by Mars
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.
Victoria Barkley woke up early. She decided to
stay in bed a bit longer, as she knew this was to be a very long day. She could
hear by the open window the ranch hands getting ready for work. Then a door
opened and closed in the hallway. That was surely her daughter Audra who then
went downstairs. Victoria stretched then got ready for breakfast.
She entered the dining room and sat at her
place at the end of the table. Facing her at the other end was his oldest son
Jarrod. To her left was Audra.
"Good morning, Mother," said a
smiling Jarrod.
"Morning, Mother", echoed Audra.
"Good morning to you both," she
replied. Victoria helped herself for some eggs and potatoes along some toasts
and coffee. She then looked at the empty chairs around the table.
"Anyone knows where are your
brothers?" she asked, slightly frowning.
"I was just wondering about that,"
answered Audra, looking at her brother Jarrod for an answer.
"They just headed out. Nick should be
around still. Heath said he was going to town on some errand," answered
Jarrod.
Victoria nodded. She looked by the window,
then back at her daughter. "Audra dear, are you going somewhere
today?" she asked her.
Audra pouted. In fact, she had wanted to go to
town with her brother Heath, but he was already off. She was wondering what was
wrong with him lately. Everything was fine and calm for a few weeks now, she
couldn't understand what was making him acting as... *As if he was looking for something
or expecting someone,* she thought.
"Audra?" prompted Victoria.
"Oh. Yes Mother... I mean, no. I'll
probably stay at home today," she finally answered.
Victoria nodded to her daughter. "Good.
Then you'll give me a hand," she said with some king of sparkles in her
eyes.
"Help you with what, Mother?" asked
Audra.
Victoria remained silent.
Jarrod smiled, then stand from the table.
"Well ladies, I say you two are up to something. And I am not the one to
ask. Besides, I have to go to town."
Jarrod walked around the table, kissing his
sister on the cheek then his Mother as well. "I will be back for
diner," he added.
He then walked to the door. He grabbed his hat
and was ready to head off when he heard his Mother's voice in his back.
"Jarrod?"
He turned to face his mother who had followed
him in the foyer. "Yes, Mother?" he asked with a smile.
"When you get to town, could you ask the
doctor to come here?", she asked.
Jarrod frowned, concerned. "Is there
something wrong, Mother?" he asked his mother, looking at her intently.
"No, not at all, Jarrod. Just please ask
him to come, would you?"
"Mother. What is this all about? Are you
all right?" Jarrod insisted.
"There's nothing wrong, I assure
you." She paused, giving her son the most reassuring smile she could.
"You go now. And have a nice day." Then she returned to the dining
room.
Jarrod nodded. He thought there was something
up in the air. But he knew his mother. If she didn't want to tell him, hell, he
would not know. So the best line of action for him was to do as she asked him.
* * * * *
Some time later...
Audra was exhausted. Sitting at the table for
lunch, she was thinking about that morning. Her mother had asked her to give
her a hand. Which she did. They had worked on so many things. They had cooked,
did laundry, went out to get fresh roses.
She was still thinking about it all when her
brother Nick came in and sat in front of her for lunch.
From her seat at the end of the table,
Victoria looked at him. "Nick, have you seen Heath?" she asked him.
"No. He's in town. I wish he was here...
These broncos are making such a ruckus," he grumbled as an answer.
"Why?"
"I was just wondering... Could you send
one of the hands to town?" she asked.
Nick looked at his Mother. There was something
in the air... He could not say what exactly. "I can go myself if you want.
What do you need?"
Victoria smiled. "Just... just ask the
sheriff to come here."
Audra blinked, staring at her mother. Nick did
as well. "What for, Mother?" he asked.
Victoria looked away for a few seconds. She
had no time explaining, no time to waste. She had so many things to think about
for now. "Nick. I'll explain later. Can you just bring the sheriff
here?"
No matter Audra and Nick's asking, Victoria
avoided answering. This time, she wasn't to let things go without making sure
that all was ready. Nick had no choice but to go to town without knowing the
end of it, just like Jarrod had a few hours before.
* * *
* *
Still later...
Audra could not think of anything wrong. It
was just an ordinary day after all. She was troubled by her mother's behavior.
After lunch, her brother Nick had gone to town to bring back the sheriff. Then
Victoria asked her to keep water boiling. It wasn't for laundry, since they did
that in the morning. Then they both had to make a pile of clean sheets and
bring them upstairs.
Wondering why her mother had asked for the
sheriff, Audra had no real answer. She was concerned now. She wished her
brothers were back.
Hopefully, her brother Jarrod came back home.
But why was the doctor with him?
Jarrod stepped in. The look on his face was
showing concern. He walked in and hugged his mother. "How are you?"
he asked.
"I'm all right, Jarrod," she
answered, sighing, then turned to the doctor. "I'm glad you could come
doctor. Let's get ready, shall we?" added Victoria.
The doctor nodded. "Do you think surgery
will be necessary?" he asked.
"I don't know yet, Howard," answered
Victoria.
Audra stared at her brother Jarrod, but before
any of them could ask what was a matter, their brother Nick rushed in with the
sheriff. Nick looked around and saw his smiling mother, his sister looking
frightened, Jarrod with a mix of puzzlement and concern on his face, and then
the doctor.
"Now. What's a matter here?!!" Nick
shouted.
"I have no clue, brother Nick,"
Jarrod said, glancing at their mother with a concerned look on his face.
Victoria didn't answer her son. She turned to
greet the sheriff. "I'm glad you could come as well, Fred," she said
with a smile.
"T's' all right, Mrs. Barkley. Could I
have the statement yet?" he asked.
Victoria smiled. "I'm afraid not. But we
got everything ready for when Heath comes back home."
The End! TADA!