Star Crossed

Chapters 11-15

by Stacey

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 11

“Thought I’d find you out here,” Nick walked out onto the front porch and over to where Samantha sat. “How you feeling?”

“It’s night time, I feel fine, Nick,” his sister-in-law replied patiently. “It’s morning sickness, remember?”

“Yep, I remember. Not a real good way to start your day.”

“I’m sorry it’s such a rough start to your day,” she said grimly. Every morning for the past week, Jarrod and Nick and even Silas had hovered over her as she battled with her stomach.

Nick winced, “That’s not what I meant, I meant it was hard on you. We all just feel sorry for you, Sam.”

Samantha looked up at her tall brother-in-law and saw his honest regret for his remark, “Oh, it’s fine, Nick. I just get a little short during this time. Ask Peter. He’s had to put up with it three times already. I wish you and Jarrod didn’t feel like you had to watch over me while I’m having my morning ritual.”

“Ah, we’ve kinda decided that maybe you don’t need both of us hanging over you so we pulled straws for the duty tomorrow and I lost,” Nick waved off her concerns.

“Well, at least it will only be one of you,” Samantha murmured.

“Pretty night out,” Nick sat down beside her. “Looking for your ‘hunter’ up in the sky?”

“Yes,” she sighed softly. “The stars are so bright tonight, almost as bright as when we were at Indian Springs.”

“Yep, the stars always seem brighter up at the springs,” he agreed. “We sure had wonderful weather for this year’s trip.”

“I was so nervous about that trip to Indian Springs,” she confessed.

Nick frowned at her, “Why in the world? It’s just a camping trip.”

“I was just afraid I wouldn’t do well. I’d never been camping. I didn’t want to do anything that would ruin it for any of the rest of the family.”

“You did great, don’t know what you were worried about,” Nick snorted.

“I want you to know that I went riding for hours every day for a month before so that I wouldn’t embarrass myself on the ride up,” Samantha looked over at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

He didn’t laugh, as she had expected, he just shook his head, “Girl, what were you so worried about? We were prepared to take it easy on the ride up. Me and Heath had already planned an overnight stop on the way up. Shoot we had three little children with us; we figured it would be slow going. I couldn’t really believe what a smooth trip we had. I sure wish you hadn’t gotten all worried about it.”

She bit her lip, “Oh, I just didn’t want to be the one to slow things up. Peter kept telling me not to worry about it; that everybody knew I hadn’t grown up riding a horse like Audra. But I so much wanted to do well.”

“Well, you did great, like I said,” Nick nodded his head firmly. “I remember how great you did fording that river. I was a little concerned, it was kinda deep, but you showed you knew exactly what to do.”

Samantha gave a short laugh, “Oh, I just did what Peter told me. He asked me if I wanted him to lead my horse across but I told him that I just wanted him to get Lizzie V. safely across first and then I would follow. He just told me to be calm and firm with Missy and we would make it across fine. Just be calm and firm like I am with the boys, he said. I watched him and Lizzie go across and Jarrod and Heath get Tom and Nicky across and then I took a deep breath, told myself ‘calm and firm,’ and went across.”

“And you did it perfect. I knew then that you were gonna do just fine on the trip.”

“Well, I’m glad you knew then, because I was nervous almost the whole time. I just knew that all you boys would be comparing me to your mother and sister and thinking that Peter’s wife sure didn’t measure up,” she sighed.

“Why in the world would we think that!” he glared at her.

“Oh, it’s just that Audra has been doing this all her life and your mother, well, your mother, she’s just, um just . . . .”

“What?” Nick prodded.

“Oh, Nick, you know your mother, she’s just, just . . . oh, you know.”

“No, I don’t,” he replied. “What?”

“She’s just so perfect! She can do just anything. She’s just a little intimidating!”

“Mother? Intimidating?” he snorted. “Mother’s just a little bitty thing. She can’t be intimidating.”

“Oh, believe you me, she is intimidating. Especially to daughters-in-law and probably worse for prospective daughters-in-law. There’s just no way that any of us can measure up. I think that’s why you boys are so slow to find wives because there aren’t any girls who meet the standard that has been set by your mother,” Samantha sighed. “I’m just lucky that Peter left home as a young man so he wasn’t quite so choosy.”

“Now Jarrod’s been married,” Nick corrected her, “and both me and Heath have been close a couple of times. Just didn’t work out. I tell you what, though, it’s harder now ‘cause we’re all trying to find a wife that’s as good as brother Pete’s wife. She sets just a pretty high standard herself.”

“Oh, Nick,” Samantha blushed. “That’s not true.”

Nick gave a sharp nod, “Yes, it is, girl. You wanna know my best memory of our trip this spring?”

“What?” she asked, a little suspicious.

“It was the first morning there at the springs. I got up early to go fishing and I thought Pete might like to go with me, like we did when we were kids. I went over to the tent where he had you all bedded down. I called out to him real soft because I didn’t want to wake the little ones and I hear him kinda whisper real loud, ‘Nick, help me.’ Well, I peaked in the tent and there he lay. Lizzie V. was sleeping on his chest and you were half on him, your head on his shoulder, one leg thrown across him, your arm across his stomach and your hand clutching his shirt. And on the other side Pete had Nicky sleeping with his head on Pete’s shoulder and Tom with his head on his arm. Pete was pinned down. I started to laugh and he shushed me and whispered, ‘Just help me.’ I got Tom and Nicky off of him and he could then move Lizzie V. off his chest. When he tried to shift you off of him, you woke up enough to murmur, ‘Make love to me, Peter.’”

Samantha blushed deeply, “I did not.”

“Oh, yes, you did,” Nick informed her. “Pete sorta got red and he leaned down and kissed you and said, ‘Can’t now, honey. We’ve got all the babies in here with us. One of the boys might wake up. I promise I’ll figure out a way for us to be alone later.’ That apparently satisfied you because you just nodded and smiled, but when Peter tried to get you to let go of his shirt you wouldn’t. He ended up having to take it off and leave it with you.”

“I wondered why I woke up holding his shirt,” Samantha laughed at herself. “I guess we all were a little nervous about sleeping out so we all crowded against the person who always protects us. I’m sure you gave Peter a hard time for this.”

“Actually,” Nick smiled, “I told him I thought he might just be one of the luckiest men in the world. He just grinned and went off to get his fishing equipment. So you see, little sister, I’m stuck now trying to find a wife as beautiful as my brother’s wife, who loves me as much as she loves him, and who’s a good sport about going camping up in the mountains. Now that I’ve seen how lucky Pete is, I’m just not gonna settle until I find something just as good.”

“Nick, you’re so silly,” she pretended to find his statement amusing but, in truth, she was deeply touched and a little proud.

“Nope, just know a good thing when I see it,” he patted her shoulder. “Well, girl, you about ready to head off to bed?”

“I guess so, it’s getting pretty late, maybe I’ll sleep a little later tomorrow morning.”

“Did you drink your milk?” Nick asked as he helped her to her feet and led her into the house.

“Yes,” she rolled her eyes, “and before you ask I drank my required glass of water just a few minutes ago.”

“Good girl,” Nick patted her shoulder and urged her up the stairs, “now go upstairs and get a good night’s sleep.”

“Hmm, I’ll try,” she sighed as she climbed the stairs. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Nah, I’ll be out early tomorrow; we’ve got a couple of head that we need to get to the station,” Nick smiled up at her.

She turned to stare at him, “But, you said you lost, you got the short straw.”

“I did lose,” Nick’s eyes twinkled. “Jarrod will be the one getting to take care of you tomorrow morning.”

She bestowed a soft smile on him and whispered, “Thank you, Nick.”

He grinned and winked at her, “Go to bed, girl.”

* * * * * * * *

“Eugene, you have to drink more,” Victoria tried to keep her voice stern, but the pitiful sound of her son’s soft moans shook her resolve. “Now, son. Please.”

“Come on, Gene,” Peter, who had his brother propped up on his chest, also coaxed. “Just a little. Doctor says you have to start drinking more. Mother’s not going to lie down and rest any until she gets some more juice down you. Now, come on, do it.”

The young man tossed his head from side to side, avoiding the spout of the sick cup. “No,” he groaned. “Tired.”

Peter hesitated for a moment, his brow wrinkling in concern. They had tried so hard to get Eugene to drink more, but it was so difficult to keep him awake for more than just a few moments. And it was getting harder and harder to wake him up. He instinctively knew this was not a good sign.

He and Heath had given Eugene two cold baths. The first time Victoria had tried to help but they had banished her from the washroom. “Look,” Peter had said shortly, “Gene isn’t going to be too happy about any of this and he sure doesn’t want his mother to see him naked.”

“Good heavens, I diapered his bottom when he was a baby and bathed him when he was a boy and I have seen him naked since then,” she had protested.

“That’s beside the point. He won’t want you seeing him now. Trust me on this one,” Peter had replied. “No, go get something to eat. Heath and I’ll take care of Gene.”

She had fumed for a few moments and then managed to re-instate some of her authority, “You two can take care of Eugene but I’m going to fix us all a good hot supper.”

The cold bath had brought Gene’s temperature down for a few hours but it began to climb again after midnight, and he again was engulfed in nightmares. Sponge baths and Heath’s calming voice had chased away the hallucinations but the fever had remained. They tried a second bath in the middle of the afternoon. Again, the fever had abated, but again only temporarily. Peter guessed that they could keep up the ritual, but he knew that it was much more important that they get some liquids inside of Gene. He watched his mother struggle to get his baby brother to wake up enough to take a few sips. There had to be something they could do.

Peter looked into his mother’s forlorn face and then down at the flushed face that was resting against his shoulder. Well, hell, it was worth a try. He changed his voice, hoping it would be enough, “Eugene, do as Mother says now.”

Jarrod’s voice, Victoria thought, and his words. Her eyes flew to Peter’s face and then down to Eugene’s. Her younger son frowned, obviously confused by the voice.

“Eugene, you heard me,” Peter held onto the inflection. “You do as Mother has told you.”

“Jarrod?” the voice warbled slightly.

“Eugene,” Peter continued with his oldest brother’s voice, “you know better than to disobey a direct order. Now drink some of the juice that Mother has.”

“Yes, sir,” came the weak reply and, miraculously, Eugene took several sips of the juice that Victoria offered.

“Come on, Gene, you can do better than that,” Peter urged, still using Jarrod’s voice. “Drink the whole thing.”

Eugene managed to indeed drink most of the cup before his eyelids fluttered and he slipped back into a restless sleep. Victoria reached out to wipe his face with a cool cloth. Her eyes shifted up to her older son’s face, “Peter, I’m not sure that was a good idea.”

“Worked, didn’t it,” he was a little hurt by her tone.

“He’s going to be so disappointed when he finds out that Jarrod isn’t here,” she murmured.

“I have a feeling he won’t even remember this,” Peter countered.

“He’ll ask for Jarrod,” she said with calm certainty.

Peter swallowed his pride, “Maybe we should have Jarrod come. Maybe Gene will do better responding to him.”

Victoria looked at her youngest son, his head resting heavily on his big brother’s shoulder. She was already risking Peter and Heath; she almost shuddered at the thought of bringing Jarrod here, risking him also. But if it would help her baby, maybe she should do it. Finally she answered, “Let’s give it one more day and see. One more day.”

Chapter 12

Nick walked into the house, spurs jingling loudly. It had been a busy day. With Heath gone, of course, more of the work fell on him, but he was use to that. Heath occasionally was gone taking care of business elsewhere. The men were all pitching in and working hard so things were going all right but it still made for a hectic day. And today Nick’s workday had started much later than usual this morning because he stayed with Sam until the worst of her morning sickness had passed. Jarrod had to be in court early, and Nick wasn’t about to desert his new “little sister” when she was so sick . . . even if it was just morning sickness as she continually told him and Jarrod. Nick knew that Pete would want him or Jarrod there, to look after Sam.

As he poured himself a drink, he wondered if his little brother knew about the newest Barkley. Of course, Pete and Sam had been married six years and already had three children. He sorta figured that Pete knew about all those signs that Sam had ticked off on her fingers the day that Doc Merar came by. Pete was an old married man, probably knew about a new baby’s existence about as soon as Sam did. “Old married man,” Nick didn’t realize he had said the words out loud until he heard Jarrod’s soft chuckle.

“Talking to yourself now, brother Nick?” Jarrod walked over and poured himself a drink. He raised the glass and saluted his brother. “Not a good sign.”

He just grumbled and sipped on his drink.

“I made it into town and picked up today’s telegram. There’s really no news,” Jarrod continued.

“Sure thought Gene would be getting better by now,” Nick stared into the amber liquid in his glass.

The older brother sighed softly, “I know. I did, too.”

The silence lay between them for several moments, “Do you think one of us needs to go?”

“Pete would let us know if we’re needed.”

“Still worry about Heath.”

“I know,” Jarrod smiled softly, “but I’m sure if here’s any problem they would let us know.”

Nick nodded and fell to studying his drink glass again. After a bit, he mustered the courage to ask, “Did it bother you, Jarrod, when Doc said we were a couple of old bachelors who didn’t know anything about a woman in the family way?”

The sudden turn in the conversation surprised Jarrod so he hesitated a few moments before he answered, “Well, there’s a certain amount of truth to it, Nick. We haven’t really been around a woman who is expecting. I mean, other than Mother, and we were both too young to really understand all that was happening, even when Gene was born. I’m sure Mother and Father didn’t think it was appropriate to discuss the specifics with us.”

“I guess,” his brother murmured. “I mean not knowing about morning sickness or the other things about a woman who’s that way, well, that’s not so bad. I just don’t think of myself as an old bachelor.”

“Well, we’re not kids, but I also don’t think of us as being a couple of old codgers ready to sit on the porch in our rocking chairs,” Jarrod teased.

“Ah, I know that, Jarrod. It’s just that ‘old bachelors’ bothered me. I mean, if Doc thinks of us that way, then maybe other folks do, too. Maybe they see it like you’re married to your law practice and I’m married to this ranch.

Jarrod turned the glass slowly in his hand, contemplating Nick’s words. He remembered the feelings he had when he balanced Lizzie V. on his knee and played “Pat-a-Cake” with her. It had become their evening ritual, her toddling over to stand at his knee and ask for “pattycake.” He always teased her that he didn’t understand so that she would ask twice, her little face so serious. When he would finally reach down to pick her up, her face would just light up with her delight. But her delight was small compared to what he was feeling.

“Some might see us that way, Nick,” Jarrod finally replied, “but that’s not how I see myself. I still hold onto the hope that I will find someone to share my life with and that I will know the joy of having my own children.”

“You do?” Nick was surprised at his brother’s statement. Although he had continued to gently encourage his older brother to try to move on after Beth’s death, he had secretly doubted that Jarrod would ever marry again. Today’s admission was a surprise, but a pleasant one.

Jarrod seemed to be carefully contemplating his response. After a few moments he smiled softly and nodded his head, “Yes, yes, I do.”

His brother slowly mirrored the nod, “Good.”

“So how do you see yourself?” Jarrod asked.

Nick lips curled into a teasing grin, “Still the biggest ladies’ man in the valley who will settle down someday when he finds the right woman.”

“Good for you, brother Nick.”

Nick held onto his smile for several moments and then let it transition into a small frown, “You know, Sam said something funny the other evening. She said that she figured the reason that we were all so slow about marrying was because we were all looking for a woman that measures up to Mother and that’s a difficult thing to do.”

Jarrod frowned and shook his head, “I’m not sure that’s true.

“Yeah, that’s what I told Sam, but, you know, I think there’s a little truth to it. The thing is Sam also said Mother is perfect, can do anything, is kinda intimidating to daughters-in-law.”

“Sam’s intimidated by Mother?” Jarrod was truly shocked. He thought their mother had a wonderful relationship with her only daughter-in-law. He had certainly seen the love in his mother’s eyes when she would look toward Sam. And he was sure that Sam loved their mother . . . but he guessed that didn’t stop her from being intimidated by Victoria.

“That’s what she said, said Mother’s intimidating for daughters-in-law and probably worse for prospective daughters-in-law. Never really thought about that,” his hazel eyes shifted from his drink to Jarrod’s sapphire ones.

Jarrod considered the revelation and then smiled, “Well, Sam hides her intimidation well and I’m sure Pete does everything that he can to bolster her confidence. We’ll just have to remember this when we bring prospective daughters-in-law home and give them the same support. And we need to be sure that Sam understands how special we think she is.”

Nick grinned, “Shoot, I already told her that. Told her that Pete having found such a good wife was what was making it so hard for us. We were all looking for a woman as good as her.”

“Good job, Nick,” Jarrod patted his shoulder. “Now, let’s go see if we can find our dear sister-in-law and her tribe. I think I heard voices at the back of the house.”

Nick chuckled, “Yep, let’s see how long it is before Sam’s scolding me for something!”

Laughing the two oldest brothers went in search of their brother’s family, each feeling just a little envious of what Peter had but each secure in the knowledge that he had a chance of finding just as much happiness.

* * * * * * * *

Heath came into the house from his morning visit with Becca Henderson. He had nothing much to report to her. Gene was still sick; everybody else was still all right; the last telegram from Stockton said that everybody there was all right. Even though there wasn’t much to share, he still enjoyed the short time they spent together. During their visits, he’d found out that she had attended something called a “finishing school” back East until last spring. She had been “presented to society” in both Philadelphia, which is where her parents were from, and San Francisco. She found the debutante balls and parties boring but had enjoyed becoming involved in charity work in Philadelphia. So far she had not convinced her parents that she should begin charity work in San Francisco, but she was hopeful that soon she could take on some worthwhile projects.

He had had only a vague understanding of some of the things that she talked about . . . finishing school . . . presented to society . . . debutante balls. He did mention that his younger sister volunteered a good bit of her time at the orphanage not far from Stockton and that he had helped her out a couple of times. Becca had smiled broadly at this.

“Oh, it would be so much fun to work with children,” she had said a little wistfully. “I’ve mentioned to my father that an orphanage would be a good place for me to volunteer but he gets all concerned about the illnesses that the children sometimes have. He’s a little overprotective of me. The bane of being an only child. You’re so lucky to have brothers and a sister.”

He had smiled at her and agreed that he was lucky. He didn’t add that he had also grown up as an only child. He hadn’t gotten to that part of his life, but he had – at Becca’s prompting – talked about his work on the ranch. Her eyes had lit up when he described his approach to gentling a horse. She had mentioned that her father loved good horses and that Peter’s string of beautiful mounts was one of the things the two of them often discussed when they happened upon each other at the back wall.

Once again, too soon he had to make his excuses and leave her company. But, it was true, he had to get in and help with Gene. Mother was sleeping, and Peter had thought they might need to try to give Gene another cold bath to see if they could break the fever. The boy was doing better about drinking the liquids that were being offered to him . . . especially when Peter pretended to be Jarrod. When he was a little more lucid, Gene had asked for Jarrod a few times and they had glossed over the older brother’s absence. It wasn’t exactly honest, Heath knew, but at least they were starting to get some juice and broth down the boy.

As he stepped into the kitchen, he found his older brother sitting, sipping the strong, dark coffee that he preferred. “Don’t worry,” Peter responded to Heath’s nose wrinkling. “There’s a pot of that dishwater that you call coffee on the stove. Help yourself. Hungry?”

“Not really,” Heath poured himself a cup and joined Peter at the table. “Don’t do enough real work around here to actually work up an appetite.”

“Well, promise me you’ll at least eat some fruit later,” his brother replied. “That way when Mother asks me if you ate, I won’t have to lie to her.”

“Sure, I’ll eat something in a bit,” Heath sipped his coffee. “So what are you working on?” he nodded at the stack of papers in front of Peter.

“Ah, it’s just a mortgage agreement for some warehouses. It’s an enterprise that the bank is partnering on as well as partially financing. I just want to make sure all the terms and conditions are the way we want them.”

“Sounds pretty complicated.”

“Nah, I’ve worked out deals like this before in New Orleans. I’ve had pretty good success. Got a good return on the bank’s investment and picked up some income with the interest payments. You just have to be careful to structure the deal so no one feels they’re getting taken advantage of by the bank and the risk to the bank is kept at an acceptable level,” Peter replied.

Heath grinned, “Like I said, sounds pretty complicated, but then I guess it’s one of those things that you just do well.”

“I suppose,” Peter shrugged. He sipped his coffee and it was several moments before he added, “Sometimes, sometimes I really worry that I’m going to do something that will disgrace the family”

“What?” Heath stared at his brother, his face clearly showing that he thought Peter was crazy.

“I know, I know, it sounds silly, but I still think about it. I mean Father worked hard to make the Barkley name stand for something in this state and Jarrod and Nick have only added to it. Even you’ve got a pretty healthy reputation for someone who’s only been wearing the moniker a few years.

“I’m also the reason there’s some slurs hurled at the Barkley name,” Heath murmured.

“Your existence, perhaps, but not you,” Peter replied honestly. “People who know you know that you are a good man, a fair man, an honest man. And, as far as the other, that wasn’t your doing. If there are any slurs, then the instigator should recognize that the rightful target has been dead and buried for nine years.”

A little embarrassed by Peter’s praise, Heath murmured, “I still hate that I cause the family pain sometimes.”

“Heath,” Peter said softly, “you have endured much more pain than this family will ever have to bear. We all know that. And we all know you did it alone. Now we’ve got each other, so don’t worry about it. I really think that, given my past, some of my poor decisions during my younger days, that most people now see me as the weak link in this chain and everyone is just waiting for me to break.”

“Ah, Pete, that’s foolishness. Nobody thinks that. All folks think is that you got your father’s good business sense, know how to strike when the iron’s hot, know how to read men, know when to call a bluff and when to walk away from a poor deal. I don’t think you’ve got much to worry about, Pete. Folks know you must know a lot about banking. You did well in New Orleans and now you’re making a mark here in Frisco.”

“It’s different now. I mean, in New Orleans I was Henri Laseuer’s handpicked successor. With Robert’s proxy, I controlled 75 percent of the stock of the bank. Now, now I’m this outsider, who’s come in and, with his partner, just barely has controlling interest of the bank. I have a board of directors I have to deal with, who I am sure are wondering if I even have a clue as to what I’m doing.”

“Pete, you obviously know what you’re doing. Shoot, that newspaper article when you sold the bank in New Orleans. They sure made it sound as if you were a pretty hot shot banker,” Heath shook his head. “And I’ve heard things, here in Frisco, about what a fine job you’re doing. Everybody’s sitting up and taking notice of the banker from New Orleans . . . the one who just happens to be a Stockton Barkley.”

“Just happens to be a Stockton Barkley,” Peter repeated. “See, that’s what I worry about most. The things I do here reflect on the whole family now. In New Orleans, it was just my reputation. Here, well, here it’s different.”

“And you’re doing good so it’s reflecting well on the family,” Heath stated the obvious.

“But what if I really mess something up,” Peter’s insecurities lingered.

“Then you mess something up and you figure out a way to fix it the best you can,” the younger brother said patiently. “Look, do you think things have always been perfect for Jarrod or Nick? Shoot, Jarrod’s made some mistakes on the men he’s defended, mistakes he’s regretted but he accepts the mistakes and moves on. And Nick’ll tell you that there’s been many times he’s resorted to his fists when he should have just walked away and, as a result, gotten his name smeared across the papers for being a hot-head. He knows it and he regrets it but it don’t stop him from doing the best he can the next time round. It’s the same for me and Gene. We know we’re gonna make mistakes but we also know the family’s not gonna disown us because of them. We just all gotta do our best.”

“So, all I can do is the best that I can and let the chips fall where they may,” Peter said softly.

“That’s right, Pete. Nobody can ask anything more of you. Sometimes it might not be enough, but if it was your best, well, that’ll just have to do.”

Peter studied his brother’s earnest face for a moment. Heath, of course, had no idea that he was almost literally quoting their father, one of Tom Barkley’s admonishments to his sons. Peter could almost hear the man’s voice, “Just do your best, son. No man can ask any more of you and you can never be ashamed of the outcome if you gave your best.” It was so curious that a man who had never known his father could still carry his instincts for what was right.

“So how are you and Miss Henderson getting along?” Peter changed the subject abruptly.

“What are you talking about?” Heath feigned confusion.

“Miss Rebecca Henderson. Our neighbor’s daughter,” the older brother grinned.

“Ah, we just visited a few times,” Heath didn’t know anyone was aware their backyard conversations. “She checks with me each morning to make sure we don’t need anything.”

“Uh-huh, just being neighborly,” Peter scoffed.

“Guess so,” his brother said shortly.

“Well, she’s never been quite so neighborly with me. Of course, I imagine it’s because I’m an old married man and you’re a handsome eligible bachelor.”

“She’s just a nice girl and she’s concerned about us, is all. It’s also kinda nice to have someone else to talk to besides you and Mother. To tell you the truth, I think we’re about at the point that we’re going to be re-hoeing some rows soon.”

Peter grinned, “Well, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that she’s also a very beautiful young lady.”

“She is that,” Heath acknowledged.

“Well, I should warn you that she is the apple of her father’s eye so move slow, little brother. The judge won’t take kindly to you sweeping his little girl off her feet.”

“Judge?” Heath’s face fell.

“Yeah, Judge Henderson. He’s some kind of appellate judge. Been around Frisco for a long time. Said he knew Father.”

“Oh,” Heath’s heart sank. “Well, I guess that’s that.” He didn’t realize he said the words out loud until he saw the funny look cross Pete’s face. “Hey, just forget I said anything.”

“Heath, I know that the judge is pretty protective of his daughter, but he’s a very fair man, Heath,” Peter said gently, concerned with his brother’s grim look.

“I’m sure he is, Pete,” was the curt reply.

“Heath, I’m not sure I’m understanding what the problem is. The judge is a good man; I’ve enjoyed every conversation I’ve had with him. He knew Father, commented that he had ruled against the railroads in a couple of cases and had, at one time, worried about his own safety after Father’s death. He knows Jarrod, speaks well of him. Jarrod mentioned that he’s appeared before him, considers him a very fair judge, committed to the concept of equality for all in the eyes of the law.”

“Oh, it’s fine and dandy to talk about fairness and equality and everything, but when it’s your own flesh and blood, your daughter, well things just change a mite,” Heath took another sip of his coffee, his thoughts on a particular dark-haired beauty. “Trust me, I know.”

“I see,” Peter said carefully, actually having no clue what was so heavy on his brother’s mind. “Well, just don’t sell the judge short. He seems like a very good man.”

“I’m sure he is,” his brother agreed and then added grimly, “He’ll only want what’s best for his daughter.”

Peter just studied his younger brother’s face for a few moments and then changed the subject again, “Let’s go try to get Gene to wake up and drink something.”

“Sure,” the younger man replied, glad to put the discussion of Miss Rebecca Henderson and Judge Henderson behind them.

The discussion was quickly forgotten by both brothers as they found that Gene had slipped back into his nonresponsive ways, refusing to even try to drink any of the liquids they offered. Even when Peter replaced Heath in propping the boy up and then used Jarrod’s voice, Gene still refused to drink.

“Come on, Gene, please just drink a little,” the exasperation tightened the tone of Peter’s voice, he no longer sounded like Jarrod.

“No, leave me alone,” the young man shook his head again.

Heath withdrew the cup from Gene’s lips and sat looking at his younger brother in deep concern. This fever couldn’t go on much longer, the boy was losing weight, looking pale and drawn. As he watched him painfully swallow, a clear memory rose in Heath’s mind. He had been small, maybe six or seven and had a really bad sore throat. Mama and Rachel and Hannah had nursed him but his throat was so raw that he couldn’t stand to swallow anything. And then Mama had remembered something from her own childhood.

“Pete, you got any maple syrup?” Heath suddenly said.

Peter stared at his brother for a moment, “You want pancakes now?”

“No, no, it’s for Gene. I remember Mama getting me to suck on some ice when I had a real bad sore throat by mixing some syrup in with the ice. It was like candy.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure we’ve got some. I’ll go look and get some cracked ice. You just mix it together?”

“Yep, just bring it in here, I’ll show you. I remember it tasted so good and felt so good going down. It’ll work for Gene, I bet,” Heath’s eyes were shining. “Bring a cup and a spoon.”

In a matter of just a few moments, Peter returned with all the necessary ingredients and utensils, “Not much syrup left in this can, but maybe it’ll be enough.” Peter thrust the handful of items toward his younger brother.

Heath, relying on a foggy memory of his mama at his bedside, poured the syrup over the cracked ice and then mixed it lightly with the spoon. “All right, Gene, give this a try. I promise you’re gonna like it. It’s like candy, little brother,” he said as he extended a spoonful of ice chips toward his brother’s mouth.

As always, Gene resisted but Peter encouraged, “Just one mouthful, Gene. If you don’t like it, we won’t try to force any more down you.”

Gene hesitated for a moment but then finally opened his mouth enough so that Heath could shove the spoon in. For a few seconds, Gene continued to frown but then a small smile touched his lips as he moved the ice and syrup around with his tongue. “Does taste like candy,” he finally whispered.

“More?” Heath offered him another spoonful, which the youngest brother willingly took. Heath and Peter traded triumphant smiles. Finally, something was working. As he neared the bottom of the cup, Heath whispered to Peter, “We’re gonna have to get some more syrup.”

“Here, hand me the cup. Run over to the Hendersons’ and ask if they have any syrup that we can borrow,” Peter took the cup and continued to slowly feed his baby brother the sweetened ice.

Heath dashed out the back door and across the yard to the back wall which he easily vaulted over. He knocked loudly on the back door of the Hendersons’ house and then stepped off the back porch and waited at the foot of the steps. In just a few moments, an older woman, obviously a servant, cautiously opened the door, “Can I help you, sir?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m Heath Barkley, your neighbor’s brother. I was wondering if you might have some syrup that we could borrow, ma’am.”

“Syrup?” she was thoroughly confused.

“Yes, ma’am. It’s for our little brother, who’s sick,” Heath tried to explain.

A deep voice from inside the house interrupted, “Della, what’s going on?”

“It’s a man from across the way wanting to borrow some syrup, Judge.”

“Syrup?” the man repeated as he stepped up to the doorway. He looked down at the young man standing at the base of his back steps. His sharp eyes demanded an explanation.

“Sir, I’m Heath Barkley, Peter Barkley’s brother. He and our mother and I are taking care of our little brother who has the influenza. We’ve been trying to get some liquids down him for several days and he hasn’t been doing too good. I just remembered something my mama did once when I was a boy, mixing a little syrup and ice together, and it seems to be working with Gene. But we’ve run out of syrup and hoped we could borrow some from you,” Heath explained quickly.

The judge’s forehead wrinkled in confusion, “I thought you said your mother was here with you; didn’t she remember this trick?”

Heath felt the flush rise from his collar but he managed to keep his voice soft and in control, “Mother is with us, but this is something my mama did.”

And understanding dawned in the judge’s eyes. Of course, this would be the young man who came to live with the Barkleys a few years back. He remembered when the story swept through the men’s clubs and society events around San Francisco. He had been surprised at the revelation about Tom Barkley; he had always thought him a fine and honorable man. Of course, even fine and honorable men stumbled sometimes. Suddenly realizing that the young man was expecting some kind of response, the judge turned to his cook, “Della, go see if we don’t have some of that fine Vermont maple syrup in the pantry. That should do the trick.” He then looked back at the young man standing at the foot of his back steps. For lack of anything better to say, he murmured, “You know, I knew your father.”

“Peter mentioned that,” Heath’s jaw tightened, wondering what the next comment would be. What a fine family the Barkleys were. What a good woman Victoria Barkley was. How charitable it was of her to take him in. That the judge was surprised that a man like Tom Barkley would have a bastard son. Heath had heard it all.

But the judge surprised him, “I also know your brother Jarrod. He’s appeared in front of the court a number of times. He’s a very astute attorney.”

“Peter mentioned that, too,” was all Heath could think to say at first but then added, “Jarrod is a good lawyer. I’ve seen him in action a few times. He can sure take control of a courtroom.”

The judge nodded, also seemingly short on words. At that moment, the woman returned with the can of syrup. The judge took it and stepped across the porch to hand it to Heath, “Here you go. I hope it works. Please let us know if there’s anything else that we can do.”

Heath nodded his thanks and turned away. As he started back toward Peter’s house, Heath couldn’t help but remember the judge’s look when he had said it was something that his mama had done. If he had had any doubts about his lack of a future with Miss Becca Henderson, the judge’s look had eliminated those doubts. Just like he had told Peter, the judge might be a good man, but he wouldn’t want his daughter taking up with Tom Barkley’s bastard son.

Chapter 13

The cool evening air beckoned Samantha outside again. That and her need to look up at Orion and try to comfort herself with the brief words from today’s telegram. Eugene was still sick but apparently no worse and everyone else seemed to be well. The telegram had been the same for ten days. Please, let everything be all right, she silently prayed. Her eyes sought the constellation that always gave her comfort and she hugged herself, trying to pretend it was Peter’s arms around her. She was so wrapped up in thoughts of him that the voice, even though soft and gentle, still startled her.

“Evening, Sam.”

“Jarrod,” Samantha turned to see her brother-in-law sitting on a chair, smoking a cigar. “I didn’t know you were out here.”

“How are you feeling, honey?” he asked gently.

“I’m all right. Just a little restless. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“You’re not bothering me,” as always his voice was comforting. “I was just sitting here letting my mind wander through a myriad of memories.”

“Which memories?” Samantha prompted and then realized it might sound as if she were prying. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. It’s just that I love hearing about your family. Peter was gone from the family for so many years, and his memories don’t cover so much of the family’s history.”

“It wasn’t rude,” Jarrod soothed. “I’d love to share our history with you. Much of it, I’m afraid, is pretty routine. Sibling rivalries, various scrapes, lots of arguments. We’ve always been a pretty loud group.”

“I love it,” she laughed. “Before Peter came into my life, our home in New Orleans was so quiet, almost gloomy. Then Peter came and we began to talk and argue and laugh. I love the noise.”

Her brother-in-law’s soft chuckle joined her laugh, “Well, you certainly have a full Barkley quota of noise in your home now what with Tom and Nicky and little Lizzie V.”

“It makes for a happy home,” Samantha said with conviction. As she sat down in the chair next to his, she added, “So, what memories were you wandering through before I interrupted?”

Jarrod took a long draw on his cigar and then admitted, “Mostly about Eugene.”

“You wish you had gone to be with him,” she knew exactly where Jarrod’s heart was.

But Jarrod equivocated, “I think Eugene has plenty of caregivers and I think it’s best that I’m here with you and the children. It’s just that Eugene has been my responsibility for a good many years.”

“He looks up to you, Jarrod,” Samantha reached over to touch his arm. “He wants so much to make you proud of him.”

“I am proud of him,” he replied. “He’s a fine young man; and now that he’s decided he wants to be a doctor, well, I think he has a wonderful future ahead of him.”

“He is a fine young man,” the woman who was a scant three years older than Eugene agreed. “He’s so honest and good-hearted. He takes after the man who raised him a good deal. Peter always marvels at how well-adjusted Eugene is, especially since your father died when he was such a little boy. He says it’s just amazing that Eugene didn’t end up getting in all sorts of trouble without a father.”

“That’s one of things I was remembering,” Jarrod mused. “Actually, Eugene was started down the wrong path at one point, shortly after Father died. Father and Gene were so close; I guess it was because Gene was the baby. Please understand that Father was a good father to us all, we knew we were important to him and that he loved us in his own way, but moments of actual affection were somewhat sparse. With we three older boys, well, we were always treated like little men. Mother was the one who handed out the hugs and kisses; from Father it was usually a pat on the head or shoulder, maybe an occasional arm around your shoulder. But, in general, we showed Father that we loved and respected him by working to live up to his expectations of us and he showed that he loved us by praising us when we did well and ensuring that we understood how disappointed he was when we didn’t do our best.”

Samantha had heard Peter describe Tom Barkley’s parenting much the same. She was relieved that while Peter tended to be pretty strict with the boys he still hugged and kissed them every day that he was home. And the boys doted on his attention. What she said to Jarrod, however, was “And it was different with Eugene?”

“Yes, he was always so much more tender toward Gene. Maybe it was because Gene was the baby. Maybe it was because Gene and Audra were so close to the same age and Father had gotten used to pampering his only daughter. Maybe it was because Nick and I were both back East in the Army and Father was missing us. Maybe it was because Peter had run away from home and Father thought it was his fault, that he might have been able to stop Peter if he had been closer to him. Maybe it was just because Father himself was getting older and maybe mellowing a little. Whatever the reason, he treated Gene different.”

“Were you jealous?” Samantha asked and then kicked herself again. What a personal thing to ask. It was just that she was so comfortable with Jarrod. She knew that Peter idolized his big brother. Once she had met Jarrod, she understood why. “Jarrod, I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”

“No, that’s all right,” he replied. “I don’t think I was jealous. A little surprised in the change in Father, but not really jealous. I think maybe I was a little pleased to see him being a little more demonstrative in his love. I remember how good it felt when he hugged me when I came home from the war. I felt so loved.”

She forced herself to smile at her brother-in-law but her heart ached a little for her husband. Peter had never known that kind of affection from his father. She just said, “That’s wonderful, Jarrod. You know, it probably meant as much to your father as it did to you.”

“You might be right,” he nodded. “The other thing was, when I came back after the war, I found that Gene had gone from being this quiet little six year old to this incredibly inquisitive ten year old. The inquisitiveness had probably always been there but I think being the baby Gene got pushed to the background by the rest of us. When we were gone, when he was the only son around to get Father’s attention, I think he began to blossom. He and father had such a special relationship . . . little secrets, inside jokes. While it seemed that we other boys had always worked to stand outside Father’s shadow, to have our own separate identities, I think Gene was not in such a hurry to prove his independence. I think Father appreciated the fact that Gene wanted to be his little boy.”

“I’m sure he took your father’s death very hard,” Samantha said softly, knowing that the words in no way described the anguish that the family must have felt when it lost its patriarch. Peter had not even known about his father’s death until two years after it happened and she knew that he still had problems accepting that the man whom he had always considered as next to God was truly gone.

“We were all devastated,” Jarrod nodded, “but poor little Gene was just lost. At first he just went around in a daze. And, then, he started getting in trouble at school. Little things at first, just acting out in class. Mother scolded him but that was it. Then things got worse. He quit doing his school assignments, he sassed the teacher, and, worse yet, he began bullying some of the younger children. Gene had always been such a kind-hearted boy; I couldn’t believe he would intentionally hurt someone smaller than him. I tried to talk to him but he wouldn’t listen to me, would just give me this sullen look.”

“Gene sullen? I just can’t believe it,” Samantha shook her head.

“I know; he had just turned into this boy that none of us knew,” he hesitated as he took another draw on his cigar. “Nick and I both were struggling, trying to keep things going without Father’s leadership. It was so hard; we both felt so inadequate. Gene acting out was just another sign that we were failing. Mother must have written something to Uncle Jim because he and Aunt Martha came. Uncle Jim wanted Mother to let them take Gene back with them, that he would raise Gene.”

“Oh, my,” Samantha’s eyes were wide. She knew that sending her baby away would have been just as devastating to Victoria as her husband’s death had been. “What did your mother say?”

“That was the strange thing. She just couldn’t seem to make up her mind and you know that’s so unlike Mother. She would cry at the thought of sending Gene away and then she would whisper that maybe it would be the best thing for Gene. She finally told me to make the decision, that she just couldn’t.”

“Oh, Jarrod,” Samantha reached over to touch his arm. “That had to be terribly hard.”

Her brother-in-law’s eyes were focused someplace in the past. “It was excruciating,” he finally said. “I talked to Nick about it. He said that maybe it would be easier on all of us if we let Uncle Jim take Gene. Maybe with one less responsibility, he and I would be able to focus on the business better. Maybe Mother would be able to take better care of Audra if she wasn’t having to worry about Gene every day. Maybe it would be for the best.”

“Oh, Jarrod, what did you do?”

“That night, I went in and sat beside Gene’s bed and just watched him sleep. He looked so sweet, his face so innocent. I remember reaching out to smooth down his hair and he smiled in his sleep. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen him smile. I sat up all night with him, thinking about Father, about how he had managed to care for all of us even as he was building the ranch and everything else. That next morning I knew what had to be done. I first told Nick that it might be easier if we sent Gene away but that wasn’t the right thing to do. He just nodded and said he’d do whatever I wanted.”

“Of course, he would. You’re Pappy,” she teased.

He smiled but then sobered, “I then went and told Uncle Jim. He wasn’t quite as supportive. He told me that if we were going to keep Gene here then I had to give up being his brother and become his father. That meant I had to do the hard things, like discipline. I had to take responsibility for him, for the kind of man he was going to be. Legally, I had already been appointed both Audra’s and Gene’s guardian, but I understood Uncle Jim. I had to assume the full role if we had any hopes of their growing up to be the kind of adults that Father and Mother wanted us all to be.”

“Well, you’ve succeeded wonderfully. With both Audra and Gene. They’re such wonderful, kind people,” she patted his arm again.

“They are that. I used to think that maybe I let Audra be spoiled too much, but, the last couple of years, I’m seeing her mature into a fine young woman, so caring. I used to worry about the kind of man she might pick to marry, worried that she would go for flash and not substance, but I don’t worry about that any more. I think she’s going to wait until she finds the right man. And, Gene, well I’m proud of him, too. But it was hard, very hard at times with him. All of it is hard, but of course you know that, you’re a parent. But the first time that I had to . . .,” Jarrod stopped, his mind somewhere in the past.

“What, Jarrod?”

“The first time, the first time I had to whip Gene. It was so difficult.”

“Oh, I know, Jarrod,” she squeezed his arm. “Peter hates disciplining the boys and he’s dreading the day that a scolding won’t be enough punishment.”

The corner of Jarrod’s mouth turned down, “It’s hard, Sam, terribly hard. I brought Gene into the office and told him that if he misbehaved at school again that I would whip him. He just stared at me. I guess he thought I was bluffing because two days later the teacher sent home notes with both him and Audra saying Gene had pushed a smaller boy down at recess for no apparent reason. I called him into the office and asked him why he did it. He just shrugged his shoulders. I told him that was not a satisfactory answer and had he forgotten what I said would happen if he got in trouble at school again. He still wouldn’t answer me, so I told him to bend over the desk. He just stared at me, so I took my belt off and told him that I had warned him what the punishment would be. I turned him around and bent him over the desk and I whipped him. I remember distinctly; I gave him five licks. I think I felt every one of them more than he did.”

“How did Gene take it?”

“He didn’t cry. I mean there were tears in his eyes but he didn’t break down. I told him that I expected the misbehavior at school to stop. I told him I wouldn’t hesitate to use my belt again. And, if I wasn’t home when his misbehavior occurred, then Nick was prepared to administer the punishment. I asked him if he understood me. He whispered, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Yes what.’ And he said, ‘Yes, sir.’ At that moment, I guess I quit being just Gene’s big brother.”

“Oh, Jarrod,” she rubbed his arm gently, “I know that was difficult thing to give up, but your Uncle Jim was right. It had to be done.”

“I know,” a smile tugged at his lips, “but it still hurts a little to know that I’ll never have just a brotherly relationship with him, that there will always be this different connection between us, that we’ll never be exactly equals, that he will always automatically fall back to calling me ‘sir’. A part of me wonders if he’ll always remember me only as the man who provided the discipline when he was growing up. And that leaves me a little sad.”

Samantha tried to lighten the moment, “Peter says given how young Gene was when he left he’s surprised that Gene even remembered him at all. He laughs about his memories of this little boy missing his front teeth and then coming back to find this college man. He says that you and Nick and even Audra are the way he expected you to be, but he never could imagine Gene grown.”

Jarrod laughed softly and nodded his head, “Well, I’m still having some problems with the notion of him being grown.”

“Well,” she gave him a little wink, “maybe he isn’t quite grown. There’s still a lot of boy in him. I just love how he finds life so exciting. Everything is an adventure to him.”

“I’m just hoping that he’s going to have lots more adventures,” her brother-in-law murmured.

She reached out again to touch his arm, “I’m sure he will, Jarrod. I’m sure he’s going to make it through this illness just fine. He’s got your mother and two brothers taking care of him. He’ll be all right.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Jarrod replied, but Samantha could hear the undertone of uncertainty. Jarrod was afraid for his little brother. She didn’t say anything more; she just slid her hand into his and they both let the night curl around them as each let memories of happier times sooth them.

Chapter 14

Jarrod sat working at his desk but one ear was cocked toward the stairs. Sam had left him in charge of seeing to Lizzie V. if the little girl woke up while Sam and Audra were taking the two little boys on their walk to pick wildflowers. Sam had said that most likely the baby would sleep for another hour, that Jarrod need only check on her a couple of times to be sure she was still in her bed. Jarrod knew that Silas was also keeping an eye on the “little lady,” but the responsibility of the small child began to weigh heavily on him. Finally, he gathered up a few papers and one of his law books. He’d just sit upstairs in Pete and Sam’s room so that he could keep an eye on Lizzie V. The last thing they needed was for her to wake up and get out of bed without someone hearing her. She could easily take a tumble down the stairs. Jarrod winced as he considered how upset the whole family would be if precious little Lizzie V. were hurt.

He had just reached the foot of the stairs when a noise outside distracted him. Someone had driven up right in front of the house. He glanced up the stairs to be sure that Lizzie wasn’t already balanced precariously at the top of the stairs and then stepped to the door. He’d quickly see who it was and then dash upstairs to check on Lizzie V. The sight that greeted him as he pulled the heavy door open, however, left him rooted in place.

His heart was in his throat as he watched Heath jump out of the livery carriage and reach back to help Mother to the ground. Mother managed a smile for her younger son, but Jarrod could tell she was exhausted. He didn’t realize that he was holding his breath as Pete also jumped to the ground and Bart came around from the other side of the carriage. It was only when Pete said, “C’mon, runt, you’re finally home” and reached up to take the arm that was extended toward him that Jarrod could dare to let his breath out. Gene, Gene was all right.

“Ah, Pete, don’t you start calling me runt, too,” Gene groused. “And you don’t have to help me. I can walk just fine.”

“Uh-huh,” Peter scoffed. “Just like you could walk just fine getting off the train when you nearly took a header into the platform.”

“I just lost my balance was all,” the youngest brother protested. “It could happen to anyone. I don’t need everybody babying me. I’m fine.”

“Eugene,” Victoria might be exhausted but she could still sound stern, “you are not fine. You know the doctor says you still have a good deal of congestion in your lungs. You’re going to have to take it very easy for at least a month. We do not want to risk a relapse.”

“I’m not gonna have a relapse, Mother,” he rolled his eyes. “I’m feeling good. And I can’t be away from school for a whole month, Mother.”

“We’ll talk about that later, Eugene. And I don’t care how good you feel, young man. You’re going to lie down and take a nap before dinner,” she instructed.

Gene managed a very “put-upon” sigh and then shot Peter an exasperated look as his older brother continued to keep a firm grip on Gene’s upper arm.

“Look, runt,” Peter replied, “all I want to do is to turn you over to Pappy in one piece. After that, I’ll gladly quit being your warden and go back to being your big brother.”

Jarrod finally found his voice, “Well, I guess you can do that right now, Pete.”

“Jarrod,” Gene’s smile lit up his pale face when he saw his big brother standing in the doorway. His eyes twinkled as he pretended to beg, “Jarrod, make Pete and Heath quit picking on me. They keep trying to boss me around.”

The oldest brother’s heart jumped as he heard the young man’s teasing tone. Gene was going to be just fine. He might look tired and be a little unsteady on his feet, but his spirit was just fine. “All right, Pete, Heath, don’t pick on our baby brother,” Jarrod teased right back. “You know he’s Mother’s darling baby boy.”

“Ah, Jarrod,” Gene protested even as he stepped into his big brother’s embrace. “Don’t you start, too.”

“Just speaking the truth, baby brother,” Jarrod kept a strong arm around his brother’s shoulders and began to guide him into the house. “I can’t believe you all didn’t let us know you were coming.”

“Actually, we did send a telegram last night, but halfway figured that nobody would pick it up until sometime later today,” Heath said as he picked up a couple of the valises and started toward the house. “Once Gene’s fever broke and Mother could get him to start eating again, all she wanted to do was get him home.”

“Well, I’m glad you came on home,” the eldest brother replied as he glanced back again at Victoria. He was concerned about how tired she looked, but she smiled at him gently and her eyes seemed to promise that all was well with her . . . particularly now that she had all her family together. “We were getting a little tired of the ‘Gene holding his own stop rest of family well’ telegrams.”

“Hey, that was the message that Peter told me to send,” Barton defended himself as he also picked up some luggage. “I told him that you would want more details, but he just said that pretty much told the story.”

“The telegrams going the other direction weren’t any better,” Peter shot back as he picked up the last few items to take into the house. “‘Everything under control stop no influenza’ wasn’t much better.”

“Nick handled the telegrams from this end and you know how he is about keeping them short,” Jarrod smiled.

“Speaking of the devil, where is Nick?” Heath asked.

“Up on the North Ridge overseeing some brush burning,” he answered.

“More important,” Peter said as they all walked into the house, “where’s my family?”

“I was just going up to check on Lizzie V,” Jarrod said. “She’s still taking her afternoon nap. Sam and Audra took the little boys on a walk to gather wildflowers.”

“Well, I’ll check on Lizzie V.,” Peter replied quickly. “You see to the runt here, Pappy.”

“Hey,” Gene protested as Peter picked up some of the luggage and started up the stairs three at a time.

“That’s fine, squirt,” Jarrod shot back and gave Gene a quick wink.

“Hey!” it was Peter’s turn to protest the use of the childhood nicknames that Nick had pinned on them all as he disappeared onto the second floor.

As the others laughed, Victoria smiled softly. She loved to hear this banter between her children. But now she needed to get Eugene settled, “Gene, I wasn’t joking when I said you have to take a nap before supper. Now we need to get you upstairs and to bed, young man.”

Gene sighed and obediently stepped to the foot of the stairs. He placed a hand on the banister but then hesitated.

“Gene,” Heath said gently. “Do you need some help?”

“I really wanted to go upstairs on my own,” the young man said hesitantly. “But I don’t remember these stairs being quite this long.

“I’ll tell you what we can do,” Jarrod patted the young man’s shoulder. “Why don’t you come into the study and lie down there. You can take a nap there, like Mother wants. Then you can go in and have supper with us and maybe after that these stairs won’t seem so long.”

Gene looked over at this eldest brother gratefully, “Yeah, that’ll work, won’t it, Mother?”

Victoria felt some of the weight shift from her shoulders to Jarrod’s, “That will be fine, sweetheart. I just want to be sure that you get some rest after that long train ride.”

“Gene’s not the only one who needs some rest,” Jarrod pointed out rather firmly. “I think a nap would do you good, too, Mother.”

“I was thinking exactly the same thing, dear,” she smiled. As she turned to go up the stairs, Peter came trotting down them, “Is Lizzie V. still asleep?”

“Sound out of it,” he replied. “Didn’t even move when I gave her a kiss. She’ll be out of it for a little while yet. Jarrod, if you think you can keep an ear pointed her way for a bit longer, I think I’ll go see if I can find Sam and the boys.”

It was their mother who answered, “Don’t worry about Lizzie V. Jarrod doesn’t have to listen for her. I’ll go lie down in your room to take my nap.”

Peter beat Jarrod in delivering a quick chastising, “Now, Mother, you need to be resting, not looking after Lizzie V. I’ll just stay here and wait for Sam and the boys to get back.”

“Peter,” Victoria shook her head. “I have napped many times while my babies slept. Trust me, I’ll be able to have a nice rest while Lizzie V. finishes her nap. You go find Samantha and the little boys. I know how much you have missed them.”

Peter was clearly torn. He glanced over at “Pappy” for guidance. “Go on, Peter,” Jarrod nodded at him. “I think the rest of us can handle things here. Your wife and boys have missed you a good deal and I’m sure you’re just as eager to see them.”

The younger brother glanced back over at their mother who mouthed the word “go.” “Thanks, Jarrod,” he finally nodded his head. “I’m sure we’ll be back shortly. Bart, do you want to stay here or come with me.”

His partner smiled, “I think I would appreciate the opportunity to stretch my legs a little.”

“How about you, Heath?” Peter asked.

“I think I’m gonna take the rest of this luggage upstairs and then I’m gonna head out and find Nick. This cowboy was getting a little stir-crazy from being fenced up in the city for so long,” he winked at Peter. “I’ll see you later.”

The teasing words touched something in Eugene, who murmured, “Thanks for coming to help take care of me, Heath. I, ah, I really appreciate it.”

It was Heath’s turn to be taken aback, “Um, that’s okay, Gene. That’s just what brothers do.”

Gene nodded slowly, understanding that the tie that bound him and Heath had been strengthened in the past days, “Yeah, I guess it is.”

Jarrod let his youngest brothers share one more moment, then he gently squeezed Gene’s shoulder and urged, “Let’s get you settled in the study, Gene. I don’t think Mother is going to go upstairs and get some rest until she knows you’re taken care of.”

“I’m going,” she whispered, completely confident that Jarrod would see to her youngest child. “You rest well, darling. I’ll see you all at supper if not before.”

“You rest, too, Mother,” Gene said firmly.

“Yes, dear,” she turned to hide her smile. Even her baby was starting to watch over her.

Jarrod also hid a smile as he guided his youngest brother into the study. Peripherally, he was aware that Peter and Barton had left the house in search of Samantha, Audra, and the little boys. He also heard Heath leave a few minutes later, whistling happily. But, truthfully, all of his attention was on the young man he got settled on the settee in the study and carefully covered with a throw. Gene briefly protested all the attention, but in just a few minutes had fallen sound asleep. Jarrod glanced at the papers he had been working on. They would wait, he decided quickly. He pulled a chair beside the settee and simply sat watching his brother sleep. For the first time in days, Jarrod relaxed. All was right with his family.

* * * * * * * *

Barton Stievers couldn’t help chuckling as he lengthened his stride to keep up with his partner. Peter was obviously in a big hurry to find his wife and sons. It was interesting how a man who could be absolutely ruthless in a boardroom became so tender and affectionate with his family. Heavens, some people might even think Peter Barkley was a sentimental fool. Barton considered teasing him but instead just said, “Are you sure we’re going the right way to find them?”

“Yep,” Peter shortened his steps so that he could trot up the steep slope. “They’d head this way to pick wildflowers. Sam would want to walk some of the energy off the boys but still be sure that they’d have to carry only Nicky back. This is the best place.” As they crested the rise, he stopped and pointed to his right, “See, told you so. There they are.”

Sure enough, Samantha and Audra were standing together in the flower-covered meadow, both of them calling directions to the two little boys on the kinds of fall wildflowers that they wanted. A shrill whistle from Peter caused all four to turn toward the rise. It was Tom’s voice that broke the quiet of the beautiful afternoon, “Pappa, it’s Pappa! Look, Mamma, it’s Pappa!” The little boy took off running up the hill toward his father with his younger brother on his heels yelling, “Pappa! Pappa!”

Barton grinned widely as Peter started toward the boys at a fast trot; he didn’t bother trying to keep up. Because Tom was taller and his legs longer, he reached his father first and was rewarded with a high toss in the air and then a hug and a kiss. Peter timed it just perfect so that he could set Tom down and then scoop just arriving Nicky up and repeat the procedure. As he set Nicky back on his feet, he knelt down in front of his two boys and gathered them up in a big bear hug that brought gales of laughter from both. Barton reached the trio at the same time that Samantha and Audra came close enough to talk without shouting. He could clearly see the worry in both women’s eyes.

Peter responded to the look instantly, “Gene’s fine. He’s a little weak, and Mother needs to fatten him up some, but he’s going to be just fine. Everyone else if all right, too.”

Relief flowed over both women, and, now knowing that all was right with the world, Samantha allowed herself to seek the comfort and strength of her husband’s arms. As she stepped toward him, Peter moved to literally sweep her off her feet and kissed her long and hard before he made his lips move to her ear and whisper, “Oh, girl, I have missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too, cherie,” she whispered back and then turned her head to catch his lips again.

For a moment, Barton just enjoyed the sight of the couple so much in love, with their two little boys still clinging to their father’s legs. His eyes hesitantly shifted over to Audra’s face. For the first time, he saw what he had hoped for so long; it was the look. And Audra must have seen something in his face also, because she stepped across the small distance that separated them, straight into his arms. And Barton pulled her against him

“Barton, darling, I was so worried about you,” Audra whispered into his chest.

He hugged her close and soothed, “I’m fine, honey, really.”

“It just broke my heart when you said you were risking yourself because you had no family,” she pulled back to look into his eyes. “I don’t want you to ever think that again.”

“Oh,” a soft smile tilted the corners of his mouth, “I might have exaggerated on that just a little, hoping that I might break through that shell of yours and at least get a little sympathy if nothing else, honey.”

“Oh, Barton, you don’t know how much I’ve worried about you these past weeks. Knowing you were risking yourself,” her fingers went up to trace the familiar contours of his face. “I was so afraid something would happen to you and I would have never gotten a chance to tell you how much I love you, darling.”

For a heartbeat, Audra couldn’t believe how easily the words had spilled out of her mouth. And, instead of being embarrassed that she had been the first to say the words, instead of being scandalized that she had literally thrown herself at Barton without a bit of provocation on his part, she was just awed at having discovered what love truly felt like. It was just as Sam had said, she didn’t know when she had fallen in love with Barton Stievers, but she had. She knew he was the one she had been waiting for. And she was strangely not the least concerned about whether he felt the same way about her; she just instinctively knew that he did, that he had been patiently waiting for her to see what had been in front of her for months.

And Barton did not disappoint her, “I love you, too, honey.”

Peter had turned from his wife’s embrace to stare at the other couple, “Honey? Darling? What the hell is going on here?”

“They’re falling in love, Peter,” Samantha said softly, her smile lighting her eyes up.

“Falling in love?” he sputtered. “But, but, they haven’t even gone out to dinner together.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she laughed. “Love came anyway.”

“Well, when the hell did this happen?” Peter unconsciously did an outstanding Nick impression.

“Uh-oh, Pappa,” Nicky tugged at his father’s pants leg. “You’re not gonna like what Mamma does when she hears bad words.”

“Huh?” Peter looked down at his son and then at his wife and then back at the couple that stood just a few yards away, gazing blissfully into each other’s eyes. “I don’t have a clue what the hell is going on here.”

“Pappa!” Tom scolded.

“Come, mes chers,” Samantha laughed, “let’s go back to the house. I think Audra and Barton need some time to talk.”

“All right,” Peter said hesitantly, still staring at his little sister and his partner. He reached down to lift Nicky to his shoulders and then took one of Tom’s hands while Samantha took the other one. “Lizzie V. will be waking up soon and Mother’s too tired to have to take care of her.”

“I sincerely doubt that your mother would ever agree with that,” his wife laughed, swinging Tom’s arm in a wide arc.

With another glance back at Audra and Barton, Peter shook his head and then joined her laugh, “I think you might be right about that.”

Nicky twisted around on his father’s shoulders, “Aren’t Aunt Audra and Mr. Barton coming with us, Mamma?”

“No, cherie, I told you they need to talk,” she smiled up at her youngest son.

“Well, they’re not talking, Mamma. They’re kissing,” the little boy informed her.

“Really?” Peter started to turn but his wife’s stern voice stopped him.

“Peter, don’t you dare spy on them!”

“I’m not spying,” he said indignantly, but allowed his wife to tug them all over the berm and out of sight of the couple. “If they’re kissing out in the middle of a field, that’s not spying. Besides, I’m not sure how Jarrod will feel about me leaving them out here unchaperoned.”

Samantha snorted, “Jarrod is going to be just fine with this, trust me. And, don’t worry about Audra. She and Barton will behave themselves. Probably a whole lot better than you and I did.”

Peter’s head snapped around to look at his wife, “Good Lord, I sure as hell hope so.”

“Pappa!” Tom hissed as Nicky sighed and shook his head, “Oh, poor Pappa.”

* * * * * * * *

Heath had not found Nick on the North Ridge. Instead he was told that his older brother had ridden into town. Heath turned Charger toward Stockton, enjoying the wonderful feeling of riding across the open pastures, with only the trees blocking his view of the distant mountains. He was so glad to get out of the city. He sometimes wondered how Pete and Jarrod could stand being cooped up so much, but he guessed it was like his mama had always said. It was a good thing that everybody didn’t like the same thing because then they’d all be trying to crowd on the same half-acre.

He guided Charger onto the road to Stockton, and he had only ridden a mile when he saw the other horse headed his way. He reined up and waited, his smile widening.

“Hey, there,” Nick shouted as he neared. “Can’t believe you all sneaked back into town.”

“Didn’t sneak, Nick,” Heath replied innocently. "We rode in on a big clanky train.  Hard to call that sneaking."

"I know, I know," Nick shot back as he pulled Coco beside Charger, "but you didn't give us enough warning.  We'd have met you at the station."

"You know Mother.  Once she had decided that Gene could travel there was no holding her back.  She got us on the first train out.  We pretty much knew you wouldn't get the telegram in time to meet us."

"Gene's doing better?"

"Much.  Fever's gone and he's finally starting to eat."

"Mother's all right?  And Pete?"

"Everybody's fine."

"You do all right?  I was worried about you," Nick continued to study his younger brother's face closely.

Heath sighed, "I don't understand why everyone worries about me.  I'm fine.  You'd think I was some sickly old maid from the way everyone keeps acting."

"Well, hell, boy," Nick snorted.  "You do get sick awful easy."

"I do not," Heath protested.

“Yeah, right,” his older brother chuckled. “C’mon, boy, let’s get home. I want to see how Gene’s doing for myself. I don’t think you’re much of a judge of people being sick or well.” He turned Coco toward home and with a slap of the reins bolted off.

“Nick,” Heath shouted at his brother and then urged Charger to follow Coco. The brothers gave their mounts their heads and let the wind rushing past pull away any further words.

Chapter 15

Nick and Heath were the first to arrive back at the big house.  Uncharacteristically, Nick was quiet as he entered the front door and headed directly to the study where Heath had said Jarrod had taken Gene to rest before dinner. Biting his lower lip, he slowly opened the door to the room. His smile was almost tender as he beheld his oldest brother watching over his youngest. He stepped across the room and placed a light hand on Jarrod’s shoulder. Jarrod turned his head and tilted it up to look at Nick.

“How’s the boy?” Nick asked in a surprisingly soft voice.

“Fine,” Jarrod answered, equally as soft.

Nick slipped beside Jarrod’s chair and then crouched down so that he was on a level with Gene’s reclining body. He put out a gentle hand and brushed the locks of light brown hair that had fallen onto his baby brother’s forehead. “I don’t know, Jarrod. He doesn’t look that good to me. He’s lost weight and he’s awful pale,” Nick whispered.

“Well, he was a pretty sick boy, Nick, but he’s doing better now. He just needs to rest some and Mother will fatten him up a little and he’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

“What’s he doing down here? Shouldn’t he be upstairs in his bed?” Nick’s voice was a little louder as he demanded an explanation.

But Jarrod’s tone was still calm and soothing, “He wanted to walk upstairs on his own but the train and carriage trip just took a little bit too much out of him.”

Nick interrupted, “Sitting on a train and in a carriage took too much out of him? That’s not good, Jarrod. We better get Doc out here to check him.”

“I think he’ll be able to go upstairs after he has a little rest and some supper. I’m sure Mother’s going to send for Dr. Merar tomorrow anyway, but let’s let Gene have an evening without being poked and prodded. He’s not running any fever and he hasn’t been coughing. I think he’ll be all right for tonight.”

“All right, if you think that’s best,” Nick sighed and again gently stroked his baby brother’s hair.

“It’ll be fine, Nick,” Jarrod reached out to pat his brother’s shoulder.

Heath had remained in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb, just watching his brothers. He quietly walked across the room and poured three drinks and then carried the glasses to where Jarrod and Nick continued to watch over the sleeping young man. Both smiled their thanks for his thoughtful gesture but neither spoke or moved from his position. They both would have stayed there for hours, Heath realized, if it hadn’t been for the arrival of Pete and his family. While Nick had been able to curb his usual enthusiasm, his little namesake had not yet learned that skill. His mother’s shushing did no good as the little boy, released from his perch on his father’s shoulders, took off in search of his uncles.

“Uncle Heath, Uncle Gene,” the voice carried into the room and was loud enough to stir Eugene. In just a few moments, little Nicky dashed into the room and jumped straight into his Uncle Heath’s arms.

Eugene opened one eye and watched as Nicky secured a hug and then pulled away so that he could claim a hug from his other uncle. Nick reached out a hand to restrain Eugene from sitting up but the youngest brother just smiled and shook it off.

“Nicky!” Samantha reached the doorway too late to stop the disturbance. “Uncle Eugene was trying to sleep.”

“It’s all right,” Gene said as he swung his legs around to sit up and then reached out to hug his little nephew. “Hey, buddy, how are you?”

“I’m fine, Uncle Gene. You’s the one who’s sick, ‘member?” Nicky happily returned the hug.

Gene laughed, “Yeah, I remember but I’m all better.”

“Good,” the boy announced. “Wanna go play?”

Gene ruffled the boy’s hair, “Umm, I’m not quite up to playing yet, Nicky, but soon, I promise. Hey, there, Tom, am I gonna get a hug from you, too?”

“Sure, Uncle Gene,” the older brother came across the room and put his arms around his uncle’s neck. “I’m sorry you were sick, Uncle Gene.”

“Well, thank you, Tom,” Gene winked at the boy. “I’m doing much better now thanks to your Pappa and Uncle Heath and Grandmother.”

“Mamma was sick, too,” Nicky announced.

Heath’s, Gene’s, and Peter’s eyes all immediately swung to her face, the concern evident. Gene was the first to speak, “The influenza?”

“No,” she laughed softly. “Nothing like that. Just a little case of morning sickness.”

“Morning sickness?” Gene’s face lit up and Heath chuckled and added, “Well, boy howdy, another one, huh, Pete.”

But Peter sighed softly and reached over to gently grasp his wife’s arm and then to stroke it with his thumb, “I kinda figured it’d hit you about the time you got here.”

She gave a rueful nod of her head, “Second morning.”

“As bad as before?”

“About the usual,” she smiled up at him.

“Ah, Sam, I’m sorry,” Peter sighed again.

“Ah-ha,” Nick shouted, “so that’s the guilty look he gets. Well, rightfully so, since it’s all his fault.”

“Ah, Nick,” Peter winced. He really did feel guilty about Sam’s morning sickness. It tore at his heart to see her so sick. She was so good about it, even when the dry heaves gave her the shakes. He loved their babies but he hated what she had to go through to get them here.

“Now, Nick,” Samantha scolded, “I told you it isn’t all his fault. You just wait until you’re married and then you’ll see.”

Peter went on the attack, “Nick, married? Shoot, I’d feel really sorry for any woman who got tied up with brother Nick.”

“Oh,” Samantha reached over to tuck a hand around Nick’s arm, “I think Nick will make a wonderful husband and father. In fact, I think all your brothers will make wonderful husbands and fathers.”

“Oh, please,” Peter scoffed.

“You learn a lot about a man when he’s holding your hand while you try to hack up your toenails,” she grinned at Jarrod and Nick. Both men smiled back, albeit a little self-consciously.

“Jarrod and Nick held your hand?” her husband raised his eyebrows.

“You sent your family here for us to take care of and that’s what we did, little brother,” Nick said proudly. “And let me warn you, little brother, you better take real good care of that wife of yours or you’ll be answering to me.”

Peter smiled, knowing that his big brothers had, indeed, stepped in and taken care of his family. He tried to think of an appropriately smart comeback to Nick but failed. Instead, it was Gene who spoke up.

“Hey, Heath, you owe me,” the youngest brother winked.

“Owe you?” for a moment Heath was confused.

“Yep, you remember, when we had dinner at Pete and Sam’s a few weeks ago. Afterwards I bet you that there was a new little Barkley on the way,” Gene grinned widely. “You didn’t believe I could tell just by looking at Sam. I was right, wasn’t I, Sam?”

“Yes, you were,” she reached over to lovingly tug her youngest brother-in-law’s ear. “But how did you know?”

“You just had a glow about you,” he waggled his eyebrows at her. “That, and, uh, your dress was fitting a little tight across the top.”

Samantha blushed bright red and tugged his ear harder, “Eugene! You’re not supposed to be looking at my top!”

“Shoot, Sam,” Eugene laughed at her. “It’s sorta hard to miss.”

“Gene!” Sam hissed. She knew that her well-rounded bosom drew occasional comments between her brothers-in-law, but she didn’t realized that the youngest one actually took such close notice that he would detect the swelling that came with early pregnancy.

Peter reached over and gently wacked the top of Gene’s head, “Gene, quit ogling my wife. You embarrass her.”

“Hey,” Gene ducked his head. “All I’m wanting is the money that Heath owes me!”

“Here, here,” Heath dug into his pocket and came across the room to hand Gene the silver dollar and then reached out to give his little brother’s head a hard rub. “Now, behave yourself.”

“Sure, Gene handily flipped the coin in the air. “Say where’s Audra and Barton?”

“Yes, where are Audra and Barton?” Jarrod looked over at Peter.

“Well, we left them standing in the middle of a field of flowers,” Peter started.

“What?” Nick demanded.

“They was kissing, Uncle Nick,” Nicky’s green eyes twinkled as he tattled on his aunt.

“Kissing?” Nick’s voice increased in volume a notch. “What the hell is going on?”

“Uncle Nick,” Tom rolled his eyes.

“That’s just what Pappa said, Uncle Nick,” Nicky grinned broadly.

“I did not,” Peter denied the accusation.

“Yes, you did, Pappa,” Tom folded his arms across his chest, his calm blue eyes almost daring his father to contradict him.

Peter gave his older son an exasperated look and started to protest again but was interrupted by the arrival of Audra and Barton, both of them smiling broadly. “Well, it’s about time you two showed up,” Peter began.

Nick picked up his brother’s sentence and tone, “Yeah, just what the hell is going on here?” He wrinkled his nose at Tom’s exasperated look.

“Nothing,” Audra said with a toss of her head and then moved to hug her little brother’s neck and kiss his cheek. “Oh, Gene, I’m so relieved. We were all so worried about you.”

“I’m fine, Sis, really,” Gene winked at her.

“Well, you don’t look exactly fine, but I have a feeling that Mother’s already planning menus with all your favorites so you’ll get there soon, I’m sure,” she kissed his cheek again.

“So what’s this about you and Barton?” Gene teased, his eyes twinkling.

“None of your business, nosey little brother,” she gently slapped his arm and stood back up.

“Well, shoot, with all that ‘darling’ and ‘honey’ stuff flying around out there in the meadow I sure didn’t think you were trying to keep anything a secret. I was just thinking I might need to head back out to check on the two of you,” Peter interjected.

“Ignore them, Barton, they’re just being meddling brothers,” Audra slipped back to his side and slid her hand around his arm.

“Oh, no,” he laid a strong hand over hers. “I’m no fool. When you decide to court a woman with five brothers, you know that you have to pay attention to all of them or else you run the risk of bodily injury.”

“Court?” Jarrod raised an eyebrow.

Barton looked down into Audra’s laughing eyes and calmly said, “Yes, court.”

“Well, well,” Jarrod crossed his arms and rocked on his heels, “this is a little bit of surprise. But a very pleasant one, I have to admit.”

Barton’s eyes were twinkling as he looked back up at Audra’s guardian. He understood that he had just received Jarrod’s permission to woo Audra. His eyes moved to the other brother’s faces. All of them seemed to be sizing him up but behind the scrutinizing there seemed to be barely veiled smiles. He had a good feeling about his future with this family. He didn’t understand the special look that was shared by Samantha and Jarrod or quite make out what words Samantha mouthed. Substance not flash? Was that right? Well, it didn’t matter. He liked the look on Jarrod’s face.

“Hey,” Gene interrupted, “I just remembered. Pete, you owe me.”

“What?” Peter snapped. “What do you mean, I owe you!”

“Yeah, back about two months ago, I told you that something was happening between Bart and Audra and you told me I was crazy. I bet you then that they’d be spending time together before Christmas came. I was right about that, too.”

Peter started to deny the bet, but then the memory of the backyard conversation after Audra’s trip into San Francisco to pick up her dress for that wedding came back. Dang, he had bet Gene. Barton had seemed to be happy skipping from one Frisco socialite to the next, and Audra had not seemed to be overly interested in the New Yorker. How had he missed this? “Well,” he finally allowed as he pulled out a silver dollar and tossed it to Gene. “I guess you’re just extremely lucky today.”

“It’s not luck!” Gene instantly protested. “I’m just extremely observant about things.”

“Uh huh,” Peter scoffed as the rest of the family laughed.

Victoria carefully carried her granddaughter down the hall towards the stairway. She could hear the myriad of voices downstairs. Her family, all together, laughing and talking. It was such a joyous sound. The nap had done wonders for her but this sound, the sound of family, this is what truly renewed her strength.

“Me Pappa,” Lizzie V. whispered when she heard one particular voice.

“Do you hear your pappa, sweetheart?” Victoria kissed the baby’s cheek. “I told you that Pappa was here. He missed his darling Lizzie V. so much.”

She carried the baby down the stairs and toward the study. Just outside the door, she set the little girl on her feet and urged her toward the voices. Lizzie V., one finger in her mouth, slipped into the room unnoticed. She went straight for her father and tugged gently at his pants leg. Peter, however, was too busy teasing with Audra and Barton to notice the little tug. The baby tried again and again failed to get a response.

Lizzie V. stepped back and put her hands on her hips. “Me Pappa!” she demanded in an amazingly loud voice.

Everyone stopped talking and all heads turned toward the tiny little girl

Peter was the first to speak and it was with a soft chuckle, “Well, isn’t that Victoria Barkley through and through.”

The comment brought a few snickers and Victoria, who had quietly stepped into the room, immediately put her hands on her hips and demanded, “Now, what’s that supposed to mean.”

Peter fought hard to keep his smile under control as his eyes moved pointedly from his mother to his daughter and back. Suddenly understanding, Victoria hesitantly moved her hands off her hips and self-consciously moved one up to touch her lips. The snickers became outright laughs. As Peter reached down to swoop his daughter up, Victoria allowed herself to join the laughter.

“There’s my Lizzie V.,” Peter crooned as he kissed his daughter’s cheek. “Did you miss your pappa?”

The baby, now thoroughly content, nodded and whispered, “Me Pappa. Horsey.”

“Yes, Pappa plays horsey with his beautiful Lizzie V., doesn’t he,” Peter jounced the baby playfully.

“Pappa horsey,” Lizzie V. nodded. And then she cut her eyes, dimpled sweetly, and pointed toward her Uncle Jarrod, “Pattycake.”

As Peter’s face fell, Samantha tried to smother her laugh and failed miserably.

“Lizzie V., are you telling me there’s another man in your life, my princess?” Peter demanded. “This is not supposed to happen until you’re six and have your first schoolroom conquest.”

Jarrod reached out to take Lizzie V.’s little hand, “It’s all right, Pete. She still loves her pappa the best.”

“She better,” Peter pouted. “Leave my children with you for a couple of weeks and you try to steal my little princess’s heart.”

“Well, next time don’t be gone so long,” Jarrod shook a finger at his little brother.

“Wasn’t our plan to be gone so long; Gene was not the most cooperative of patients,” Peter protested.

“Eugene,” Jarrod pretended to be upset and used his sternest voice, “did you misbehave, young man?”

“I didn’t misbehave,” Eugene denied the charge. “It’s just that they were always trying to make me drink stuff when I just wanted to sleep.”

“Well, things weren’t going too good until Heath came up with the trick of getting Gene to eat some ice mixed with maple syrup,” Peter grinned over at his younger brother. He added, “We have Miss Leah to thank for us getting Gene back on track.”

The room of adults let the comment stand with gentle smiles directed toward Heath, but Tom asked the obvious, “Who’s Miss Leah?”

His father answered automatically, “She was Uncle Heath’s mama.”

“But Grandmother’s name is Victoria,” Tom said quickly, obviously confused.

The whole room seemed to hold its breath, wondering how best to answer the small boy. Peter crouched down so that he was at eye level with his two sons, “Well, you see, Uncle Heath was very lucky. He had both a mama and a mother, and they both loved him very, very much.”

Tom frowned slightly and then nodded his head as he accepted the simple explanation.

Nicky, however, quickly asked, “Did they both wash his mouth out with soap?”

The room broke into a loud laugh. It was Heath who reached down and swooped the little boy up, “Nah, only one of them!”

“So far,” Victoria said pointedly and reached out to squeeze Heath’s arm and then rose on her tiptoes to kiss Nicky’s cheek.

Laughter again filled the room and half a dozen different conversations started. Victoria stood back from the group for several moments, watching the interaction between her children. Yes, they were all her children: Samantha, definitely, and Barton, surprisingly already claiming her love through the way he so obviously adored her only daughter. She watched the smiles that were shared, the arm around a shoulder, the teasing ruffling of hair, the gentle pat on an arm. Something good had happened over the past two weeks. Her family had become stronger. The ties that bound them had been reinforced. Samantha and Audra, becoming closer than sisters. Peter and Heath, during their care of Eugene, developing a mutual admiration and affection and that unique big brother protectiveness over their youngest brother. And something very special between Samantha and Nick and Jarrod had grown here at the ranch, their looks filled with caring and devotion. And then there was what had happened between she and her Peter. He had let down the last of the walls that he had built around his heart, and she, in turn, had given him glimpses of a father who had been just as overwhelmed by the complex responsibilities of being a parent as Peter himself sometimes was. Yes, something very good had happened.

THE END