath! Don't mistake me either Little Brother, I know Adri has nothing to fear from a good man like you, it's just...just that she needs time, a breathing space to learn to enjoy life again. A period of time without any complications, understand Heath?"

"Yeah, I think so." Heath smiled gently, "sounds like you've learned a lot about women since you rode away from here Nick."

Nick's answering smile broke in the middle, "I guess I have my wife to thank for that."

The sadness in his brother's voice touched Heath and he thrust his own inner turmoil about the lovely Adrienne to the back of his mind. "I'm real sorry for your loss Nick," he said quietly, "I guess with all that's happened, you've hardly had a chance to come to terms with losing her."

Nick shook his head, replying in a voice so soft, Heath barely heard him, "I don't think I'll ever...come to terms with it."

Heath took Nick's empty glass from his hand and refilled it and his own.

"Mother wrote me that Dominica was a fine lady, she thought the two of you were made for each other. I wish I could have met her Nick."

A ghost of his old grin touched Nick's mouth, "we'd probably have wound up fighting over her!" Heath was conscious of a burning wish to banish the haunting sadness from Nick's sombre hazel eyes and suddenly thought of a means of doing so. "Nick did you happen to notice the big grey horse in the barn?"

"Saracen? I sure did! Ciego introduced us, what a find Heath! I can't credit you picking up a beauty like him at a no account horse sale. I don't think we've ever bred a better animal here."

"Glad you like him Nick, I got him for you, I figured you might feel Coco was getting a little long in the tooth for rough work any more."

"For me?"

It was pleasing to see the delighted look on Nick's face and to hear the deep pleasure in his voice.

"Well I know you usually like to pick your own mounts, but he was so exactly the kind of horse you like and I decided to take a chance, hope you don't mind?"

"Mind? Well of course I don't mind! He's a fine horse, you couldn't have given me a better gift."

Heath was quietly satisfied, he smiled at Nick, "I remember when you gave Charger to me, I thought it would be nice to return the compliment."

Nick was on his feet, "what do you say we go take another look at Saracen right now?"

Heath smiled, "whatever you say Nick."

The two brothers strolled companionably across the foyer and out of the front door, Nick gestured away toward Sky meadow. "I see you brought the herd down from the high pasture last week," he commented.

Heath hid a grin, so it was starting already huh?

"Now I don't want you to think I'm criticising or nothing Heath, but I never bring the herd off the high pasture this early in the Winter..."

Nick kept talking all the way over to the barn and Heath outwardly attended to the older brother's pearls of wisdom, whilst inwardly laughing at the accuracy of his prediction that Nick would soon commence to criticising all the decisions taken in his long absence from the ranch!

It was late when the brothers returned to the house and they went straight upstairs to go to bed, but as they stood bidding each other goodnight, the peace of the house was shattered by a piercing scream. Clearly young Marric was once again in the grip of a fearful nightmare and with one accord, both brothers dashed to his aid. Nick reached the bedroom first, with Heath close behind him. The boy was cowering on the floor, dragging his injured leg, he crept to the corner of the room. Cries of mingled pain and fear escaped him and though he was moving, it was plain that he was still asleep, still locked in the torment of his frightful dream.

Nick went straight to him, scooping the boy up and talking in his deep soothing voice. He said the same words over and over, Heath noticed, "it's all right Marric, you're safe at home with Papa, all right, safe now, safe at home with Papa."

It took a minute or two, but eventually Marric woke and clung to his father sobbing out his misery. Nick quieted him and when he was pacified, Nick spoke cheerfully to the boy, "here's Uncle Heath come to see you, did you say thank you to Uncle Heath for setting that knee of yours?"

Marric thanked Heath in a shy little voice and his new uncle smiled at him, "we'd best take a look at that knee, make sure you haven't popped it again, all right Marric?"

Nick sat down with Marric in his lap and Heath carefully felt the swollen knee joint. Heath smiled at Marric and ruffled his hair, "I think that's going to be just fine."

Marric smiled trustfully at Heath, it seemed the good understanding, forged on the ride home together was going to continue. Heath said, "how about I tell you a story? you must have heard all your Papa's stories by now."

Marric was all eagerness but Nick spoke firmly, "no, not tonight. Uncle Heath's been very busy while I was away and he just spent the last night out on the trail too. He's going to get a good night's sleep tonight, in his own comfortable bed, he can tell you stories another time."

Heath had to admit that he was indeed weary and he left father and son together and sought his own bed. He relaxed into its comforting softness gratefully and was about to slip into a welcome sleep when he realized with a start that he had not yet told Nick or Jarrod the details of young Marric's past that the boy had been persuaded to confide on the ride home. Heath was appalled that he had been so remiss and almost got out of bed again, but he didn't want to disturb Marric, who might be falling asleep again by now, so he resolved to share his knowledge with Nick and Jarrod next day.

Part 16D

On his way to his Stockton office next morning, Jarrod Barkley stopped by the Barkley mansion for morning coffee with his mother. Between Victoria Barkley and her eldest son there had always been a deep bond, an almost complete understanding and the lawyer still used her as his sounding board when in any sort of a quandary. He was anxious for her opinion of the situation regarding Nick, Nick's lovely ward Adrienne and his brother Heath and since her anxiety matched her son's, Victoria was only too pleased to talk the matter over with Jarrod.

"I just don't understand it Mother, it's as plain as day that Heath and Adrienne are attracted to one another, why on earth should Nick object to that?"

Victoria smiled slightly, "well, you have been guardian to several young ladies yourself and I know you've always taken that responsibility very seriously, isn't it simply the case that Nick is doing the same?"

The lawyer considered, then shook his head, "I don't think so, it was the way he spoke, it was obvious that Nick deeply disapproved of the very idea, I hope it isn't going to lead to trouble."

Victoria calmly sipped her coffee, "I don't think so Jarrod, the boys seemed friendly enough at breakfast this morning. Heath has given Nick a fine grey horse called Saracen and Nick's thrilled about it. Oh and Heath was right! Every second sentence out of Nick is a criticism of a decision Heath made while Nick was away! Darling Heath, he's being so sweet about it, winking at me and pretending to agree with Nick, no Jarrod, there's no constraint between your brothers, none whatever."

While Jarrod was still sitting with his mother, the rancher brothers arrived home and as they came into the living room, Nick was saying, "you see Heath that creek's deceptive there's usually more water left than you think. So you see you didn't need to move any cattle off that pasture yet."

Heath's laughter-filled eyes met Jarrod's and Victoria's for an instant as he answered in a deceptively meek tone, "I understand Nick, sorry, I'll know better another time."

A bubble of laughter escaped Victoria, which she hastily turned into a cough, Nick eyed her suspiciously for a minute then turned hastily toward Heath, but the younger brother's face was blandly innocent.

Victoria sent for fresh coffee and sat talking with her three sons, except that Heath was rather obviously silent. Victoria could tell that Heath had something to say and she tried to get him started, "something on your mind Heath?"

He glanced up at her smiling slightly, she understood him so well. He was grateful for the opening and glanced around the family, "well yes Mother, there is something on my mind, I've been kind of slow in mentioning it, guess I just forgot in the excitement of coming home..." His voice trailed away and Nick interrupted impatiently, "well?"

Heath drew a deep breath, "it's about Marric. He...well...he told me a bit about himself yesterday as we rode in, quite a bit I guess."

Nick nodded, "I knew he'd take to you in a big way, you're great with kids, well done Heath."

Jarrod smiled, "if he's shared the horrors of the camp with you Heath, that means he really trusts you, you've done well to gain his confidence so quickly."

Heath squirmed under Victoria's fond, proud smile and the gratitude of his brothers, they had all naturally assumed that it was of the circus that Marric had spoken. Heath didn't relish setting his relatives straight, but he knew it had to be done. He wasn't sure how Nick would react, when he found out that his son had told a comparative stranger details of his early life that he had not so far told his new father. Resolutely, Heath drew breath and said flatly, "no, you don't understand, the things Marric told me weren't about the circus, they were facts about his early life in Poland."

The silence that fell over his three companions was so profound that Heath felt as if he could reach out and actually touch it. Eventually, his eldest brother Jarrod broke the silence, "tell us exactly what the boy said to you please Heath."

Heath did so, dredging from his memory every scrap of information that Marric had confided to him on their ride home together. When he had finished, Heath waited with baited breath for Nick's reaction, his eyes fixed on Nick's rather rigid countenance. With a sinking heart, Heath read sorrow, pain and deep anxiety in Nick's stern expression. Then he realized with some surprise that Nick was looking not at him but at Jarrod.

Jarrod was aware of Nick's intent stare and understood it's cause without the tense question which Nick now asked, "well Jarrod? What do you think, tell me...tell me the worst."

The lawyer considered his answer carefully, he knew well enough what Nick wanted to know and he was determined to give his brother the best and most honest advice he could. He thought rapidly and eventually looked into Nick's worried face and smiled reassuringly. "I think it's all right Nick," he said simply.

The dark rancher sighed with relief and passed a shaking hand across his brow, which was damp with sweat, so anxious had he been.

Jarrod glanced at his mother and Heath, both were clearly puzzled and he hastened to explain. "Nick was wondering if we needed to make further enquiries in Poland to try and establish Marric's true identity. He's been considerably more forthcoming with Heath than with any of the rest of us so far, but even so, he hasn't given any clue about his last name, or what part of Poland he comes from. In my opinion, he has no intention of telling us anything further, if indeed he knows, or remembers anything else about himself. I see no possibility that we could find his real family based on what we know."

A wave of relief flooded through Heath, there was to be no rift between himself and Nick over young Marric's revelations, that was good! Inwardly Heath smiled wryly, there was unfortunately every likelihood of a rift over the fair Adrienne at some point in the future, but he resolutely thrust aside all thought of the girl who was beginning to haunt his waking thoughts as well as his dreams.

"After all," said Victoria, "according to what Marric has told Heath, his grandfather is dead, so I suppose it may be that he really doesn't have any Polish family any more."

Jarrod nodded, "I think that may be the case, I certainly hope so, because Nick here is devoted to the boy and I don't think he'd part with him without a fight, would you Nick?"

The lawyer had spoken lightly, but there was no answering smile from Nick, his heavy frown was tinged with anger and so was his voice, "by God, I wouldn't! If he does have any family in Poland, they did precious little to find him! He spent five years in that living hell of a freak show, five years! What kind of relatives would abandon a defenceless child to a life like that?"

Heath reached out a hand and squeezed Nick's arm, "well he's not defenceless any more Nick. He has you and I know Jarrod's been helping you play father to him as well. I hope you mean to let me be a part of that too?"

The angry light died out of Nick's eyes, leaving them warm and sincere, "I'd say you're already a part of it, and a mighty important part at that!" His smile embraced Victoria and Jarrod as well, "I hope you all know how grateful I am? I guess I had no right to take on the care of two little kids and expect the rest of my family to help me, but the truth is, I need all the help I can get!"

His mother spoke with quiet compassion, "when you adopted the children you had a wife beside you to help you, if things had turned out differently, life would have been a lot easier for you perhaps. As it is, you have to just do the best you can for them both, and it goes without saying that we'll all be with you every step of the way."

Nick's smile wavered and broke and with a murmured, "excuse me please," he got to his feet and walked swiftly from the room, unwilling to break down in front of his mother and brothers. They all three let him go, knowing his nature well enough to understand his desire for solitude. Nick was a man who couldn't bear to have a raw wound touched, he liked to be private with his grief and his family respected his feelings.

Jarrod broke the awkward silence, smiling at Heath, "well done young man, Nick and I have been interrogating Marric for weeks without getting anywhere, you did extremely well to coax all those details out of him."

Now it was Heath's turn to be embarrassed and he blushed and wriggled uncomfortably, murmuring "glad I could help."

The blond rancher grabbed the first convenient excuse that came along to get away from his mother and brother, he hated being praised almost as much as Nick did and as the door closed behind him, Victoria turned laughingly to Jarrod, "you know those two ought to have been twins!"

She broke off, for there was no answering smile in Jarrod's vivid blue eyes, indeed they were unusually sombre. Victoria covered Jarrod's hand with one of hers, "what is it Darling?" she asked gently.

He didn't bother trying to deny that he was troubled, this lady knew him far too well for that, "Oh...nothing you need concern yourself with, just...just a little domestic turmoil, I'm sure it will all come right."

Victoria went to the heart of the matter without hesitation, "you know Jarrod, if you include the time in San Francisco, the long spell in Mexico and your visits here, you've had precious little time at home with Sarah and the baby have you?"

He couldn't argue with this summation and didn't attempt to, but he was feeling aggrieved and said so. "I don't know Mother, sometimes I think I just can't win with Sarah! She's an exceptional woman and I've always given her credit for that. If I treated her like...like...well like an ordinary house orientated wife and mother, she'd be the first to resent it! I've always tried not to patronize her or talk down to her, now she seems to resent that too!"

Victoria's voice was tactful, "You're right Jarrod, Sarah is an exceptional woman and she wouldn't like you making her decisions for her or doing her thinking for her. But Darling, there's a world of difference between that and actually neglecting her."

The lawyer's vivid eyes were hurt, "you think I've neglected her?"

"Not deliberately Darling, but try to see this from Sarah's point of view. She's a new mother and she needs support and reassurance. Never forget Jarrod, that family life as we have always lived it, is something Sarah has never had. She may have come from a large family, but she was a lonely girl within that family and doesn't have the same life experiences as you."

The Barkley matriarch judged that she had said enough, the couple must be allowed to work through their own differences, but she hoped that she had given Jarrod a better perspective on his wife's feelings.

Jarrod smiled fondly at his mother, "thank you Lovely Lady, you always help me to see my way through difficult times, I'll do my best to resolve things with Sarah."

Marric Barkley was enjoying his wonderful new life very much, he had grown attached to the Del Rio estancia in Mexico and Nick had feared that the move to California might not be easy. In the event, he need not have worried, for Marric was beginning to love the Barkley ranch too. Though he didn't know it, Nick himself was partly responsible for this. His own passion for this valley and for his beloved ranch was infectious and if Nick loved it, then his hero- worshipping son was prepared to love it too. Of all things, Marric most enjoyed being with his father and whenever Nick would let him, the boy happily accompanied the rancher brothers on their daily rounds of the ranch.

Marric thought that just being around Nick was exciting and entertaining, his father could do no wrong in his eyes. The boy loved Nick's mighty roar of a voice and liked the way the hands jumped to obey their boss when he rapped out a terse order. Clearly, each and every one of the hands had enormous respect for Nick and in this one respect only, Nick resembled Marric's hated grandfather, who had also commanded the respect of his men. In every other way, Nick was totally different from the cold-eyed martinet that had ruled his family with an iron fist, back in Poland. Marric had listened to every word, when Heath had told the other Barkleys the details of his early life that Marric shared with him. The boy had sighed with relief, hidden from view, as he heard his Uncle Jarrod tell Papa that they need not enquire further into Marric's history. It was what the boy had hoped might happen and he was now able to relax, knowing that his future as a Barkley was assured.

This morning, Marric had ridden out with Nick and Heath and had spent an exciting few hours learning how to haze cattle. He was swaying in the saddle now, having had little sleep, due to his nightmare the previous night. He was still weak and mal-nourished, though to please Nick, he tried hard to eat as much as he could. He was slowly gaining strength, but was still easily exhausted and was now close to collapse. He had no intention of admitting this and gallantly kept up with the rest of the men.

Heath's sharp eyes noted the small figure drooping in the saddle and he drew Nick's attention to it. "I reckon young Marric's just about worn out Nick, you should take him on home."

Nick looked across to where his son sat slumped on his pony, "you're right! I should have kept a closer eye on him."

Heath smiled, "why don't you head for the house? I'll finish getting these cattle onto the new pasture."

"Sure you don't mind Heath?"

"Of course not Nick. Anyway, you wanted a chance to have a quiet talk with Audra, didn't you?"

"Yeah, thanks! Oh and Heath?"

"Yeah Nick?"

"Don't let them wander too far up the canyon, I never use that top pasture until later in the Winter, all right?"

"I understand Nick," responded Heath placidly and watched as Nick rounded up his reluctant son and rode away toward the house.

"Dave McCall, long-time foreman of the Barkley ranch rode up to Heath and smiled at the young man he had learned to respect and admire over the last three years. "Mind if I ask you a question Heath?"

"I guess not, what is it?"

"Was your Mama a patient kind of a lady?"

A reminiscent smile twisted the corner of Heath's mouth, as the lovely image of Leah, with her gentle smile and soft brown eyes, floated in his mind's eye. "I don't reckon she'd have survived my boyhood without a deal of patience," he admitted.

"Yep, I figured she must have been the patient sort."

"Why's that Mac?"

"Well you sure must have gotten a mort of patience from some place and it wasn't your old man, cause I knew him!"

Heath laughed and McCall gestured at Nick's departing figure, "since the day the Boss got home, he hasn't stopped criticizing every damn thing you've done since he left! Take just now, telling you not to use the far meadow yet, as if you didn't know that well enough!"

Heath shook his head smiling, "you know Nick, it's just his way, also, he's been away longer than he'd have liked and if he needs to convince himself that we can't run the place without him, that's just fine with me." He rode off and Mac watched him go, thinking that although what Heath said was true, this was only half the story. This quiet young man had spent his childhood and early manhood very much alone, and not only alone, outcast to some extent. He relished family life as it was lived by the Barkleys, Nick might yell at him, give him unnecessary orders or take him for granted, but Nick was his big brother and Heath liked having a big brother.

When Heath first came here to claim his birthright, Mac had predicted that not only would Nick never accept the newcomer as a member of the family, he would quite likely throw him off Barkley land with his bare hands. Nick hadn't done that and Mac had watched as the two hostile young men squared up to one another, then tried to outdo each other and eventually learned to trust each other. To Mac's considerable satisfaction, the two brothers slowly but surely got to know one another and now, three years since Heath's shock arrival in the valley, these two were best friends and as close as any two brothers could be.

He admired Heath for putting up with Nick's fussing and reflected that Heath was not the only person blessed by Dame Fortune when he came to this place, Nick had shared in the blessing too. He had run the ranch alone, backed up by Jarrod's wise counsel, from the death of their father, assuming this huge responsibility when he was barely twenty two. It had been a dauntingly lonely task, a task which had altered forever, with the arrival of Heath. From that day, all that Nick had thought, planned or worried about was shared with a kindred spirit. Little wonder the two men were so close, Mac often thought Tom Barkley would have been as proud of Heath as he had been of his other sons, it was a shame the two had never had the chance to know each other.

As Nick's tall figure rode away with Marric, Mac watched him go, he had known Nick since the most volatile of the Barkleys was a reckless kid, more often in trouble than out of it. He had the deepest affection for his boss and was delighted to have him home again. He knew that Heath was delighted too. What the grizzled foreman could not know, was that within weeks a virtual state of war would exist between the two rancher brothers, a war that would come close to splitting the Barkley family apart forever!

Part 17A -- New Beginnings

(Nick and Heath Barkley are glad to be together again but is the slender form of Nick's ward Adrienne likely to drive them apart, this time for good? Nick wants to know what is bothering his sister and Adrienne has to adjust to meeting people...whether she wants to or not! Jai may be in prison but some of his men are still on the loose. One way and another, life is anything but peaceful at the Barkley Ranch these days!)

As Nick and Marric dropped down from the pasture onto the dirt road that led to the house, they saw a rider heading toward them and Nick recognized Will Marvin, a young neighbouring rancher and in sole charge of his place following his father's death a year since.

"Howdy Will, you been visiting at our place have ya?"

The younger man squirmed with embarrassment, "er...yeah...that is no...I was gonna call...but..."

Nick laughed at him, "don't tell me you and Audra have fallen out again!"

Will scowled at Nick's teasing, "I haven't seen her...I..."

Nick was enjoying himself, "well spit it out Boy! What's up?"

Will shrugged hopelessly, "I was gonna ask her to go with me to the party at Mrs. Perlman's place next week, but what's the use?"

Nick was puzzled, Will and Audra had been friends since they were knee-high and they still rode, played and squabbled together in much the same way as they had as kids. "I don't follow Will, what do you mean what's the use?"

Will Marvin's handsome young face wore a hangdog look, "you know what I mean Nick! Audra did that European tour last summer, the word is some French Duke wanted her to marry him, isn't that so?"

Nick shook his head, "no, it was a French Count, the Duke was a different proposal and he was an Italian."

"Well exactly! Isn't it true some English Lord wanted to marry her too?"

"Well yeah, but she turned ‘em all down and came right on home to the Valley," smiled Nick.

Will smiled but shook his head as well, "Audra isn't going to want my escort anywhere, not a girl with the kind of company she's been keeping."

Nick punched the younger man's shoulder in friendly fashion, "at least come on to the house with me and ask her Will, she might surprise you."

Will was adamant, "no, I don't think there's any point in that Nick, I'll just be on my way."

Nick and Marric watched him go and the child looked up at Nick, "you know Papa, I think Audra really likes him, she watches him when he breaks horses, I've seen her."

Nick clapped his son on the shoulder, "those green eyes of yours are always watching young ‘un! Come on, let's get you home for a rest."

Nick and his son arrived back at the mansion just as Silas was about to carry his latest culinary creation upstairs to the nursery. He proudly displayed his work of art to Nick and Marric and both gasped at the tempting vision on the platter.

"Is that my ship?"

Silas smiled at Nick, "Yessir that's the Camberwell Beauty, I've been telling your daughter all about your voyage on her and now I'm hoping she's going to eat the boat for me!"

Nick laid a hand on the old man's shoulder, "it's wonderful Silas, I hope she likes it."

"She will," said Silas confidently, he cast an appraising eye over Marric's pale weary face. "You can eat some of it too Sonny, then you can get a little shuteye, come with me."

Marric was staring at the recreated sailing ship on the plate, with it's hull made of braised beef and it's sails made of fluffy mashed potato. "I'm not really hungry...but...well I guess I have to eat some of Papa's ship don't I?"

Nick came up to the nursery too and as usual his new little girl was delighted to see him and welcomed him with hugs and kisses. As ever these days, Audra was in attendance and while Nick was wondering how to get a private word with his sister, Adrienne came in with little Missy. This made it easy for Nick to get Audra out of the nursery and she accompanied her brother down the stairs and outside to sit in Victoria's pretty flower garden, still heavy with the scent of Winter roses.

Audra sat back and breathed in the flower scent appreciatively, "ah this is nice, I've always loved sitting here."

Nick frowned at her, "you're as pale as a ghost Sis! I'm taking you for a drive after lunch and no arguments, you need a little fresh air and relaxation."

"Oh, don't fuss! I feel fine and I'm much too busy to go out driving with you, thanks all the same Nick."

"Well you're going anyway so you may as well get used to the idea!"

She looked searchingly at her brother, "what is it Nick, what's worrying you?"

"You are Sis! Don't get me wrong, I'm more than grateful for all you do for my little girl, but you do have a life of your own you know."

Audra wrinkled her brow, "I know that, I like my life, what exactly is it that troubles you Nick?"

"He turned toward her, taking her hand in both of his, "well Honey, you turned down a trip to Denver with Minnie Perlman last week and you refused two party invites this week to my knowledge, it's as if you've turned your back on your whole social life. I guess I feel guilty, after all, it's my daughter you've been devoting yourself to."

Audra looked at her brother, her soft blue eyes filled with affection, from her earliest days, Nick had been her big brother, her protector and her friend. More than any other member of the Barkley family, he understood her turbulent nature. He had guided her through all her adolescent rebellions and had entered into her feelings to a degree where he had her complete confidence. She smiled and stroked Nick's cheek with one soft hand, "I understand Nick, but please don't worry, it is true that I'm spending a good deal of time with little Audra-Jane, I love my little namesake very much you know. But Nick, your daughter isn't the tie that binds me to this Valley, she's just my excuse for not leaving."

Nick was totally baffled, "what in Hades does that mean?" But he spoke to himself, for his sister was already running lightly away across the lawn.

Nick sought out his mother and recounted the conversation he had just had with Audra. Victoria heard him out and then gave him a maddeningly enigmatic smile, "what is it you don't understand Dear?"

Nick's voice rose several decibels, "Mother, I don't understand any of it! What does Audra mean, my daughter isn't the tie that binds her here, just her excuse for not leaving?"

"She means that she is where she wants to be and doing what she wants to do," answered his mother calmly, then she too glided away from him, leaving the rancher to raise his eyes heavenward, "preserve me from women and the riddles they talk in!"

It was another female who came to his rescue, Sarah arrived bringing baby Jack with her for a morning visit and Nick promptly got her on her own and told her of his talk with his sister and begged her to tell him what was going on. Sarah and Nick had been friends from the moment they met, so much so that Jarrod had been half convinced that Nick had designs on the fascinating lady-journalist. Sarah smiled and did her best to explain matters to her brother-in-law. "You see Nick, because Audra was such a glittering success on her European tour and had those very flattering offers, folks find it hard to believe that she actually wants to come back to this quiet place for good. But she does Nick, she turned down those proposals for one reason, she loves her life here and she doesn't want any kind of life, no matter how dazzling, that takes her away from the Valley.

Nick thought this over in frowning silence for a minute then he demanded, "all right, suppose you're right."

I am right Nick."

"Well then, if Audra stays here, who is she going to marry?"

Sarah's long dark lashes hid her eyes for a moment, "that's for her to say Nick."

Her jabbed a finger at her, "you know though, don't you Sassy?"

She looked straight at him, "even if I do Nick, I'm not about to break her confidence to you."

Nick knew Sarah well enough not to press her further, and she went off to visit with her mother-in-law. When Sarah left later in the morning Nick had another try at getting some help from his mother.

Victoria was a little more forthcoming this time, "Sarah is quite correct, your sister is sweet on someone here, but he isn't making much effort to get her attention as yet."

"Who is it," demanded Nick.

Victoria considered him, "well, I shouldn't really say, but I think it's Will Marvin."

"You're kidding! Those two have known each other forever!

"That's true, but people's feelings change, even when they've been childhood playmates, I believe that your sister's feelings for Will have altered from friendship into love, but Will evidently doesn't feel that way."

"Oh yes he does," said Nick sharply, "he's just so sure he doesn't measure up to Audra's conquests in Europe that he won't ask her out."

"How do you know that Nick?"

"Because the poor chump told me! Mother, I'm going over to the Marvin place right now and set Will straight, he can take Audra to the party Minnie's having next week."

Victoria was horrified, "Nick! You can't tell a man to ask Audra out, she'd be mortified."

"Then don't tell her," advised Nick with a grin, striding off to bellow for Ciego to saddle up his horse.

Victoria felt slightly faint at the idea of Nick as a tactful matchmaker and for one dreadful moment, wondered what had possessed her to reveal to Nick that Will was the man Audra liked. Still, she reflected, things can't drag on any longer as they are, what harm can it do? When she thought of just how impetuous and aggressive Nick was capable of being, Victoria felt faint again and went in search of Silas and a cup of hot tea.

Part 17B

Nick rode over to the Marvin place and found Will seated on the sunny porch in back of the house, staring glumly out at the bright flowers in the yard. He greeted Nick cordially, though clearly he was surprised at the visit and looked enquiringly at his friend.

Nick didn't beat around the bush, "I just came by to tell you to ask Audra to go with you to Minnie Perlman's party next week."

Will scowled, "for crying out loud Nick! I told you, Audra isn't going to want to go anywhere with the likes of me anymore!"

The dark rancher grinned, "yeah, you told me, now I'm telling you! Audra's my sister and I know that little girl better than most, she wants to go with you, you dumb cowboy!"

Will came slowly to his feet, "are...are you sure Nick, I can't believe it, you really think she might?"

"Ask her," snapped Nick, "and you'll find out. I'm taking her out for a drive after lunch, meet us up by the lake and put it to the test."

Will's grin stretched from ear to ear, "I will! I will and thanks a lot Nick."

Nick rode home, whistling softly to himself, it was a great weight off his mind. He had been afraid that his sister's devotion to the ailing Audra-Jane was chaining her to the sick room and ruining her chances of a glittering future. If his mother was to be believed, Audra was only too happy to have an excuse to stay at home. Nick was convinced that Victoria was right, Audra had blossomed into a lovely young woman from the reckless tomboy she had been as a kid, but she truly loved this Valley and horses and her family. No, Mother was as usual correct, this was where Audra Barkley wanted to be. She might have made a beautiful Italian Duchess, or a French Countess, or an English Lady, but evidently she didn't desire these things.

It had surprised Nick to learn that Audra had set her heart on her childhood friend Will Marvin, but it was plain to Nick that Will felt the same and he could see that they might be very happy together. He was stabbed suddenly by a pain so real and sharp that he nearly fell from Coco's back, so terrible was the burning flame of grief that suffused his heart. For agonizing seconds he fought to breathe easily as the lovely image of his dead wife Dominica swam before his senses. Most of the time, he handled his bereavement with courage and dignity, but now and again a renewed sense of loss washed over him in a tide of actual physical pain and it was happening right now.

Nick brought Coco to a stop beside the waterhole and almost toppled from the saddle, crouching beside the water's edge in a tight ball of misery as he combatted wave after wave of nausea and agonizing cramps. He didn't hear the approaching hoof beats or see the rider dismount and hurry to his side. His first awareness that he was not alone was when Heath wrapped his strong arms around Nick and just held him, murmuring, "don't fight it Nick, just let it happen."

Nick made one feeble attempt to free himself and Heath gripped him more firmly. All the fight went out of Nick and he did as Heath bade him, he stopped fighting against breaking down and sobbed into his brother's shoulder as though his heart would surely break.

Heath talked low, comforting Nick's anguish as well as he could, murmuring encouragement, repeating that Nick should let it happen. Through his despair, Nick dimly realized that Heath was giving him good advice, for his physical acceptance of his grief had relaxed his cruelly cramped muscles and so he could breathe normally too and this also helped, so did the shedding of the storm of tears. Despite his humiliating breakdown, Nick began to feel unaccountably better and after a short, quiet respite, he pulled gently away from Heath and sat up straight, wiping his eyes and clearing his throat in total embarrassment. "Sorry about that," he said gruffly.

Heath smiled slightly, "you'll do the same for me some time, let's head on home for lunch huh?"

Nick fixed a penetrating gaze on his younger brother, "this is just between us right?"

Heath's answer was quiet and a mite hurt, "do you really need to ask?"

Nick was ashamed, "no. Of course not, sorry Heath."

Heath gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder, "come on Nick, I'm starving."

When the two brothers walked in through the front door, Victoria was in the act of crossing the foyer and she turned toward her sons with a smile of welcome. Her heart sank as she noted the grim frown on Nick's face and his unusual silence. Oh Lord! Whatever had happened with Will? With a only a curt, quiet greeting Nick went past his mother and straight up the stairs and she instinctively made to follow him.

Heath's soft voice stopped her, "Mother? Leave him be, just trust me, please."

Victoria's perceptive eyes looked into Heath's earnest face and she smiled tenderly at him, "all right Heath, whatever you say," she agreed.

Heath too headed upstairs to wash before lunch and as she watched his tall figure out of sight, Victoria reflected on the good and beneficial influence of this remarkable young man, who had been a member of this family for just three short years. Not for the first time, the Barkley matriarch thought how very proud Tom would have been of this quiet, unassuming but intelligent and intensely likeable son. She had noted Nick's tear-stained pallor and could gauge pretty accurately what had just happened to her volatile second son. She had marveled many times in recent weeks at his self-control through this period of grief and mourning. She had known that a catharsis would occur at some point, she had been through this particular mill herself. She had fervently hoped that she would be close by when it happened, to help the intensely private Nick through his distress. Well, that was not to be, but no matter, his best friend had been there, the gentle and kind young man who had kept the ranch running through Nick's absence, the companion that had lightened the lonely nature of Nick's mastery of the Barkley ranch. Whatever comfort had been required would have been ably provided by Heath, Victoria didn't doubt that and she blessed him for it. As she headed into the kitchen to supervise the final preparations for lunch, Victoria could only hope that Nick did not intend to repay Heath's goodness with a flat veto over the younger brother's quite obvious feelings for Nick's lovely young ward Adrienne.

When Nick and Heath appeared at the dining table for lunch, Nick was calm and clearly in full command of himself, but his mother noticed that he didn't meet the eyes of his brother or address him unless Heath spoke first. Victoria understood this fully, Nick was the epitome of toughness and his strength of mind and purpose mattered to him, he would be deeply embarrassed by any display of weakness in front of Heath. With a rush of affection, Victoria realized that Heath understood his brother too and she watched appreciatively as he adroitly lured Nick out of his taciturnity. A question about waterholes here and a comment on a horse there and before he knew it, Nick was leaning eagerly over the table, saying, "no Heath, you've got that wrong! I'll show you what I mean later this afternoon, all right?"

"Thanks Nick, I'd sure be grateful for that," answered Heath demurely, though his blue eyes gleamed with affectionate amusement. Catching Victoria's eye, Heath winked at her and she had to grip her underlip in her teeth to prevent herself from laughing.

After the meal, Nick stood up and said firmly to Audra, "all right young lady, I'm going out to hitch up the buggy, be ready in ten minutes, I'm taking you for that drive!"

His sister smiled, "very well Nick, it's true I could use some air, but do we have to drive? I'd much rather ride!"

He grinned at her, "now who told you I had a nice little grey I wanted you to try out? All right, riding it is and don't spend the next hour trying on six different sets of clothes and deciding none of ‘em suit you! Just pull on your boots and let's get out of here...please?"

Audra made a face at him and ran off to get ready.

Heath accompanied Nick over to the barn and helped with the saddling up. Nick put Heath in the picture about the proposed rendezvous with Will Marvin and the younger brother grinned. "You planning on becoming a matchmaker full time Nick?"

"Not a chance," replied Nick trenchantly, "I've smoothed Will's path for him, now he's on his own!"

Heath grinned, "you'd better hope Sis doesn't find out what you've been up to, she'll have your head on a plate if she does!"

Part 17C

Audra didn't keep Nick waiting and soon brother and sister were cantering across Sky meadow, headed up to the beautiful and secluded lake that was one of the prettiest spots on the extensive Barkley ranchlands. Audra professed herself delighted with the lively grey mare and was thrilled to bits when Nick grinned at her and said, "keep her, the amount of riding you do, you need more than one mount."

Audra looked fondly at Nick, it was typical of him, that even busy with his ranch work and the task of helping his new little family to settle down here, he should still be thoughtful enough to worry about his sister's social life. He had insisted on this exercise too and had given her his company on the ride. Now there was this splendid mare too, Audra silently resolved to do all she could to help her beloved brother to recover from the sorrow of his wife's untimely death.

Brother and sister watered their horses at the lake and rode part-way around its shore, enjoying the bright, clear Winter afternoon. It was Nick who spotted the rider approaching and he hid a smile of satisfaction, "isn't that Will Marvin heading our way," he asked casually. He noted Audra's eagerness as she leaned forward, shielding her eyes from the sun, staring hard at the approaching horse. "Why yes, I think it is, I wonder what brings him out this way."

From the saucy smile she threw in his direction, Nick concluded that Audra knew fine well that she was Will's reason for being in this remote place.

Will rode toward the Barkleys, admiring the pretty picture Audra presented astride her handsome grey horse. Will privately thought that Audra Barkley was the most beautiful young woman in California and he had seen her dressed in the finest of ball gowns before today. In his eyes though, she never looked better than when in the saddle. Her severely cut riding clothes showing off her ripe figure and the bloom of exercise in her cheeks. For a moment he was filled with misgiving, did Audra really want to come to the party with him? True they had been friends almost from the cradle, but their roads had diverged since her tomboy days. Wasn't she now a highly sophisticated young woman, far beyond his reach? Then he recalled Nick's words, ‘I know that little girl better than most', Nick had said. Nick had urged Will to ask her and by golly he was going to do it!

Audra thought Will had matured a good deal during her protracted absence on her European tour. He seemed to have filled out, he was no longer a rangy youth but a tall, muscular young man. Very like Heath in fact, although his light brown hair was darker than Heath's and his eyes were a more vivid shade of blue. Audra had always liked Will, they had squabbled and fought their way through childhood and in adolescence had teased each other at every opportunity. It was only since her return to the ranch, fresh from her European triumphs, that Audra had begun to look at Will Marvin with warmer eyes.

Audra had done a little maturing herself in recent months, when younger, she would have given Will unmistakable signals of her interest in him, to provoke him into dalliance with her. Now, she was too much of a lady to do so and since her return to the ranch she had waited and hoped for Will's interest in her to be re-awakened. There was something about his eyes as he came up level with Audra and Nick that made Audra's heart beat a little faster.

Will smiled at both Barkleys. "Afternoon Audra, Nick, lovely day isn't it?"

"Oh yes it is," agreed Audra warmly.

Nick only smiled, though his hazel eyes signaled clearly to the younger man that he should get on with it!

Will took the hint, "I'm glad I ran into you Audra, I've been meaning to ask you if you'd come to Mrs. Perlman's party with me next Saturday week." His gaze was fixed on Audra's face, his expression humble and hopeful.

Audra's spirits soared, at last! Her voice held a studied casualness as she replied, "that sounds like a nice idea Will, thank you, I'd like to."

Will exhaled with relief, "you would? Gee that's great!"

Nick had just about had enough of the young couple and he grinned at Will, "I have to go find Heath, will you see Audra home for me Will?"

"Sure thing Nick! I'd be glad to," answered Will, eyes warm with gratitude.

Nick rode away from the pair, glancing back as his horse crested the ridge, Will and Audra had dismounted from their horses and seated themselves on a flowery bank near the water's edge. They were deep in conversation, heads close together. Nick smiled, well pleased at the results of his benevolent intervention in his little sister's affairs. ‘Well brother Heath,' thought Nick, ‘maybe you're right, I may just take up matchmaking full time!'

If Audra Barkley was now eagerly looking forward to the Perlman party, Adrienne Derval most certainly was not. She had tried in vain to exclude herself from any type of socializing but Victoria Barkley simply wouldn't have it and insisted with gentle firmness that Adri meet people and accompany her to various social engagements. The girl tried to explain her feelings to her benefactress, "you don't understand Victoria, I have met with so much hostility and unkindness, I am far happier staying quietly at home, believe me please."

Victoria was sympathetic but determined, "I do understand Adri, but you're a young girl, you have your whole life ahead of you and I won't let you hide from life in this way.

One afternoon when her friend Minnie Perlman called to take tea, Victoria told her about Adri's reluctance to attend the party. Minnie, a rich widow, was the acknowledged leader of society in Stockton. Diminutive in height, like Victoria, but generously built, with twinkling grey eyes and a merry laugh. She was kind-hearted and good-natured and she loved life. It was generally agreed that she gave the best parties and invitations to her palatial mansion were much sought after. She was not offended by Adri's unwillingness to attend the party and indeed was warmly understanding of her young friend's situation. She smiled at Adrienne and said, "tell me Adri, are you planning on becoming a nun?"

Much disconcerted, Adrienne stammered, "a...a...n...nun, why no Ma'am, not at all!"

Minnie nodded, "I think that's wise, you're too young and lovely to renounce the world, and besides there's your daughter to consider. So you see Dear, you simply have to socialize and meet people. How else are we to find you a good husband?"

Adri's head dipped, her glossy hair hiding her embarrassment as she said quietly, "I...have no thought of marriage, that...that side of life...has been ruined for me, ruined forever."

Minnie stroked her young friend's shining hair, "you feel that way now Child, but trust me, one day you'll meet a man, the right man and you'll learn to trust him."

Into Adri's mind came a vision of the moment when she had stood at the bottom of the stairs looking into the handsome face of Heath Barkley. She thought, ‘I could trust him, oh but I know I could!'

She shook her head, "I...do not wish to be married Mrs. Perlman, not ever."

"Call me Aunt Minnie Child, now listen Adri, neither Victoria nor I intend to put any pressure on you to do anything you don't want to do, but please come to the party and you might surprise yourself and enjoy it."

Adri looked piteously at Victoria and Minnie, "you...you don't understand, you don't know! People have...have been so cruel, so unkind, I hate it!"

Victoria took her protégé's hand and patted it soothingly, "I understand that Darling, and I'll be honest, there will be a few people who won't welcome you in Stockton society, I expect Minnie and I could probably put names to them if we tried!"

Minnie laughed, "indeed we could! The thing you need to remember Adrienne is that there will be many others who do welcome you."

Adri showed a flash of spirit at this, "yes! And why will they? Because you two say so!"

Minnie nodded, "well I won't deny that Victoria and I have a certain influence but you under-estimate yourself Adrienne, I predict a considerable success for you."

Adrienne was far from convinced but she could see that if she dug her heels in about the party, she was likely to offend both ladies and so she consented to go to the party and also to another soiree at the home of Doctor Merar and his wife a few days before Minnie's party.

Adrienne had gone to the Merar house with great trepidation, but her sagging confidence had been boosted by the surprise gift of a very pretty new dress, chosen for her by Victoria and paid for by Nick, and driving home after the party, she had to admit that she had enjoyed herself. She had heard the odd barbed remark and had sensed a chill in the professions of welcome of some of the people to whom she had been introduced. But many other people had made her feel truly welcome and to her surprise, she danced every dance of the evening. She had been sure that only the Barkley men would dance with her and it had come as an agreeable surprise when several other men led her onto the dance floor. One of them, Howard McLaurie, son of a nearby farmer, had actually asked to escort her to the Perlman party and she had shyly accepted his invitation.

The only big disappointment of the evening, as far as Adrienne was concerned, was that Heath Barkley did not ask her to dance. Adrienne had no idea that her ivory beauty was haunting Heath Barkley's dreams, she only knew that his golden magnificence was certainly haunting hers. From that first moment of seeing him standing in the foyer, she had been attracted to him, to his handsome face, strong physique and obvious gentleness. From her hidden vantage point on the stairs, she had observed Heath's masterly handling of her shy little daughter and she was unsurprised by Missy's admiration of him, Missy's Mama felt much the same way. She had hurried to take Missy away from him, embarrassed because the little one had called him Papa, but she had been aware, despite the awkwardness of the situation, of the warm glow in his pale blue eyes. If she had been instantly attracted by him, she could not doubt that he had felt exactly the same way.

To her intense disappointment, he made no attempt to get to know her better in the coming days. Rarely talking to her at all, beyond the most commonplace of remarks, but the girl was not deceived. Sometimes, she would look into his face, her clear brown eyes, reading his expression, he didn't need to say it, Adri knew Heath Barkley loved her and with every passing day, her own love for him deepened and grew. Little Missy's initial fancy for Heath persisted too. She no longer called him Papa, for her Mama got cross if she did, but she had only to hear Heath's voice for her little face to light up and she could be depended upon to run to him, the instant he appeared at the Barkley front door. Heath did nothing to encourage little Melissa but he could not and certainly would not spurn her either, so the tiny girl's allegiance to him was unwavering in it's intensity.

Victoria reflected that Heath was mighty quiet about the house these days, silent and with that rigidly wooden expression, the same one he wore on first coming into the lives of his new family. That look had vanished as he had settled into his new life and his mother had hoped never to see it again. She had no doubts about the reason for that strained look, a very pretty reason, Nick's ward Adrienne. Although she had refrained from discussing, or even broaching the subject of Adrienne with Heath, Victoria was as sure as only a woman could be, that her adopted son loved the girl. The spark of love had plainly glowed between the young couple on first meeting, it was only the largely unspoken but very real opposition of Nick that was preventing Heath from declaring his feelings, Victoria was sure of this too, despite Heath having said from the outset that Adri was too young for him. Victoria knew all these things, what she didn't know and couldn't fathom, was the reason for Nick's being so deeply opposed to the relationship.

On the only occasion when Victoria had tentatively suggested to Nick that Heath and Adrienne might be very well suited, he had rejected the idea with vehemence and thinly concealed wrath. His mother had not raised the subject a second time and she had firmly told her romantically inclined daughter Audra not to do so either. Still, Victoria couldn't understand it, Nick and Heath had grown very close during the three years since Heath's inclusion in the family, as close as two brothers could possibly be. It was true that they were very different men, but despite their divergent personalities, both knew and understood one another very well. Victoria knew that Nick had the highest regard for Heath and he seemed genuinely fond of his ward as well.

Victoria too, was deeply fond of the girl, it was impossible not to feel sympathy for her, Adrienne had borne a very great deal and besides that she was extremely likeable. Adrienne was an attractive girl, with her long, straight, glossy dark brown hair and ivory skin and her large, soft, expressive brown eyes. She had a pleasant, open expression and was clearly as honest as the day was long. She had shown enormous personal courage in recovering from the ordeal of her abduction and rape and even greater courage in her determination to keep the child of that rape. She was an excellent mother, nurturing little Melissa with genuine tenderness, not blaming the innocent child for its father's actions.

Altogether, Adri was an estimable young woman, a worthy addition even to a family as renowned as the Barkleys. Victoria found it impossible to believe that Nick held any of Adrienne's sad history against her, or that he could possibly feel he had any reason to deem her an unsuitable bride for his brother. All of which made his hostile attitude to the prospect of Heath and Adrienne becoming a couple impossible to comprehend. Victoria would have dearly loved to discuss this pressing family matter with her eldest son, for in the years since she had become a widow, she had learned to depend on the lawyer's good sense and intelligent advice.

It was now more than a week since Victoria had seen Jarrod, clearly he was doing some essential bridge-building at home and his mother understood the need for this. Sarah had been honest with her husband and now he needed to demonstrate to her that he had understood and accepted her grievances and intended to make amends. Nevertheless, Victoria ached to talk the Nick- Adrienne-Heath situation over with her shrewd eldest son and toyed with the idea of calling at Jarrod and Sarah's home. On her visit to the ranch a few days earlier, Sarah had given no hint of any discord between husband and wife, but she had grown up independent and used to relying on her own inner resources, she was not a natural confider and her mother-in-law had found it difficult to gauge the current position. The last thing Victoria wanted to do was to intrude on a delicate situation.

Continued…