The Girl Next Door

Chapters 1-14

by Sharon

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.

Chapter 1

Heath downed the rest of his beer in one gulp, relishing the feel of the cold brew on his parched throat. He put his glass on the table, wiped his mouth, and turned to his brother. “Well, I think I’ll be on my way. See you back at the house later.”

Nick looked at him in surprise. “You’re leaving after only one beer? Boy, you’ve got a week's worth of trail dust to wash outta your mouth, one beer isn’t…oh…” he said, grinning with understanding. “You want to get to that pretty lady of yours.”

Heath smiled back. “That’s right, brother.” Pushing his chair back, he got up and clapped Nick on the back. “And if it’s a choice between seein’ my pretty lady or hangin’ around with a bunch of smelly men, I’ll take my fiancée any day. Tell Mother to save some lunch for me,” he said on his way to the swinging doors.

“Sure thing,” Nick said, chuckling and shaking his head. Turning to the other men at the table, he remarked, “There you go, boys. A man who’s been hog-tied and has the ring in his nose to prove it.” He lifted the empty pitcher in the direction of the bar. “Hey, Harry! Another pitcher over here!”

Heath urged Charger forward under the warm, late-morning sun. He, Nick, and two of the ranch hands had been on the trail for a week, on their way back from driving 250 head of cattle to a buyer in Sonora. The sale had been profitable and they had all been in high spirits at the start of the long journey back. But after a total of nearly three weeks away from home, sleeping on the ground for almost the whole trip and eating mostly beef jerky and beans, they were all eager to get back.

Especially Heath. He’d never really minded being on the trail for long stretches of time before. If he was alone, it was a rare opportunity for him to have some quiet time to gather his thoughts, away from the family. Maybe even read an occasional book. And if Nick or the hands were traveling with him, there was sure to be plenty of camaraderie, story-telling, and poker playing. Of course, he was always eager to get home, but never like this. This was the longest he’d gone without seeing Amy since they’d gotten engaged over two months ago, and he missed her something awful. He’d had to satisfy himself with thoughts of her at night by the campfire- the way her glossy brown hair fell in curls past her shoulders, her high cheekbones, gently sloping brows, and the most lovely pair of wide-set green eyes he’d ever seen. Not to mention her full, pink lips that fit so right against his own. Along with those thoughts, of course, had come much gentle teasing from Nick, who knew exactly what Heath was thinking about as he stared into the fire, the coffee gone cold in his cup.

He had felt bad about going on this trip so close to the wedding, but it couldn’t be helped. Nick had tried to be gracious and had told him that it would be all right if he didn’t come along this time, but Heath wouldn’t have felt right doing that to him. This sale was important, and he knew Nick counted on him on these trips as his right-hand man, someone he could trust implicitly to handle any problems that came up. He had never been so glad to get back to Stockton, though. He’d almost passed on the stop at the saloon altogether, but couldn’t resist the lure of a cold beer on this unseasonably warm September day.

As he rode on, he reflected on the events in his life over the past year. Dillie Shanks, for starters. She’d been the leader of a hold-up gang made up of her three brothers and had decided that Heath was the man she wanted to marry. He’d liked her, had been flattered by her attentions, but could never have returned her love- especially after discovering that she had killed in the course of the gang’s robberies. She had died tragically, trampled by horses running to escape the fire she’d set in the Barkley barn in revenge for Heath’s not loving her. But something had come of his knowing her. That day they had been walking, when he’d been showing her some land that she had lied about wanting to buy, just to spend time with him…she had asked him if he ever thought about settling down with a wife in his own place, independent of his family. Sure, he’d thought about it fleetingly in the past, but for some reason her question had stuck with him for a long time.

It was probably the timing of it. He hadn’t really thought seriously about getting married before that- he’d been too busy enjoying having a real family for the first time in his life. The times spent around the table, having discussions, sharing thoughts on every topic under the sun. He wouldn’t have traded for anything all the evenings after dinner spent playing billiards with his brothers- men who he couldn’t have felt closer to had they been raised together from birth- with his mother and sister often present, reading or sewing while making an occasional contribution to the conversation. He had reveled in the simple domesticity of it, something he had so longed for all of his lonely life. He hadn’t felt the need to give all that up for a wife.

But now…he’d been a Barkley for over 4 years. He’d sown all the wild oats he needed to sow and felt ready to settle down, share his life with someone special. The time had come that he could live apart from his family without missing them terribly. Not that he’d go far- a nice corner of the ranch would suit him just fine. There would still be plenty of time spent with the family, and of course he worked with Nick day in, day out. He chuckled softly as he realized that one thing he couldn’t imagine life without was working alongside his brother, with his stomping and yelling – not to mention his good humor, and the rhythm they had developed working together as a team.

He supposed he should be grateful to Dillie for getting him to thinking seriously about settling down. Maybe there’d been some good in her after all, although he’d soon changed his mind about keeping the expensive saddle she’d bought him. He’d decided he really didn’t want any souvenirs of the woman who’d tried to kill him, and had donated it to one of Audra’s charity auctions for the orphanage.

Another impetus for his more frequent thoughts of starting his own family was Joey. When he’d promised the dying Amanda Rawlins he’d take care of her baby, he’d had no idea of the profound impact the decision would have on his life. The Stanleys had adopted Joey and the boy was simply thriving among their large, loving brood. He and Nick visited as often as they could, and Heath was heartened to see that his prediction had come true- that Joey’s young age had made it easy for him to become a part of the family. He really was a Stanley, treated just the same as the other children- by his siblings as well as his parents. That the child would always feel loved and part of a family, never lost and confused about his parentage as Heath had always felt as a boy, filled his heart with gladness. And whenever he’d visited, watching the kids running around, playing with the latest toys he had brought, he’d thought to himself, “I want this.”

A home of his own, with a wife and a passel of kids.

And then, as if on cue, he’d met Amy.



“There, that should do it!” Amy exhaled, blowing back a piece of hair that had come loose from the ribbon and fallen into her face. The last box was finally packed, the last trunk finally full. She had spent the better part of the morning packing up her belongings so that they could be moved to the Barkley house sometime in the next few days. With the wedding only ten days away, she wanted to get this awful chore over and done with so that the next week and a half could be spent going over last minute details…and of course, any time not spent packing was more time she could spend with Heath.

She sat down on the trunk she had just closed and thought about how much she had missed her fiancé these past three weeks. It would be the hardest part of being a rancher’s wife, she realized, all the time they’d have to spend apart while Heath was on roundup, cattle drives, or gone to auctions or other such ranch business. But he, more than any man she had ever known, was worth it. She smiled as his image took form in her mind: his tall, strong body… his soft brown hair that she loved to touch, with its golden highlights put there by many hours of working outside in the sun…his wonderful half-smile that always quickened her pulse whenever it was focused on her...and those blue, blue eyes of his. Eyes that missed nothing, eyes that could see into her very soul and understand her the way no one else ever could. She sighed. Just one more day and he would be home. She’d gotten a wire from him a few days ago saying that they should be back Saturday morning.

She got up and went to the kitchen for some lemonade. The weather was warmer than usual for this time of year, so close to October. The morning had started out cool, but it had warmed up over the last few hours, and she was hot. It hadn’t helped that she had had to make several trips up to the attic to retrieve many of her things that had been stored there. She looked down at her clothes and was glad she had thought to wear her oldest blouse and an old pair of her cousin Rob’s denim work pants. Both now sported patches of dust, and she had a smear of dirt on one cheek. She untied the ribbon from her hair, ran her fingers through her curly brown locks, then pulled the hair back and retied it at her neck. Not that it would stay neat. Her hair seemed to have a mind of its own in this heat and simply wouldn’t cooperate with her efforts. As she blew back yet another piece of hair that had escaped onto her forehead, she reflected on the fact that it was only four months ago that she had met Heath Barkley for the first time…



She was with her Uncle John at DeWitt’s General Store, just a few days after her arrival from St. Louis. The store’s small selection of books had caught her eye and she was perusing them while Uncle John signed the bill. Suddenly, she heard a woman say, “John, hello, how are you?”

“Just fine, Victoria, and how’s everything with you? The family?” her uncle asked.

“Oh, we’re all fine, thank you. I’ve been meaning to get over to your place and see if your niece arrived yet.”

“Yes, she just got in a few days ago, and she’s right here. Amy, honey, come over here, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Amy turned and found herself looking at a petite, attractive grey-haired woman with a warm smile on her face. “Amy, this is my neighbor and very good friend Victoria Barkley. You remember, I told you about the Barkleys.”

Amy and Mrs. Barkley shook hands. “Yes, of course. It’s so nice to meet one of Uncle John’s closest friends, Mrs. Barkley.”

“And we’ve so been looking forward to meeting you, dear. Your uncle has been so excited about your coming to live with him- I haven’t seen him this happy in years.”

Amy blushed. “Well, I don’t know that I had anything to do with that, but if I did, I’m glad. Uncle John is one of my favorite people”, she said, looking tenderly at the tall, burly, gray-haired man.

“The feeling’s mutual, honey,” he responded, smiling.

Their exchange warmed Victoria’s heart. John Stanton owned a large farm not far from the ranch, and the neighbors had enjoyed wonderful relations over the years. He was a fine man who seemed to embody the maxim “Do unto others”. Always ready and willing to help his friends and family to the fullest of his ability, he had garnered the respect and caring of most of the residents of the San Joaquin Valley. He was also a sharp, but fair, businessman who had built his farm into a very prosperous venture. Victoria knew that he had been lonely these last few years since his wife had died and his only son, a doctor, had moved to Polynesia to open a medical clinic for the impoverished natives of Tahiti. She had been glad to hear that Amy was coming to live with him, it would be good for him to have some company in that big empty house.

“Mr. Stanton, your wagon’s all loaded and ready to go,” Sam DeWitt interjected.

“Thanks, Sam. Well, I guess we’ll be on our way, Victoria.”

“Not until you agree to come to tea tomorrow afternoon, both of you. Amy, my daughter Audra is about your age. I think you two would get along wonderfully. Please say you’ll come, at two o’clock.” Victoria grasped Amy’s hand, urging her to accept.

“Well, that sounds lovely, Mrs. Barkley, thank you. We’d enjoy that, wouldn’t we, Uncle John?”

But John was shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Victoria, really I am, but I’ll be in White Creek tomorrow afternoon on business. But wait, this solves a problem for me. I didn’t want to bring Amy with me and have her sit there being bored all day, but I didn’t want to leave her at home alone so soon after moving here, either. How about if I drop her off at your place on my way to White Creek?” Then his eyebrows knitted in consternation. “Hm, that might not work out after all…I don’t know when my business will be finished, don’t know when I’d be able to pick her up….”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, John, Audra or one of the boys can drive her back, that’s no problem. And we’d love to have her, I’m just sorry you won’t be able to join us. See you tomorrow at two, Amy. And it was lovely meeting you,” Victoria said warmly, shaking her hand again.

“Wonderful meeting you, too, Mrs. Barkley, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Amy answered, smiling.

On the ride home, Amy told Uncle John how much she had enjoyed meeting Victoria Barkley. “I’ve only just met her, but she seems to be such a kindred spirit. So…so…genuinely kind.”

“That she is,” John answered, steering the horses eastward. “You won’t meet a finer woman in this whole valley- or a finer family. You’ll meet Audra tomorrow, she’s a real nice girl. I don’t know if any of Victoria’s sons will be there, but I expect you’ll meet them at the church picnic on Sunday.”

Amy smiled. It was nice to be meeting people, going places again. She hadn’t thought she’d ever want to, after what she’d been through in the last few months. But now it was clear to her that moving in with Uncle John had been the right move. It was a chance for a new start in a new place- a place where there weren’t any unhappy memories.

Chapter 2

“More tea, Amy? And how about another butter cookie?” Audra inquired of their guest. Mother was right, Audra thought. Amy Stanton was a lovely girl. So beautiful, so stylish, and so much fun to be with. The three ladies had been having a grand time for the past two hours. They had asked her all kinds of questions about St. Louis, and she had enjoyed telling them about the latest fashions and trends and about what it was like growing up in a thriving city on the Mississippi River. Her hosts, in turn, had answered many of her inquiries about life in Stockton, and had offered some benign gossip on some of the city’s more colorful citizens.

“Oh, Audra, I don’t think I’d better,” Amy answered, a rueful smile on her face. “I’ve already had a sandwich and several of these delicious cookies. If I eat any more, I don’t think I’ll be able to stand up!”

“Now I don’t think one more cookie will do any harm,” Victoria laughed. “Here, have…” She was interrupted by the front door opening and closing and looked toward the entranceway. “Oh, Heath, I didn’t think you’d be around today- weren’t you and Nick supposed to be fixing that fence way down on the south boundary line?”

“Yes, we were, Mother, but I tore one of my gloves and had to come back for another pair.” Heath said absent-mindedly, walking toward the stairs. He was thinking about the mare that was supposed to foal any day now and that he should really stop at the stable and check on her on the way back to the south pasture. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice the stranger in the living room.

“Wait a minute, Heath, where are your manners? Come here and meet our guest.” Victoria insisted.

“Sorry, Mother, I didn’t notice you had company,” Heath said, reluctantly turning and walking to the living room, nodding at Audra. He was pretty dirty, and didn’t feel much like horning in on a ladies’ tea party to meet some stranger he’d probably have no interest in anyway, but it wouldn’t do to be rude.

“Heath, this is Amy Stanton, John’s niece. Remember he told us she was coming to stay with him? Amy, this is my son Heath.”

“How do you do,” Amy said, looking up into his face from her place on the settee.

Heath’s breath caught in his throat. He was staring into the most beautiful pair of green eyes he’d ever seen, set in an exquisite porcelain complexion framed by the loveliest brown curls. Realizing that they were all looking at him, that he was taking too long to answer, he swallowed and said, “Nice to meet you, Miss Stanton.” He didn’t see Victoria and Audra hiding their smiles. Suddenly he remembered that he was still wearing his hat and hastily removed it. Looking around the room, he asked, “Where’s John? I didn’t see his buggy outside.”

“John had some business to take care of this afternoon, so he dropped Amy off. I told him we’d get her home safely,” Victoria answered. “And I guess it is about time we got you home, Amy. Heath, would you please hitch up the buggy so Audra can take her back?”

“No!” Heath said quickly. “Uh...I mean, sure, I’ll hitch up the buggy, but there’s no need for Audra to take her home, I’d be glad to do it,” Heath said, cursing his nervousness. Couldn’t he stop looking like a fool for five minutes?

“Oh, I don’t mind, Heath. I’m sure you have so much work to do,” Audra said sweetly, a bemused smile on her face.

“No, never too busy to help out a neighbor.” I’ll get you later, Sis! He thought to himself. “And I couldn’t let you drive that buggy, not when there’s an available Barkley male around. Just let me get cleaned up and I’ll be right down…if you don’t mind waitin’, Miss Stanton.” Heath said, willing her to accept his offer.

She looked at him, not quite sure what to say. “Oh, well, of course…but I don’t want to put you to any trouble if you’re in the middle of working…”

“Just give me five minutes, “ Heath promised, smiling slightly. He pulled his sister aside. “Audra, tell Ciego to hitch up the rig. Oh, and tell him to get a message down to Nick that he’ll have to do without me for an hour…or maybe the rest of the day.” There would be hell to pay later with Nick, but it would be worth it, he thought, running up the stairs.

He quickly rinsed and dried the upper part of his body and put on a freshly pressed white shirt. After donning his clean vest and running a comb through his hair, he was ready to go. When he got to the bottom of the stairs he found everyone saying their good-byes with promises to meet again soon.

Heath helped Amy into the rig, got in himself, and took up the reins. Heeding his command, the horse took off in the direction of the Stanton farm.

Victoria and Audra stood on the porch, watching the buggy grow smaller in the distance. “Well, Mother,” Audra said, a look of merriment on her pretty face, “what do you make of that?”

Victoria shook her head, smiling. “I don’t know, dear. I just don’t know. It certainly turned out to be an interesting afternoon, didn’t it?”



They rode along for a bit in companionable silence until Amy broke it with, “Mr. Barkley, it’s very nice of you to take me home, but I hope I’m not taking you away from anything important.”

He turned to her with that half-grin that she was quickly getting to know and said, “It’s Heath. We’re neighbors now, after all. And no, it was nothin’ that couldn’t wait. Mendin’ fences isn’t half as excitin’ as it sounds.”

Amy laughed. “Really? I find that hard to believe. Oh, and…I’m Amy.”

Heath nodded. “All right…Amy,” he said, testing the name on his tongue. It felt good. “So, how do you like Stockton so far?” he asked her with a sideways glance, thinking that he’d never seen such pretty hair, all long and curly, shining in the sunlight.

“Oh, everyone’s been wonderful,” she answered. “And I just love Uncle John’s farm, it’s so different from what I’m used to.”

“Right, I remember John mentionin’ that his brother lived in St. Louis,” Heath said. “Must be quite a change.” Amy didn’t answer. When Heath looked at her, he saw that she was staring down into her lap. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I…I shouldn’t have brought up your father…John told us….” Damn, he was just making things worse.

Amy shook her head, trying to put him at ease. “No, it’s all right, really. I don’t mind talking about him. It’s just hard, I miss him so…” The tears that she was trying to hold back suddenly began to trickle down her cheeks. Mortified at crying in front of this man who was little more than a stranger, she started fumbling for her handkerchief.

“Whoa,” she heard Heath say, and the buggy stopped. Silently he pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to her.

“Thank you,” she said, accepting it gratefully. “I’m sorry,” she continued after wiping her eyes. “I thought I’d cried every tear I had left these last few months, but every once in a while it just hits me again that he’s gone.” She wiped away another tear and tried to smile at him but couldn’t quite manage.

“It’s all right,” Heath answered gently. “Losing someone you love…especially the way he died…no one would expect you to get over that so easily.”

“No, I suppose not,” she said, reliving the awful memory again. Her father had been a pharmacist, owner of his own successful drug store. One night about four months ago, two desperate youths had broken in to the store. Her father had heard noises from their house behind the store and had gone to check. He had found them emptying out the supply of narcotics after having smashed in the case’s locked glass door. When he had tried to stop them, they had overpowered him, got his gun away from him, and shot him. Dead.

“Taking the life of a fine man like that, all for some morphine powder and codeine syrup,” she said bitterly, half to herself. “Life can be so cruel.”

“Yeah, it sure can,” Heath said softly. Amy was startled out of her sad reverie. She’d almost forgotten Heath was there, listening. She turned to him to apologize for burdening him with her thoughts, but what she saw in his blue eyes stopped her. She saw sympathy, compassion, and…something else….understanding? How could that be? This man, who lived on such a fine ranch with such a wonderful family, what could he possibly understand of the pain she had endured?

Taking herself firmly in hand, she said, “I’m all right now. Shall we get going?”

“Sure, “ he answered, looking at her for another moment before turning to the horse. “Giddiyap,” he urged, gently flicking the reins.

A few minutes later they arrived at the farm. Heath stopped the buggy in front of the house, disembarked, and helped Amy down. Looking around, he remarked, “It doesn’t look like John’s back yet. Will you be all right?”

She nodded. “I’ll be fine, thank you. He shouldn’t be much longer and I should be getting dinner started, it’s Emma’s day off,” she said, referring to the woman who came in daily to do the cooking, cleaning, and laundry. She suddenly realized that she was still holding his handkerchief. A small laugh escaped her as she held it up. “I’ll wash this and make sure you get it back.”

“No hurry,” Heath said. As they were standing next to each other, Heath noticed that she was only a few inches shorter than he was, making it all the more difficult for him to tear his gaze away from those stunning emerald eyes framed with long dark lashes. “You can give it back to me at the church picnic on Sunday. You’ll be there- I mean, you and John will be there, won’t you?” he asked hopefully.

“Oh, of course, it sounds like great fun,” she answered, smiling. “Thanks again for the ride, Heath, and for the handkerchief, and…everything,” she said.

Heath nodded at her, returning her smile. “My pleasure,” he said. He briefly touched his fingers to the brim of his hat, hopped in the buggy and headed for home.

Amy went into the house, peeking out from behind the lace curtains to watch him drive off. She stood there, thinking about the man who had driven her home. It had been a long time since she had been interested in anyone, and since her father’s death, she hadn’t had the desire. But it had been impossible not to notice how tall and well-built Heath was, and how utterly handsome. It wasn’t just his rugged good looks that she found attractive, she mused. Most of the men she had known in St. Louis were shopkeepers or professionals of some sort… men who worked in town. This man who worked outdoors, mending fences, getting dirty, intrigued her. She had only just met him, but his kindness, his soft-spokenness, had simply shone through. She shook her head and told herself to stop being silly. A man like that must have women chasing him from dusk ‘til dawn, she thought, as she went into the kitchen to start dinner.

Chapter 3

Heath pulled the buggy up in front of the stable and jumped down, looking around for one of the hands to unhitch the rig and tend to the horse. No one seemed to be around, though, so he did the job himself, taking the time to give the horse a thorough combing. After that he stopped to check on Sally. She still hadn’t foaled, and Heath sat with her for a few minutes, giving her some extra straw and clean water. After patting her gently one last time, he made his way to the house, whistling as he walked.

He found the family just sitting down to cocktails in the living room before dinner. As Heath caught Nick’s eye, he braced himself for what was coming.

He didn’t have to wait long.

“Well, lookee here!” Nick exclaimed. “Nice of you to join us, Heath! I sure hope you didn’t feel too bad about leaving me high and dry today- I wouldn’t have wanted any guilty feelings to interrupt whatever it is you had to do that was so all-fire important!” His voice rose as he completed the sentence to the point where his mother had to cover her ears.

“Nick, please! There’s no need to shout, there’s a very good reason Heath had to leave early, I was just about to tell you…”

“’Good reason?’” Nick asked incredulously. “Well now, suppose little brother here just tells me what could be reason enough to leave a gap in that fence so that our cattle can just sashay on out onto Boulder’s property and-“

“All right, Nick, all right!” Heath finally spoke up. ”How many times in the past have I quit work early? Name one time, just one.” Nick scowled, forced to admit that his brother was right. “All right then, don’t act like it’s something I have a habit of doin’. For your information, I’ll be getting’ up extra early tomorrow mornin’ to finish the job. Besides, I did have a good reason.” He gratefully accepted Jarrod’s offer of a whiskey and held it to his lips a bit longer than necessary, trying to plan his next words.

“Well? I’m waiting,” Nick said in a calmer tone of voice, more curious now than angry.

Heath took another sip of his whiskey. “Well, uh….”

“He was being neighborly,” Audra supplied helpfully, smiling at him. Heath shot her a look of pure poison.

“Neighborly, huh?” Nick snorted. Seeing the embarrassed look on his brother’s face, he remarked, “Why do I get the feeling there’s a girl involved?”

“Listen, family, I had to work through lunch today and I’m famished,” Jarrod interjected, temporarily rescuing Heath from Nick’s badgering. “Let’s just adjourn this discussion to the dinner table, shall we?” he asked, a slight smile at the corners of his mouth.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Victoria said, taking her eldest son’s arm. “Let’s go into dinner, it smells delicious", she added as she and Jarrod led the way into the dining room.

Sunday, the day of the picnic, dawned bright and clear. Amy opened her bedroom window, breathing in the fresh spring air. She hoped she looked all right. Today she would meet most of the townspeople, among them many of Uncle John’s friends, and she wanted to make a good impression. Oh, who was she kidding, she thought, as she slipped a black velvet headband into her hair. There was only one person she wanted to look good for. The thought of seeing Heath again excited her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She had convinced herself by now that he was just being nice to his neighbor’s niece the other day, and that she had made a fool out of herself, carrying on that way in front of him. She would be formal and reserved if she saw him today, she vowed.

Chapter 4

The picnic was in full swing when the Barkleys arrived at Echo Lake, Jarrod driving his mother and sister in the buggy while Nick and Heath rode horseback. Trees abounded and most families had spread their tablecloths and blankets under the shady branches. The day was made to order for a picnic- pleasantly warm, with an occasional breeze blowing off the water. A few fat white clouds lazily dotted the otherwise clear azure sky. Children were running around while the adults ate and visited. Some of the men were getting a game of horseshoes started while several of the church’s Ladies Committee members were manning dessert tables laden with pies, cakes, and other treats, as well as pitchers of cold punch and lemonade.

Heath and Nick dismounted and secured the horses while Jarrod alighted from his seat and helped Victoria and Audra down. Victoria reached into the back of the buggy for the large picnic basket. “Here, Mother, let me carry that, it’s so heavy,” Nick said hastily, relieving her of the well-laden basket and trying surreptitiously to lift the lid.

“Mother, aren’t you worried that letting Nick carry the picnic basket is rather like letting the mouse guard the cheese?” Jarrod asked with a wink, looking to Heath, his usual partner in teasing Nick. But Heath wasn’t listening. He was busy scanning the picnic grounds, looking through the crowds. “Er, Heath?” Jarrod tried. “Looking for something?”

“Nah, more like someone, I’d say,” commented Nick, who just happened to be Jarrod’s usual partner in teasing Heath. “Knock it off, Nick,” Heath growled at his brother.

Victoria sighed. “Enough, all of you. Nick, put that lid down. Lets go sit over there, come along Audra.” The small group made their way to an empty spot under a large sequoia. Victoria and Audra spread out the tablecloth and started putting out the dishes and food.

The family spent the next few minutes greeting friends and acquaintances who stopped by to say hello and chat. Heath kept one eye on the crowds and was finally rewarded with the sight of John Stanton, talking with a group of men. Good, that meant that they were here, but where was Amy?

“Heath, pass me your plate,” Victoria interrupted his search. “Sure, Mother,” Heath said, handing it over. His eyes swept the water’s edge and finally he saw her, surrounded by several little boys. Heath couldn’t believe his eyes. She was demonstrating the fine art of…skipping stones!

“I’ll be right back,” he said, getting up and ambling down to the shore, his thumbs hooked over his belt.

Victoria called after him, “But Heath, what about your lunch, don’t you want-“

“I don’t think food is foremost in his mind, Mother,” Audra interjected, giggling.

Victoria looked over to where her son was headed. “Oh,” she said simply, with a knowing smile.

Jarrod and Nick stood up, trying to get a glimpse. Nick let out a low whistle. “I can see why Heath bailed out on me the other day. What a beauty!”

Jarrod nodded his agreement, impressed with Heath’s taste. “She is at that, Nick. She is at that.”

Nick took his hat off and finger-combed his dark hair. “Maybe I oughtta go over there and introduce myself,” he said. He started forward but was immediately stopped by Jarrod’s hand on his arm. “Later, Nick. Give Heath a chance with this one, what do you say?”

“All right, Jarrod,” Nick laughed. “You know I wouldn’t really make a move -- a blind man could see that Heath’s got her in his sights.”

Jarrod wasn’t really worried that Nick would interfere with their brother’s conquest. They might go after the same girl if neither one had the edge yet, but if one started making headway, the other would immediately desist. It was a rule that had never needed to be said aloud.


As Heath approached the group, he heard Amy giving some pointers to the boys. “No, no, Davey, you’ve got to keep the flat part of the stone level with the ground, parallel to the water’s surface. There, that’s right. Now try again. And remember, the trick is to throw it side-arm. Don’t forget to snap your wrist!” The boy threw his stone and it obligingly skipped once on the water. He cheered loudly, jumping up and down. “There, you did it! I knew you could,” Amy said happily, clapping her hands.

“Miss Amy, you throw another one now, please!” A chorus of “Yeah, please, please!” rose up from the boys’ ranks.

Amy laughed. “All right, all right, just let me find a good rock…” Picking one up from the ground, she hefted it a few times, feeling its weight. She brought her arm back slowly, then quickly snapped it forward as she released the stone into the air with a sideways toss. As it skipped on the lake’s smooth surface, the boys counted, their excitement and volume increasing with the stone’s progress.

“…five…six…seven! Oh wow, do another one! Do another one!” they begged.

“Hey, boys,” Heath interjected. “I just saw the ladies gettin’ out the ice cream maker over by the dessert table. If you’re quick about it, you just might get the first licks.”

“Oh boy! Ice cream! Ice cream!” The boys made a mad dash past Heath as he stood there, chuckling softly.

“Heath…hello,” Amy said shyly. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I expect not, not with that admiration society you’ve got over there,” he gestured with his head in the boys’ direction.

“Right,” she smiled. “They were sweet, weren’t they? You know, I haven’t had ice cream in ages. Are they really making some now?” she asked him.

Heath’s grin was sheepish. “Nope,” he admitted.

“Oh?” she said, not understanding. When it dawned on her why he had fibbed, she opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say. To hide the blush that she was sure was coming, she picked up another rock and whipped it over the water’s surface, watching as it bounced six times before finally sinking.

“That’s quite a talent you’ve got there. Where’d you learn to do that so well?” he asked, amused, a hand on his hip.

“Oh, I was quite the tomboy as a youngster,” she answered proudly.

Heath shook his head as he rested his forefinger against his lips. “You sure don’t look like any tomboy I’ve ever seen,” he said. He had noticed her slender figure, the feminine curves under her pretty green dress.

She blushed, lowering her eyes. For as long as she could remember, she had had the awful habit of turning pink whenever she was the slightest bit embarrassed. Trying to cover up her nervousness, she quickly said, “Well, it’s true. While the other girls were playing with dolls, I was climbing trees, skipping stones, and playing cowboys and Indians with my brother and the neighborhood boys. We lived only a few blocks from the Mississippi River, and it was one of our favorite spots.” She laughed. “My mother wasn’t exactly thrilled with the way I spent my time, but she could never say no to me…or my brother.” She smiled at the memory.

“I didn’t know you had a brother,” Heath remarked.

Her smile turned melancholy. “He…Jimmy…we were best friends. He died when I was ten. He and my mother…within days of each other. Influenza,” she said quietly.

Heath’s heart ached for her. He wondered how this girl could have survived losing so many loved ones. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know,” he said sympathetically, his face etched with concern.

“Oh, please…no…I’m fine, it happened almost ten years ago,” she said, shaking her head. “There won’t be any crying today- oh, that reminds me…” she reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded handkerchief. “Clean as promised,” she said, handing it to him.

“Thanks,” he said, wishing his fingers had more than a second to touch the soft skin of her hand.

Maybe he wasn’t just being nice the other day, Amy thought to herself. As she looked at him, he pushed his hat up higher on his head, a gesture she found oddly attractive. She also admired the nice gray-blue shirt he was wearing, liking the way it complemented his eyes. Stop staring, she admonished herself, looking away.

They stood there for a moment until Heath bent down and picked up a stone from the ground. “I reckon it’s my turn to try, isn’t it?”

“Go ahead,” Amy said, gesturing toward the lake.

Heath heaved the rock back and threw it, too strongly, his arm and back muscles straining against his shirt. It hit the water…and promptly sank.

Amy bit her bottom lip, trying not to laugh. “Um, Heath…I don’t think we can count that as a skip. That was more of a…kerplunk.”

He feigned embarrassment. “Boy howdy, can’t say as I’ve ever been bested by a girl in anything. How’ll I ever live down the shame of it?” They both burst out laughing.

“Heath, I’m surprised at you. I’d have thought you and your brothers would have spent half your childhood being truant, skipping stones at this lake.”

Heath’s features suddenly darkened and he turned his head away from her. “No,” he said shortly. “I didn’t.”

Amy didn’t understand what she had said to make Heath’s attitude change so. And why had he said “I” instead of “we”? But before she could pursue the matter further, Heath suddenly turned back to her and smiled his lopsided grin, determined to get things back on track. “Pretty day, huh?” he commented.

“Oh yes, it is, isn’t it?” she said, happy that whatever had bothered him seemed to have passed. “It seems like most days are just perfect out here.” She looked out over the lake and the surrounding valley. “I just love this part of the country. So beautiful, so unspoiled. The hills, the mountains, the blue lakes.” A sudden breeze blew some of her curly tresses into her face, and she slowly brushed the hair back with her hand. “Even the air and sky seem clearer here… purer, somehow.” She mused, “St. Louis is very industrialized…I wonder if all the factory fumes put a haze over the stars. They certainly aren’t as bright as they are here. Why, every evening since I’ve been here, I make sure I’m out on the porch in time to watch the sunset…” She suddenly caught herself and stopped, realizing that she had totally forgotten about this morning’s vow of reservedness and formality. She turned with an embarrassed smile to Heath, who had been listening closely while staring at her intently, thoroughly enchanted.

“You’ll have to forgive me,” she said. “Sometimes I start talking and just forget to stop. My father always called me his little chatterbox. Actually, it’s partially your fault for being such a good listener…too good, actually, you just let me go on and on…” Oh, no, I’m doing it again, she thought. To make matters worse, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks yet again and willed it to stop, with no success. She had never blushed so repeatedly in such a short amount of time before. What he must think of me, she thought miserably.

But Heath found her sudden pink coloring absolutely captivating. His Ma would have taken one look at this beautiful girl and said, “Peaches and cream.” Aloud, he said, “I don’t mind at all, you go ahead and talk as much as you want. I like listenin’ to what you have to say.” He moved slightly closer to her. “Listen, Amy, I was wonderin’ if maybe you’d like to-“

“Hey there, Heath!” Nick’s booming voice could have woken the dead. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Heath looked to his left and saw his brothers making their way towards them. He groaned inwardly. Why did they have to show up now?

“Amy, these are my brothers,” Heath said reluctantly. He gestured to his oldest brother. “This is Jarrod, and this one here with the voice like a dinner bell is Nick. This is Amy Stanton, John’s niece.”

“Delighted to meet you,” Jarrod said, shaking her hand.

“Well, now,” Nick said, smiling broadly. “John told us his niece was beautiful, but I must say he didn’t do you justice.” He took her hand and held it just a bit longer than was necessary, ignoring the daggers Heath was shooting his way.

Amy smiled. What a good-looking family, she thought. “It’s very nice to meet both of you,” she said.

“Actually, we’ve been sent to bring you back to our, er, blanket,” Jarrod said. “Your uncle is there, and Mother and Audra are anxious to say hello to you.”

“Oh, I’d love to see them, too,” Amy said. “And I really should get back to Uncle John. I sort of abandoned him a little while ago.”

The four of them walked to where Victoria, Audra, and John Stanton were sitting. “Nice, Heath, very nice indeed,” Nick murmured to his younger brother. “Hush up,” his brother hissed back with a warning glance.

“Amy, how wonderful to see you again,” Victoria said. “Yes, and what a beautiful dress,” Audra gushed as Amy sat down between her and John.

Amy smiled at the pretty blond. “Thank you,” she said, self-consciously smoothing the skirt of her simple but well-cut cotton frock.

“Well now that that’s all settled,” John broke in, thrilled that his niece was making friends so quickly, “I’m glad I finally found you, honey. There are a few more people I want to introduce you to- after we have dessert, of course,” he said, as everyone was eyeing the selection that Nick and Jarrod had brought from the dessert table. Heath, meanwhile, was trying to quickly eat the lunch that he had missed.

“Uncle John, I thought you’d introduced me to the whole valley already. I must have met 100 people today!” she laughed.

John put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her close. “I’m afraid I’ve embarrassed my niece, showing her off to everyone the way I’ve been doing all day,” he said to the group. “Made her run off, I did. But who could blame me? Wouldn’t you say she’s worth showing off?” Amy just shook her head and good-naturedly rolled her eyes. “Uncle John, please!”

“Absolutely,” Victoria said, nodding for emphasis. Heath silently agreed.

“…valedictorian of her high school graduating class,” John was saying proudly.

“It’s not as impressive as it sounds, there were only twenty seniors,” Amy explained to the group. “Uncle John, I’m sure nobody’s interested in-“

“She’s already taken over most of my paperwork, just like she did for her father,” the proud man went on as if he hadn’t heard. “I’ll tell you, I’m getting much more sleep now that Amy’s here, now that I don’t have to spend hours every night looking at all those numbers.

“I enjoy it,” Amy shrugged. “I like getting figures in order, in neat columns, making the numbers come out right.”

Nick scratched his head. “Somebody who actually likes paperwork? Well, you’ve impressed me, John- she certainly is a wonder.”

“I’ll say,” Jarrod added. “It’s always a pleasure to meet a woman with both beauty and brains. Tell me, Amy, what texts did you study in school?”

The group had a delightful time sitting, talking, and eating, as well as visiting with others who stopped by. As the afternoon wore down, other families started packing up their belongings and heading for home.

“I guess it’s time to start cleaning up,” Victoria said, regretfully. “Although I hate to see the day end, it’s been so lovely.”

“It sure has, Victoria, and I thank you for inviting us over to spend part of it with you.” John turned to his niece. “Amy, lets go pack up our things.” They got up to go and everyone started saying their goodbyes. Amy’s and Heath’s eyes met for a split second before she turned and walked away with her uncle.

Heath got up, too. He had to get to Amy before she and John left for home, but he sure didn’t want his family and John hearing what he wanted to ask her. When John stopped to say hello to the Watkins family, Heath saw his chance to get Amy alone. He started to walk over to her -

“Why, Heath Barkley! You naughty boy, you, not even stopping to say hello!”

Oh, no! Heath cursed his foul rotten luck. Lumbering towards him were Louise Dixon and her daughter Alice. Nick and Jarrod turned away quickly to try to contain the laughter that threatened to burst forth from both of them, and even Victoria’s and Audra’s lips twitched. It was no secret that Louise had her eye on Heath for her only daughter. There was just one small problem. Heath had absolutely no interest in the girl. Her mother weighed at least 200 pounds and Alice wasn’t far behind. She was further cursed with mousy brown hair and an utter lack of personality. Worst of all was her myopia. She wore thick eyeglasses, but took them off whenever Heath was anywhere in the vicinity, causing her to squint. Louise was determined that her daughter would marry a rich man, and Heath seemed the most attainable candidate, seeing as how he was “only half a Barkley, really” as she often said to Alice. Heath felt sorry for the shy girl, dominated the way she was by her overbearing mother, but no amount of pity could make him ask her out. Lately it seemed that wherever he went, there they were, and today was no exception.

“Victoria, Audra, boys,” Louise said briskly. “Wonderful picnic, wasn’t it?”

“Oh yes, just wonderful, Louise,” Victoria said, busying herself and Audra with folding up the tablecloth. Jarrod and Nick quickly touched their fingertips to the brims of their hats and similarly occupied themselves stowing the rest of the food and dishes in the basket. Louise turned to her intended target and pounced.

“And Heath, how are you on this fine day?”

“Just fine, Mrs. Dixon, Miss Alice,” he said politely.

“Such a shame you couldn’t see us sitting way over there, Heath. Otherwise you could have joined us for some of Alice’s delicious fried chicken. She’s quite the little cook, don’t you know,” she chirped on, oblivious of her mistaken choice of adjective in describing her daughter.

“Uh, that’s nice,” Heath managed, desperate to get away. He could see that John and Amy were still talking to the Watkinses, and sent up a silent prayer that Louise and Alice would leave soon.

“Now, I’ve just had the most wonderful idea. Since you couldn’t sample Alice’s cooking today, why don’t you come over for dinner this week?” Seeing Heath’s hesitation, she charged ahead. “Come now, I won’t take no for an answer. Let’s say Tuesday, shall we?” Alice stood behind her, squinting at Heath hopefully.

Damn. The woman was getting bolder. This was the first time she’d invited him to their home. Heath was determined that it would be the last.

He cleared his throat. “That’s real nice of you, but, uh, we’ve got a lot of...brandin’ and such to do this week…I probably won’t even make it home for dinner most nights.” He fixed a hard stare on Nick, pleading for support, daring him to challenge the lie.

Nick was dying to contradict his brother, but he just couldn’t be that cruel. “Oh, that’s right, Ma’am,” he spoke up, nodding helpfully. “We’ve got quite a week ahead of us. I’m afraid I just can’t promise that I’d be able to spare him on any given evening.” Jarrod lit a cigar, enjoying the whole scene immensely.

“Louise, I don’t see Maynard, is he here?” Victoria interjected desperately, trying to shift Louise’s attentions away from her son.

“No, he’s having one of his spells again, so he’s spending the day in bed,” Louise glossed over the truth. Maynard Dixon weighed 130 pounds soaking wet and had long resigned himself to a life devoid of happiness. Most of Stockton knew that his “spells” were in fact hangovers from nights spent in the saloon to escape his wife’s henpecking. Louise turned back to Heath, preferring to focus on her (hopefully) future son-in-law rather than her hapless husband.

“All right then, how about next week?” The woman wasn’t going down without a fight. “Alice’s pickled pigs’ feet are simply out of this world, and –“

“Excuse me, ma’am, there’s somethin’ I’ve got to do, somethin’ important.” Heath saw that John and Amy had almost reached their buggy, and knew that he didn’t have much time. He realized that he was being terribly rude to the Dixons, but it couldn’t be helped. He left Louise Dixon sputtering, and half-ran to the Stantons’ buggy, arriving slightly out of breath. The two looked at him, puzzled.

“Heath?” John said, inquiringly.

Heath nodded to him. “John, I was hopin’ I could talk to your niece for a minute, if that’s all right.”

John did his best not to smile. “Of course, go right ahead. Take your time,” he said, climbing into the rig.

Heath took Amy’s elbow and walked her a few feet away, out of John’s earshot. As he took off his hat and turned to her, she looked at him expectantly, her green eyes shining.

“Amy…I was wonderin’ if…well, if it’d be all right if I came to call on you one night this week. Thought maybe you’d like some company watchin’ one of those sunsets,” he said softly.

Her heart soared, but she maintained a calm exterior. “I’d like that,” she answered, a smile spreading over her pretty features.

“Tuesday night after supper all right?” he asked.

She nodded. “That would be fine,” she answered.

“Good,” he said, smiling his lopsided smile as he put his hat on. He led her back to the buggy and helped her up onto the bench next to her uncle.

“Good seeing you again, Heath,” John said, picking up the reins.

“You too, John…Amy. Take care.”

He stood there for a moment, watching as they drove away, before turning to rejoin his family.

Chapter 5

As the horse trotted onward, John turned to his niece, who was deep in thought. “Wonderful day, wasn’t it?” he asked her.

“Hmm?” She turned to him. “Oh, yes, I really enjoyed myself. The people here are so nice, and…you were right about the Barkleys, they’re very special people.”

He smiled to himself. “Would there be…one Barkley in particular?”

Amy bit her lip, a bit embarrassed. “Oh, Uncle John, please don’t tease me. I know you’re talking about Heath. He…he asked if he could call on me Tuesday night, and I said yes. I hope that’s all right with you?” she asked, glancing at him.

“Fine by me, honey,” he answered, feeling glad. He had nothing but the highest regard for the youngest Barkley son. He couldn’t even begin to count how many times the good-hearted young man had been over to help without being asked, doing everything from mending fences to offering advice on animal care. He knew that he could trust Heath with his beloved niece and was happy to know that such a fine man wanted to come courting.

John had suffered several blows in the past few years: his wife’s death, his son Rob’s decision to open his medical clinic so far away in Tahiti, and, most recently, his brother’s murder. Amy was like a ray of sunshine in his life after those storms. He had been saddened months ago to find that she had become a shadow of her former outgoing self after her father’s death, and was pleased as he could be that time and a change of place were working their magic and restoring her to the charming girl he had known on his yearly visits to St. Louis. Though she had only lived with him a short time, she was already very precious to him; he wouldn’t have let just any man call on her.

He briefly considered telling Amy of Heath’s parentage, but just as quickly decided against it. Perhaps Heath had already told her or, more likely, was planning to tell her, but that was between the two of them; it was none of his business. He just hoped Heath would disclose those facts soon, before Stockton’s painfully efficient gossip mill got to Amy. She should be told, but by Heath. John had nothing but contempt for gossip and rumors and those who spread them. The circumstances of Heath’s birth didn’t matter a whit to him. What John Stanton put store in was the content of a man’s character, and Heath Barkley had character in spades. “Just fine,” he repeated, turning the horse towards home.



Jarrod yawned and rubbed his eyes. Checking the clock in the study, he was amazed to see that it was already 11:00. He decided to pack it in for the night and work on the brief in the morning. Feeling hungry, he stopped in the kitchen for a snack and to his surprise found Heath sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in front of him.

“What are you still doing up?” Jarrod asked, selecting an apple from the bowl of fruit on the sideboard.

Heath smiled. “Reckon I could ask you the same question,” he said, sipping his coffee.

Jarrod grimaced. “Oh, I’ve got that land dispute case next month and thought I’d get a leg up on the research. Any of that left?” he asked, pointing to the coffee cup.

His brother tipped his head toward the pot on the stove. “Plenty,” he answered.

Jarrod took a bite of the apple, put it on the table, and went over to the stove. “You still haven’t answered my question,” he said, gingerly touching the pot. Feeling its heat, he found a towel and used it to lift the pot and pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Yeah, I know,” Heath said. “Just restless, I guess.”

Sitting down opposite him, Jarrod blew on his coffee before taking a sip. “Any particular reason for your state of restlessness?” he asked.

Heath fiddled with the handle of his cup. Jarrod couldn’t have known, but Heath had just been thinking that he could use some of his oldest brother’s calming influence and words of wisdom. To actually see him materialize in the kitchen had been a welcome surprise. “Just feelin’ a little unsure about myself.”

This wasn’t the response Jarrod had expected. “What do you mean?” he probed gently.

Heath tried to articulate his thoughts. “Jarrod, you know I barely made it through the fifth grade before I had to quit so I could work full-time. And even the years I did go to school, I was always so tired from workin’ in the mine or doing other jobs to earn any bit of money I could, anythin’ that would make things just a little bit easier for my mother…anyway, I could barely stay awake during school, not to mention get much of an education.”

Jarrod thought he knew where this was headed. He kept silent, letting his brother continue.

“Most of the time it doesn’t bother me. I know I’ve got a good head, and schoolin’ doesn’t really matter when it comes to workin’ this ranch, does it?” He smiled into his cup. “Sure, it helps when Nick dumps the paperwork on me, or when I’m loggin’ somethin’ in the book, but most of the time it doesn’t make much of a difference. Look, I know I’m good at what I do. It’s just that sometimes…” his voice trailed off as he took another swallow of coffee.

“Sometimes…” Jarrod continued for him, “you meet someone, someone that you think you could really care for, and you want to feel that you…measure up. Is that it?” he asked gently. He had noticed Heath’s silence at the picnic while Amy had been telling them about her studies.

Heath nodded, impressed, though not surprised, by Jarrod’s perceptiveness.

Jarrod sighed, hating to see his brother get down on himself, to feel that he was less than what Jarrod and the rest of the family knew him to be. “I don’t suppose it would do any good to tell you that you possess one of the most intelligent, most insightful minds I’ve ever encountered? A fact which is all the more impressive given that your education was so lacking,” he added.

Not for the first time, Jarrod bitterly lamented the deplorable start to his brother’s life, the struggles and deprivations that had been so unnecessary considering the birthright to which he was entitled. But Heath didn’t want or need pity, he thought. He went on, measuring his words carefully. “Heath, the only difference between you and someone with a wall full of diplomas is opportunity. Amy had it, I had it; you didn’t. That’s not your fault. But it doesn’t detract one bit from the man that you are. A man that none of us would change, even if we could.” He paused. “Well, except for your coffee-making skills, maybe,” he joked, trying to lighten Heath’s mood. It worked; a laugh escaped from his brother’s lips.

“Lets just look at the facts, shall we?” Jarrod asked, switching to lawyer mode. “You and Amy were chatting for quite a while down by the lake. Did she seem to be enjoying the conversation, your company?”

Heath inclined his head slightly. “I’d like to think so,” he answered.

“Now I don’t mean to pry, but I assume that when you ran over to talk to her before she left, you asked her if you could see her again?” Heath nodded. “And what was her response?”

Heath looked at his brother and smiled. “She seemed happy, like she was lookin’ forward to it.”

“Well, then,” Jarrod began his closing statement, “it seems that the young lady spent some time with you and decided that she likes you enough, thinks highly enough of you, to want to spend even more time with you.” Jarrod raised his eyebrows and nodded. “Yes, she certainly sounds like a bright girl to me.” And she doesn’t know how lucky she is to have you interested in her, he added silently.

Heath sighed contentedly, his spirits lifted from the talk with his brother. This wasn’t a conversation he would have had with Nick, he thought. Not that he didn’t value Nick’s advice on most matters or trust him implicitly, but somehow he knew that Jarrod was the brother to approach with a problem of this sort. He knew how Nick would address his worries. The lanky rancher would have responded from his emotions, from his gut. “What do you mean, you think she’s too smart for you?” Heath could almost hear him demand. “You’re worth more than ten of any other man, and don’t you forget it. She’d be damn lucky to have you!” Nick would take personally any attack against his brother, no matter how hypothetical, no matter that it was coming from Heath’s own head. And while Heath would be grateful for his caring and concern, it wouldn’t have eased his mind on this particular matter the way Jarrod’s quiet, analytical advice could. He thought for the umpteenth time how lucky he was to have both of these men in his life.

Heath got up, pushing back his chair. “Thanks, Counselor,” he said, looking with affection at the man he sometimes thought of as the father he’d never had, though no less a brother than Nick. “I think I’ll get some sleep now.”

“You and me both,” Jarrod commented, throwing his apple core into the bin. On their way out of the kitchen, he turned to Heath and said, “You know, Heath, if you’re still worried about calling on your young lady, there’s an easy way to solve your predicament.”

Heath glanced at him curiously. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?” he asked.

Jarrod put an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “Why, just go to Alice Dixon’s for dinner instead. I hear her pickled pigs’ feet are simply out of this world!”

Heath gave him a menacing look. “Jarrod, that’s not even funny!” he admonished, as the two made their way up the staircase, laughing.

Chapter 6

“Get ready to go to the bank and make a big withdrawal, Jarrod. I’m about to win this game and that’ll be $56,000 you’ll owe me,” Nick announced, bending over and taking his shot. The balls cracked loudly before the six ball made its way to the corner pocket…and veered off to the side. Nick cursed under his breath.

“Nick, there are ladies in the room,” Jarrod reprimanded his brother, gesturing with his pool cue to their mother and sister who were just entering the billiards room.

“Sorry Mother, Audra,” Nick apologized. “I didn’t hear you come in,” he explained

“Don’t worry, Nick, we’ve heard it all before…in this very room…from the direction of that very table,” Victoria remarked, sitting down and picking up a magazine.

“Yes, Nick, don’t worry about us,” Audra added, smiling. “We’re used to you by now.”

They were interrupted by footsteps coming down the stairs, and a moment later Heath entered the room, looking around. “Oh, there it is,” he said, picking up his hat from the table near the door.

“My, my,” Nick said, looking him up and down appreciatively. “Don’t we look pretty this evening? But Heath, you didn’t have to get all gussied up just to play billiards!” he joked good-naturedly, beaming.

“Not that we don’t appreciate the effort, mind you,” Jarrod chimed in with a wink.

“Reckon I do look pretty sharp, don’t I?” Heath stated with mock haughtiness. He smoothed the lapels on the dark blue suit he’d asked Silas to press and brush earlier that day. “But I sure wouldn’t waste it on the two of you.” They all laughed.

“You do look very handsome tonight, Heath,” Victoria remarked proudly from her chair. She wanted to tell him how thrilled she was that he was courting Amy Stanton, but as it was only their first real date and she didn’t want to embarrass him, she kept her thoughts to herself.

“Thank you, Mother,” he said with a slight smile, nodding at her.

“Yes, you certainly do,” agreed Audra, getting up and going over to her brother. “But did you fix your tie with your eyes closed? Here, let me,” she said, untying his black string tie and refastening it neatly against his crisp white shirt. The task done, she gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “There, now you look positively smashing!” She smiled at him, her dimples deepening.

“Thanks, Sis,” he said tenderly. He looked around the room at all of them. “Well, guess I’d better be goin’. Good night,” he said, waving his hat at them as he walked to the door. A chorus of “Good night!” and “Have a good time!” followed him, as well as a good-humored “Make sure you mind your manners, boy!” from Nick.

As the door closed behind him, Nick remarked, “Glad to see him going out, spending time with a nice girl. He’s had kind of a dry spell lately in that department.” As he walked around the billiards table, choosing his shot, he suddenly laughed. “Unless you count Alice Dixon, of course!”

Jarrod shook his head, a wry smile twisting his lips.

Victoria sighed. “Maybe I should pay Louise a visit tomorrow and have a talk with her. All of her carrying on over Heath is just embarrassing for everyone- not to mention that it gives poor Alice false hopes.” She paused, thinking. “Louise has always been a bit…much, but I don’t like the way she seems so determined to make these fantastic hopes she’s concocted come true.” She looked at Jarrod worriedly.

“Oh, come now, Mother,” he chided gently. “I’m sure Heath’s running off at the picnic the other day was just the shock she needed to jolt some sense into her head. You saw the way she left in a huff, mad as a hornet. I’m positive she’ll leave him alone, don’t worry about it.”

Victoria nodded, somewhat relieved. “I suppose you’re right, Jarrod. All right, I’ll let it go and see what happens. There’s no chance that she’d accept gracefully any home truths I’d try to tell her. I’d rather avoid that conversation if at all possible.”

Jarrod gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t you worry. Everything will turn out fine. Including,” he said, leaning over the billiard table, “this shot,” and with a practiced tap from his cue stick, placed the ten ball exactly where he wanted it to go.

Nick almost cursed again but caught himself in time. “Good shot, brother,” he said grudgingly.



Amy looked at herself in the mirror, giving the brush a final pull through her hair. She decided to let the brown wavy tresses fall loosely around her shoulders and pin back the sides with two tortoiseshell combs. Looking at her dress, she wondered again if it was suitable for the occasion. She had the feeling that an evening on the porch in Stockton wouldn’t call for quite the formality that a parlor call in St. Louis would require. Not that she minded, but she didn’t want to look overdressed. She had picked a middle-of-the-road number, something not too fancy, but nice. It was a deep burgundy dress with a square neckline edged in cream-colored lace. The sleeves were elbow-length and form fitting, with a bit of flared-out material and lace at the elbow. She hoped Heath would think she looked good in it.

Suddenly she heard a knock at the front door. She’d been so intent on getting ready that she hadn’t heard him ride up. She heard her uncle open the door and the two men greeted each other. Presently Uncle John called up the stairs, “Amy! Heath’s here!” She took a deep breath, anticipating the evening ahead, yet a bit nervous at the same time. She never wore makeup, but did pinch her cheeks a bit to pinken them, praying that would be all the pinking they’d be doing that evening.

She slowly descended the stairs, her hand on the railing. Heath was leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, nodding at something that John was saying. At the sound of her approach, he straightened up, his arms dropping to his sides. Any worries she had about him liking the way she looked were instantly dismissed by the look on his face. And he looked very handsome, too, she thought. She had never seen him dressed so formally and thought the dark blue suit flattered him immensely, especially the way the jacket hugged his broad upper body.

“Amy…” he said. “You look…very nice.” He wanted to use a stronger word, but felt awkward with John standing right there. A word like beautiful, stunning, or exquisite. Because she was all of those things and then some, he thought.

“Thank you,” she smiled softly.

John felt it was high time he made his exit. “Well, I think I’ll just go to the study and read my newspaper. You two enjoy yourselves.” Nodding toward them, he left the room.

“Well,” they both said at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed, both still a bit nervous.

“It’s a beautiful evenin’,” he said. “Shall we sit outside?”

“Yes, lets,” she answered. “Oh, there’s some lemonade and cookies, would you help me bring them out, please?”

“Sure,” he said, accepting the pitcher of pink lemonade she offered him. He held the door open for her while she carried out the plate of cookies and two glasses, and they put the refreshments on a small table on the porch.

There was a porch swing, but she didn’t think it would be proper for them to sit there, seeing as how they had only just met last week. She sat down on one of the chairs that flanked the table and gestured to its mate on the other side. “Please, sit down.” He did, crossing his legs.

For a few minutes they just sat there, enjoying the refreshments. It really was a beautiful evening. They listened to the crickets chirping and breathed in the sweet evening air perfumed by the proliferation of blooms growing around the porch. Suddenly Heath pointed to the pinks and oranges appearing in the sky and said, “There you go. Right on schedule.”

Amy smiled. “It’s really beautiful, that Valley sunset.” She took a drink of her lemonade. “I still can’t get over California. In some ways it’s like a whole other world compared to where I’m from. You know, every year Uncle John would visit us and tell us all about his life here; the land, the people, and I’d sit there, fascinated, asking him question after question. Papa and I always meant to come here and visit some day, but…” She quickly continued her narrative. “And now I see that everything he said was true, but it really has to be seen to be believed. It’s so raw here, but in a beautiful way, so full of promise and opportunity…” She looked at Heath. “And once again, I’m monopolizing our conversation,” she said, sighing.

Heath leaned forward and looked at her. “How many times do I have to tell you not to apologize for talkin’? I meant it the other day when I told you that I like listenin’ to you. Tell me how you decided to move here…that is, if it’s not too upsettin’ for you,” he added quickly.

She shook her head. “No, it’s fine,” she said. “Well, I guess it’s funny that a city girl would have the urge to move out here. Uncle John was the same way, I guess. He never cared much for city living, working in the pharmacy with my father. I always loved St. Louis, but he couldn’t wait to relocate here and start farming. I wasn’t even born yet when he and my aunt and cousin moved here, but Papa always said how much happier he was after he started his farm here. We became very close just from his yearly visits, and from writing letters.”

Her eyes looked downward momentarily as the memory turned sad.  “Then when Papa was…when he died, Uncle John came out for the funeral and helped me sell the business. He asked me to come live with him, but I just didn’t think I could handle a big move like that on top of everything. I stayed with some relatives for a few months, buy it was just too…lonely in St. Louis without my father. We’d been on our own, just the two of us, for so long. I was just miserable there without him, and my friends were all busy getting engaged and married. I finally decided that a complete change was just what I needed, so I wrote to Uncle John, asking him if his offer was still open, and you know the rest,” she smiled.

“So nothin’ good ever happened in St. Louis?” he asked jokingly, leaning back and taking another cookie from the plate.

“Oh, of course it did,” she said, laughing. She started reminiscing excitedly, telling him about the theater, the symphony, the department stores that each took up a whole city block, and her favorite place of all, the large library just two blocks from where she’d lived. “It was practically my second home,” she said. Her eyes sparkled as she painted a picture of where she’d been born and raised. “It’s a wonderful city. Number two in steamboat traffic behind New Orleans,” she said with mock pride. “Oh, I used to love going down to the river and watching the steamboats go by. So big and powerful, they were. St. Louis is awfully hot and sticky in the summer, so one year when I was eight, we took a steamboat trip up the Mississippi River to Minnesota; to Lake Minnetonka, near Minneapolis.”

She laughed, remembering something. “Sometimes the boat would get stuck in a sandbar and the passengers, crew, and cargo would be transferred to another boat, and we’d just keep going. I think we must have been on at least a dozen steamboats that summer. Then at night, when I was supposed to be sleeping, I’d look out the window and watch the shore signal lights that guided the pilot. Those lights just fascinated me. And sometimes my father would take my brother and me up to the pilot-house to talk to the pilot. I still remember how exciting that was.”

She paused, thinking back. “We also used to take the streetcar to Forest Park. Oh, you’d like it, Heath. An enormous, wonderful public park almost completely filled with trees…but…I really do think I’ve done enough talking for the moment. Tell me what it was like growing up on a big ranch.” She sat back and waited expectantly.

Heath pressed his lips together. The evening had been going so well, and he was about to tell her something that could ruin it- along with any chance of seeing her again. He hated telling people about the circumstances of his birth. He wasn’t ashamed of who he was, but the telling was usually a most unpleasant experience. Most of Stockton already knew, so it wasn’t something that came up very often, but when it did…more often than not, the listener would try to hide their shock, but wouldn’t quite be able to. He had been looked at too many times as though he were something that needed to be scraped off the bottom of the listener’s shoe. He felt the familiar tightening in his stomach that always accompanied the recounting of his heritage. This time was different, though. More than anyone else he had ever told, he wanted this girl to say that it didn’t matter, that she still wanted to see him again.

He looked at Amy, who was still waiting for him to say something. He took a deep breath and said, “I wasn’t born on the ranch. I grew up in Strawberry, a mining town about two day’s ride from here.” Why hadn’t John said something to her, he wondered as he saw her look of puzzlement. “Amy, there’s something I have to tell you. Something you need to know about me…” He decided to just get the facts out as quickly as possible. “I didn’t know I was a Barkley until almost four years ago. Victoria Barkley isn’t my mother. Tom Barkley was on a business trip in Strawberry when Nick and Jarrod were small…he met my mother there. When he left a week later, she was carryin’ me.” He turned away, afraid that if he looked at her he’d see that horrible look on her face, too. And he couldn’t bear that, he thought. Not from this girl who he already thought of as special.

Amy sat there, not knowing what to say. She’d had no idea. Her heart ached at the pain she had heard in his voice and seen on his face while he’d been talking. She hadn’t known him long, but she could tell that he was a very proud man, and she knew that it must have been extremely difficult for him to tell her what he just had. She wanted to reach out and squeeze his hand, but knew that it wouldn’t be proper, not yet. She understood now his reaction at the picnic when she’d mentioned his childhood. He must be worried that it’ll change the way I feel about him, she realized, and quickly said, “Heath…”

He slowly turned to her, and almost breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her face. There was no disgust, no shock there. All he saw was compassion and caring, and the barest hint of a smile. “Heath, I’m glad you told me. I’m…I’m honored that you’d trust me with something so private. I just hope you don’t think that it changes anything, that I’d feel any differently about…you,” she said quietly. She wouldn’t normally have made even this small declaration of her feelings to a man so early on in a relationship, but it was important to her that he knew that his revelation didn’t make a difference in her regard for him.

“I’m glad, Amy,” he said, happiness washing over him. “It was important to me that you know, so you could decide whether you want to see me again. Because I already know that I want to spend a lot more time with you…if you’re agreeable, that is,” he said, raising an eyebrow at her.

She smiled at him shyly. “I’m agreeable,” she answered. The pleasure and giddy feeling his words had brought about in her were causing the color to rise in her face, and she turned to her usual escape from her nervousness: humor. “But first you’d better tell me whether there’s anything else I need to know about you…like whether you really like pink lemonade, or are you just drinking it to be polite?” They both laughed, and Heath asked for another glass right then and there.

It was easy after that. They spent the rest of the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. Amy didn’t ask Heath any more about his past. She sensed that it had been enough of an effort for him just to tell her the small amount that he had. Anyway, there would be plenty of time for that later, she thought. She deliberately kept to safe topics, such as what was involved in running such a large ranch. He enjoyed telling her about all of the work involved. This was his milieu, and he could talk about it all night, if need be. He teased her about the cringing she did when he was describing the branding, but was quick to assure her that the animals didn’t suffer too much. She had especially enjoyed hearing about Sally’s new colt, a wobbly little thing they had named Star for the white patch on his forehead.

Finally, the sun set completely, and a multitude of stars twinkled brightly.

“Well, it’s gettin’ late, I guess I’d better be on my way.” They stood up and Heath gestured to the front door. “Say goodnight to your uncle for me, all right?”

She nodded. “I will, if he’s still up.” They walked towards the edge of the porch and had reached the steps when Heath stopped and turned to her. “I had a good time tonight, Amy,” he said softly.

“Me too, Heath,” she said. “I enjoyed it very much,” she added, meaning it.

He seemed to hesitate for a minute, then made up his mind. “Would you think I was bein’ too… pushy or anythin’ if I asked you if you had any plans for Saturday afternoon?”

Amy smiled mischievously. “No, I wouldn’t think you were being too pushy. You can ask.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “You sure don’t make it easy on a fella, do you?”

She laughed, too. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I suppose it’s part of my job as a female.”

Still chuckling slightly, he said, “All right, Miss Stanton. Are you free Saturday afternoon? Maybe we could go ridin’.” He leaned one arm against a post. “There’s a lot of beautiful country around here I’d like to show you.”

The pretty brunette bit her lip. “Heath, that sounds just wonderful, except…I’ve never been on a horse in my life.” At his amused look of disbelief, she quickly added, “I’m a city girl, remember?”

He shook his head, still smiling. “All right, then, I’ll pick you up in the buggy. We could bring a lunch, picnic somewhere real nice.”

She nodded happily. “Oh, I’d like that. I can pack us a basket and-“

“No, no,” he hastened to correct her. “I did the askin’, I’ll do all the bringin’. All you have to do is be ready at, say, noon Saturday?” She quietly nodded her assent.

“See you Saturday, then,” he said, putting his hat on. “Good night.”

“Good night,” she answered, watching him untie his horse and mount up.

After looking at her one more time, he rode off into the night.

Chapter 7

Amy turned around and slowly picked up the pitcher, glasses, and plate and walked into the house. She saw that her uncle wasn’t downstairs and realized that he must have gone to bed. She felt relieved; not that he would have pried, but she didn’t want to talk about her evening just yet. She wanted to keep it to herself for a while, reliving it, savoring it.

As she climbed the stairs she thought about the cowboy who was fast claiming her heart. She couldn’t believe they’d only met last week; it felt like much longer than that. He was so easy to be with, she thought, and she really had enjoyed their conversation. She was glad he wasn’t the talker she was; it would have been too much, both of them chattering away. The fact that he was more selective with his words…well, that just made what he did say all the more worth listening to.

Again she reflected on how he was like no other man she’d ever known. She hadn’t had that many beaux in her young life, though not because the men hadn’t tried. But most of them hadn’t interested her. And they hadn’t really been interested in getting to know her. Whenever she had tried to talk about something important to her, such as her desire to see other places, like her uncle’s farm in California, she was met with polite impatience. Her suitors had wanted to talk about themselves, to try and impress her with stories of their successful businesses and their plans for making even more money. Heath wasn’t like that at all. He had really listened to her, really seemed to be interested in what she had to say. And she had heard the vast pride in his voice as he talked about his family and what they had accomplished with the ranch. How refreshing that not once had he even hinted at the financial successes they must surely enjoy.

She remembered what her father had always said to her, trying to do the job that her mother was no longer there to do. “You’re special,” he had said. “I don’t ever want to see you just settle for someone unworthy of you. You be choosy.” I think you’d approve of this one, Papa, she thought, missing him again. She was sure her father would have liked Heath, and that his parentage would have mattered as little to him as it did to her. It did, however, make her more curious about him, about what his life had been like until four years ago. Later, she thought again. When he’s ready, he’ll tell me. She marveled that she had been here such a short time and had already met someone who interested her so. She certainly hadn’t come to Stockton looking for suitors. It had been the farthest thing from her mind.

She got undressed, put on her nightgown, and climbed into bed. As she lay there, she wondered why Heath hadn’t kissed her good night. On one hand, she was glad to see that he was well-mannered and respectful enough not to try that so soon. But on the other hand… he was so good-looking, she couldn’t help thinking about what his kiss would be like. Probably wonderful, she thought. Turning over, she tried to go to sleep, but it was a long time coming.



Amy wasn’t the only one having trouble falling asleep. Heath tossed and turned for a while, then gave up, lying on his back with his fingers laced together under his head.

This girl…

He’d never met anyone like her. She was so full of interesting pieces that, when put together, made for a most intriguing young woman. Not even twenty years old, she had already lived such a fascinating life. She’d enjoyed the offerings of big city life, taken trips, moved halfway across the country… She’d developed an inner strength, a maturity rare in those so young, after losing practically her whole family. Yet she was still a sweet, open-faced girl who loved to spend an evening watching the sunset and hearing about newborn colts. He delighted in her sense of humor, her joy at the simple things in life. Most important, her response to what he’d told her about his beginnings was more than he could have ever hoped for. He smiled in the dark, thinking that the only negative part about the evening was that he’d had to wear a tie. As soon as he was sure he’d ridden far enough away not to be seen, he’d yanked it off and stuffed it in his pocket.

He’d meant it when he’d told her how much he liked listening to her talk. He’d been out with enough women who’d prattled on and on about the most boring, meaningless bunk. He hated wasting his time with some society girl who couldn’t stop talking about a new hat or some party she was planning. From his experience, not one would have been genuinely interested in learning about how they broke horses on the ranch. They might have pretended to be fascinated, but it was always easy to spot those women who were so eager to marry a Barkley that they would have feigned interest in anything he said. Amy couldn’t have been more different. He enjoyed listening to her talk about the things that mattered to her, things from the heart. Even something as simple as one of those big stores St. Louis boasted became interesting the way she described it. And she’d been such a genuinely captive audience while he’d told her about life on the ranch. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much.

Not to mention that she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on.

He’d wanted to kiss her goodnight, he really had. Had wanted to feel those full, pink lips against his own, to find out whether they were as soft and sweet as they looked. And that long, wavy hair of hers, just begging him to run his fingers through it. Was it really as silky as it seemed, he wondered. But he didn’t want to rush things with this special girl. She was so young, after all, and seemed so innocent despite her maturity. He wouldn’t have offended her for the world, and so had decided to wait.

He sighed and turned over, punching his pillow, waiting for sleep to overtake him.



Amy put down her plate and sighed. “Heath, your Silas must be some kind of magician. That was absolutely delicious.”

Heath smiled. “He’ll be glad to hear it.” Silas had fussed over the picnic basket all morning, wanting everything to be perfect for “Mr. Heath and his lady friend.” He’d certainly outdone himself with the lunch, Heath was pleased to see. The fried chicken, potato salad, and deviled eggs had all been prepared to perfection by the loyal servant’s loving hands. Heath took another look in the basket. “And I see he’s put in my favorite dessert- chocolate cake!”

She winced. “Heath, could we wait a bit before dessert? I couldn’t eat another bite right now.”

Heath chuckled. “I know what you mean, I kinda overdid it myself. Wait here a minute,” he said, picking up two of the napkins from the basket and going down to the loudly babbling stream. After wetting the cloths in the cold, clear water, he brought them back and offered one to Amy. “My, such service! “ she laughed, accepting it. “We aim to please, Ma’am, “ Heath answered, grinning.

He sat down again, leaning against the large log that rested behind them, one leg bent at the knee. For a minute he just watched her while she daintily wiped her hands and lips. She looks like springtime, he thought, looking at the pretty white blouse she wore along with a green skirt covered with tiny yellow flowers. Her hair was pulled back today, tied with a ribbon, with some of the curly tendrils hanging loose near her face. He liked her hair better when it was all hanging down, but this was nice, too, he thought appreciatively. He had also noticed, sitting close to her like this, that her emerald eyes had flecks of gold around the pupils, and didn’t get any easier to look away from no matter how often he saw her.

A nightingale warbled, spreading its music over the pastoral scene. “Isn’t that pretty? I wish I had some musical talent,” Amy said wistfully.

“Oh, come on, I bet you sing like an angel,” Heath protested.

But Amy shook her head emphatically. “No,” she insisted. “I always loved going to the symphony and band concerts in the park, but that’s all I could do. In school, the teacher always made me stand in the ‘listening group’ during choir. That was where she put all of us who couldn’t sing a note. We were supposed to just move our lips while the others sang. Sometimes I got mad and sang anyway, even though it meant I had to stand in the corner.” She smiled at him. “I’ve always had too much pride for my own good, even as a child.”

“That so?” Heath asked, thoroughly amused.

“Oh yes,” she nodded. “Do you know that when I was about eight years old, I got sent home for cracking my slate over Tommy Singleton’s head? When my mother asked me why I did it, I told her it was because he called me a ‘girl’.” She laughed at the memory, and Heath joined in, marveling at how much he enjoyed her company, how she had the uncanny ability to bring him out of himself and feel totally relaxed.

“How ‘bout we walk off some of that food? There’s a real nice view down there a ways, I think you’d like it,” he said. Amy nodded, and he stood up, holding his hand out to her to help her up. She took it and got up, loosening her grip when she was on her feet, but to her pleasant surprise, he clutched her hand, not letting it go. They walked along the riverbank hand in hand, his thumb making an occasional lazy pass over her knuckles. It was the most marvelous feeling, his strong yet gentle hand holding hers. She only hoped he couldn’t feel her pulse as it raced along like a locomotive.

It had been such a wonderful afternoon so far. Heath had taken her on a most enjoyable ride through the Valley, impressing her with his knowledge of both flora and fauna. They’d talked and talked, and any silences that had arisen had been comfortable, not awkward.

Soon they came to a ridge rising from the landscape, a bit high but not too steep. “Think you can manage that?” Heath asked her. He had a feeling he knew what her answer would be, and she didn’t disappoint him. “Of course. I’m a tomboy, remember?”

Together they climbed the hill, with Heath helping Amy over the few difficult parts. Finally, they reached the top, a flat area surrounded by a few trees and rocks. Amy caught her breath as she looked down at the scene in front of them. It seemed as if the whole valley was laid out before them in all its majesty, as far as the eye could see. The endless rolling plains, the green fields, the mountains dotted with forests. It was truly awe-inspiring. “Oh, it’s lovely,” she breathed.

“Mm hmm. Lovely,” she heard Heath murmur next to her. But when she turned to face him, she saw that he was looking at her, not at the view. A strand of hair blew onto her face and she raised a hand to brush it back, but Heath’s thumb was already on her cheek, gently smoothing the stray lock over her ear. There was complete silence. It was as if they were the only ones on earth as he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against hers.

It wasn’t a passionate melding of lips. Actually, it was quite tame. But Amy had never been so affected by a kiss before. The few that she’d experienced hadn’t come anywhere close to this one. It was so soft, so warm, and all because of the man behind it, she realized. As the kiss ended and they pulled their heads back a bit, looking at each other, Amy could see her thoughts mirrored in Heath’s eyes. He felt the same way, she saw to her delight, her eyes widening.

Heath gazed at her intently, silently questioning, and found the answer he was seeking in her eyes. He dipped his head and kissed her again, this time putting his arms around her, pulling her close. She unthinkingly put her arms around his waist and let her hands skim his solid, muscular back up to his shoulder blades. He kissed her more firmly this time, and when it was over he rested his forehead against hers for a few seconds, not saying anything.

He moved his head slightly away from hers, but continued to hold her close, looking at her, inhaling the lavender scent that rose from her hair. Finally, her hands left his back and dropped down to her sides self-consciously. She felt that familiar damnable heat rising to her cheeks and said the first thing that popped into her head. “I’m blushing again,” she whispered helplessly.

Heath smiled at her, his lopsided grin dearer to her than ever. “I noticed,” he said quietly, lightly grazing her pink cheek with the backs of his fingers. “And it’s a habit I hope you won’t ever get rid of.” He reluctantly removed his arms from around her. “Ready for that cake now?” he asked. Amy smiled slightly and nodded. “All right, then, lets go.”

He took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly. They left their special promontory and descended the ridge, together.

Chapter 8

Nick entered the house, slamming the door behind him. “Mother! Heath! Anybody home? Oh, there you are,” he said, walking over to where the two of them were sitting in the lounge.

“Nick, my ears,” Victoria started to say. “Oh, never mind. What are you grinning about, if I may ask?”

“Yeah, you look like the cat that swallowed the cream,” Heath remarked.

Nick pulled a telegram out of his pocket and handed it to his mother. “Rollie was about to send someone out here with this, but he saw me coming out of the bank and gave it to me himself. Take a look at that, Mother, just take a look!” he said proudly, his hands on his hips.

She smoothed out the sheet of paper and started reading, Heath looking over her shoulder. They both broke into broad smiles.

“Oh Nick, you got the contract, that’s wonderful,” Victoria gave her middle son a hug. “All that hard work finally paid off!”

“I’ll say,” Nick agreed, nodding. He had been negotiating with Jack Middleton, authorized representative of The Bishop Group, a consortium of small hotel owners in San Francisco, to buy Barkley produce. It had taken over a month of endless telegrams back and forth to finally cinch the deal, as there had been several sticking points on which Nick had not been willing to budge, mostly monetary. But in the end he had been successful, and Middleton was willing to sign the contract that the Barkleys would provide. Nick was very pleased with the profit that they stood to make from the deal.

Heath reread the last part of the wire. “But Nick, it says here you’ve gotta be at their offices in Frisco by five o’clock tomorrow afternoon to sign the contract or there’s no deal. What’s that all about?” he asked.

Nick grimaced, running his gloved hand through his dark hair. “Yeah, I know. Can you believe that? Takes them forever and a day to finally decide to do business with us, and then they insist that we rush over there and sign. I have a feeling it’s just Jack Middleton’s way of making me sweat a little after the hardball I played with him, the way I insisted we do things on my terms.” Some of their correspondence had gotten pretty heated, he remembered. “Now he wants me to jump through his hoops for a change.”

He paused, shaking his head. He hated for anyone to jerk him around this way, but knew that this deal was more important than his pride. “I’ve got work up to my eyeballs around here; I was planning to check a few wells tomorrow, maybe ride fence in the north pasture, not take this trip.” He sighed. “I stopped in at Jarrod’s office after I got the telegram, told him to draw up that contract pronto. Thought maybe he could go close the deal instead of me, but he said his trial won’t be over until next week at the earliest.” He turned to his brother. “I guess you’ll have to look at those wells, Heath, and also-“

“I’ll go to Frisco for you, Nick,” Heath said suddenly.

Victoria and Nick both looked at him, puzzled. This wasn’t something he normally did- or wanted to do. Nick or Jarrod usually tended to such matters while Heath took care of things on the ranch. He’d been to several of these types of meetings, of course, but they weren’t really his cup of tea. He preferred riding the range to sitting in a stuffy office surrounded by a haze of cigar smoke, engaging in the phony pre-business chitchat.

Nick narrowed his eyes, trying to figure him out. “Why, Heath? You’re usually the last one to volunteer for a job like this. Not that I blame you, it’s just that…are you sure you want to go?”

“Sure I’m sure,” Heath answered. “You’re busy here, I figure I can suffer a business trip for once.”

His explanation sounded a bit too simple to Nick, but he didn’t question it. He was just glad he wouldn’t have to spend all those hours on the train and in San Francisco when there were so many things on the ranch clamoring for his attention.

“Well, all right… thanks. I appreciate it,” he said. “You’ll have to take the early train tomorrow morning to make sure you get there in time.”

Heath nodded. “Right. I probably won’t make the afternoon train back here, so I’ll catch the first one out Wednesday mornin’. I reckon spendin’ a night in Frisco won’t kill me,” he grinned. “Might just have a bit of fun while I’m there.”

“Sure you will,” Nick laughed. “Have fun without that beautiful girl you’ve been seeing for the past month? I doubt it!”

“That reminds me,” Heath said. “I was supposed to go over to Amy’s tomorrow night for dinner. Guess I’ll ride over tonight instead, tell her I won’t be able to make it.” He smiled to himself at the thought of seeing her a day earlier than planned.

Nick looked at the smile on Heath’s face and felt warmed by his brother’s obvious affection for his girl. Heath had been seeing Amy three or four times a week for over a month now. Nick didn’t know where he got the stamina. His brother had always worked harder than anyone he’d ever known, and in the past, he’d usually gone to bed pretty early, tired after pushing his body to the limit. But now…he would often come home after working all day, take a bath, and go to the Stanton farm either before or after dinner, depending on what his and Amy’s plans were. Nick knew that after most of their dates Heath would come home late and immediately go to bed. Sometimes Nick or Jarrod would still be up and they’d talk for a few minutes before Heath turned in, and he could see that his brother was tired, but happy.

But all of his nights out hadn’t adversely affected his work; Heath still more than pulled his weight around the ranch. If anything, his relationship with Amy imparted a certain lightness to his step during the long days of hard ranch work, an easygoingness even beyond what he already possessed. It seemed like Heath always had a secret smile on his face while he worked, an inner happiness that constantly threatened to bubble over. The guy was whistling a lot, too, Nick thought. He couldn’t have been happier for him; it cheered him to no end that his brother was flying so high. And Nick was pleased with Heath’s choice of ladylove, as he knew that the rest of the family was. That girl had a good head on her shoulders, and a beautiful head it was, too, he reflected.

“How about giving me a hand unloading the wagon?” Nick asked him, starting for the door.

“Right behind you,” Heath answered, starting to follow him. Victoria put a hand on his arm, stopping him.

“Heath?” she said, a question in her eyes. “Is there some other reason you want to make this trip?’

He smiled at her. “Maybe I’ve just got a hankerin’ for some of that sea air,” he said, giving his mother a peck on the check before walking out the door.

Victoria stood looking at him for a moment, then shrugged and went to speak to Silas about dinner.



Amy answered the knock on the door and to her astonishment saw Heath standing at the threshold. “Heath, this is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow,” she said, a smile lighting up her face.

“Well, I reckon I could just turn around and leave, if you’d rather,” he said, pretending to be hurt.

She laughed. “Don’t you dare, you know I’m happy to see you, I just didn’t expect you to be standing there. Come on in,” she said, stepping back to let him enter.

Heath glanced around to make sure they were alone, then dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Hey there,” he whispered.

“Hey there yourself,” she answered softly, looking at him affectionately.

“Before I forget,” he remembered, “Mother said that now that she and Audra are finally back from Denver, you’re to come to dinner next week. And she won’t let me back into the house unless you say yes,” he added, smiling.

She nodded happily. “Don’t worry, you’re safe. Of course I’ll come.”

“Heath, hello,” John entered the room and walked toward them. “How are you?” he asked, his arm outstretched.

The two men shook hands. “Fine, John, just fine. I’m sorry to drop in like this, but I wanted to tell y’all that I won’t be able to make it for dinner tomorrow night. Just found out I’ve got to take a quick trip to San Francisco on business.”

“Oh, how long will you be gone?” Amy asked, concerned.

Heath smiled at her reassuringly. “Not long. I should be back Wednesday afternoon sometime.”

Amy looked relieved. “That’s good. I mean, it’s good that you won’t be away from the ranch for long.” She lowered her eyes and her uncle came to her rescue. “Heath, you’re just in time to join us for dessert. Emma made an apple pie today, can we tempt you?”

Heath nodded appreciatively. “Don’t mind if I do, John. Emma’s pies are legendary around these parts.”

They sat down at the dining room table, enjoying pie, coffee, and good conversation. When Amy had finished clearing the table, Heath stood up. “John, I thank you for the dessert, but I’d better be goin’. I’ve gotta talk to Jarrod about that meetin’ tomorrow, and I have to pack a few things…but would you mind if I took your niece for a walk outside before I go?” His eyes met Amy’s and he could see the anticipation on her face.

“Of course, go ahead. And have a good trip,” he added, shaking Heath’s hand again.

It was a warm evening as they walked a short way from the house, their fingers laced together. They stopped at a section of fence and leaned against it, looking at each other in the twilight.

“I’m glad you won’t be gone long,” she said quietly.

“You and me both,” he answered. “You don’t think I could stay away from you more’n a day or two, do you?” he teased gently.

“I hope not,” she answered earnestly. He reached out and played with a long, silky strand of her hair, letting it slide through his fingers.

“C’mere,” he said softly, pulling her close.

Her hands had landed on his chest at his embrace and she slowly moved her palms up that solid wall until they were on the back of his neck. Her fingers lightly played in his hair as he kissed her, slowly and deliberately. His lips were moist and demanding as he placed several kisses on her face, across her cheeks, before returning to claim her mouth again. Amy surrendered completely, the movements of her lips matching his own. Heath’s hands slowly moved up and down her back as their kiss grew even more eager, more passionate, and she knew that her legs might not have held her up had he not been holding her so tightly. Suddenly the kiss changed, and Amy felt the tip of his tongue gently probing her lips, trying to enter her mouth. A nervous sound rose from her throat as she abruptly pushed him away, not able to meet his eyes.

“Amy…I’m sorry, I shouldn’ta done that…” Heath was suddenly miserable. He had been so sure that she was ready to move that one step further, but he’d obviously been wrong. He had nothing but the utmost respect for her, held her in the highest esteem, and his heart sank at the thought that she might now think that this was no longer the case. “I didn’t mean to offend you…please…”

But Amy was shaking her head, looking at him. “No, you didn’t offend me…Heath, it isn’t that I didn’t want….” Her voice trailed off with embarrassment as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She made herself look him in the eye before continuing. “It’s just that…I…I don’t have a lot of experience with…” she desperately sought a euphemism for what she was trying to say. “With…that kind of kissing, and I wasn’t sure what to do, and I got nervous, and…” she looked away again, feeling foolish.

Heath let out the breath he’d been holding, feeling relieved. He took her chin in his hand and carefully turned her head to face him. “Amy…I’m real glad you don’t have ‘a lot of experience with that kind of kissing’,” he said with just the slightest hint of gentle teasing in his voice. “And as for not knowin’ what to do…just relax and do what comes natural, all right?” he asked, looking at her tenderly.

“All right,” she answered breathily, almost smiling now.

He took her in his arms again, and brought his lips down to meet hers. He kissed her much more gently this time, not wanting to spook her again. As she relaxed, enjoying herself, he allowed things to heat up again, and when he felt she was ready, nudged her lips once more. This time she opened her mouth a bit, allowing him in, and was instantly made heady by the wonderful feeling of it. His tongue, deliciously warm and moist, snaked slowly around the inside of her mouth, seemingly trying to touch every corner. A sound again rose from her throat, but this time it was one of pleasure, not nervousness. Her fingertips were pressed firmly against the small of his back without her really being aware of it as he continued his exploration.

Suddenly he stopped, and let his lips rest against hers, slightly opened. She realized what he wanted her to do, and she tentatively let her tongue make its way into the dark depths of his mouth. Slowly, she moved it over his teeth, his tongue, delighting in the new and exciting sensation. She felt his breathing quicken and was happy that she was able to make him feel so good, too. He let her play with him for a minute, exciting in the feel of her, then gently pulled back before things got out of control.

“You sure learn fast,” he said in a low voice, slowly running the fingers of one hand through the length of her curly hair.

“It helps when you have a good teacher,” she said softly, looking happy.

He chuckled softly, still playing with the silky tresses that he loved to touch. As his hand brushed against her cheek he could tell that she was flushed, though not from embarrassment. He’d kissed her enough times in the past month for her to get over her tendency to color whenever he touched her.

“I’d better get you back inside before your uncle gets up a posse, and then I’ve gotta go,” he said. She nodded, and he took her hand in his and led her back to the house.

Chapter 9

Amy and John were finishing breakfast the next morning when Henry, John’s trusted hired hand, came into the dining room. “Pardon me for interrupting your breakfast, Mr. Stanton, but there’s a problem with the combine I think you ought to look at. Looks like the belt’s gone already.”

John sighed and put down his fork. “All right, I’m done here anyway.” Getting up, he turned to Amy. “Honey, I shouldn’t be too long. Why don’t you go get ready, and when I come back we’ll go into town.”

Amy nodded. They had agreed to go into Stockton this morning, each of them needing to do various errands. As she started to clear the table, Emma shooed her away. “Go on, child, do like your uncle says and get yourself ready. I’ll take care of this.”

“All right,” Amy agreed, smiling her thanks to the housekeeper before going up to her room. As she sat down at the vanity, brushing her hair, she saw her own eyes sparkling back at her in the mirror, still shining from Heath’s affections last night. She was thrilled that his intimate kiss couldn’t have been more different from the time a boy she’d been out with a few times in St. Louis had tried that. She’d allowed Jason Reid a chaste kiss goodnight, and before she knew what was happening, she’d felt his horribly cold and clammy tongue clumsily forcing itself into her mouth. Utterly disgusted, she’d pushed him away, and told him to leave and never come back. She had never allowed anyone else to kiss her like that…until Heath. She absentmindedly picked up a strand of her hair and twirled it around her fingers.

It had been the most wonderful month of her life. Actually, five weeks today, she thought with that uniquely female ability to quickly calculate the duration of a relationship. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined meeting someone as special as Heath. They had spent so much time together this past month and had enjoyed every minute of it. Sometimes she felt guilty, knowing that he worked so hard all day and then spent so many evenings with her when she was sure he was tired. But when she’d voiced her concerns to him, he’d just smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I can sleep on the job tomorrow. I’ve got an in with the boss.” She’d laughed, knowing he didn’t mean it. He was too honorable to not fulfill his responsibilities, cared too much about the ranch to ever slack off.

There had been many picnics and walks in the Valley’s most beautiful spots. He’d taken her to dinner at Stockton’s most elegant restaurants, and at Jarrod’s suggestion, bought tickets for a comedy at the Stockton Playhouse. She’d seen his delight in watching her laugh, and he’d enjoyed the show as well. But most of their time together was spent on long drives through the Valley or at her uncle’s house, sitting together in the porch swing or walking around the farm. He didn’t need to take her to fancy places and spend so much money on her, she’d insisted, much preferring their time together when it was just the two of them, and they could sit or walk and talk and get to know each other better. Heath seemed to feel the same way, had told her he didn’t want to share her with anyone else.

They’d had many serious and intimate talks, talks in which they’d shared the happy moments of their lives, as well as the painful ones. She’d told him about the anguish of losing her mother and brother in the influenza epidemic almost ten years ago, and what it had been like to arrive home late one night several months ago after being out with friends to find the police at their house, there to tell her that her father had been killed. Heath had held her close, whispering words of comfort into her hair as she had let the pain gush forward.

Heath had shared with her, too. He’d finally told her about his life before becoming a Barkley. Amy had sat next to him, holding his hand tightly in both of hers as he told her about his difficult childhood, the hard and lonely life he and his mother had led, his experiences in the army prison, and the final blow, his beloved mother’s death. Some of her tears had spilled over, but she’d waited until later, when she was alone in her room, to break down and weep over the horrors and injustices he’d suffered, even as she sensed that he’d held back the worst of the details.

She was so happy for him that he’d finally found his wonderful family. The way he talked about them, always with such obvious affection, made it seem as if he’d known them forever. She knew somewhat of what he must have felt after his mother died. It was the same feeling she’d had after losing her father, the feeling of being all alone in the world. Of course, she hadn’t been completely alone. She had some relatives in St. Louis that she’d stayed with for a while before moving west. They’d been nice to her, but not particularly close, not like Uncle John. She’d always known she could count on him, that he’d welcome her with open arms, and he had. He had become like a second father to her, and she loved him dearly.

“Amy, ready to go?” he called from downstairs.

“Coming!” she said, going down to meet him.



John stopped the buggy in front of the dress shop. “I’ll pick you up here in about an hour- will that give you enough time?

“More than enough,” Amy answered.

“Well, if you get done early, just go over to the Cattleman’s Hotel and wait for me in the lobby. My meeting there shouldn’t last too long.”

“That sounds fine,” she said, waving at him on her way into the shop.

The bell tinkled over the door as she walked in, her attention immediately caught by a display of dresses that had just arrived. She loved pretty clothes. It was a trait she’d inherited from her mother, who’d always been beautifully dressed. Even though she hadn’t had a mother all these years to guide her in such matters, she still had an innate sense of style and enjoyed looking nice, ever since her tomboy years had ended. She wasn’t given to excessive frippery, though. Pretty dresses were nice, but she’d had no trouble conforming to the slightly less formal look the Stockton women enjoyed for everyday. Her parents hadn’t raised her to be vain.

She had really come in just to see if there was anything new and interesting, and maybe purchase a new barrette for her hair. She knew Heath liked her to wear her hair down, although he always complemented her when she did something interesting with it, like pinning back the sides or gathering it together and fastening it with a barrette at the side of her neck. She smiled, thinking that he must be sitting on the train right now.

She heard the bell over the door ring, but didn’t immediately turn around to see who had come in. Thus she didn’t see the woman standing in the doorway, staring at her.



“San Francisco!” The conductor bellowed as he walked up the aisle. His voice jolted Heath awake, and he adjusted his hat back from where it had been resting over his eyes. Yawning and stretching, he took his long legs down from the seat opposite him. He looked up and noticed the man who had been sitting in the chair next to his booted feet. The well-dressed gentleman with a bushy white walrus moustache was watching him, looking amused. Finally, he spoke.

“She must be exceptionally beautiful, m’boy,” he remarked, placing his bowler hat on his head.

“What?” Heath asked, confused. “Who?”

“Why, the girl you were dreaming about, of course. I assume she must be someone very special, judging from the smile on your face while you were sleeping.”

Heath smiled. “You’ve got that right, mister,” he said.

The man nodded at him, his generous moustache twitching, as he collected his belongings and walked to the door.

Heath, too, got his bag down from the overhead shelf and walked to the exit. He disembarked and looked around, getting his bearings, before purposefully making his way into the bustling metropolis.

Chapter 10

Louise Dixon stared at the girl through narrowed eyes. This was the girl, she thought. This was the girl who was ruining her only chance of happiness.

She had seen Heath talking to that girl after running off at the picnic, and it had infuriated her. Her ire had risen further upon hearing that the two were apparently an item. All that time and effort she had invested, making sure she sought Heath out at every opportunity, talking to him and charming him. And then with one snap of her fingers, this…this temptress had taken him away. She was determined to get Heath back.

For Louise Dixon was desperate. Her family’s financial situation was worsening by the day. Maynard was spending more and more time at the saloon, and when he wasn’t there, he was sitting in his office at the lumberyard, drinking from the bottle he kept hidden in his bottom drawer, the one he thought his wife didn’t know about. The business was losing money steadily as his customers found that they could no longer rely on him to fill their orders. Worse, they had a mountain of debts. They had taken a second mortgage on the house, but there was a payment due soon. Louise still had some jewelry left to sell to meet it, but after that…her family’s future prospects scared her to death. Alice had recently graduated from high school but had no marketable skills. Even if she had, Louise doubted that any employer would want her shy, awkward daughter on his hands. There was no other money coming in from anywhere. Neither she nor Maynard had any relatives they could turn to for help. They needed Alice to marry into money. They needed…Heath.

The thought of being put out into the street, surviving off handouts and charity, ensured a constant pit of cold fear gnawing at Louise’s insides. Living so close to the brink of poverty was just too much for her to bear. Yes, the woman was the epitome of desperation.

But desperation wasn’t the only force driving Louise. Taken alone, her utter hopelessness and anguish probably wouldn’t have allowed this overbearing but otherwise non-malevolent woman to be willing to destroy a young woman like Amy, even to keep her family housed and fed. There was a much darker force at play here, which, unbeknownst to Louise, had already taken root inside of her. That dark force, combined with her state of sheer abjectness, was a most dangerous combination.

Louise had been only sixteen when her father had died. Her mother had told her that it was a hunting accident, but Louise had heard the whispers, learned the truth: her father had taken his own life. His family hadn’t known about the demons inside him that he’d no longer been able to fight. Or that he’d passed those demons on to his daughter.

This was the legacy Louise had inherited from her father. She was blissfully unaware that she lived in an era where there were no medicines, no effective treatments for her ailment of which she had no knowledge. On the outside, she seemed the same woman as always. But on the inside, the myriad cracks in her delicate facade of lucidity had finally started to run together, creating an unbridgeable chasm between what was real and what she thought to be real.

Her as yet slight drift from the shores of reality made it easy for her to believe that Heath would marry Alice. The day after the picnic, she had made the decision to pawn her engagement ring and send Alice to one of those newfangled health farms in Arizona. She had received a picture in the mail last week and had been startled at the change in her daughter’s appearance. Alice had already lost a good deal of weight, and they had done something to her hair, made it look feminine and nice for a change. Even the spectacles didn’t look as bad, sitting on a slimmer, more angular face. Her daughter would probably look even better by the time she came home next week.

She honestly believed that Heath would have succumbed to her powers of persuasion and joined them for dinner one night. From there it would have been a quick step to Heath seeing what a lovely girl Alice was turning into- with some coaching from her mother, of course. She was painfully aware that Heath was the only one of Stockton’s stable of eligible, moneyed bachelors they had a prayer of landing. She’d heard the talk before: although there were countless young women who would have jumped at the chance to marry Heath Barkley, many parents would never have let their daughters marry someone with his stain of illegitimacy, Barkley money or no. She’d convinced herself that eventually Heath would have been grateful to find such a fine, upstanding girl like Alice who was willing to marry him.

But first this girl had to be gotten rid of.

The machinating part of her mind was still sharp as ever, and as she stood there, looking at Amy, a plan quickly formed in her head, one that would pave the way for her to get Heath for Alice. It was as if Louise was falling off a cliff, frantically clawing at the air, and Heath, along with his fortune, was the tree branch that she could grab hold of to save herself and her family.

This was her last chance, she thought desperately, feeling trapped by her circumstances. She had to take desperate measures.

But Amy sensed none of this when she turned around. Louise had quickly gotten her emotions under control and affected a neutral expression. She nodded absently to Amy, who didn’t know her but returned the nod. A young woman came out from the back of the shop and approached Louise. “Can I help you?” she asked pleasantly.

Louise realized that this must be Nadine’s new assistant. The girl had just moved to Stockton and didn’t know a soul. Excellent, Louise thought. This would work into her plan perfectly; she would have no reason to question anything Louise said.

“Yes, I’d like to see some embroidered handkerchiefs, please.” The girl nodded and reached for a box, setting it on the counter. “Although soon I hope to be shopping for my daughter’s trousseau.” She leaned forward and said conspiratorially, “We’ve been away this past month, visiting relatives, don’t you know. My daughter is staying another few days, but we hope that when she comes back her young man will pop the question.” She glanced at Amy out of the corner of her eye to make sure she was listening. “We’ll be thrilled when he does, Heath is such a fine young man.”

Amy froze, almost dropping the barrette she was holding. Heath? She stood in shocked silence for a moment until she realized with relief that there could be any number of Heaths in Stockton. The woman couldn’t be talking about her Heath, she thought.

“Yes, it will be just wonderful the day my daughter becomes a Barkley,” Louise went on. “Such fine people, and they’re all so enamored of her. She’s practically one of the family already. Victoria will make a most wonderful mother-in-law.” The salesgirl didn’t really understand why this woman, a stranger, was telling her all of this, but knowing that customers often confided in women in her profession, she just smiled politely and nodded.

“Heath is so in love with her, you can just see it on his face when he looks at her. She smiled. “It’ll be the wedding of the year, don’t you know. Oh, these handkerchiefs are lovely, dear, I think I’ll take this one and…this one.” She felt more than saw Amy running out of the shop. The door opened and then slammed closed, the bell jangling harder than usual. She smiled and turned back to the salesgirl. “Now dear, how about some fine lawn underwear…”



Amy ran out of the store as fast as she could, her legs carrying her down the sidewalk and around the corner, where she found a small alley and stood there, leaning against the wall.

It couldn’t be. It just couldn’t be, she thought with horror. She was too shocked to cry or even think straight. She just stood there, breathing hard, the woman’s words reverberating in her head.

“Pop the question…Heath…Barkley…in love with her…wedding of the year”

There had to be some mistake, she thought desperately. An awful, terrible mistake. But as she tried to think of what it could be, her heart slowed its beating and she calmed down a bit. More rational now, in trying to make sense of things she realized with a feeling of cold dread in the pit of her stomach that the woman could have been telling the truth. She and her daughter had been out of town for a month; she and Heath had been seeing each other for about that long. Her comments about the Barkleys had also sounded true enough. But then Amy realized with panic that it must be true, and the proof was right there in front of her.

The woman had no reason to lie.

Amy didn’t know the woman. She vaguely recalled seeing her since she’d moved to Stockton, but she had no idea who she was- and vice versa, she thought. The woman had been innocently telling the salesgirl her story and Amy had happened to be there, listening. She had just been a proud and happy mother and had wanted to share her joy. It was as simple as that. She had been telling the truth and nothing more.

And then the tears came. Amy had never been so hurt, so completely devastated in her whole life, except at her father’s murder. Her mother and brother’s deaths had wounded her deeply, but it had been so long ago, and the worst of the pain had healed over time. This was a different kind of pain: it was a mixture of hurt, betrayal, and the shame of being used.

She would never, never have thought Heath Barkley capable of something like this. To be involved with someone else, to be almost engaged to another woman, and then to use her like some plaything the minute his girl was out of town. Her cheeks burned, this time with anger as well as shame. How could she have misjudged him so? She thought herself to be a pretty good judge of character and had believed him to be one of the most honorable, trustworthy, innately good men she had ever met. How could she have been so horribly, completely wrong about him? They had shared so much, and she thought he had told her the most personal things about his past because he had cared about her and had wanted their relationship to be based on complete honesty. He’d truly seemed to have deep feelings for her. She could have sworn she’d seen it in his eyes.

It had all been a big lie. She could see that now. He’d just pretended to treat her as someone who was important to him. She suddenly gasped. That must have been why he’d kissed her…that way…last night. His girl would be returning to town soon, so it would have been one of his last chances to… Her whole body shook with anger and mortification. To think that she’d let him kiss her so intimately…she wasn’t the kind of girl who went around doing things like that, and for her to let him kiss her that way, hold her that way, had been possible only because she’d cared for him so and thought he felt the same way. As she closed her eyes and put a hand to her forehead, she thought of all the other kisses over the past month and wanted to die, simply die.

Her tears started anew as she realized that he’d not only broken her heart, he’d made a fool of her as well. People had seen them in town, they must have had a good laugh over the smooth Barkley son not even caring that he was squiring another girl around while his true love was away. She was mortified; she’d trusted him completely.

And he’d taken that trust and twisted it, used it for his own purposes and had thrown it back in her face, ruined.

She wiped her eyes and nose and tried to calm down. Heath would be back sometime tomorrow afternoon, she knew. Well, she would just have Uncle John drive her over to the Barkley Ranch, and she’d confront him with this whole awful story. She’d make him explain himself and…

NO.

She wouldn’t go running to him. She had her pride, and would not sink beneath her dignity and run over there like a lovesick schoolgirl, begging for some explanation that wouldn’t change anything anyway. There was nothing to be said. She never wanted to see him again. She supposed she’d have to, to tell him that it was over, but after that… She smiled bitterly, thinking that there wasn’t even any need for her to tell him that it was over. It would have been over soon enough when his girl returned to town. She felt better knowing that she wouldn’t have to say anything to him ever again. If Heath came over tomorrow night, she’d just tell her uncle to tell him that she never wanted to see him again. He’ll probably be relieved, she thought sadly.

She decided not to divulge any details to her uncle, or anyone else. She was too full of shame at being made to look like such a stupid, utter fool. Saying the words out loud would just make her look like some silly little girl who’d gotten in over her head. She would look pathetic. No, she wouldn’t say anything, not even to the uncle she knew would only look at her with love and perhaps…pity. And she couldn’t stand to be pitied, she never could. Those pitying looks such as those she’d gotten at her father’s funeral. Those looks that conveyed the bearer’s feelings of relief that it was she, not him, who had suffered this tragedy. She never wanted to see a look like that directed at her ever again.

Her pride would save her. She would say as little as possible on the matter and hope it would just die away quietly. She would hold her head high, even as she was dying inside, and wait until the next scandal hit Stockton, when the gossipmongers would forget about her and find something else to buzz about.

She turned toward the Cattleman’s Hotel to find her uncle, her heart broken.



The train pulled into Stockton at 4:00 p.m.- two hours late due to bad storms near San Francisco. Heath practically jumped out of the railcar, eager to get out of the virtual prison he’d been sitting in nearly all day. He didn’t see Jarrod, and was glad that his brother had had the sense to wait for him in his office instead of wasting two hours on the station platform. He walked the short distance to Jarrod’s office and opened the door. His brother looked up from his desk with a smile.

“There you are!” he said, getting up to greet him. “I kept checking at the station until Joe finally got the wire about the bad weather.” He gestured to the small drinks table. “How about something to wet your dry?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows questioningly.

Heath grinned. “Just waitin’ for you to offer, brother.” Jarrod poured two whiskeys and handed one to Heath. “Sit down, sit down,” he said, gesturing to a chair.

“No thanks,” Heath answered, leaning against a bookcase. “I’ve done enough sittin’ for one day. All those hours on that train...I’ll just stand.”

“All right then, I’ll sit,” Jarrod said, settling back into his chair. “So tell me, how did everything go? You close the deal?”

“Sure did.” He took the contract out of his inner pocket and put it on Jarrod’s desk. “Although they tried to stick in a few changes, but I wasn’t havin’ any of it. I just sat there ‘til they signed the damn thing.”

Jarrod nodded at him admiringly. “Good man. Nick’ll be glad to hear that it’s finally over and done with.” He leaned back in his chair and sipped his drink. “Listen, I’ll be done here soon. Do you want to wait for me and ride home together? Your horse is at the livery.”

Heath drained his glass and put it on the table. “Sorry, Jarrod, but I’ve got a stop I want to make first.” He smiled entreatingly. “Take my bag home for me, huh?”

Jarrod lifted his glass to his brother in mock salute. “No problem. I’ll see you later. And Heath…send my regards to Amy and John, will you?” he said with a sly grin.

“Sure thing,” Heath said, winking, as he left the office.

Chapter 11

John Stanton sat at his desk, trying to work on the payroll, but the numbers kept swimming in front of his eyes. He ran a hand through his graying hair, took off his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. He tried once again to focus, but the worries in his heart got in the way.

Then came the knock at the door that he’d been dreading. Exhaling heavily, he pushed himself away from his desk and walked slowly to answer it. He wasn’t looking forward to this.

Heath stood there, smiling expectantly. He didn’t notice the look on John’s face, just stuck out his hand and greeted him. John shook it slowly, gesturing for him to come in.

“How was your trip, Heath?” John asked quietly.

“Real good, but I’m glad to be back,” Heath answered, looking around. “Is Amy here?”

John sighed. “Heath…I’ve got something to tell you, and it’s not going to be easy, so I’m just going to say it and be done with it…”

Heath looked at him, concerned. “John, what is it? Is it Amy? What’s wrong?”

The older man looked back at him. “Heath…Amy asked me to tell you that she doesn’t want to see you anymore. She wants you to know that whatever the two of you had is over.”

“What?!” The word whipped through the air. Heath shook his head, not understanding. “What are you…is this some kind of a joke?”

John shook his head. “It’s no joke, son. She means it.”

Heath looked as if he’d been slapped. “John, what the hell is goin’ on here?”

“I don’t know, son. She wouldn’t tell me why. Just asked me to tell you not to come around anymore.” The man felt a profound sorrow at saying these words. He had had such hopes for his niece and this young man. He didn’t have the faintest idea what had happened. He had met her at the hotel after his meeting yesterday and had known immediately that something was wrong. But she wouldn’t say anything, not until later when she had told him that she had decided not to continue seeing Heath. She wouldn’t tell him why, though he’d asked her. She’d spent the better part of the past two days in her room, crying. He couldn’t make sense of it. He was so terribly fond of Heath, but his final loyalties were to his niece, and he’d agreed to do what she’d asked of him: break it off with Heath for her.

Heath had a frantic look in his eyes. Looking around wildly, raking his hands through his hair, he said desperately, “Where is she? I’ve gotta hear this from her, gotta understand what this is all about…”

“Look, Heath, she’s not…she’s…” his eyes unconsciously flickered toward the staircase, betraying him.

Heath fought to remain calm. “John, you get her and bring her down here so I can talk to her. I’ve got to find out what happened, make her see reason. Please!”

John shook his head again. “I don’t think so, Heath. She said she didn’t want to see you-“

His anger intensified. “I don’t care what she said! If she doesn’t want to see me anymore, she’ll have to tell me to my face. Now you just tell her to come down-“

“I’m here, “ a quiet voice interrupted. Amy slowly descended the stairs. She’d heard every word and had decided it wasn’t fair to her uncle to put him in this position anymore. She’d finish things with Heath herself.

“Amy…” Heath said softly, going over to her. “Amy, what’s this all about? What’s happened?” The sight of her red, swollen eyes and pale face made his heart ache. He tried to take her hands in his but she shook them off. John, meanwhile, slipped out of the room, unnoticed.

“It’s like Uncle John said, Heath,” she answered woodenly. “I don’t want to see you anymore.”

He looked at her, shocked beyond belief. This was the last thing, the very last thing he’d expected when he’d ridden over here, so looking forward to seeing her. He rubbed his neck, trying to regain his composure.

Amy looked at him, her anger almost melting away at the sight of him. There was such hurt, such bewilderment on his handsome face. She had to force herself to harden her resolve and push down the compassion she suddenly felt for him.

“Just tell me what I’ve done,” he pleaded, almost whispering. “I’ll fix it, I’ll do anythin’ you want.” He couldn’t lose her, he thought. Not over something that had to be just a simple misunderstanding.

For a minute she considered telling him she’d found out that he’d been using her, been occupying his time with her while his real love was away. But she didn’t. She wouldn’t make a fool of herself, putting the whole sordid tale into words, sounding like a pathetic little girl begging him to love her. Let him figure it out himself, she thought, her pride rising once again. Her voice was as hard as her eyes when she answered. “There’s nothing to fix,” she said. “You’re just not the man I thought you were. I want you to leave now. Please, just go.”

She started to turn away but he grabbed her arm, keeping her there. “That’s no explanation!” he hissed. “You haven’t told me a thing! I’m not leavin’ here until we work this out!”

“Heath.” John stood in the doorway. “I think you’d better go now.” Amy took advantage of Heath’s hesitation to shake off his hand and run upstairs to her room, slamming the door behind her.

Heath just stood there for a moment, too stunned to even move. Finally, he turned and stormed out of the house without another word. He leapt onto Charger and rode off at a full gallop.



Heath rode Charger as fast as the horse could go, pushing him as hard as he dared. He didn’t slow down until he reached the spot where they had had their first picnic together, over a month ago. He dismounted and walked over to the same log that they’d sat next to. Tiredly, he sank to the ground and leaned against it.

He sat there, his hand supporting his head. He was absolutely shattered. He racked his brain, trying to think where things had gone wrong, what he could have possibly done to make her never want to see him again. Things had been better than ever between them before he’d left for Frisco, and then he’d come back and without warning, she was through with him. He thought back again to the other night. He wondered, incredulously, if it had been the way he had kissed her so intimately for the first time. She’d hesitated due to her inexperience, but then it had been so clear to him that she’d enjoyed it, that she’d enjoyed sharing that with him. No, it couldn’t have been the kiss.

Suddenly he froze. His heart pounded so loudly he could feel it in his ears, banging against the inside of his head. It couldn’t be, he thought, fighting back the bile rising in his throat. Could she have thought about it and decided that she didn’t want to continue keeping company…with a bastard?

What were the words that she had used? ‘You’re not the man I thought you were.’ Nothing about him had changed during his two-day absence. He was still the same man. He broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that she must have had enough time to ruminate on the matter and just couldn’t lower herself to carrying a relationship any farther with someone of his heritage.

But that didn’t make sense- she’d seemed fine with who he was. Genuinely interested in him as a person, regardless of who his parents were. He’d told her all about himself, things he’d never told anyone else outside the family. He hadn’t liked making her cry, making her upset listening to his litany of horrible experiences. He hadn’t told her the worst parts of his internment at Carterson; he hadn’t wanted those images to poison her dreams the way they still did his sometimes. But he had wanted her to know the things that made him what he was, the experiences that had shaped his life. He’d wanted her to know because he’d trusted her enough, because he’d wanted a relationship with her and thought she had a right to know, because…

Because he loved her.

He loved her with all his heart and soul, both of which were now broken with just a few harsh words.

Slowly, he reached into his pocket and took out the box. He made himself open it, despite knowing how painful it would be. The ring glittered in the late afternoon sun, dazzling him. Just yesterday this object had brought him so much joy. Now its winking and shimmering seemed to mock him.

It hadn’t taken long for him to realize that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. It hadn’t been some fragile bubble of love at first sight that had burst after familiarity set in. His love for her had only grown stronger the longer he knew her. He’d thought he’d found his soul mate in that beautiful, smart girl. He wanted to protect her and take care of her, and at the same time he admired her inner strength, knew that she’d be a true life partner, in good times and bad.

He’d known he couldn’t propose marriage so soon, but he’d also known he wouldn’t wait much longer. He wasn’t the type to play games, didn’t need a long courtship that would fit the rules of society for which he cared nothing. When Nick had mentioned the trip to San Francisco, he’d immediately realized that it would be the perfect opportunity for him to buy an engagement ring, away from the prying eyes and whispers of Stockton that he would have suffered had he gone shopping at a jewelry store there. He’d wanted it to be private, not have the whole town know before he had a chance to propose.

And so he’d arrived in San Francisco and gone straight to elegant Nob Hill, wanting the best possible selection, knowing that there was plenty of time before his deadline to meet with Middleton. He’d looked in a few jewelry stores, but nothing had really caught his fancy. He didn’t know exactly what kind of ring he wanted, but he knew he’d recognize it when he saw it. It had to be like Amy herself, he’d thought. Stunning, special, classy, without a hint of gaudiness.

And then he’d found it. It was a beautiful square-cut diamond, almost two carats, with a smaller similar stone on either side, all set in a platinum band. The salesgirl had been amused when he’d pointed to it and said “That’s the one,” and even more amused when he’d asked her if she’d try it on so he could estimate if it was the right size. He hadn’t even asked the price; he couldn’t have cared less how much it cost. He just knew that this was the ring he wanted to put on his beloved girl’s finger when he asked her to be his wife.

On the long train ride back to Stockton he’d decided that he wouldn’t wait any longer, after all. He’d propose to her that very evening when he saw her. He’d ridden out to her place so full of excitement, anxious to see the look on her face when she opened the box. He’d hoped she’d want a short engagement, like he did, but whatever she wanted would be fine with him; he just wanted to see that ring on her finger, to proclaim to the world that she was his.

And then she’d told him that she never wanted to see him again.

He wanted to cry out in his misery, to take the ring and throw it into the brook rushing along before him. But something stopped him. He took a deep breath and put the box back into his pocket. Maybe someday she’d change her mind. He knew he could never change his about loving her.

Chapter 12

The Barkleys were sitting at the dining room table the next morning, eating breakfast, wondering where Heath was. He’d come home while they were enjoying cocktails last night and had gruffly informed a waiting Silas that he didn’t want any dinner. He’d gone straight to his room, not even looking to the lounge where his family was sitting. They’d all heard his door slam and hadn’t seen him since. Victoria had tentatively tapped on his door after dinner, but he hadn’t answered, so she’d assumed he was asleep.

“Are you sure there’s nothing more you can tell us, Jarrod?” she asked worriedly.

The dark-haired lawyer shook his head. “It’s like I told you last night, Mother. He came to the office, dropped off the contract, and left for the Stanton farm in high spirits. That’s all I know.”

“Well, maybe I oughtta take a ride out there and see if they know anything,” Nick proclaimed. Just then, Heath walked into the dining room and slid into his chair.

“No one’s goin’ anywhere near that farm,” he said tightly.

They all looked at him, shocked at his appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks hidden under a layer of stubble. He looked as though he hadn’t slept a wink.

“Uh, Heath,” Nick said hesitantly. “You know we were supposed to dig that new well this morning, but if you don’t feel good-“

“I’m fine,” Heath answered shortly, picking at his food.

“Did you and Amy have a fight or something?” Audra came right out and asked.

He took a pause from eating. “Or somethin’,” he said.

“Heath,” Jarrod said gently. “You know we respect your privacy, but it’s obvious that something’s wrong. Maybe you’d feel better if you told us what it is.”

Heath looked at him. “I doubt it,” he said bitterly. He looked around the table at their worried faces and remembered that they were on his side. He took a breath and said, ” All right. I guess you’ll find out soon enough, so it might as well be now. Amy and I aren’t seein’ each other anymore.”

They all sat there, stunned into silence. Finally Nick said, “What? But why? I thought things were going so well for the two of you.”

As Heath spoke, the hurt in his voice was palpable. “So did I. It wasn’t my doin’, Nick. It was hers.” He cleared his throat and continued. “And I don’t know why, she wouldn’t tell me. Just told me that she never wants to see me again.” He looked down at his plate. “Guess I’m just not the…kind of man she wants.”

No one knew what to say. It was obvious that he was brokenhearted over losing his girl. Victoria tried to help. “Heath, maybe I should go over there and talk to her. It might be easier for her to explain to another woman-“

“No!” It came out harsher than he’d intended. More softly, he said, “No, Mother. I appreciate it, but I don’t want anyone talkin’ to her. It’s fine if she comes to me on her own, but if she has to be talked into doin’ it, then…” He looked around the table. “And that goes for all of you.” He threw down his napkin and turned to Nick. “Come on, let’s go. That well ain’t gonna dig itself.”

Nick hesitated. “But Heath, are you sure? You barely touched your breakfast, and-“

His brother was already up, reaching for his gun belt. “I’m not hungry. Lets go.” He turned and walked out the door, leaving a miasma of pain hovering over the table.



The rest of the week followed suit. Heath threw himself into his work, pushing himself harder than ever, trying to exhaust himself into not feeling, not caring. It didn’t work. Night after night he’d barely touch his dinner, then go for a ride on Charger or sit outside, rolling and smoking endless cigarettes. He’d previously been only an occasional smoker; now he’d go through ten at a time without even noticing. He tried not to think about her beautiful face, the silky feel of her hair, the touch of her lips on his, but she seemed to haunt his thoughts, refusing to let him go.

He’d go directly to his room afterwards, not wanting to sit around with his family, feeling their pity. But it was obvious he wasn’t sleeping much, judging from the way he looked at breakfast each morning. Yet he continued to do the work of two men every day, not joking with the hands, not whistling, just engaging in raw, punishing labor. Nick didn’t know how much longer his brother would be able to keep this up, and finally said something to him about it. “I’m fine,” Heath insisted, obviously not fine. Nick had half a mind to ride out to the Stanton farm and give that girl what-for, but he knew Heath would be furious, and he didn’t want to add to his brother’s distress.

Heath wouldn’t talk to his family about what had happened. Whenever one of them tried to bring up the subject, he would give the same answer: “I don’t want to talk about it.” Finally, they left him alone, hoping he’d come out of it soon, but kept worrying about him just the same.



It was a week after the breakup that Heath was at DeWitt’s General Store, picking up a few things, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Heet! Heet!” Joey Stanley toddled over to him, reminding Heath of Star during his first few wobbly hours.

“Hey, there, fella!” Heath answered, forgetting his misery for the moment as he bent down and swooped the boy high into the air, making him chortle with glee. “Lydia, how are you? Just the two of you here today?” he greeted the woman who was a few steps behind her son.

“Just fine, Heath, thanks,” the pleasant woman answered. “Yes, the other children are at Jim’s office, wanted to say hello to their Papa, but Joey always loves a trip to the store.”

“Mo’, mo’!” Joey was demanding.

Heath laughed. “All right, you’re the boss,” he said, tossing the boy into the air a few more times before putting him down on the floor, feigning a sore back. “Lydia, what’ve you been feedin’ that boy- rocks?”

Lydia’s smiled. “Heath, you know that boy’s been eating nonstop since he became a part of our family. I just can’t keep up with his appetite,” she added, looking down at her son with unmistakable mother’s love.

Heath squatted down, his arms resting on his thighs, so he could make eye contact with his young friend. “Joey, how’d you like a licorice stick? If it’s all right with your Mama, that is,” he hastened to add, looking up at her hopefully.

She nodded. “Sure, that’d be fine, he’d love that.”

Heath gestured to the clerk. “Hal, add five of these to my bill. Put four of ‘em in a bag, would you? And this one’s for you,” he said, handing the candy to the excited little boy. He gave the bag to Lydia. “Wouldn’t want the others gettin’ jealous,” he said.

“That’s real sweet of you, Heath. Thank you.” She looked down at her little boy who was busy eating his treat. “And I’m sure Joey would thank you, if he knew how.” They both laughed.

As he looked down at Joey, Heath suddenly shuddered involuntarily, as he did whenever he thought of what would have happened to this child had he and John Weaver not come to Ben Rawlins’ cabin that day several months ago. After his mother’s death, Joey would have been left with no caregiver until his father’s arrival several days later. Not for the first time, he silently blessed his fortuitous run-in with the bounty hunter, thinking how ironic it was that Weaver’s quest of Rawlins had most probably saved that baby’s life.

“Listen, why don’t you stop by for coffee this Sunday after supper? The kids would love to see you. And go ahead and bring that pretty girl you’ve been seeing,” she added, smiling. “We’d love to have both of you.”

The smile faded from Heath’s face as his pain flooded over him anew. “Thanks, Lydia,” he said quietly. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it... and anyway, it’d be alone. It…it doesn’t look like things are going to work out,” he said, an octave lower still.

Lydia was genuinely sorry to hear that. It wasn’t right, a fine man like Heath still a bachelor. “I’m sorry, Heath,” she said, shaking her head in sympathy.

“It’s all right,” he said, signing his tab. He squatted down again and ruffled Joey’s hair. “Bye, buddy,” he said.

“Bye, Heet,” the boy said, his mouth full of licorice.

He nodded to Lydia and turned to leave the store. He didn’t notice Ardella and Esther Perkins standing a few feet away from him, pretending to examine bolts of material while straining to catch every word of the conversation. The main focus of the two spinster sisters’ lives was gleaning, discussing, and spreading any and all news about Stockton’s residents, and this was indeed a gem: the illegitimate Barkley son and John Stanton’s niece had ended their relationship! They nearly tripped over themselves running out of the store to spread the latest buzz.



The news reached Louise Dixon that very afternoon as she was waiting in line at the post office. She could hardly contain her excitement.

Chapter 13

As Heath walked out of the store onto the sidewalk, he leaned against the railing, completely drained. When would it stop hurting so much, he wondered wretchedly. He didn’t think he could even summon up the strength to mount up and ride home. Finally he sighed, realizing that there was work to do back at the ranch, and figured he’d best buck up and head home. Suddenly he felt the hairs on the back of his neck prick up and when he turned around, he saw that it was none other than Amy, looking into a shop window.

It was as if a thunderclap went off in his head. He stood there, frozen. He wanted to turn and walk away but his feet might as well have been nailed to the sidewalk. She was even lovelier than he remembered, and to actually see her after being haunted by her image all week was too much. His breathing quickened, his heart pounded. He was still staring at her when suddenly she turned her head slowly, tentatively, as if she sensed someone watching her. Her eyes widened when she saw him and her mouth formed a round “O” of surprise before slamming shut. They stared at each other for an awkward, painful moment until Amy turned and hurried off in the other direction.

If he’d thought he’d felt terrible before, it was nothing compared to the misery he was in now. The realization that he would have to live his life without her hit him suddenly in the gut, as painful as any fist. He put his purchases in his saddlebag and headed for the saloon across the street, the one place where he might be able to numb the pain that was coursing through him, worse than ever. That her disdain for him was so great that she hadn’t been able to run off fast enough just added salt to his wounds.

He went to the bar and ordered a whiskey, downing it in one gulp. He ordered another and took it to a table and sat down, nursing it slowly.

A saloon girl stood in the corner, watching him. Flossie Weeks knew who Heath Barkley was, everybody did. Usually he came in with one or both of his brothers or other men and had a few drinks or played poker. From what she’d seen he didn’t overdo it on the drinking too often, and he only got involved in the brawls that were de rigueur in a place like this when his brother Nick was outnumbered. She’d approached him several times with the offer of a half hour upstairs, but he’d always turned her down. Never rudely, though. His refusals were always tempered with kindness and good humor. He sure was a handsome son-of-a-gun, she and the other girls had agreed. They’d all tried to get him to partake of their favors at one time or another but hadn’t been successful. The man had a kind of quiet dignity about him, and that combined with his startling good looks and pleasant personality made him a very attractive package that the girls were mighty curious about. Hell, Flossie thought, looking at him now, any one of us’d pay HIM for a half hour upstairs.

Deciding to try her luck again, she sashayed over to him and put a leg up on the chair next to him. Making a show of straightening her stocking, she drawled, “Hiya cowboy, how goes it?” with her most entreating smile.

Heath put down his drink. “Fine, Floss.” He wasn’t in the mood for her flirting.

Gosh, he looks terrible, she thought. Well, she had just the cure for that. “Say, Heath, you look a little down on your luck. Howsabout you buy us a bottle and we go upstairs and have ourselves a little private party, whaddaya say?” she suggested, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Heath looked at her. Why the hell not, he thought. Maybe by bedding the woman in front of him he could hurt Amy as much as she’d hurt him. Maybe this would be just the thing to make him feel better.

But even as the thought took form in his mind, he knew he wouldn’t do it, knew he couldn’t do that to the girl he still loved, no matter what she’d done to him. Never mind that she’d never find out- it would still be a betrayal in his mind, even though they were no longer together. Besides, this saloon girl wasn’t the woman he wanted to share his bed. His head was filled with the image of a fresh, dewy face that didn’t need a heavy layer of makeup, hair that smelled of lavender, not cheap perfume and the most recent customer, and two shining eyes that were eager for new experiences, not a tired pair of orbs that had already seen too much.

Anyway, he didn’t have his needs taken care of in Stockton all that often. He liked his private life to stay that way, and he was out of town often enough so that he never had to go too long between assignations that he knew wouldn’t make the rounds of the local knitting circle. He hadn’t so much as looked at another woman since he’d met Amy, though. Heath sighed, suddenly wanting to be out of there.

He finished his drink and shook his head. “No thanks, Floss, I’ve gotta be goin’.” As he got up to go, he tossed a coin onto the table. “But why don’t you have yourself that bottle, on me?”

Flossie watched as he walked out the door. What a waste, she thought, tucking the coin into her shoe.



Amy lay facedown on her bed, the pillow wet with tears.

John knocked on the open door. “Amy, honey?” he asked tentatively. “What’s wrong?” She had been quiet on the ride home from town, even more so than usual lately, but he’d assumed she was still upset over her breakup with Heath. He hadn’t seen her cry in a few days, though, and he was worried about her.

”Nothing,” she mumbled into her pillow.

John suddenly realized what must have happened. “You saw Heath in town today, didn’t you?” At her slight nod, he sighed. “Look, hasn’t this gone on long enough? I’ll take you over there right now, you two can straighten all of this out…”

But Amy was already shaking her head. “No, Uncle John. It…it was just hard seeing him today, that’s all. I’m fine, now, really.” She sat up and wiped her eyes, trying to look as if she meant it.

John stood there for a moment. “All right honey,” he finally said, reluctantly. “Emma wanted me to tell you that dinner’s ready whenever you are.”

She nodded. “I’ll just wash up and be right down,” she promised.

As her uncle turned and walked back toward the stairs, she got up and went to the vanity. She poured some water from the pitcher into the basin and splashed some onto her face. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, seeing the effects of the whole horrible week.

It had been awful, just awful. Whoever had coined the term “lovesick” sure had it on the money, she thought tiredly. It had taken all of her strength just to get through each day. She hadn’t left the house all week, hadn’t wanted to go into town and have people talk about her. She had been especially scared of running into any of the Barkleys, most of all Heath. But her uncle had been so worried about her. He had practically begged her to go into town with him today, and she had finally relented. Her worst fear had come true when she had seen Heath standing there, and she’d have given anything to have stayed home, to have avoided seeing him. After the initial shock had worn off, she’d had to run away to avoid bursting into tears or running into his arms. Because over the past week, most of her anger at him had dissipated, leaving only profound hurt and sadness…and love.

For she knew she loved him, knew she’d never stopped. Despite what he’d done to her, despite the fact that she’d misjudged him so…she loved him, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise. Seeing him today had just cemented that fact for her. Even though she knew that there was no future for them, that he was as good as engaged to another girl…she couldn’t forget the month they’d spent together. She didn’t know how much of what he’d told her was true and how much was a lie, but no man had ever made her feel the way he did. She’d never been in love before Heath, and she was sure she could never feel that way about anyone else, ever.

She wondered if she should go back to St. Louis, stay with her relatives there. She couldn’t just keep running into Heath like this, it hurt too much. But she couldn’t keep hiding at the farm, either. A sigh escaped her as she thought of how much she would hate to leave her uncle. She would miss him terribly, and besides, she had truly felt at home here, had really loved living in Stockton until…it had happened. Leaving wasn’t really an option she wanted to explore, but if she didn’t start feeling better soon…

She dried her face and forced herself to square her shoulders before walking downstairs.

Chapter 14

Heath was in his room later that night when there was a knock on his door. He ignored it, but then he heard his mother’s voice. “Heath,” she called. “Please open the door, I want to talk to you.”

He sighed. “Mother, I’m tired and-“

“Heath Barkley, I know you’re not planning on doing any sleeping. Now are you going to let me in, or are we going to have this conversation through this door? It’s up to you,” she added in a tone that told him she meant what she said.

Resignedly, he answered her. “It’s open,” he said.

Victoria entered the room and looked at the pathetic picture of her son lying on top of his still-made bed, wallowing in his misery. He’d been especially surly today, more than he’d been this whole week. She’d seen him take an uncharacteristically early drink after his return from town that afternoon, and she thought one of the liquor bottles from the table in the lounge was missing. She took a quick look around the room and saw it sitting on top of his bureau, half empty.

She went over and picked it up. “So this is what it’s come to, has it? Drinking when it’s barely noon, then drinking alone in your room at night. Don’t you think you’ve sunk low enough?” She was heartsick over the pain he was going through, but she’d decided that enough was enough. He wasn’t going to get any better if they all babied him and waited for him to miraculously recover. Her son needed some old-fashioned horse sense knocked into his head, and he needed it now.

At his silence, she continued. “Heath, I know this has been a terrible week for you, but today was the worst yet.” She walked over to the bed and sat down on it. “What happened?” she continued, more gently.

He really didn’t want to talk about it, but knew it was useless to try to put his mother off. “I saw her in town today.” It was too painful for him to even say her name.

Victoria nodded, understanding now. “I see,” she answered, her voice full of compassion. “Did you two talk at all?”

He shook his head. “No. I just turned around and there she was. Just stared at each other for a second, then she ran off like I was some kind of…leper or somethin’.” He closed his eyes at the painful memory.

The petite woman sighed. “Heath, I know you don’t want to hear this, but this whole thing is wrong, plain wrong, and it’s up to you to do something about it.”

Heath sat up, suddenly angry. “ME? Mother, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m not the one who broke it off, she did. If you think I’m gonna go runnin’ over there beggin’ for her to take me back…”

She looked him in the eye suddenly. “Heath, how do you feel about this girl? Or should I say how did you feel about her, before all off this happened?”

Heath was silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was quiet but tortured. “I love her, Mother. That hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it ever will.”

“So,” Victoria continued as quietly as he, “for the sake of your pride, you’re going to let the girl you love, the girl you’ll love forever, just go without a fight? And how will you live with yourself, thinking of what might have been if only you’d given it one more try? Don’t you think you owe yourself…and her… that much?”

He gave a short, bitter laugh. “Why bother? It’s pretty obvious she changed her mind about seein’ a bas…someone with my background.”

Victoria shook her head emphatically. “No, Heath, that just doesn’t make any sense. She’s known about that since the first night you called on her, isn’t that what you told me?” He nodded quietly. “So all of a sudden, after spending so much time together, it’s upset her enough to break things off with you? No, Heath, I can’t believe that.”

She went on, speaking gently. “Heath…Amy is young, so very young and innocent. Something must have happened that upset her. Maybe someone said something to her, or she imagined something, or…I don’t know, son, but it must have been something that her youth caused her to blow out of proportion. Or perhaps she was just scared by the enormity of her feelings for you. I have no idea what it is, but don’t you think you should find out? Try, Heath, just give it a try,” she urged him. At least he seemed to be thinking about it, she was gladdened to see. It was better than his moping around.

He hesitated, wanting to believe what she was saying. “I…I don’t know…”

“Heath…things can’t get much worse than they are now,” she remarked, gesturing toward the bottle. “Really, what have you got to lose?”

He finally made up his mind. “All right, Mother,” he said, nodding slowly. “I’ll ride out there in the mornin’ and talk to her…make her talk to me. And I won’t leave until she tells me what happened. And even if she still doesn’t want to see me anymore…well, you’re right, at least I’ll have tried.” He looked at some point behind her, thinking. “But I’m tellin’ you now, I’m gonna get her back if it’s the last thing I do.” He turned back to her and she was thrilled to see the fire in his eyes. “I’m gonna get her back, Mother,” he repeated determinedly, louder this time.

She smiled at him, relieved. “I’m glad, son, so very glad,” she said, embracing him. As she got up to leave the room, Heath stopped her. “Mother…do me a favor and get rid of that, will you please?” he asked, pointing to the bottle.



The next morning after breakfast Heath bathed and shaved, then got dressed and ready to go. As he was about to leave his room, he suddenly paused and walked slowly to the dresser. He opened a drawer and reached to the very back, taking out the ring box. Just in case, he thought to himself. He shoved the box into his pocket and left.

He rode over to the Stanton farm full of anticipation. He had lain awake most of the night thinking about the way he’d approach Amy, the way he’d make her tell him what was wrong. Her silence or noncompliance was not an option, he’d decided. He’d simply sit there and wouldn’t leave until she talked to him. Then, whatever it was, they’d work it out together. What he had told his mother was true: he still loved her and always would. Nothing had changed on that front.

He saw now that he’d been foolish to let his hurt and pride keep him from going there sooner and fixing things. His mother was right that Amy was very young and naïve about many things, including, he was sure, love. He’d show her that their love was true and that there was no question, no hesitation on her part that they couldn’t resolve together.

He dismounted and tied Charger to the porch. Patting his pocket once more to make sure the ring was still there, he knocked on the door.

Continued…