Keeping Faith

Parts 46-50

by MrsNickB

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 46

“Good morning, Agatha. We didn’t expect you here today,” Victoria greeted the doctor as she opened the door.

“I came to check on my patient. I hope she’s resting in bed like her doctor ordered.” Agatha pulled off her gloves and wound her cloak off , holding it over her arm.

“Yes, Laura’s in bed resting, as per your order. Won’t you join me for tea before you go upstairs?”

“No, I really need, I mean, I should attend to my patient.” Agatha moved toward the stairs.

“I thought you would be at the trial this morning with Hope,” Victoria continued, stopping the doctor with a touch of her hand on her elbow.

“No. Why would I be there?”

“You’ve been there every day since the trial started, and today is the summations. I thought sure you wouldn’t want to miss that.” Victoria spoke earnestly. “I’m sure Jarrod will shine, and you both did work on the case together. I would imagine that you would want to see it come to what we all hope will be a satisfactory conclusion.”

“Not at all. Your son doesn’t need me there, and I certainly don’t need to be there. I do have my own work.”

“Of course, allow me to escort you upstairs then.” Victoria was surprised at the woman’s terse reply but didn’t let it show.

*

Upstairs, Laura was content as she sat up in her bed playing dress-up dolls with her daughter, Colleen.

“I think Mylady looks lovely in the pink gown, don’t you, Mama?”

“Why, yes, she does. She’ll be the belle of the ball. I think Lilimae should wear this red one. What do you think?”

“I don’t know. Lilimae has been very naughty lately. She’s been very mean to her friends.”

“Really? I wasn’t aware of that, but if that is the case then she should be punished and not allowed to go to the ball. Perhaps we should put this old dress on her and make her do all the cleaning before and after the ball,” Laura suggested.

“Yes, it’ll teach her to behave.” Colleen wagged her finger at the dark haired doll. “Naughty Lilimae!” Once the child was satisfied that she had chastised the doll sternly, she began to undress it.

Victoria rapped lightly on the bedroom door. “Laura, Agatha is here to see you. May we come in?”

“Yes, please.” Laura smiled as her friend and mother-in-law entered. “ I certainly didn’t expect you here today, Aggie. I thought sure you would be in the courtroom cheering Jarrod on. I know I would if I were allowed out of this house,” she sighed mournfully.

Agatha stiffened at the remark and gripped her medical bag tightly. “It was more important for me to call on my patient today.”

“Very well. Colleen, why don’t you take your dolls into the nursery. We’ll continue playing later.”

Victoria extended her hand out to her granddaughter. “Come with me, darling.”

“All right, Grandlee. Bye, Auntie Agatha,” the child waved the best she could with her dolls tucked under her arm.

“Good bye, sweetheart.” Agatha waved back. “Goodness, she’s such a lovely child. She looks so much like-,” she hesitated and stared at Laura.

“A Barkley,” Laura finished for her.

“Yes, of course. I was going to say that.” Agatha subconsciously pushed back an imaginary strand of hair from her face. As an afterthought, she plopped her medical bag on the bedside table. “Well now, how is my patient today?”

“I’m fine.” Laura gave her a smile and folded her arms over her rounded belly. “So, doctor, what’s ailing you today?”

“Ailing me?” Agatha smiled as she sat on the edge of the bed. She took Laura’s wrist and counted the pulse beats while staring down at the watch fob hanging from her blouse bib. “Good steady beat. I like that. Any sign of bleeding?”

“None, thank the Good Lord.”

“Dizziness, fainting spells?”

“No,” Laura answered.

“Are you drinking plenty of milk?”

“Yes, I am. Everyone here makes sure I do.”

“Plenty of good red beef, I hope?”

“Agatha, this is a cattle ranch. One thing we do have is plenty of good red beef.”

“You know what I mean.” Agatha dismissed her terse answer. “Are you sleeping well?”

“Not really, but I do take a lot of naps. Not much else to do these days,” Laura lamented.

“That’s good then. No pain?”

“Lots of kicks.” Laura smiled proudly. “Last night, the baby kicked Nick. It was so funny. Nick was just drifting off to sleep when he turned toward me and said: ‘What do you want?’ I said, ‘Nothing.’ But he said, ‘Then why did you poke me in the side?’ The two of us were arguing back and forth until we realized it was the baby who poked him. We had a good laugh about it then. Actually, it was a lovely memory.”

Agatha patted her patient’s arm, then searched in the medical bag for her stethoscope.

“Aggie, have you been sleeping well?”

“Goodness. Why would you ask that?”

“Because you look tired and worn. Are you ill?”

“Not at all.”

Laura observed as the doctor absentmindedly placed the unused stethoscope back into her medical bag. “Agatha, aren’t you going to listen to the baby?”

“What? Oh, yes, of course. How silly of me. Sorry.” She took the instrument out of her bag again. Laura placed a hand on the doctor’s arm.

“Aggie, what’s wrong? And please don’t insult me by denying it,” Laura warned.

“You’re not going to let it go, are you?”

“I don’t think you want me to. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s wrong? Isn’t that really why you came here? To talk? You couldn’t speak to Hope because you knew she would be at the trial, so why don’t you tell me.” Laura pushed herself higher on the bed and fluffed the pillows behind her. Agatha returned her stethoscope to its rightful place and settled in the chair beside the bed.

“Jarrod asked me for my hand in marriage last night,” she said sullenly.

“That’s wonderful!” Laura perked up and sat straighter in the bed. "Why aren't you thrilled?! Jumping for joy? I know you're in love with him."

"He's not in love with me." Agatha's downcast eyes settled on the hands folded in her lap.

"I don't understand. He must love you if he asked you to marry him."

"No, he doesn't love me." Agatha dashed a stray tear away with her fingertips.

"I'm confused here," Laura said with a shake of her head.

"Laura, he asked me to marry him because he felt obligated."

"Obligated?" She furrowed her brow. Agatha kept her head down and suddenly burst into tears. Laura pushed the bed covers off, and struggling with her baby bulk, swung her legs over the bed so she could sit on the edge to face her friend. She reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out a linen handkerchief. "Here, dry your tears. I always keep one by the bedside for my weepy days. Truly, Agatha, I don't understand why you say Jarrod felt obligated to ask you to marry ... Oh my God! Did-, ah-. Oh my goodness. THE CAD! Did he take advantage of you?! I can't believe it! Jarrod, of all people! THE CAD!"

Agatha wiped the tears from her eyes with the cloth and blubbered out her next words. "He wasn't alone-. I mean, I had a part in it."

"Nonsense! He seduced you! The Cad!"

"Please stop calling him that. He doesn't deserve it." Agatha sobbed loudly again.

"Agatha? What was your answer to his proposal?"

"I told him no, of course. He was furious with me! We had an awful quarrel."

“Jarrod was angry?"

"More than angry, he was livid! His face was purple with rage and the veins in his neck bulged out. His eyes looked like blue flames of fire. I've never seen him like that!"

"Oh my! Jarrod doesn't get angry often, but when he does he has a terrible temper. Worse than my Nick."

"Worse than Nick?"

"Oh, yes. I almost feel sorry for Phil Archer today, almost." Laura gave her friend a sly smile.

*

Jarrod rose from his chair slowly, deliberately, and glanced over at his opponent, Phil Archer. He shook his head in amusement as he sauntered over to his place in front of the jury box. Jarrod's eyes roved over each jurors' face and smiled.

"Amazing. Simply amazing, isn't it, gentlemen?" Jarrod gave a small chuckle. "You know, one of the joys in my life is going up to Indian Springs with my family. We have a lodge there. Best fishing you ever could want. Of course, I don't get there as often as I like. The best I can do is steal a few days to join my brothers who are always there ahead of me."

Jarrod placed his hand on the smooth dark wood that separated him from the jurors and rubbed the veneer with his palm.

"And inevitably, whenever I join them I get the fish stories. Both of them. 'Why, brother Jarrod,’ they say to me, ‘you should have seen the one I caught yesterday! As big as your arm!' my brothers would tell me. Of course, by the time I arrived at the lodge that huge fish was cleaned and eaten before I could lay eyes on it."

Jarrod laughed and several of the jurists joined him. "A fish story. That's what we call it when people exaggerate. Gentlemen of the jury, the District Attorney has just told you a whopper of fish story! He literally outshined my brothers today! Because everything he told you about my client is untrue!"

Jarrod turned to face Phil Archer, who scowled at him. Jarrod smiled confidently. “My colleague has just told you that my client, Sally Driscoll, was never beaten by her husband. Untrue. A fish story. Heath Barkley testified that he did indeed see Sam Driscoll hit his wife. If I may quote from the transcript: ‘She went flying across the room and landed on the floor.’ Mr. Barkley witnessed the attack.”

Jarrod moved over to the clerk’s desk and held up a file folder. “I refer you to Mrs. Driscoll’s medical file which was entered into evidence. It is full of broken bones, and bruises, and scarring. Never beaten by her husband? I think not. She was her husband’s victim. For years she suffered her husband’s beatings, silently.” He placed the evidence folder back on the clerk’s desk. “Now, Mrs. Driscoll showed us scarring on her body that she testified was placed there by her husband’s own hand. Cigar burns. She claimed that Sam never marked her where others could see. I will urge you to examine that evidence closely during your deliberations and you will find more bruises and scarring, gentlemen, you will discover that Sally Driscoll had been brutally raped by her husband.”

Jarrod walked away from the jury box and stood in front of Phil Archer. “It’s true what the district Attorney said. Sally Driscoll didn’t file a complaint with the sheriff because there is no law against spousal rape. According to our laws it doesn’t happen. How many times have we ourselves said those very words: ‘What goes on between a husband and a wife is their business.’?”

Jarrod turned toward the jury. “Is it, gentlemen? Is it only their business? Is our society so blind, so narrow minded, that we can’t even conceive the notion that a husband can hurt his wife in this way?” Jarrod nodded his head. “You’re right, we shouldn’t have to worry of such things. When a man marries, he promises to love, cherish and protect his wife, but Sam Driscoll was no man! He was no better than an animal! And he died by his own hand when he came home in a drunken rage and threaten to kill his wife with a gun. They struggled, the gun went off, and Sam Driscoll found himself where he deserved to be, in Hell!”

Sally bowed her head and wept silently to herself. Hope Barkley reached over and rubbed her shoulder in comfort.

“Gentlemen of the jury, when you receive this case for deliberation, I want you to think of this. Our society jails people who would dare to physically abuse animals, but we do nothing to husbands who would do the same to their wives. There is something wrong in this country, gentlemen, something dreadfully wrong. It’s time for all of us to correct the wrongs and free Sally Driscoll from her bondage.”

Part 47

Heath tipped his chair back against the columns of leather bound law books, quietly whittling a piece of wood. It was going to be a chair to go in the dollhouse he’d made his daughter for Christmas. Heath was grateful he had this work to do even though he’d rather be with Nick working the range. Being inside a stuffy office was Jarrod’s domain, but Heath was there to support his brother so he put up with feeling cramped and crowded indoors on such a fine day.

The trial of Sally Driscoll had been Jarrod’s most difficult trial to date, fraught with political intrigue and murder. The political game-playing that eventually led to the kidnapping of Laura Barkley, and the murder of Carol Barkley had taken its toll on Jarrod, who had had little time to mourn the death of his second wife. Originally, Carol had taken over Sally’s defense, with the hope of her more experienced lawyer husband helping her along, but that wasn’t to be since he was awarded the office of County District Attorney by the Governor. After Carol’s death, Jarrod quit the D.A.’s office and took on Sally Driscoll’s defense, and now he stood in his office with Sally, Hope and Heath, anxiously awaiting the verdict.

Jarrod stopped his pacing and gave his guests his most engaging smile. “Now surely you can’t let this feast go to waste! Isn’t anyone hungry?” Jarrod stood at a table laden with food ordered from the Cattlemen’s. Heath dropped his knife on Jarrod’s desk along with the piece of wood he was working on and moved over to the table.

“I suppose I could force a roast beef sandwich down.”

“Wonderful,” Jarrod said. “Hope? Sally? Surely you must be hungry by now. You haven’t eaten since breakfast, Sally.”

Hope sat close by Sally. She had been holding the distraught woman’s hand and speaking quietly to her. “It might be a good idea to have something, Sally. You need to keep up your strength.”

“I’m so ashamed,” Sally spoke into her wet handkerchief.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of because you didn’t do anything wrong.” Hope wrapped an arm around Sally’s shoulders.

Where’s Agatha? She’s always here to help me. Why isn’t she here?”

Hope turned to face Jarrod. “That’s a good question. I was wondering that myself. Aggie has been here every day of the trial, and today she hasn’t put in an appearance at all. Do you know anything about that, Jarrod?”

“Me?“ Jarrod flinched. “Why would I know anything about any thing that woman does? She’s an enigma to me.”

“I could go get her for you if you want,” Heath volunteered between bites of his sandwich.

“Absolutely not! I don’t need her! She’s the last person I need for support!” Jarrod spat out angrily.

“I was talking to Sally.” Heath added dryly.

“Oh,” Jarrod said sheepishly and took his seat behind the dark oak desk, where he rocked in the leather chair, his fingers tapping impatiently on the arms.

Hope turned back to her friend. “I’m famished. I’m going to make you something to eat too, Sally.”

“Oh, no, please. I couldn’t eat a thing. My stomach is in knots.”

Heath moved over to the drink cart and poured two glasses of brandy. He offered one to Sally and the other to Jarrod. “Seems to me you both could use this for medicinal purposes. I figure since the good doctor isn’t here, I would do the honors.” Heath winked at Jarrod who gave him an annoyed glance.

Sally accepted the glass and took a sip. “I shouldn’t have let Doc Aggie talk me into

releasing those medical files. Having those men reading them-, I’m so ashamed! I should have never let her talk me into it,” she continued her lament.

Jarrod rose from his desk and stood over his client. “Now, Sally, you listen to me. If those medical files weren’t released, we wouldn’t have a case. We had to prove the abuse you suffered at Sam’s hands.”

Sally looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. “Sam didn’t mean those things. He was good to me for the most part. It was only when he was drinking. I never meant him to die. I was afraid he was going to-, I had to push him away! I never meant for him to-,” she began to sob. “It’s my fault Sam’s dead! If I could take it all back I would! I would! I deserve to go to prison! To be hanged! That’s what I deserve!”

Jarrod knelt in front of his client. “No, you don’t deserve to go to prison or be hanged. You didn’t do anything wrong, and I promise you, Sally, whatever the verdict is, I will never stop. I swear it on all that’s holy, I’ll never stop. No woman should ever have to go through what you did, and I promise to find a way to protect you and women like you. I owe Carol that much.”

“Carol?” Sally tilted her face towards her attorney.

“Yes, Carol. She worked all her professional life for women’s rights. She desperately wanted to see laws in place that would finally protect women and free them of the unfairness life has dealt them, and I am going to see that Carol’s hard work doesn’t go for naught.”

“That’s quite a change for you, Jarrod. After all this time. Women’s rights?” Hope remarked.

“I’ve changed, Hope. More than even I thought possible. Carol’s death, this case, lots of variables have come into play to change the course for me.”

“You sound like a man on a mission, big brother,” Heath replied.

“I am. One I don’t intend to give up,” Jarrod qualified. He stood and began to measure the room with his paces. “You know, we need to stay calm here. The jury’s deliberations could take days, even weeks. Granted, they have a mountain of evidence to wade through, but I’m confident they will come to a satisfactory verdict. After all, our side presented well thought-out facts and reliable eye witnesses.” Jarrod nodded to Heath, who was now back to his whittling and ignoring his brother’s nervous bluster.

“Now you take Counselor Archer. He’s quite good at his job. No one can take that away from him. Archer is a worthy opponent, I’ll give you that, and he can certainly twist a word to his advantage, but we have something he doesn’t have. We have right on our side, and if I know human nature as well as I think, I know the good people of Stockton will be appalled by-,”

A knock on the door drew the attention of everyone in the room. Heath opened the door and Sheriff Madden entered. He whisked off his Stetson. “Ladies. Heath, Jarrod. I, ah, well, first I came here to talk to you, ma’am, to apologize.” The sheriff’s eyes were fixed on Sally who still sat on the chair.

“I don’t understand, Sheriff.” Sally rose from her seat. “What about?”

“I was one of those people guilty of looking away. Believing that what goes on between a man and his woman is his business. I wanna say that it won’t be that way no more with me, ma’am. Every man, woman and child will receive equal protection as long as I’m sheriff in this here town. Everyone.”

“Thank you, Sheriff Madden.” Sally said quietly.

“That’s the first thing I came here to say. The second is, the jury is in. They’ve reached a verdict.”

Jarrod pulled out his pocket watch, it was four ten. The jury only took four hours to deliberate. ‘Was it a good sign?’ Jarrod thought. In his anxiety he couldn’t remember if it was a good sign or not. His mind whirled at the possibilities. Why couldn’t he remember the answer to his own question?

Heath held the door open to allow the ladies to leave then he looked back at his brother.

“Jarrod? You coming?”

“Yes of course,” he replaced the watch in his vest pocket and grabbed his jacket from the coat rack.

*

The defense, as well as the prosecution, had to maneuver through a field of reporters from around the state, standing outside the Stockton Court House. The murder trial of Sam Driscoll had become one of the biggest stories of the year, and every newspaper was vying for exclusive interviews with the principle characters. Jarrod held a protective arm around Sally while the sheriff cleared the way for the party to move through the throngs.

The sounds of voices were visibly muted when Jarrod assisted Sally to her seat at the defense table. Phil Archer smoothed down his vest as he sat straight in his chair, with an air of confidence playing on a stern face. He looked ahead rather than at his opponent, awaiting the announcement of the Judge‘s entrance. The court clerk entered the room from a door behind the Judge’s bench. He stood at his small desk keeping his eye on the door to the Judge’s chambers. When the chamber door first cracked open, the clerk began his litany: “Here ye, here ye, here ye. All rise for the Honorable Judge Hannibal Williams.” The sound of scraping chairs on the painted wooden floor was heard as all stood in respect for the Judge’s entrance. Judge Williams sat at his bench and hammered the gavel down once. “Be seated,” he ordered. “Bailiff ask the jury to come in.”

The clerk moved to another door near the Judge’s chamber and opened it. The twelve jurors marched out somberly looking straight ahead, avoiding all eye contact with the defense. Sally fearfully clutched Jarrod’s arm. No reading was to be given from their severe countenance. Jarrod glanced over to his opponent, a self satisfied smirk masked Archer’s face. Judge Williams waited until they were seated before he addressed them.

“Gentlemen of the jury have you reached a verdict?”

The jury foreman, the eldest of them, stood. His long gray beard reached the first button of single breasted vest. “We have, Your Honor.” He gave the bailiff a slip of paper, who in turn presented it to the Judge. The Judge opened the folded piece of paper. Jarrod sighed heavily, try as he might he couldn’t venture to guess the judge’s thoughts as he read the verdict.

Judge Williams turned to the jury. “Mr. Foreman, is this verdict unanimous; so say you one, so say you all?”

“It is, Your Honor,” the foreman nodded.

“You may read the verdict.” The Judge folded the small document and gave it back to the clerk. As the bailiff carried the verdict over to the foreman to be read, Judge Williams glanced over to the defense table.

Jarrod sat motionless beside his client. To the casual observer it would seem he had little interest in his client or her case, but his sharp lawyer mind was racing. Half his thoughts were on the appeal to free his convicted client, and the other half refused to contemplate failure at this juncture.

“The defendant will rise and face the jury,” the clerk called out. Jarrod assisted his client and obediently stood with her.

The jury foreman rose again and read the now official declaration. “In the case of The State of California versus Sally Driscoll on the charge of murder in the first degree, this jury finds the defendant not guilty.”

Jarrod closed his eyes and raised his fist in elation. He never felt Heath’s hand grasp him in a congratulatory shake. He turned, placing his hands on Sally’s shoulders. “You’re free, Sally. Free.”

Sally couldn’t speak through grateful sobs. Hope hugged Sally. The Judge banged the gavel down to quiet the cheering crowd, but to no avail. Jarrod heard his named called and turned to find Phil Archer standing before him with a hand extended.

“Jarrod. Justice was served here today. Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Phil. You were a formidable opponent.”

“As were you. No hard feelings, I hope?” Archer asked.

“Not if you promise to take me to that favorite fishing hole you’ve been bragging about,” Jarrod smiled, still shaking the lawyer’s hand.

“It’s a deal.” The District Attorney held out his hand to Sally. “Mrs. Driscoll.“ Sally tentatively extended a fragile hand to the man who once vowed to hang her. “I’m pleased with the outcome of this case. I hope you realize I was doing my job and I hold no malice against you. I truly do believe justice was served here today.”

“Thank you, Mr. Archer,” Sally gave him a shy smile. “I think I would prefer my maiden name now, it’s Sally Manning.”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Manning.” Archer returned her smile. ‘What a lovely smile she has,’ he noted mentally, then went back to his table to gather files into his briefcase.

Part 48

New Year's Eve was a quiet affair at the Barkley home. The family feasted on a roast lamb dinner, and the only guest in attendance was close family friend, Doctor Agatha James. A raging rainstorm had made it necessary for the good doctor to make plans to stay overnight after the festivities. Jarrod Barkley also opted to stay at the old homestead rather than venture out to his own small, but elegant home only a scant mile away.

The Barkleys enjoyed quiet after dinner drinks in the parlor. Laura sat with legs tucked under her party dress on the sofa, cuddled in Nick’s arms. They listened to Hope, who was playing favorite hymns on the piano. Victoria sat with her guest, Agatha James, on the opposite sofa. Agatha had been driven to the Barkley home by one of the ranch hands. Jarrod had greeted her stiffly when she had first arrived at the mansion, but for the most part ignored her presence, almost to the point of sulking in the corner of the grand room. The doctor ignored his rudeness by enjoying the company of the rest of the family. In truth, her heart was breaking. Before her eyes were two couples obviously in love, and she was their lone guest. It wasn’t a future she had hoped for. She loved Jarrod with all her heart, but she wouldn’t compromise that love, not even for him.

Heath was sitting next to Hope at the piano, turning the pages of sheet music, when he spied a small face peering down at the top of the stairs.

“Looks like we have company.”

Hope halted her playing to look in the same direction.

“Colleen,” Hope informed them.

Nick moved his wife aside and stalked toward the foyer. He fisted his hands to his waist and glared upstairs. “Young lady, what are you doing out of bed?”

“Papa, did the year change yet?” Colleen’s tiny face poked through the stair railings.

“No, it didn’t change yet. Now why are you out of bed?”

“Where’s Mama?”

“I’m here, Colleen.” She joined her husband after a gentlemanly assist from Jarrod in her struggle off the sofa. “What are you doing up at this hour?”

“I wanted to see the year change. Does it look different?”

“No, it doesn’t look different! You get yourself back in bed, young lady!” Nick said as sternly as he could while trying to hide a smile.

“I’m thirsty, Papa. Can I have a drink?”

“It’s may I have a drink,” her mother corrected.

“May I have a drink?”

“No, you may not!” her father barked.

“But I’m thirsty, Papa,” the child pouted.

“Young lady, do you want a spanking?” Nick threatened.

“No Papa, I want a drink of water. Did you forget?” Laura bit her lip to keep from laughing while Nick covered a smile by rubbing a hand across his mouth.

“I’m coming right up there and put you to bed,” Nick promised once he recovered.

Colleen pulled her head out from between the stair rails and rushed off to bed. Laura smiled at her husband. “Let’s go upstairs and put our daughter back to bed.”

“It’s almost midnight, you know,” Nick reminded.

“We can greet the New Year upstairs as well as down.”

“You’re right. It’s best we ring it in alone.” Nick smiled and placed his arm around her waist to assist her upstairs. “I suppose it’s best I get her that water too, or we’ll never have any peace the rest of the night.”

While still sitting beside his wife, Heath whispered in her ear then spoke out loud. “What do you say we turn in too, Irish?”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Hope stood from the piano. “Good night all. Happy New Year.”

Jarrod stood in deference to Hope. “Leaving the celebration so soon?”

“Not really,” Heath winked. “Just moving it upstairs.” He placed his hand on his wife’s back to guide her upstairs. Victoria also stood up.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll retire as well. I think I’d rather see this New Year in with a reading from the Good Book.”

Heath put his hand out for her. “Allow me to escort you upstairs then, Mother.”

“Thank you, Heath. Jarrod, please see to our guest, won’t you? Good night, Agatha, and Happy New Year.”

“Good night, and Happy New Year to you too, Victoria.”

“Good night, Mother,” Jarrod called out from his corner of the room.

Once the others had left the room, Agatha stood and nodded politely to Jarrod.

“You needn’t concern yourself with me. I can see myself to the guest room. Good evening, Counselor.”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to speak to you, Doctor.”

“You’ve hardly said a word to me since I arrived, and now you want to speak to me? I truly don’t think we have anything to talk about.”

“I disagree. We’ve both been avoiding each other for some time now, and I feel that perhaps we can use this opportunity of the New Year to clear the air between us.”

“Clear the air?” Agatha asked tartly.

“Please don’t be coy. It's unattractive in a woman, and certainly not worthy of you.”

“Speak your mind then, Mr. Barkley. I am fatigued, and it is late,” Agatha placed her hands in the folds of her black silk skirt in readiness to leave the room.

Jarrod began to move toward her, but she stood her ground without a flinch, although inwardly, her heart was pounding so hard she feared he could hear it.

“A month ago you turned down my proposal of marriage.”

“I did,” she agreed with a nod.

“Now, I want to know your reasoning for it.” Jarrod stood with his hands on his hips, his dark blue jacket fanned out to the sides.

“After all this time, you’ve finally decided to ask?”

“I was angry at the time and, well, I’m ready to hear your explanation now.”

“I would think that it would be obvious to an intelligent man like yourself. You asked me to enter into a loveless marriage. Is it any wonder I would refuse such an arrangement?”

“I am sorry I can’t offer you love, but I would certainly be a proper husband to you. I would, of course, remain true to my marriage vows. You would have no worry of that.”

“I have no doubt you are an honorable man, Mr. Barkley, however I feel I deserve better.”

“Better than me?!” Jarrod’s ego was scorched, wounded.

“Better than a loveless marriage,” she soothed. “Please excuse me, I’m quite tired.”

Agatha picked up her skirts and headed to the staircase. Jarrod was quick to stop her by grabbing her elbow. The clock struck midnight and at the final stroke Jarrod gathered the lady doctor in his arms and kissed her fervently.

“Happy New Year,” he whispered into her mouth. She attempted to wish him the same, but he lustfully kissed her again, stealing what breath she had. Agatha returned his kiss with the same eagerness.

Jarrod could feel her surrender into his arms, and he was elated. His power to seduce her restored. The kiss changed into an embrace, and he whispered into her ear.

“You know you love me. Marry me.”

It was true. She loved him, from the beginning she loved him, even when he was married to another. Agatha ached to say yes, to succumb to his seduction. It was so easy to say yes. So very easy. Isn’t it what she wanted? All she ever wanted? ‘ Oh yes, a thousand times, yes!’

“NO!” She vigorously pushed him away.

“Damn it! Why are you doing this? You know you love me! Why won’t you say yes?!”

“You know why!” she spoke spiritedly.

“Because I don’t love you?”

“Exactly.” Agatha took a step back and folded her arms tightly in front of herself.

“You are, without a doubt, the most stubborn, pigheaded woman I have had the displeasure to meet in all my born days!”

“You keep your voice down! You’re going to wake the children!” Agatha chided. “Now, I am going to bed! Good night!”

She rounded on her heel, but he grabbed her arm and began to pull her. “Not so damn fast! We’re not through here! You’re coming with me!”

Jarrod pulled her along toward the library. He opened the door and pushed her into the room slamming the door behind him. She whirled around and faced him again. Several of her upswept curls came down and tangled in her face.

“If you think I am going to let you seduce me again, you are gravely mistaken!” she spat out.

“Seduce you?! Seduce you?! It’s taking all my will power not to beat you!”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“You’re right! I wouldn’t! Sit down!” Jarrod’s order left no room for negotiation, and Agatha complied, sitting on the red velvet settee, arms crisply folded once again. In truth, she was grateful to sit down because she was feeling dreadfully dizzy.

Jarrod pulled down hard on his suit lapels and straighten his tie. He began to cross in front of her pacing. “Now, you listened to me. I was wrong to do what I did. I lost my head, I- , no, that’s not true, I wanted you. I had no right to do what I did. I broke my promise to myself.”

“Your promise? What did you promise yourself?”

“After Carol was killed I promised myself I would never become emotionally involved with a woman again. Unfortunately, circumstances being what they were, and you being such a charming companion, well, I’m afraid I forgot myself.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard!” Agatha quipped.

“That I forgot myself?”

“No; that you promised you would never become emotionally involved with a woman! What ever possessed a supposedly intelligent man like yourself to make such a ridiculous promise?” Agatha shook her head in despair.

“Well, you’re a supposedly intelligent woman. Don’t you see my side of it? Look at me; I’ve been a widower twice. Both my wives died violently and all because of my profession. Don’t you see? I can’t ask another woman to risk such a dubious future.”

Agatha stood with hands on hips in front of Jarrod. This action stopped his pacing.

“Risk? Jarrod Barkley, the whole world is full of risks. Life is a risk. Look at your family’s history. What you have here didn’t come without risks. When I decided to become a doctor in a man’s world, I took a risk. When a woman chooses to give birth, she takes a risk. Taking risks is what life and love is all about. I suppose it’s your choice if you don’t care to take risks, but know this, I’m grateful that I found out now, because I don’t care to love a coward!”

Agatha sped out of the library leaving Jarrod to ponder her piercing words.

*

As the cold morning light shown through the lacy curtains in the chilly guest room, Agatha James knelt down by the fireplace and added another log to the fire. She rubbed the chill from her arms and stood, her right hand catching the mantel to steady herself when she stood up too fast. Once she found her bearings, she poured water into the wash basin. She had already heard several of the family members up and about, and she didn't want to be late for breakfast. A cherry wood armoire stood in the guest room, and Agatha knew it contained a change of clothes she could wear. The Barkleys always had spare clothing for guests who ended up staying at the ranch for one reason or another. After Agatha washed, she chose a green gown that had been placed there by Laura Barkley. It was a little tight around the waist but still, it would do, she thought as she stared into the mirror patting her stomach. A light knock on the door roused the doctor from her dour thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Agatha? Breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes." The voice belonged to the matriarch of the Barkley clan.

"I'll be right down, Mrs. Barkley. Thank you," she called out.

*

Heath and Hope were in the east wing of the mansion. Heath came up behind her and draped his arms around his wife‘s tiny waist. He dropped a soft kiss on her head while the two stood by the window to watch the first of early dawn light.

"Penny for your thoughts, Irish." He gave her a loving squeeze.

"No thoughts to buy, my love. Just prayers for another healthy, happy New Year."

"That's your prayer every New Year," he said as he nuzzled her ear.

"Yes it is." She turned around and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I love you, Heath. Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year, Hope. I love you." The sounds of baby prattle reached their ears.

"Ma, ma, ma, ma... Pop, pop, pop, pop..."

The couple smiled contentedly, then followed the sounds of babble from their hungry twins. The tousled haired cherubs were standing in their cribs, drooling smiles glittering their faces.

*

Colleen knocked on her parents' door. Turning the door knob she found it unlocked and knew she could enter. Her mother was wrapped in her dressing gown and pacing the floor.

"Morning, Mama," she stopped her mother's pacing by giving her a hug under her swollen belly.

"Good morning, Sweetheart. Don't speak too loudly. Papa's sleeping," Laura whispered while she smoothed down her daughter’s unruly curls with a free hand. She kept her other hand on the ache in her back.

"Mama, are you all right? You're kinda breathing funny," the child said, noticing her mother’s ragged breath.

"I'm fine, Sweetie. Why don't you ask Uncle Silas to give you breakfast?"

"How come Papa isn't up yet, and how come you're not in bed resting, Mama?"

"Papa had a late night, celebrating the New Year, and Mama feels the need to walk around a bit." Laura stopped and held onto the back of a desk chair trying to ward off a wave a nausea. "Is anyone in the water closet, Colleen?" she asked in a labored breath.

"No, Mama."

"Good," Laura forced her back to straighten and walked across the hall. She met Heath holding his son.

"Morning, Laura. Are you all right?" Heath asked, concerned.

"Heath, could you help me? I need the chamber pot, and it's on the floor near the commode. I can't bend down. Would you please?"

"Sure." Heath shifted his son to his other arm as he went inside the water closet. He handed the pot to his sister-in-law. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"No, my back aches too much. Thank you, Heath." She turned toward her bedroom again.

"Are you sure you don't need anything?" Heath called out at Laura's retreat.

"No, thank you, I'm fine," she called back to him.

Holding her daughter, Hope joined her husband in the hallway. "Thought you were down stairs already. What's wrong?"

"Laura needed me to get her something. Isn't she suppose to be on bed rest?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well, she’s walking around all over the place doing things."

Hope nodded her head knowingly. "Ah, it must be almost time."

"Almost time for what?"

"She's going to deliver soon. Here, you take Leah. I'll see if she needs me to do anything."

"It's too soon, isn't it? She's suppose to have the baby mid-January."

"Looks like the little babe has other ideas. I'll be down directly to help feed the children." Hope followed her cousin's path. She stopped Laura at her bedroom door. "Laura."

"Yes, Hope."

"How are you feeling?"

"Awful. I'd invite you in, but Nick's still sleeping."

"Back hurting?"

"Oh, yes. It helps if I walk around."

"Can I get you anything?"

"Nothing, thank you. Oh, don't let Agatha leave the house. I think I'm going to need her before too long."

"Don't worry. I won't. But you really should wake Nick. Misery loves company you know," Hope joked.

"No, he'll just get in the way. It's best he sleeps for now. There's no need for both of us pacing."

"Why don't I get you something light for breakfast? Tea and toast perhaps?"

"Yes, I think I can manage to keep that down." Laura went back into her bedroom. Nick was sitting on the side of the bed, wearing his pajama bottoms and rubbing his stubbly face.

"Blast it!" Nick cursed the ache in his head.

"Good morning to you too," Laura answered.

"G' morning, what are you doing up?"

"I need to walk around."

Nick watched as she placed a chamber pot on a nearby table. "You sick?"

"Just preparing."

He watched her pace the floor, with one hand on her back. "You don't look good."

"You're not too pretty yourself this morning," she answered with a backwards glance.

"Now, ya know what I mean! At least give me a straight answer. How’re you feeling?"

"Like I'm going to have a baby."

"Yeah, well, ya gotta a few weeks yet."

"Uh huh. You better get washed and dressed. It's going to be a long day," Laura predicted as she left the room again. She went down the hallway and rapped on the guest room door. Agatha, wearing the green dress Laura had lent her, answered the door.

"Good morning." Agatha greeted.

"Are you going down to breakfast?" Laura asked.

Agatha could smell the aroma of eggs and bacon coming from the back stairs leading to the kitchen. She placed her hand over her mouth and burped. "Excuse me. You know, I think I'll forego breakfast this morning."

"No one seems to be feeling well today. Nick has a hangover, and as much as I would like to eat that delicious breakfast I smell, I don't think I have the room. Want to join me for some tea and toast?"

"Not right now." Agatha turned back into the guest room, leaving the door open for Laura to enter.

"Goodness, Agatha, you look greener than Nick. Did you imbibe too much at the celebration last night?" Laura asked, jokingly.

"Oh, no, I didn't drink a thing!" She waved a negative hand.

"Then what's wrong?"

"Laura, we need to talk about something. Won't you sit down?"

“I’ll try,” Laura gingerly took a seat in the closest straight-back chair she could find. "This sounds serious, Aggie."

"There isn't an easy way to say this. I want you to know how much I appreciate all you've done for me. Taking me in, introducing me to everyone in Stockton and doing your best to support my efforts here. However, I feel Stockton isn't ready for a woman doctor." Agatha turned away to hide her tears.

"Agatha, what are you saying? You can't leave Stockton! I need you here. We all do. You're a wonderful doctor. You can't leave us." Laura slowly stood and walked over to her friend. "Please, Aggie, isn't there anything we can do to persuade you to stay? Stockton is a growing community. We need a doctor here, and you're-."

"Now wait, Laura. I'm not abandoning you. I've wired my mentor, Doctor Landover, at San Francisco Medical Hospital and asked him to find a suitable doctor who would be willing to take over my practice. I expect an answer any day now. Stockton is a wonderful place, and any doctor would jump at the chance to set up a medical practice here," Agatha assured her.

"But we don't want another doctor! We want you."

"Laura, my practice here is not successful. I have few patients save for the Barkleys."

"I thought you did have other patients."

"The only other patients I seem to get are the men the Sheriff brings to me after he arrests them for barroom brawling on a Saturday night. I just can't continue like this anymore. Stockton would be better off with a male doctor," Agatha concluded.

"Oh, Agatha! Surely in time-. Please, I couldn't go back to a male doctor anymore. You're a wonderful doctor. Please reconsider."

"Laura, I promise you, Doctor Landover will find a very competent doctor."

"Where will you go?"

"Back to Seattle. My father is getting on in years, and he wants to retire. He assured me I would be welcomed there as a doctor."

"Better than here you mean."

"I grew up in Seattle. People know me, and I know them. They would readily accept a woman doctor."

Tears came to Laura's eyes. "This is very upsetting! Very upsetting indeed!" Laura rushed out of the room in her best waddle.

Nick met her in the hallway and when he noticed she was crying, he pulled her into an embrace.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"It's Agatha. She's leaving us."

"Well, honey, she's got to get back to her own place. I'll have one of the hands escort her, if that's what you’re worried about."

"No, Nick. She's leaving Stockton, for good!"

"Why? I thought she liked it here?"

Laura pushed herself out of Nick's embrace and rushed away. "Excuse me, I think I'm going to be sick!"

"Damnit!" Nick muttered. "Aggie tells me not to upset her, and she goes and does it! Well, we'll just see about that! Right now!" Nick stomped toward the guest room, determined to have it out with the lady doctor who dared to make his wife cry. Nick found the door ajar, and he was about to rap on the door jamb when he heard coughing noises coming from the room. Nick peeked in to see Agatha bent over a chamber pot, retching. "What the hell is going on here?" Nick muttered, then turned away to leave the sick woman to her misery. Nick stopped in his tracks when he saw his sister-in-law, Hope carrying her son. "Do you know what in blazes is going on here?!"

"And the top of the morning to you, Nick. No. What do you think is going on here?"

"I'm the one who did the drinking last night, and I've got Laura retching in our room and Agatha retching in the guest room."

"Really? Well, I better stay away from you. Exactly what did you do to the ladies?" Hope teased with a mischievous grin.

"I'm serious. Aggie got Laura all upset, because she says she leaving."

"Well, I best go see what the trouble is. Here, you take Michael. He needs changing." Hope handed the baby to his uncle and walked down the hall to Agatha's room.

"He needs what?! I haven't even had my coffee yet! Eechh, come on, kid, let's find your old man. Let him do the honors!"

Hope found the door to Agatha's room ajar, and she carefully stepped in announcing herself as she did so. "Agatha? It's Hope. Are you well?" Agatha reached for a wash cloth hanging by the watch stand and wiped her face. She turned a gray countenance toward Hope. "Oh my goodness, you poor dear! You're sick. Here, let me pour you a glass of water." Hope poured water into a glass from the pitcher on the night stand and handed it to her friend.

"Thank you, Hope. I don't know what came over me. Maybe an oncoming cold."

"Unusual for a cold to cause that reaction. You don't seem to have a fever," Hope qualified as she pressed the back of her hand to the doctor's forehead.

"No, I'm fine, really."

"Are you?" Hope raised an inquiring eyebrow.

"Now, don't go on so. Perhaps I ate too much at the party last night," Agatha dismissed her friend’s remark.

Hope decided to change the subject. "Why not come down for breakfast then? Some tea and toast will settle your stomach."

"No, I don't think so. Perhaps later." Agatha went over to her bed and began to make it.

Hope joined her on the other side to help with the bed. "I met Nick in the hallway. He mentioned that you and Laura had words. My cousin seems quite upset. Maybe you can share it with me?"

"We didn't really have words. I told her I was moving on, but I promised I wasn't going to abandon her."

"Moving on?" Hope questioned.

"Home. To Seattle. My father is planning on retiring soon, and he wants me to take over his medical practice. I wired my professor in San Francisco, and he is going to send a suitable replacement for me here, so you see, I won't be abandoning anyone."

"Won't you? What about Jarrod?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really. I noticed the strain between the two of you yesterday at the party. You hardly spoke a civil word to each other. Did you two have a quarrel?"

"Goodness, of course not. What would we have to quarrel about? It's just that our business together is concluded. I helped him with Sally's defense, and now that it's over he-, well, in any event. Jarrod no longer has need of my services." Agatha smoothed out the heavy winter quilt on the bed. "Lovely, isn't it?"

"The quilt? Yes it is. It's a favorite pattern of my mother's. It's called the wedding ring pattern. I made it for Victoria last Christmas." Hope fluffed up the pillows and placed them at the headboard. "Agatha, you make it sound like you and Jarrod had a business arrangement between you."

"We did, Hope. He hired me to help him with Sally, and now that she's acquitted, I-, I'm no longer needed. The job's completed." Agatha smoothed imaginary wrinkles from the quilt. "What did you call it? A wedding ring pattern? It's lovely."

"Yes, you said that." Hope placed impatient hands on her hips. "Agatha, you're deliberately changing the subject."

"Am I? I'm sorry. You mentioned having some tea and toast. I do believe that would hit the spot. Shall we?" Agatha motioned to the open door. Hope quietly left the bedroom followed by the doctor.

*

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Nick griped.

"It's time you learned it! And watch your mouth in front of my kids," Heath chided as he placed his daughter in her crib and settled her with a doll to play with.

"Sorry, but if you think I'm going to change Michael's diaper, you’ve got another thing coming!" Nick warned.

"Now listen, Nick. Laura's gonna have another baby, and like you said, it's gonna be a boy, well, ya have to diaper boys different than girls."

"Well, I know that. They're built different."

"Come on then, let me show you. Put Michael down on the bed and take his britches off."

Nick complied with his brother's instructions. "It's not like I never diapered a baby, ya know. I diapered Colleen many times."

"Uh huh. Now keep him covered there, don't let him squirt ya." Before Heath could finish his warning, Michael showed his Uncle Nick how not to diaper a baby boy.

"ARGH! Blast it! He got me in the eye!" Nick clutched his right eye.

"I tried to warn you, Nick." Heath stifled a chuckle under his breath. "Go wash out your eye. I'll hold him down for ya."

"Kid's got great aim."

"Like his old man," Heath chuckled as he watched Nick leave the bedroom.

*

Silas walked into the library carrying a serving tray. “Morning, Mr. Jarrod.”

“Good morning, Silas.”

“Seems like ole times, servin’ ya breakfast in the library like this, Mr. Jarrod.”

“Yes it does seem that way, doesn’t it? Did Mother mention-?”

“Yes Sir, but I told Mrs. Barkley you had some paper work to finish up ‘fore you go on ta Sacramento.”

“Good man, Silas.” He poured the coffee into his cup.

“Still, I suspect Mrs. Barkley will be disappointed you didn’t join the family at breakfast. You know she takes quite a store ta having her family gathered around at the table.”

“I’ll make it up to her, I promise. Thank you, Silas.” Silas nodded and left the room.

Jarrod sipped the coffee but dropped the cup on the saucer when it burned his tongue. “Damn it!” he cursed. The pain brought back thoughts of the evening before in the very same room.

*

Taking risks is what life and love is all about. I suppose it’s your choice if you don’t care to take risks, but know this, I’m grateful that I found out now, because I don’t care to love a coward!”

*

“Coward! I’ll show her who’s a coward! Would a coward do what I’m going to do? I think not! Insulting, pigheaded-! Who does she think she is turning me down?! With a snap of my finger I can have any woman I want in this valley! Any woman!” Jarrod angrily pushed the papers on the desk and leaned back in the leather chair. “Damn woman!”

Part 49

It was late afternoon when Victoria stormed into the library. “Now I excused you this morning from the breakfast table because Silas mentioned you had a mountain of paper work, but I’ll not excuse you from lunch. Enough is enough, Jarrod Barkley.”

“Oh, Mother, I’m truly sorry. The day got away from me, I’m afraid. I promise I’ll join the family at dinner this evening. Then I’ll go to my own home to continue this paper work.”

“Now, Jarrod, you’re not going to bury yourself in your work again, are you?”

“Mother, this is incredibly important. I plan to introduce a bill to the state legislature once they reconvene. I intend to leave very shortly to see if I can cajole some of those old buzzards into accepting my ideas.”

“And how long do you intend to be gone this time?” Victoria said disappointedly.

“As long as it takes, Mother. If you need me, I’ll be at the Sacramento House like always. You know that.”

“Yes, I know.” Victoria turned to go, then stopped. “By the way, you’ll be taking Agatha back to town after lunch. Nick said he can’t spare any men. Last night’s storm did damage to the grape arbors, and Nick wants them shored up.”

“Agatha? She’s still here?”

“Yes, of course she’s here. Had you bothered to leave this room this morning you would have noticed.”

“Why is she still here?”

“Laura wanted her to stay, but I think it was a false alarm.” Victoria left the library.

*

Nick and Heath walked into the kitchen after leaving their muddy boots on the back porch.

“Silas, got any hot coffee? It’s a mite cold out there today.” Nick pulled his wet work gloves off and held his hands over the warm stove.

“Sho’ enough, Mr. Nick. How about you, Mr. Heath?”

“It would surely hit the spot, Silas. Thanks.” The two men sat at the kitchen table with mugs of hot coffee before them.

“Lunch will be ready directly,” Silas said pleasantly.

Suddenly, Etta Lewis, the nurse hired by Nick to look after his pregnant wife, came rushing down the back steps into the kitchen. “Silas, you have ta come quick! Oh, Mr. Nick, thank the Good Lord you’re home! It’s the Missus.”

“What’s wrong, Etta?”

“I’m not sure! I think she fell! I found her on the floor! I can’t get her up!”

Nick bounded up the back steps with Heath following. They found Laura leaning against the stair rails on the upper floor unconscious. Colleen was holding her mother’s hand and sobbing.

“Papa, oh Papa, I can’t get Mama up!” Colleen wailed.

Heath took his niece in his arms to soothe to her. “Hush now, your Mama is going to be right as rain. Etta, where’s Doc Aggie?”

“She was feeling poorly. She’s taking a nap,” Etta answered.

“Go get her,” Heath ordered.

Nick knelt down beside his wife and lifted her head. Her eyes were closed. “Laura, wake up. Come on, honey, open your eyes.” Nick’s calm voice was for his daughter’s benefit. Inside his heart pounded out a wild beat. Nick gently tapped his wife’s tear stained cheek. Her head began to loll back and forth.

“Nick?”

“I’m here, baby. I’m here. Can you tell me what happened? Did you fall?”

“Fall?” she asked listlessly.

“Open your eyes. Come on, look at me. Tell me what happened.”

“Pain. I felt pain. I couldn’t stand it! I think-, I fainted.”

“I’d say you did. Come on, let me help you up.” Nick grasped her arms to pull her up from the floor.

“I can’t, Nick. I can’t get up,” she began to weep.

“Shh, it’s alright. I’ll pick you up.”

When Nick placed his arm under her knees he felt wetness, and his heart skipped a beat. He immediately thought it was blood. Agatha came to his side with Etta following close behind. Agatha knelt beside her patient.

“She’s wet there,” Nick whispered, the panic barely checked in his voice.

“Relax, Nick. Her water broke,” Agatha reassured him.

“Thank God.”

Heath stood holding his niece in his arms. “What say we go play with Michael and Leah?”

“But Mama?” Colleen said worriedly, rubbing her moist eyes.

“Your Mama’s gonna be fine. Papa’s gonna put her to bed.” Heath whisked Colleen away to the nursery. Victoria had noticed the commotion and ran up the stairs.

“What is it?!”

“She’s going to be fine. Mrs. Barkley, would you ask Hope to come into the bedroom with me? I’m going to need her help.”

“Isn’t it too soon for Laura to have the baby?” Victoria asked.

“Not at all. Could you get my medical bag in my room, Etta?”

After Nick settled Laura on the bed, Agatha rushed him out of the room. Hope quickly walked in with her arms full of white linens. Etta was behind her with the doctor’s medical bag.

“Etta, I’m going to need a pan and boiled water to sterilize my instruments. Hope, help me get these clothes off her.”

Victoria entered the bedroom. “Can I help, Agatha?”

“Yes, please find a nightgown for her to wear. Then get some cloths and a basin of cool water. Hope, after we get her undressed I want you to help me examine her. Unless I miss my guess she’s going to be delivering this baby very soon.

Nick stood at the bottom of the stairs. Jarrod was startled to see his brother’s face so ashen.

“Nick, what’s going on? Are you alright?” Jarrod wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

“It’s Laura, she going to have the baby. The women are up there. They threw me out.”

“Come with me. You look like you need a drink to brace yourself .” Jarrod led Nick to the drink table. Once poured, he handed him a filled glass. “Drink up.”

Nick brought the glass to his lips. “I don’t know Jarrod. It doesn’t feel right to me. We found her out cold on the floor.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know. She said the pain was too much for her. It made her pass out. She was sick all day. I should have done something. I should have been home with her instead of outside working.”

“Now, Nick there’s no need for you to feel guilty. There’s really nothing much you could have done. You know that.”

“I suppose. Still, I should’ve been here.”

*

Upstairs Laura was groaning in pain. “Make it stop!” she begged.

“L, listen to me. It will pass. You need to take breaths. Can you do that for me?” Hope asked.

“Where’s Nick? I need Nick.”

“He’s downstairs. Come on now, take some breaths for me. Remember what we talked about? I want you to pant. Remember how you did that before?”

“It didn’t hurt this bad, Hope. This really hurts! Is something wrong with the baby? Aggie, tell me. Is something wrong with the baby?”

“I assure you, nothing is wrong with the baby. I told you every pregnancy is different,” Agatha promised her. Victoria sat by the bedside and wiped Laura’s brow with a cool cloth.

“Victoria, I need Nick. Please get Nick. I need him here.”

“I will, I promise, as soon as Agatha says it’s alright for him to come in.” Victoria feared there was an unspoken concern and wondered if it wasn’t the reason the doctor didn’t want Nick in the room.

Laura groaned more when a sharp pain came over her. She gripped Victoria’s free hand.

“Oh God, it hurts!” she said between ragged breaths. “Hope?”

“I’m here, Laura. What is it?” Hope leaned over and brushed a sweat-soaked strand of hair from her cousin’s face.

“Help me. I need to-, Ohhh! Damn! Show me the breathing. I forgot it!”

Of course, it’s like this.” Hope demonstrated panting in short breaths. “Concentrate. Look at me and concentrate.”

Laura did as she was instructed, willing her advancing pain to subside with heavy pants.

“I need to push!”

Agatha was at the edge of the bed watching her progress. “Go on, push. I can see the head, Laura. Just the tiniest bit, but it’s coming,” the doctor smiled and placed her hands in readiness to guide the child.

“No! No more! I won’t push until Nick is here. I want Nick! You promised to get Nick for me!” she stubbornly reminded her mother-in-law.

Victoria’s pleading eyes turned toward the doctor. “I made a promise. Nick was with her when Colleen was born. She needs to have him here,” Victoria begged.

Agatha nodded her approval. “Very well, go get him, quick! Because this baby isn’t going to wait much longer!” Victoria took little time rushing out the door and shouting from the top of the stairs for Nick.

Hearing his name he took the stairs two at a time and exploded into the room behind his rushing mother. “How’s she doing?”

“She wants you here. The baby’s coming. Take my seat,” Victoria commanded. Nick took the wet cloth from the basin, wrung it out, and placed it on Laura’s perspiring forehead.

“Hey. How are you doing, Sweetheart? I’m here.”

“Nick? Oh thank God! I wanted you here to see your son.”

“I’m here for you. Whatever it is, I’m here for you, nothing else matters. You know that don‘t you, Laura?” Nick’s voice was thick with anxiety and promise.

Laura reached her hand out to brush his cheek. “I know that, my love. I’ve always known that. My knight in-, OHHH, DEAR GOD!”

Laura gave out a scream, finally remembered to push, and the next sound was a baby’s lusty wail. The women in the room all smiled. Agatha quickly tied off and cut the cord. Hope began to wash the baby’s ruddy face. The child screamed louder in protest.

Victoria laughed. “Well, he certainly sounds like Nick when he was born!” Agatha and Hope, who were both at the end of the bed, looked up at Victoria. Then at each other.

“Let us see our son,” Laura smiled.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you,” Agatha began. “It’s a girl!” She held up the naked, squealing child. “A healthy baby girl!”

“A girl?” Laura said surprised. She never entertained the thought of another girl. Nick had always spoken of the child as a boy and she took it for granted that it would be.

“She’s beautiful, Laura. She has your coloring,” Hope exclaimed as she swaddled the child in a warm blanket.

“A girl! Well, that’s great! There’s certainly nothing wrong with a girl! I love girls!” Nick quickly smiled. “Let’s have a look at this beauty! Come on, Aggie. We want to see our daughter!” Nick stretched out his arms, and Agatha cradled the still squealing wrapped bundle in his arms. “Hope’s right, she looks like you Laura. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Sure can’t go wrong with a beauty like that. I know I didn’t!”

Nick settled the bundle in his wife’s arms. Laura smiled up at Nick. “She is lovely, isn’t she?”

“Just like her Mama. Full of life, love and miracles. I always had faith that you would make all my dreams come true, and you’ve never disappointed me yet, Milady. Never.” Nick marveled.

Laura stretched out her hand, and Nick took it in his large one and kissed it. “The only name we had picked out was a boy’s name, and we can’t call her Nicholas.”

“Evelyn would be a perfect name for the child,” Hope interjected.

“Evelyn? Why Evelyn?” Laura asked her cousin.

“Because in the Gaelic language it means, a child longed for. And for some time now you have both longed for another child.”

“She’s right. We have,” Laura agreed.

“Now just wait a minute here. You promised me that I would name our next child,” Nick gently chided.

Laura smiled at her husband then turned to her cousin. “He’s right. I did promise.”

Hope looked to her brother-in-law for his choice. “Very well, then,” she challenged.

“I have the perfect name,” Nick said. “Her name is Faith. Faith Evelyn.”

Approving smiles filled the room. “It’s a perfect name,” Hope agreed.

The blonde babe sobbed loudly until she found her fist and suckled. Victoria bend over Nick to get a better look at her newest grandchild. “She’s so beautiful and healthy looking. And she’s certainly hungry.”

“I better get to my duties then,” Laura replied. Hope assisted Laura with getting her into a comfortable position. The child immediately set out to eat her fill. “Good Lord, that didn’t take her long. She’s certainly a girl who knows what she wants.”

“Like her mother,” Nick and Hope said in unison, then laughed.

The baby fell asleep once she finished suckling at her mother’s breast. Laura too had managed to fall into an exhaustive sleep. The women quietly cleaned up the mess in the room. Nick sat beside his wife and marveled at his happy fortune. Any disappointment he had about not having a son vanished from his thoughts. He was truly a fulfilled man. All his dreams had been realized. Marriage to a wonderful woman, and two beautiful, healthy children. ‘Daughters,’ he thought. ‘Weddings, walking down the aisle and giving my little girls away to-,’ Nick shook his head. ‘Nope, not going to happen! No man will be good enough for my daughters!’ “Our daughters,” Nick said out loud.

Hearing her husband’s words, Laura opened her sleep filled eyes. “What did you say?”

“Sorry, my Love, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t, it was the-, Ohhh, it’s come back!” Laura stiffened. “You better take the baby. Oh my God! It hurts!”

Agatha rushed to her patient’s side. “What hurts, Laura?” Nick quickly picked up the baby and handed it over to Hope. The swift movement made the baby cry out again.

“It feels like pressure in my stomach. Something doesn’t feel right! I feel like I need to push again!”

Hope placed the fretful child in Victoria’s arms and quickly looked under the blankets. “Agatha! Come quick. There’s another one!” Stunned silence filled the room as the occupants watch Agatha and Hope’s quick reaction to the news of another baby.

“Someone get more linens and hot water, quickly.”

“I’ll get it,” Hope offered.

“No, send Etta,” Agatha ordered. “I need you to help me.”

“A-, another baby?!” Nick stammered.

Laura raised herself up on her elbows. “I need to push!”

“Nick, sit behind her for support,” Hope ordered. “Keep her up.”

Nick quickly sat at the head of the bed and let Laura lean against him. She gripped his hands and squeezed. “I have to push!”

“Not yet, let me make sure the cord isn’t in the way,” Agatha replied. “I’ll tell you when to push.”

“Breathe, Laura! Come on, do what I do.” Hope sat on the bed and made Laura focus on her panting breaths. “Just like a brood mare. You’ve seen mares do it.”

“Cousin Hope, if you compare me to a damn brood mare one more time I’m going to hit you!” Laura threatened between pants. Nick and Hope both smiled at each other over Laura’s head.

“She’s a feisty lass, isn’t she?” Hope teased.

“It’s one of the many reasons I married her,” Nick agreed, smiling proudly.

“Stop-, talking-, about-, me!” Laura said between breaths. “I need to push, Aggie. NOW, damn it!”

“PUSH!” Agatha shouted her command. Laura gave out a loud grunt and pushed the baby out. Agatha cried out with joy. “It’s a boy!” She held up the tiny child for all to see. Everyone spoke at once congratulating the happy couple. They didn’t notice that the baby wasn’t crying. As quickly as Agatha held the baby up she again placed it on the bed and began to clear out it’s air passages with her medical instruments. Nick was the first to speak.

“Aggie? What’s going on? Is something wrong?”

“He’s needs a bit of help breathing, Nick. Give me time,” Agatha answered.

“He’s awfully small, Agatha,” Laura said worriedly.

Nick, who was still sitting behind her on the bed, folded his wife in his arms and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “Let Aggie work. He’s going to be fine, you’ll see. Just fine.” Nick’s voice was uncharacteristically calm.

After Agatha cleared out the air passages, she turned the baby over to lay in the palm of her hand and massaged his back with two fingers. “Could somebody build up the fire? I want the room to be as warm as possible.”

“I’ll do it,” Etta volunteered. The young black woman knelt at the hearth and began to feed the fire with the chopped wood.

The room was bursting with trepidation as all eyes focused on the lady doctor. Her slim fingers massaged the delicate blue-tinged skin she held in her hands as they attempted to stroke the breath of life into the tiny body. The only sound in the room was the wailing of baby Faith. At last, a tiny whimpering sound came from the little boy. Agatha sighed in relief and wrapped the tiny infant in a warm blanket. "Would you like to hold your son, Laura?"

“Oh, yes! I most certainly would!” Laura smiled widely.

Agatha handed the child to Laura who cradled it to her bosom.

“He doesn’t weigh much more than a feather. Nick, have you ever seen any one so small?”

“I don’t believe I ever had,” Nick said as he stared over her shoulder. Nick touched the child’s face with his roughen fingers. “Look, his head is no bigger than my thumb.” Then he looked up at Agatha for reassurance. “Is he all right?”

Agatha nodded her head. “See if he’ll nurse, Laura.”

The child suckled, but not as efficiently as his sister previously had, who was still wailing in her cradle. “Bring Faith here, Hope.” Hope complied as she quickly retrieved the other child. “Help me feed them together, Hope.” Laura’s cousin, who was certainly experienced with twins of her own, helped the new mother.

Agatha and Etta started cleaning the room once again of soiled linens. Victoria stood near the hearth wiping away tears of joy as she watched the newest additions to Tom Barkley’s legacy. It was times like these she missed her husband most. She prayed he was watching from heaven.

Nick uttered a silent prayer of his own as he watched the children who looked exactly alike in face, but not in size. He carefully slid out from behind his wife and plumped the pillows behind her.

Nick walked quietly over to Agatha and whispered. “Is the boy going to be all right? He’s so small. What happened?”

“My guess is he was behind Faith, and she seemed to take more nourishment than he did. It happens sometimes with twins. Medical science doesn’t know why yet. The boy is weaker and needs lots of warmth to grow. That’s why I had Etta stoke the fire. I placed towels and blankets near the fire to warm them. Once he finishes feeding, I’m going to wrap him with the warm towels and keep watch with him by the fire. What’s his name?”

“What?” Nick hadn’t taken his eyes off his new family the entire time she spoke.

“What are you naming your son? Or shouldn’t I be surprised?” Agatha smiled indulgently.

“Nick. His name is Nick. It’s a good strong name, and he’ll grow into it,” the new father smiled.

“Hope? Hope, he’s not eating,” Laura said in near panic. Hope rushed over to the bed and took the baby from her.

“He could have fallen asleep. Agatha?” Hope called out to the doctor who immediately moved toward her littlest patient.

“Let me see,” Agatha said. All stood by once again, hearts in their throats as she examined the small bundle. “He’s fine. He fell asleep. This young man is not as strong as his sister and tires easily. You are going to have to keep waking him to feed.” Agatha laid the child again in his mother’s arms. “Just tickle his feet. That should wake him. He should feed for a good twenty minutes before you let him sleep. Then we’re going to lay him near the fireplace and wrap him in warm towels.”

“I guess I’m gonna have to get Heath to build us another cradle for the little one. In the meantime he can sleep in my hat,” Nick joked.

“He will not, Nick Barkley,” Laura chided with a smile.

“Here,” said Etta. “I made up this here basket with the warm towels. The child can sleep in here.” She showed them the inviting bed lined with soft, warm towels.

“Thank you, Etta. That’s a wonderful idea. We’ll use that,” Laura said.

Soon both children were sleeping. Faith was by the bed in the large cradle her Uncle Heath had made for Colleen, and little Nicky slept in a basket by the fire. Agatha sat on the floor beside the basket, watching the child’s breathing. Nick sat on the bed, his wife quietly sleeping in his arms. He rubbed his tired eyes with his hand and was just about to doze off when a wailing cry came from the cradle. The noise startled everyone in the room and awaken little Nicky, who cried softly.

“What’s wrong? Faith can’t be hungry again,” stated Laura. “Is she wet?”

Hope went over to the cradle and picked her up. “Faith’s fine, but I think I know what’s wrong with her.”

“What?” Nick asked.

“She’s a twin, and she misses her brother. I am willing to bet that Faith will stop fussing once she’s by her brother’s side.”

Agatha stood up from the floor. “That’s a good idea, Hope. Faith will provide her brother the body warmth he needs to grow.”

Nick moved the large cradle by the fire. Once the warm blankets were rearranged in it, both babies laid side by side together and went back to a peaceful sleep.

Part 50

Agatha was found sleeping by the cradle. Victoria reached out and shook her shoulder.

“Agatha, the baby is fine. He’s sleeping. There’s no need to hover over him. The baby is fine, dear.”

"My baby!" she sighed, still half asleep.

"What?" Victoria asked.

Shaking her head, trying to clear the dream from her senses, she pushed back from the cradle…and pushed back the image she'd had of the child she carried. "I must have been dreaming...about Laura's babies," she smiled weakly. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. I'll just check them over again."

“Agatha, don’t you think you’ve done enough here? You look exhausted. Surely, little Nicky is out of danger now. He’s feeding well, and his color is very good.”

Agatha looked down at the tiny sleeping child. “He is looking well, and his breathing is stronger now.”

“Come downstairs. I have lunch prepared.”

Agatha stood and noticed Laura was asleep in bed. “It looks like my patients are all doing well. I think perhaps I’ll be on my way instead.”

“Not before you’ve had something to eat.”

“No, thank you. I’m not really hungry. I should be getting back to town.”

“Very well, I can’t force you, but I do hope you’ll take the time to rest when you get home,” Victoria said as she quietly escorted her out of the bedroom. “Jarrod is getting ready to go into town, and he’ll drive you.”

“Jarrod? Oh, but I can drive myself…”

“Nonsense,” Victoria protested. “Jarrod is on his way to the train depot, and it’s the least any of us can do for all your dedication and hard work.”

The women had reached the foyer when Nick bounded in. “Aggie!” Nick grabbed her and kissed her soundly on the lips. “You are the best doctor Stockton has ever had, and I can’t thank you enough!”

“Goodness, Nick! Coming from you that is high praise indeed!” Victoria laughed.

“Thank you, Nick,” Agatha smiled shyly.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me, ladies, I’m going to look in on the beautiful mother of my three beautiful children.” Nick happily jogged up the stairs.

“I do believe I have never seen Nick this happy in all my days. You have certainly earned a placed for yourself in our hearts, Agatha. I hope you know that.”

“I’ve done nothing, but I thank you.”

“Not at all, you saved our little Nicky’s life and for that we will be eternally grateful.” Victoria gave her an appreciative hug.

*

It was a bright crisp winter day that found a weary Agatha James sitting beside Jarrod in the Barkley buggy.

“I do have a good feeling about this new year. Full of promise and hope. Don’t you?”

“It’s certainly is for Nick and Laura.”

“True enough, they are a very happy couple. Those twins are beautiful. Did you know Nick gave every ranch hand a twenty dollar bonus this week?” Jarrod’s eyes crinkled into smiles.

“No, I didn‘t know that,” she said listlessly.

“We owe a lot to you, Doctor James,” Jarrod continued.

“Laura did most of the work.”

“Come now, you had your hands full from what Mother told me.”

“I did what I needed to do. Would you stop the buggy please?”

“What?”

“Please, just stop the buggy. Now!” Jarrod pulled abruptly on the reins, and Agatha jumped off as swiftly as she could.

“Agatha, what’s wrong?!” Jarrod said as he looked on in alarm. Agatha began to retch by the side of the road. “My God, you’re sick! Why didn’t you tell anybody? I’m taking you right back to the ranch so someone can look after you.”

“No!” she protested. “I’m fine! I need to go home!”

“You need a doctor.” Jarrod jumped down from the buggy.

“I am a doctor! I’m fine! May I have your handkerchief please?”

“Of course.” Jarrod reached into his vest pocket and produced a cloth for her. “Is there anything I can get you?”

“No, I’m fine. I just need to go home.”

“Home?”

“Yes, I very much need to go home.”

“Very well, are you ready to go?”

“Yes.”

“Let me help you then.” Jarrod assisted her back into the buggy.

They rode in silence for some time. Jarrod glanced over and noted her pale countenance, but he deduced it was from her long hours working with the newborns. He knew there was so much left unsaid between them, and he didn’t feel comfortable leaving for Sacramento until they cleared the air. Even though the last time he tried to ‘clear the air’ it didn’t work out as well as he hoped. ‘Maybe this time,’ he thought.

“Agatha,” he began. “I know you see me as a-, a coward…”

“I am so dreadfully sorry I said that.”

“No, please,” Jarrod continued. “Let me finish. What you see as a cowardly way, I see as a-, well, dare I say it, a noble act. It may be selfish to you, and I certainly understand that; however, I can’t go to another parent and tell them ‘I promised to cherish and protect your daughter and I failed to do so!’ I had to tell Beth’s parents, and I had to tell dear Carol’s family. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. And yes, it made me feel powerless.”

“Jarrod, please, don’t do this to yourself. I understand why you feel the way you do. I think I’ve always understood it, but I truly feel you’re wrong, and we cannot control what life puts before us.”

“Yes, as you said, life and love are full of risks. I remember.”

“You have to have faith, Jarrod. Faith in God, or at the very least, faith in yourself.”

“Faith to me, is my new little niece, nothing more,” Jarrod replied forlornly as he pulled the buggy to a stop in front of the doctor’s office. He stepped out of the buggy, walked around, and assisted her down.

“Thank you,” Agatha said.

“Safely home,” Jarrod replied. He placed his hand at the small of her back and escorted her to the office door. Once at the door, Agatha turned to face her escort. She struggled to hold back her mounting tears. She knew he was leaving and would be away for quite sometime, and she knew she would never see him again. She squared her shoulders before she spoke.

“Thank you for seeing me safely home.”

Jarrod tipped his hat. “Well, I‘m off to the State Capital to hopefully change the world for the good of womankind. Will you wish me luck?”

“Of course. Good luck, Counselor Barkley.”

“I thank you, Doctor James. So long.” He climbed back into the buggy.

“Good bye, Jarrod.”

Epilogue:

Counselor Jarrod Barkley left for Sacramento. He took with him his shattered pride, his will to fight for women's rights, and his determination to prove Aggie wrong about him.

Doctor Agatha James left a week later for her home in Seattle. She took with her the pain of a broken heart, the memories of what might have been, and the baby he would never know.

“Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver…” Mt. 21:21

THE END