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.
That evening, Heath was allowed to join the family for
dinner. Nick helped him down the stairs and in the dinning room. A smiling
family greeted him at the large table.
"It's good to see you back with us," Victoria
said, smiling at her blond son.
"Oh Heath, I missed you. I had no one come with me at
the orphanage..." Audra started.
Nick raised a hand to stop her, "Hey, no one missed
ME? I too was at that prisoners camp for cryin' out loud!"
Everyone laughed at Nick's joyful retort, knowing that he
had been with Heath all the time... well, except for the interlude in the iron
box, that is.
"I missed you too, Nick!" Audra protested,
laughing. "But I missed Heath more when I went to the orphanage."
"Alright, Audra. Why don't you tell us what
happened?" Jarrod prompter his sister.
"Well, I met Carl Rawdon," she announced.
"Rawdon... Rawdon..." Nick thought aloud.
"Wasn't he the guy you spare from the rope, Jarrod?"
All eyes turned and looked at Jarrod. A grin slowly crept
on his face.
"Well, yes, Nick. It is /that/ Carl Rawdon." He
paused, then looked at Audra. "So, what happened?"
Audra smiled. "Well, I was on my way to the
orphanage, like I was saying. And suddenly, I hear someone calling my
name..."
"You ever met him?" Heath wondered.
"I don't recall... But then, I dance with so many
men..." Audra had that dreamy look in her eyes.
"And follow them in their hotel room..." Heath
couldn't but mumble.
Victoria raised an eyebrow, "What did you say, Heath?"
"Nothin'," Heath hastily answered, hoping he
didn't get himself into trouble.
It didn't seem so, so Audra resumed her rambling.
"And he asked me if I had seen a little black dog. His dog. I didn't see
any dog, but offered to help him look for it..."
Nick rolled his eyes. Of all the tricks, the /lost dog/
was the oldest. Watching his sister babble for a minute, Nick lost track of the
conversation. It was so easy when Audra talked...
"So, then this huge rock fell on me!" Audra
exclaimed. "Not /on/ me, just a couple feet away."
"I hope you learned to beware strangers,"
Victoria cut in.
"Oh yes, Mother. And that dogs should be kept in
leash."
Now everyone rolled their eyes. Audra was a lost cause.
A worried look on his face, Jarrod looked at Heath. "So,
are you feeling better now? I mean, from that iron box and all..."
Heath nodded. "I guess I'll be staying away from the
fireplace for a few days," he joked.
Nick had a more serious comment. "No kiddin'. A few
more hours, and I'm not sure..." Sure that Heath would have survived. But
Nick didn't feel nor need to say more for everyone knew what he meant.
Of them all, Jarrod seemed the more upset that Heath had
almost been killed.
"It's alright, Jarrod. I'm here now, no?" Heath
tried to lighten up his brother's mood.
"Indeed, Heath. That you are," he whispered.
"And I survived the rock fall!" Audra added
joyfully.
"And I didn't get the rabies!" Nick concurred.
"And remember that wagon load crushing me!"
Heath added.
Victoria smiled at Jarrod, "And I escaped the
earthquake and the outlaw who wanted me to teach him."
Jarrod's face kept serious, "So many life threatening
events... You could all be dead now..."
"But here we are, gathered around the table, all safe
and sound," Victoria said, trying to sooth her eldest son.
Jarrod slowly stood, still looking quite upset. "If
you'll excuse me. I have some work to do," he announced.
They let him go to his work, knowing that Jarrod often use
work to ease and distract his mind from the hardship of the Barkley life.
*******
Jarrod headed for his study, still that grim look on his
face.
How many times did his family faced near death situations?
How many times did Heath and Nick, especially, escaped the worst of life
threatening accidents? How many times did they survive against all odds? How many times could they cheat Death
itself?
These grim thoughts haunted Jarrod's mind as he sat at his
desk. Pulling out a key from his vest pocket, he unlocked the safe under his
desk from which he retrieved a black ledger.
He had better work. There was no need to live in the past.
Opening the ledger, pen in hand, he thought for a moment
then took some notes.
*Cancel Rawdon's check.*
*Contact the lieutenant in Mexico*
*Talk to Barbary Red about Nick's birthday*
*See Sawyers about Heath*
*Send a telegram to the jail house about Nelly*
*Send a check to Brother Love*
Grinning, Jarrod leaned back on the chair. "That
should do," he laughed out loud.
FINIS!!!