(A fill-in for the
episode)
by Pearl
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.
Synopsis:
This is story takes up when Heath leaves the fire and ends right before
the first breakfast the Barkleys spend with Heath in the episode, ‘Palms of
Glory’.
Victoria watched the young man, who claimed to
be her husband’s son, ride off and wanted nothing more than to follow him, but
she couldn’t. She had to stay to see
how this turned out. The sheriff had
questioned Tom’s wisdom and guidance, and she had no idea how her sons would
react. After seeing them unite behind
Mr. Samples, she got out of her buggy and walked over to Audra. Taking the reins of Audra’s horse into her
hands, she said, “I’m taking your horse, Audra. You take the buggy home.”
“Mother?” Audra wasn’t sure she heard right,
but she must have as her mother was already leading the horse away. She ran to catch up with her. “Mother, where are you going?”
Knowing she was well out of sight of the men,
Victoria picked her skirt up, put her shoe in the stirrups and threw her leg
over the horse.
“MOTHER!”
Audra exclaimed after seeing her mother act so unlady like.
“Just do as I say, Audra.” And with that Victoria kicked the horse, and
left Audra looking after her with her mouth open.
He had a head start on her, but she had an
advantage. She knew every inch of this
area like the back of her hand, and could find her way around blindfolded. From the direction he left, she thought he
might be returning to the ranch, so taking a gamble, she took a shortcut home
hoping to see him again.
As she rode, a million thoughts went racing
through her head. She didn’t exactly
know what was driving her now. She’d
heard his declaration down in the library - claiming his heritage and demanding
what was rightfully his. She was glad
to hear her sons give him the boot, but now after seeing him up close for the
first time, she knew without a doubt that he was her husband’s son, and she
wanted nothing more than to talk to him.
What she going to say to him, she had no idea.
His horse was outside the house when she
arrived. He must have ridden hard the
whole way to have beat her here. When
she entered the house, she saw him leaving the library while putting something
in his shirt pocket. She watched him
stop and fill his hat with apples. He
was leaving. She didn’t doubt that
after tonight, if something didn’t happened, they’d never hear from him
again. She was out of breath from the
brisk ride, and her heart was hammering in her chest. He turned, and saw her.
Her heart once more slammed hard - he looked so much like her Tom did
when he was young. She had to stop him,
but how? As he walked passed her, she
spoke - she had no idea where the words came from - they just came pouring
out. “He was an imperfect man...That’s
what I’d say to you, if you were my son.”
She thought she’d seen a change in his expression after her speech, and
she wanted to touch his face - to touch Tom again. Then he was gone.
* * * * * * * *
Audra watched her mother ride away and
wondered what had gotten into her.
She’d never known her mother to act so strange. There was such a different look on her face,
a haunted look. She turned and looked
for her brothers. They were in a
discussion with the other ranchers about what they were going to do in the
morning. She walked up to them. Jarrod was the first to see her.
“Audra, what are you doing here?”
“I...”
“She came with me and one of your ranch
hands,” the sheriff spoke up. “Which is
something I want to talk to you about.”
“Our ranch hand? Which ranch hand?” Nick questioned.
“Yes, let’s see, what was his name? Oh yes, Heath, but I never got his last
name.”
“WHAT! HE WAS HERE!” Nick bellowed.
“Nick,” Jarrod tried to get his attention.
“I knew there was something not quite right
with those young people’s story,” the sheriff could tell from the three
brothers reaction that Audra being with that Heath fellow was not good news.
“WHERE IS HE?” Nick continued to rave.
“He left.” Audra answered and threw her head
back daring Nick to say something.
Before Nick could, Jarrod put his hand on
Nick’s shoulder. “Not now Nick. Not here.”
Jarrod turned towards the sheriff.
“Sheriff, it’s all right, Heath is a ... a new acquaintance of ours.”
The sheriff finished filling the brothers in
on what he knew of the situation. The
look he saw on the three brothers’ face especially Nick’s - well he wouldn’t
want to be in Audra’s shoes right now, or that young man’s.
“Thank you, sheriff, we’ll take it from here,”
Jarrod said. He needed to get Nick out
of there before he gave the whole valley something more to talk about.
The sheriff nodded, “About in the morning, you
need to stay out of it. Your actions
won’t be legal.”
Jarrod just looked at the sheriff, and then
turned away. He didn’t want to discuss
either subject with the him any further.
“Let’s go home.” Jarrod said to his brothers.
“Where’s your horse, Audra?” Jarrod asked.
“Mother took it.” Audra stated.
“SHE WHAT?” Nick was yelling again.
“Why?” Jarrod asked.
“I don’t know. She didn’t tell me. She told
me to take the buggy and then she left ... in a hurry.”
“I wonder what got into her?” Jarrod said as
much to himself as anyone else. He knew
full well that his mother wasn’t dressed for horseback riding, and this action
was totally out of character for her.
“I think she went after him.” Audra glared at
Nick. She didn’t like the way Nick was
treating her.
“Him?” Jarrod asked.
“Heath.”
Nick jerked Audra around, “Which way did they
go?” His volume was barely below a yell now, and the look on his face made up
for the lack of volume in his voice, but Audra was used to Nick’s temper and
was about to give Nick a piece of her mind when Jarrod spoke up.
“Nick, I said not here.” He looked around to
see if Nick’s action had drawn any looks.
It appeared everyone was too busy discussing the trouble with the
railroad to be giving them much attention.
Not seeing anyone looking, he turned to Audra, “Which way?”
Audra gave Nick a hard glare before answering
Jarrod. “That way,” she pointed,
“towards the ranch.”
Nick turned and mounted Coco. “SEE YOU BOYS EARLY IN THE MORNING,” he
yelled to the ranchers and kicked Coco into a full run.
“Let’s go,” Jarrod said to the Audra and
Eugene.
* * * * * * * *
Victoria poured herself a whiskey. It wasn’t a drink she’d had very often in
her life, but tonight called for something strong. She’d hoped to have some time to calm down and gather her
thoughts, but that was not to be. She looked
up to see her children come busting through the door with Nick being in the
lead.
“Where is he?” Nick growled as he looked
around the room.
“Mother, are you alright?” Audra ran to
her. She noticed immediately how pale
her mother looked.
“Mother, we were worried about you,” Jarrod
said. His eyes took in his mother’s
shaking fingers and knew there was much he didn’t know.
Victoria looked at Nick.
“Audra said you followed Heath.” Nick stated
with his hands on his hips in a pose she knew so well.
“Is that his name?” was all Victoria said.
“Then you did follow him?” Nick questioned.
“Yes, I followed him,” she answered.
“Mother, you heard what Heath had to say
earlier in the library?” Jarrod asked.
“Of course she did,” Audra answered, “we both
heard. That‘s why I...” Audra suddenly stopped. She knew she had said too much.
“That’s why you what?” Jarrod asked.
“And just what were you doing in HIS hotel
room little sister?” Nick asked suddenly remembering what the sheriff had said
and where their discussion had ended at the fire.
Victoria looked alarmed. “You were in his hotel room, Audra? Young lady, what have you done?”
Audra reluctantly filled her family in on her
actions of the evening. When it came to
the part of her trying to get Heath to kiss her, she left that part off. It seemed so childish now, but at the time,
she felt it was the right thing to do.
She had thought he’d kiss her, choosing having a chance with her over
falsely claiming to be their father’s son.
Somewhere between leaving the house and returning, she had changed her
mind. Heath was her brother. She didn’t know what she based that on, but
he was.
After hearing Audra’s story, everyone was
silent.
Nick was still livid, and it was with everyone
- with Heath for obvious reasons, with Audra for going to town, and now for
defending him, with his mother for following him, and not explaining her
actions, with Jarrod for calling him
down and with Eugene for keeping quiet. Why doesn’t that boy ever take a
stand? He gets on a fence and doesn’t
get down on either side. He was mad at
the railroad for trying to take the area rancher’s land, and with the hired
guns in town for what they did tonight, and will try to do tomorrow, and for
what they tried to do to Audra. Just
for a minute, he had a positive thought about Heath for protecting Audra, but
he pushed it away quick. He didn’t want
to think anything good about him. He
was even mad at the sheriff for knowing anything at all about the Heath
situation. His anger had no stopping
point. It was directed at everyone.
Sensing the state his mother was in, Jarrod
suggested they retire for the night.
Nick started to object, but then didn’t. What the heck. He was too
mad to talk to them anymore anyway. He
wanted to get on Coco and ride as hard and as fast as he could, but he wouldn’t
leave. That Heath fellow could come
back, and he wanted to be home in case he did.
Nobody was going to hurt his family.
Without saying goodnight to anyone, Nick turned and went up the stairs
to his room taking the steps two at a time.
Audra was only too glad to escape any further
questioning for the night. If they knew
her real motives for going into town, she was quite sure they’d be in for a
long discussion. She kissed her mother
goodnight and left the room without so much as a glance at Eugene and Jarrod.
Eugene had been silent since they ridden up to
the fire. He’s seen Heath sitting on
his horse, but didn’t say anything to his brothers. He’d also happen to look at his mother at a time when she was
looking at Heath. She had a sad,
longing look on her face. He didn’t
have time to contemplate what that look meant as the discussion started up
about standing behind Mr. Samples against the railroad. With all the excitement that followed, he’d
forgotten all about that look until now.
He wanted to discuss it with Jarrod, but he didn’t know how, so he asked
instead, “Jarrod, what are we going to do about Heath?”
“Nothing tonight, Eugene. There will be time enough tomorrow. We’ve got to get past the stand off at
Samples place first, then we’ll handle it.”
Eugene nodded. It wasn’t what he wanted to
hear, but he’d always trusted Jarrod’s opinion, and he still did, so without
another word, he retired for the night.
Jarrod watched until Eugene was no longer in
sight. He poured his mother another
drink, this time sherry, and went to sit beside her, handing her the drink.
Neither one spoke for the longest time. Jarrod was about to think they never would
when he noticed a single tear running down his mother’s cheek. He took her hand in his but said nothing.
Finally Victoria stood, and Jarrod followed.
She looked into his eyes and saw a million unasked questions. She put her finger on his lips before he could
give voice to any of them.
Jarrod watched as more tears flowed down his
mother’s cheek. He wanted to wrap her
in his arms and comfort her, but he could sense that wasn’t what she
wanted. He wanted to asked her
questions, but knew it wasn’t the time.
When she put her finger to his lips, he heard his mother softly say five
words that he would remember always.
“He is your father’s son.”
They looked at each other for several minutes,
then Victoria straightened her shoulders and brought herself up to stand as
tall as she could.
“That’s all I’m going to say tonight. Goodnight Jarrod.”
Jarrod watched as she made her way up the
stairs.
Jarrod stayed downstairs for a long time. He knew he couldn’t get to sleep, so he
didn’t see any point in trying. He half
expected Nick to come back downstairs, but he didn’t. It was just as well; he wasn’t ready to share his new knowledge
with Nick just yet. A brother, their
brother, the news took him by surprise.
Looking back, Jarrod knew from the moment his mother left the fire so
strangely to follow Heath that there was something to the young man’s
story. But still, his mind refused to
believe what his ears had heard - ‘He is your father’s son.’
Jarrod’s thoughts bounced around in his head
all night. They went from Heath to the
trouble with the railroad. He wouldn’t
allow his mind to settle on the thoughts of his father betraying his
mother. Not yet anyway.
The next morning, the family gathered for
breakfast. It was a very quiet
breakfast. No one said anything, and
from the looks of everyone at the table, no one got any sleep. Victoria looked around at her children. She was a bundle of nerves. Everything happened so fast last night, it
wasn’t until she was in her room alone that it dawned on her that her sons were
leaving to face the railroad. She may
never see them alive again. She pushed
thoughts of Heath and Tom’s betrayal to the back of her mind the best she could
and spent the rest of the night talking with God about - everything. Now looking at her sons quietly eating their
breakfast, she wanted to say something, but didn’t know what. Nick’s face was stormy. Jarrod’s face was understanding. Eugene looked sad and serious. Audra’s eyes were red and swollen. For the first time ever, the entire
breakfast was spent in total silence.
Victoria and Audra said their good-bys at the
door. When Audra and Nick hugged, the
rest of them didn’t hear any ‘I’m sorry’, but they saw it. Victoria and Audra watched from the front
yard until the boys were out of sight.
* * * * * * * *
The sheriff was giving his speech when everyone
heard a horse coming in a hurry towards them.
Upon looking, Nick, Jarrod and Eugene saw the man claiming to be their
brother riding towards the farm. ‘How
did she know?’ Jarrod wondered to himself in awe. When his mother hugged him that morning, she whispered where no
one else could hear, “When you see Heath at Mr. Samples, ask him to come to the
house tonight at seven.”
Nick gloated.
‘I knew it. That boy’s come to
join the railroad against us.’ Those
thoughts died quickly as he watched Heath push his way through the railroad men
to join them on the porch against the railroad. He even stood beside him.
Nick made no comment and didn’t have time to think on it as the shooting
started quickly after that.
The fight didn’t last more than ten minutes,
but it felt like half a day. Bodies
littered the ground all around the yard.
After Nick made sure Jarrod’s wound wasn’t serious, he started helping
his neighbors with the dead and wounded.
Eugene joined Nick.
Jarrod walked over to Heath, his brother, and
offered him an olive branch in the form of a cigar. He noticed Heath’s hands shaking as he tried to roll a cigarette,
and knew it took no small amount of courage for Heath to risk his life joining
in a fight with them when he knew the Barkley brothers were against him. He hadn’t been around this young man more
than an hour all totaled, and he’d found more to admire in him than he did most
men in a lifetime. Without a doubt, he
had courage, integrity, good values, and a strong will. Reckless as it was, it took courage to race
a train. And courage didn’t come close
to describing what it must have taken for him to ride up to the Barkley ranch,
and face them all with the knowledge he had.
Jarrod knew Heath could have taken advantage of Audra in that hotel
room, or at least taken the anger he must have felt upon being given the boot
from the Barkley ranch out on her, but he hadn’t. He could have taken the money
last night, and still stayed around making his claim, but he didn’t. Jarrod noticed the way Heath was dressed -
the torn jeans and well worn shirt, and knew he could have used the money. His thoughts were interrupted as Heath
started to rise. Jarrod followed him to
his horse, and after Heath was mounted and about to ride off, Jarrod gave him
his mother’s message. Heath nodded then
rode off.
* * * * * * * *
After a joyful reunion upon arriving home,
Victoria ordered everyone to their rooms to rest. Nick argued, but it was no use.
Victoria was adamant. The
foreman could handle the ranch for the day, and she knew everyone needed to
rest. She informed them that she wanted
everyone in the library at four o’clock - everyone. Nick wanted to argue on that too, but he didn’t. He had enough sense not to. He knew his mother meant business, and he
was pretty sure he knew about who. He
hadn’t missed the exchange between Jarrod and Heath at Samples’ farm, nor had
he missed the silent exchange and slight nod of Jarrod’s head to their mother
when they’d arrived home.
Four o’clock found everyone in the library
except Victoria. Nick had finally
fallen asleep and felt rested, rested enough to now confront Jarrod. “What did you say to Heath this morning
after the fight?”
“He asked him to come to the ranch tonight at
my request,” Victoria answered Nick as she entered the room. “Eugene, dear,
would you please shut the doors?” She
went to the windows and shut them despite the heat. She didn’t want to chance this conversation going beyond this
room.
“What for?” Nick demanded.
“In due time, Nicholas,” Victoria answered.
Victoria looked at each of her children. “You all look rested, so I trust you were
able to get some sleep. Jarrod, how is
your arm?”
“Fine.
Can hardly tell anything’s wrong with it.”
Victoria smiled; she knew Jarrod was trying to
lighten the mood of the room. She
looked at each of her children once more then said, “I asked you all here to
talk about Heath.”
“I don’t think we have anything more to worry
about from him. He’s long gone by now,
and if he’s not, he will be. I’ll see
to it.” Nick stated.
“You’ll do no such thing, and please don’t
interrupt again until I’m through.” She
gave Nick a hard look, and he fell silent.
“I’m only going to say this once so listen
closely.” Victoria took a deep breath.
She’d rehearsed this conversation over and over in her head, but now
having to actually say it, it didn’t feel right. She looked at Tom’s portrait on the wall then decided to just
speak her mind. “Your father did have
an affair with Leah Thompson in Strawberry.
Heath is your father’s son. I
knew about the affair; Tom told me, but what I didn’t know about until
yesterday was Heath.”
She looked about the room at the various looks
on her children’s faces. On Jarrod’s,
she thought she saw sympathy. Audra’s
eyes were filling with tears. Eugene’s
mouth was standing open, and Nick’s was unreadable. “I’ve asked Heath to come to the ranch tonight. I intend to ask him to stay.”
Nick couldn’t hold it in any longer, “How
could you believe such a thing? I thought you had more sense than to buy into
that story of his. Even if Father did
have an affair, that...that boy could have found out about it and used it as an
opportunity to steal a part of what’s ours.”
“He is your father’s son.” Victoria stated
again, not taking her eyes from Nick.
“Jarrod,” Nick turned to his oldest brother for help, but seeing
the look on Jarrod’s face, he stopped.
“Oh now, don’t tell me you believe it too. Eugene, Audra, come on, you can’t believe that boy is father’s.”
“I believe he is,” Audra said softly.
Nick gave a laugh full of contempt, “Why? Because he rescued you from your
foolishness. Why any man that was half
a man would have done the same thing.
And you, Eugene, you gonna finally have an opinion about something? You going to buy into that story of his?”
“Well...” Eugene started, but Audra
interrupted.
“No, not because he...he helped me. Because he looks like me and Eugene. Because he reminds me of father. Because I feel it, which is something I
think you’re incapable of doing,” Audra
yelled back at Nick. All her resentment
of his treatment of her the night before came back with a vengeance.
“I believe Mother, Nick.” Eugene finally found
a place to get his answer in.
Nick snorted and turned his back on his
family. He walked over to the fireplace
mantle and hit the top of the it with his open hand.
“Thank you, Eugene,” Victoria said. “This is not up for question. When you calm down Nick, I believe you’ll
come to the conclusion that offering him a home is the right thing to do. He is who he says he is. I’m not just going on the fact that Tom had
an affair. Heath looks like your
father. He has mannerisms like your
father. I saw a few of them last
night. I’m sure there’s more to be seen
when we’re around him more. As far as I
know, your father didn’t know he’d left Leah with a baby. And if he were alive today, I know he’d
welcome Heath into our home with open arms.
I hope that Heath will accept our offer to stay here. I have a feeling that he’s on his way out of
our lives.”
“Good,” Nick put in here.
“Nicholas, whether or not you accept him as
your brother is up to you, but Heath shouldn’t be denied the chance to know all
of you. And he is entitled to his share
of all Tom left for his children. Now
normally we’d put this to a family vote, which we will later, but for now I
want you all to have some time to think about what I’ve just said. Heath, if he comes, will be here at
seven. I expect each of you to be on
your best behavior. Nicholas, do I make
myself clear.”
Nick was steaming, but he did manage a slight
nod in answer to his mother’s question.
“And I expect all of you to be here. We’ll
have our family vote at six-thirty here in the library.” With that said,
Victoria walked out of the library and left them to their thoughts.
Jarrod had seen his mother face many things in
his life, but he didn’t think he admired her more than he did right then. She truly was a remarkable woman, his
mother.
* * * * * * * *
Jarrod was getting ready to go down to
breakfast. He wondered what the day
would bring. Last night had gone better
that he’d hoped. The family, even Nick,
had met in the library right at six-thirty.
Mother had put the question of Heath living with them to a vote. Everyone was in agreement right off except
Nick. But to everyone’s surprise, he
said he wasn’t voting against him either.
He just wasn’t ready to vote for him, so he cast no vote at all. ‘Well,’ Jarrod thought, ‘it’s a start in the
right direction.’ What made Nick change
his mind even that much, he didn’t know, but he was glad he had. He then turned his thoughts on Heath. He felt sorry for the man as he was standing
in the Barkley library facing the Barkley family. At first, he thought Heath was going to turn their offer
down. He’d fidgeted with his hat he
held in his hands, and remained silent for the longest time. He’d refused to give his hat to Silas. Jarrod figured he might of thought he’d need
to make a fast exit. Anyway, he’d
fidgeted with his hat during the whole talk.
He saw Heath looking Nick’s way more than at anyone else. Each time Heath looked, Nick would look
away. But to everyone’s surprise, Heath
had finally said he’d like that when Victoria again suggested he stay with them
and everyone get to know each other.
Well, time for breakfast. He’d heard everyone already stirring except
Heath. Was he still asleep? If he was, who could blame him? He’d had a rough couple of days. And who knows what kind of days he’d had
before that. Jarrod took a deep breath
and braced himself to face the first day of the new Barkley family. He walked out the bedroom door, and didn’t
look back.