Eagle When She Flies

By Torie

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.

Summary: During the episode “They Called Her Delilah” Julia Saxon comes to town with a mysterious dark haired girl.

Maureen Saxon sat on the train as she and her mother Julia went to Stockton. Julia often liked to sing in different people in the South, but this was the first time that Julia had allowed Maureen to accompany her during her school's Fall Break.

Maureen loved her mother, but she wasn't sure who her father was, even though her mother was married to him at one time. Maureen was only a wide-eyed thirteen-year-old with black hair and bright blue eyes. She didn't look anything like her mother.

Her mother had ash-blonde hair and gray eyes. Her mother was beautiful, more so than Maureen who felt she was plain and homely. Maureen's thoughts turned to her clothes. Maureen was wearing a creme cloth shirtwaist and a brownish-pink skirt. Her long black hair was pinned back and fell in cascades down her back. It looked like a brook of black satin.

"Stockton! Stockton! Next stop Stockton!" The conductor yelled through the train.

Maureen stood up to help her mother get the bags down. The train stopped in the depot. To Maureen's alarm a crowd of people stood there in the depot. Maureen's heart tightened with a clench as everyone stared hatefully at her mother.

Maureen gripped her mother's free hand and her face was expressionless as she and Julia walked down the train, holding each other's hand tightly. Maureen felt slightly warm as the California sun pelted her face and back.

"Get out of here, you Delilah! And take your sin with you!" A red-faced woman yelled.

Maureen tensed and her face turned red with embarrassment. She was "The Sin." Even though her parents were married a lot of people, even in the South, said she was a sin and that God wouldn't let her into Heaven because she didn't know her father and he had divorced her mother.

Maureen's pale blue eyes looked terrified as two men stood in their path. Maureen pushed a stray wisp of black hair behind her ear and swallowed any fear she felt.
"Please let us through," Maureen asked in a thin, clear voice.

"I'm Ross Parker and this is my brother Ward. Matt Parker was our brother," Ross said.

Julia's breath hitched and she squeezed her daughter's hand hard. Maureen looked at her mother puzzled. "Mom, who's Matt Parker?" Maureen asked.

"You mean she never told you, Brat?" Ward asked, shocked.

"No. I don't even know who my father is," Maureen said.

"Please let us through," Julia said.

The two men blocked their way again. "They have a right to be here!" Sheriff Fred Madden said, coming to their rescue.

Maureen wilted with relief as the man with the badge showed up.

"Thank you," Julia said.

Maureen and Julia continued to walk down the sidewalk. After a man refused to let them on his wagon, Maureen and Julia had to walk in the now-sweltering sun.

A trickle of sweat ran down Maureen's forehead and she wiped it with her sleeve. As Maureen looked to the right she saw a man looking at her and Julia through his window. She read the name on the window: JARROD BARKLEY: COUNSELOR-AT-LAW. A Lawyer. But it didn't explain why he was looking at her and her mother. It was like they'd grown two heads.

Julia and Maureen stopped in front of the concert hall. Julia gestured to her daughter and Maureen started to knock. Repeatedly. The crowd that was gathered started to snigger as no one answered.

Jarrod was in his office watching the mayhem on the street. Julia and the girl had gotten to Stockton safely. He just didn't know if they'd leave safely. Jarrod looked at the girl knock on the door. Her black hair was shiny with sweat and cascaded down her back, almost to her waist. The girl didn't look like Julia, but the way she held her hand showed they were close.

Jarrod sat back down at his desk when his sister Audra came in. Audra went to the window.

"I can't believe that woman has the nerve to show her face in Stockton after what she did," Audra said.

"Where would you like to eat, young lady?" Jarrod asked.

And she also has to bring that illegitimate daughter with her. Matt Parker's brothers have said that she has no clue that her father is," Audra said, not even hearing Jarrod's question.

"How old is she?" Jarrod asked.

"About 12 or 13 at the very least. She looks a lot like you," Audra said.

Jarrod froze. Was it possible that Julia was pregnant with his child when he divorced her? If that was true did the girl know about him? Did she know that her father lived in Stockton?

Jarrod stuck his pen back into its inkwell. "Well, I suppose you won't join me for lunch?" Jarrod said with false cheer.

"What makes you think that?" Audra asked.

"I'll join you in a minute Honey, if you wait outside," Jarrod said, pulling out a sheet of paper.

Jarrod read over the words briskly. Dear Jarrod, I'm coming to Stockton. I have a child with me, Love Julia.

Could Julia have been trying to tell him that the child was his child? The girl would have been the right age if that were true. I wonder what her name is, Jarrod thought as he stood up and joined Audra

Maureen just shoved a case of petticoats and undergarments under her bed. Maureen's forehead was shiny with sweat and she wiped her forehead with her sleeve. Julia had on a strapless sequined black dress and was brushing her ash-blonde hair.

"Mom, you look great," Maureen said.

"Thank you, my dear. Will you be all right by yourself?" Julia asked.

"Of course, Mom. I can take care of myself. I'm not 3 years old, you know," Maureen said.

"I know you're not. Take care of the room and don't open the door to strangers," Julia said strictly.

"What if you get in trouble, Mom? The people in this town hate you," Maureen said, her fear reflected in her pale blue eyes.

"If I get in trouble don't leave the hotel unless it's with the sheriff or a man named Jarrod Barkley," Julia said.

"Jarrod Barkley? I saw that name on a building in town and some man looking at us when we arrived. Is he a lawyer?" Maureen asked.

"Yes. I met your father and I met Jarrod during the Civil War 14 years ago," Julia said.

"Mom, did he know my dad?" Maureen asked.

"No. Your dad was a Union soldier from Connecticut, while Jarrod worked in the War Department office in Washington D.C." Julia lied.

"Mom, I love you. And knock 'em dead," Maureen said, kissing her mother's cheek.

"I love you too, my little angel-baby," Julia said.

"Mooom!!" Maureen yelped, blushing a deep red.

Julia laughed at her daughter's chagrin and kissed her forehead lightly. "Good night, Sweetheart," Julia said.

That night at the Barkley dinner table Julia and Maureen Saxon were the object of the discussion.

Victoria looked at Jarrod the whole time. She was the only one who knew that Jarrod had married Julia and the girl might have been his daughter.

"Does the girl have a name?" Heath Barkley asked, bringing the attention back to Maureen.

"I don't know. I think I heard someone call her Maureen. I read the hotel register and it was under Julia Saxon's name," Audra said.

"You don't know what Julia Saxon did Heath to make people hate her," Nick said.

"It was during the war. People should just forget about it like I did Carterson," Heath said.

"The people of Stockton are not willing to forget what Julia Saxon did to the North or Matt Parker," Audra said.

"But a lot of people defected on both sides during the war!" Heath protested.

"But she was not Southern! She was born in the North!" Audra said.

"What is the girl like?" Heath asked.

"Jarrod and myself only saw her briefly. She has black hair and is tall for her age. She's probably 13 or 14 at least. She would have been born in 1863 or 1864," Audra said.

"What about the girl's father?" Heath asked.

"The girl doesn't even know who her father is. People think she's illegitimate," Audra said.

"With no father around I could see where people could think that," Nick said.

"Nick, that child didn't ask that she never know who her father is and also, maybe, she's like me. She might be like her father, whoever he might be," Heath said.

Victoria smiled at Heath. Since Heath was born of her husband and another woman he had a soft spot for children born in the same situation.

Victoria turned her gaze to Jarrod. His eyes were sad as the family talked. He was the only one not talking. Obviously Jarrod felt that the girl might be his.

"Jarrod, you haven't said a word," Heath said.

Jarrod stood up. "I have to go back to the office," Jarrod said.

"At night?" Audra queried.

"I'll be back later," Jarrod said, kissing the top of Victoria's head.

"What's wrong with him?" Heath asked after Jarrod left.

"He hates Julia Saxon more than anyone. Matt Parker was his best friend," Nick said.

"Apparently you two have already strung her up," Victoria said looking at Nick and Audra, trying to change the subject. If Jarrod went to town that wasn't her business. Victoria had the strangest feeling that Jarrod would be bringing Julia and Victoria's unknown Barkley granddaughter to the ranch. After dinner Victoria would go up to straighten two rooms for them.

Maureen was trying to read some metaphysical poetry in her room without any success. Since school had broken for Fall Break Maureen had submerged herself in anything for the Renaissance and Shakespeare. Besides poetry Maureen loved to sing. She was always singing Bach, Schubert, and Handel.

Tonight was different though. Mom was down at the music hall. The men and women in the town were hotheads and would have killed Mom. This was one night that Maureen wished she could see Mom sing.

Maybe I still can, Maureen thought.

She closed her book with a clap and hopped off the bed, straightening her brown skirt and buttoning the sleeves of her red shirtwaist.

Maureen locked the door and ran all the way to the concert hall. The hall was packed. Maureen stood next to a gentleman with dark hair. Julia came out. She looked around the room. Maureen grinned faintly as her mother's eyes met hers.

Julia started to sing. To Maureen Julia had an angel voice that she always loved. Maureen looked at the man next to her and tugged at his coat sleeve.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Maureen asked.

Jarrod looked into a matching pair of his blue eyes and nodded.

"Where's my manners? My name's Maureen Saxon. Julia Saxon is my mother," Maureen said.

"Jarrod Barkley," Jarrod said, wishing that Maureen would go away.

"Mom said that she and my father met you in Washington," Maureen said.

Jarrod looked back at her again. Jarrod's stomach nearly turned over. This WAS his daughter! She had her father's hair coloring and blue eyes. Her skin coloring was an olive-colored tan and she had his smile. Right now his daughter was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. By then Julia had stopped singing.

"Way to go, Mom!" Maureen yelled in a triumphant smug voice.

Everyone turned to her. Jarrod knew now that Maureen had no clue who he was. That he WAS her father. If Maureen had known then she would have been angry or refused to talk.

Jarrod looked up at Julia. She smiled slightly at their daughter.

"I know a thirteen-year-old that has a voice like an angel. Would you like to hear her sing?" Julia asked.

"Mom, I only sing Bach, Schubert, and Handel!" Maureen protested.

'Then come up here and sing Bach, Schubert, and Handel," Julia said.

"No! I don't want people to hiss or boo at me!" Maureen said.

Jarrod resisted the urge to hug his daughter. Right now it would not do to have Maureen learn who he was. He would build the relationship with her slowly until he felt she was ready to know.

"At least the kid is smarter than her terrible mother!" A shrewish voice yelled.

"My mom is not terrible! How dare you say that about her!!" Maureen said angrily, her face turning bright red.

Maureen started to go to the person who said it when Jarrod grabbed her arm in a vice-like grip.

Jarrod scooped her up into his arms and carried her to his office. Maureen tried to claw his back with her sharp fingernails. When Jarrod put her down, he looked into her anger-filled blue eyes. His blue eyes.

"Stay here," Jarrod ordered sharply in a tone Maureen knew not to argue with.

It was almost as if Jarrod was her father, but Maureen found that thought depressing. Her father was not someone she liked to think about too often.

Maureen paced Jarrod's office, as he appeared to be gone a long time. Why did he bring her here? What was happening to Julia? The idea of someone killing Julia made Maureen shiver from head to foot.

The door opened abruptly and Jarrod entered the office. Following him was Julia! Maureen nearly melted with relief at seeing her mother alive and all right. Julia was wearing Jarrod's coat and had a red mark on her face.

"Mom, are you all right? What happened to your face?" Maureen asked.

"Yes I'm all right and someone hit me with an apple core, Angel-baby," Julia said.

"Mooom! Not in front of strangers!" Maureen looked at Jarrod, her face turning red.

Jarrod grinned inwardly at the term of endearment that Julia used on their daughter. The name fit her. Jarrod stored the name in his mind to use later on her.

"I'm going to tell the sheriff that you are going to stay at the ranch," Jarrod said.

"I don't know Jarrod. The people in this town are bloodthirsty," Julia said.

"Mom, what did you do? Tell me please. And who's Matt Parker?" Maureen asked.

"Maureen, you are too young to understand what I did during the Civil War," Julia said.

"Mom, I'll be fourteen in five months. I have to know," Maureen said.

"They are things that will hurt you and I swore when you were born never to hurt you," Julia said.

"Mom, the people of Stockton don't like us because of something you did. Tell me," Maureen said.

Julia looked into Maureen's piercing blue eyes. Julia looked at Jarrod. Maureen WAS her father's daughter all right. Julia couldn't lie to her daughter. That was the reason Jarrod had left her to begin with.

"I was not born in the South. I defected to the Southern cause 4 years before I ever met your father," Julia said.

"So you betrayed the North?" Maureen asked.

"I also became a spy. When your father found out I was a spy he annulled the marriage. Then I found out I was going to have a baby. I couldn't bring myself to tell your father about you," Julia said.

"What could he have done if he knew?" Maureen asked.

Jarrod grinned. His daughter had no clue that she could have come to Stockton to see him or he could have paid for her schooling.

"I was afraid your father would hate you because of me. Or he could have taken you from me. Now I don't think your father would have done that," Julia looked at Jarrod when she said that.

"Mom, who's Matt Parker?" Maureen asked.

"I'll tell you later. Jarrod, thank you for getting her out of that concert hall. I don't want to see her get hurt or killed," Julia said.

"I think I understand, Julia," Jarrod said.

Jarrod did truly understand. If anyone did hurt his new daughter he would have felt the same way that Julia did. Jarrod felt this strong parental love for this child that was new and different. It didn't matter if Julia was Maureen's mother. As long as Jarrod was alive Maureen would be his daughter and a Barkley. She would have a permanent place in the family and the San Joaquin Valley.

The ground was shrouded in fog as Jarrod drove the wagon back to the Barkley ranch. Maureen sat next to him and Julia sat besides her. The weather was wet and damp. Maureen could smell the rich damp earth. It was a rotting wood smell, but it was also a new fall smell.

Maureen exhaled a soft sigh. "What's the matter?" Jarrod asked.

"It smells good out here, Mr. Barkley," Maureen said.

"Maureen that smells like rot" Julia said, taking a deep smell.

"That's the smell, Mom. I love that smell," Maureen said.

Jarrod stopped the wagon before a small graveyard. "What are we doing here?" Julia asked.

Jarrod stopped at an iron fence. The moon came out to reveal the name on the headstone Jarrod was reading. Matt Parker.

Julia and Maureen joined him at the fence. Julia looked down at her daughter. Jarrod gently covered his daughter's small hand with his large hand as she stood there.

"I never meant to hurt you and Matt, Jarrod," Julia said.

"It didn't matter with me, but you did hurt Matt. He loved you," Jarrod said bitterly.

"Mr. Barkley, how did he die?" Maureen asked.

"He was accused of being a traitor and was hanged," Jarrod said.

Maureen's blue-eyed stare turned into shock. “Mom you killed that poor man, didn’t you?” Maureen asked.

"No! If he died because of me it was an accident," Julia said.

"Mom, how do you accidentally kill a man? Did you kill Dad too?" Maureen asked.

"No! I loved your dad," Julia was shocked that her daughter doubted her when it came to Jarrod.

Jarrod wasn't shocked however. Maureen was finding things out. If Maureen doubted her mother's honesty maybe then he could tell her the truth. Right now she couldn't handle the truth.

Jarrod, holding his daughter's tanned hand, led Maureen and Julia back to the wagon.

Nick and Heath were playing checkers when Jarrod entered the house with Julia and Maureen.

"A little late coming home aren't you Pappy?" The tall dark-haired man said.

"These are my brothers, Nick and Heath," Jarrod said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Julia said, shaking their hands.

"This is my-Julia's daughter, Maureen. And this is Julia Saxon," Jarrod said.

Nick's face turned hard with hate and a smug expression entered his eyes. "Mom, this is a bad idea," Maureen said.

Julia stepped on Maureen's foot to shut her up. "Why'd you bring them here?" Nick asked.

"There was a problem in town. It would be safer if they stayed here," Jarrod said.

"Well they are truly welcome here," Victoria said behind them. The men, Julia, and Maureen turned to face her.

"Julia, Maureen this is my mother, Victoria Barkley. Mother, this is Julia Saxon and her daughter Maureen," Jarrod said.

"Welcome to the ranch, Miss Saxon," Victoria said to Julia.

"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Barkley. This is my daughter Maureen," Julia said.

Victoria looked at the young girl cowering shyly behind Julia. She had jet-black hair and the brightest pair of blue eyes. Victoria's mind reeled at this. Correction, she had Jarrod's hair color and Jarrod's eyes. This was his daughter. Her hunch had been correct.

Victoria felt sorry for this girl. She was terrified of her father's family. Victoria grabbed Maureen by the arm and pulled her out past Julia. Her dark hair, eyes, nose, and ears screamed out that she was Jarrod's. "What a beautiful girl," Victoria said.

"Mrs. Barkley, I'm not pretty," Maureen said.

"You don't think you are?" Victoria asked.

"Nope. My mom, now she's pretty. I'm just very plain," Maureen said.

Victoria smiled and laid a hand on her thin cheek. "I don't think you're ugly," Victoria said.

"I'm the ugliest girl in the world!" Maureen exclaimed. She then yawned loudly.

"This girl is worn out! I'm going to take her upstairs," Victoria said. Victoria wrapped an arm around her granddaughter's thin shoulder and helped her upstairs.

Jarrod looked at his daughter as she went upstairs. His daughter was going to sleep for the first time under his roof. He was going to ask Julia if Maureen could stay with him for the rest of the week. It was time Maureen knew who her father was and his people.

Maureen woke up early the next morning. Victoria had put her in a lavish bedroom with a pastel-colored quilt on the bed. Maureen wore a yellow silk nightgown with her long hair braided.

Maureen swung out of her bed and changed into her red shirtwaist and rumpled brown skirt. Since Maureen and Julia had left town last night they didn't take any extra clothes with them.

Maureen unbraided her hair and brushed it out. Her black hair glimmered like a mirror as the sun sparkled on it. Maureen opened the door to her room. And went down the stairs to the dining room.

The sounds in the dining room were less than pleasant. Nick and Jarrod were upset at someone. That someone had to be Julia.

"So why did you hide her from me?" Jarrod's voice raged.

"Jarrod, you said you no longer wished to be married to me! I didn't want Maureen to start asking questions why her rich, lawyer father didn't want to live with her. It was bad enough when she was five and she cried when kids made fun of her for not having a daddy," Julia said.

""But you hid her from her father!" Nick's voice rumbled.

"I had no choice! Jarrod, you said that you wanted nothing else to do with me! I thought that our baby was no different! And I also thought you'd take her from me," Julia said.

"What? Jarrod Barkley IS my father?" Maureen asked in shock after hearing this exchange.

That would explain why Jarrod looked at her in a fatherly way and tried to protect her last night. But why did Julia lie to her about Jarrod? And did Jarrod know about her before? Maureen pushed open the door to the dining room.

Julia was seated next to Victoria and Audra. Jarrod was next to his brothers.

"Good morning, Angel-baby. I hope you slept well," Julia said.

"Mom, how many times do I have to tell you I hate that name?" Maureen's voice was sharp and raw with pain.

"Maureen Victoria Saxon, watch your tone of voice when you’re talking to me. I'm still your mama, Missy," Julia said, sternly.

Maureen looked at Jarrod. He was looking at her with love and kindness in his blue eyes.

"I heard your conversation," Maureen said flatly.

Jarrod started at this announcement. Maureen had heard this conversation! So much for keeping his identity a secret from her!

Jarrod stood up and walked over to her. He pushed her face up so he could talk to her. "Maureen, I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I wanted to get to know you before I told you," Jarrod said.

"I don't care," Maureen said blandly.

"Maureen, you don't mean that!" Jarrod said shocked.

"If you are my father you never cared about me!" Maureen said, her voice splintered with tears and anger.

"Maureen, I never knew you existed. That was not my fault!" Jarrod said.

"I don't know who else to be mad at!" Maureen said.

"You could be mad at me, Sweetheart. I hid you from your father. It was the cruelest thing I could have done to the both of you," Julia said.

Jarrod turned his daughter's face back to meet his eyes. "Maureen, I want to love you. Will you give me a chance to be your father?" Jarrod asked.

Maureen lowered her eyes and shook her head "no". "I think you are too late, Mr. Barkley," Maureen said.

Jarrod felt a brief flash of pain enter his heart. His daughter wanted nothing to do with him. "Maureen, I love you," Jarrod said, trying to sway his daughter's mind.

"I don't know you. And you don't even know me," Maureen said.

"I want to. Will you let me?" Jarrod asked, leveling his eyes with hers.

"I'll be leaving in a week," Maureen said.

Julia said you are on Fall Break for school. Where do you go to school?" Jarrod asked.

"Butterfield in Sacramento, California," Maureen said.

"Well you can visit me then. Sacramento is not far from Stockton and you can come here for Christmas," Jarrod said.

"Do I have a choice?" Maureen asked.

"No you don't Honey," Jarrod said.

"Okay, but this doesn't mean I like you," Maureen said.

"May I be allowed to hug you?" Jarrod asked.

"I guess that's okay, Mr. Barkley," Maureen said.

Jarrod pulled his daughter into his arms. Maureen's face buried itself into her father's shoulder. Jarrod's hands rubbed her back and soft, thick hair. While Jarrod hugged her she took a deep smell of his shoulder. A pleasant, rich smell filled her nose. It smelled like cologne, cigars, and aftershave mixed together. It was like a summer breeze.

Jarrod was driving toward Stockton with Julia and Maureen. Maureen looked at her father for the millionth time. Jarrod was handsome, but Maureen still felt angry with him for not knowing that there could have been a baby.

Julia grabbed the reins, nearly causing Maureen to lose what little breakfast she had eaten.

"Mom!" Maureen said exasperated.

"Julia, what is it?" Jarrod asked.

"I know you want me to go back to the South, Jarrod," Julia said.

"I'd think you would be safer there," Jarrod said.

"I can't Jarrod. I have to have money to keep Maureen in school," Julia said. Jarrod looked at his daughter.

Maureen turned her electric-blue eyes away from her father's own electric-blue eyes and clenched her small fists tight on her knees.

"Julia, I could pay the bills for her education. Nothing is holding you here and the people of this town hate you," Jarrod said.

"Like you, Mr. Barkley?" Maureen asked.

"What?" Jarrod asked, shocked.

"You hate Mom, don't you?" Maureen asked.

"Maureen, I don't hate your mother. True, I don't have the love I used to have for her, but that doesn't mean I hate her. And I know that I love you," Jarrod said, reining the horses.

"But if you really love me you would have found out if I existed," Maureen said.

Jarrod couldn't argue with that. His daughter was right. He should have found out if Julia had a baby. If he had he could have arranged visitation rights with his daughter. His daughter could have grown up knowing who her father was.

"Maureen, I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I would never intentionally abandon any of my children," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I can't go back to the South. I have a commitment to the owner of the concert hall, " Julia said.

"Mom, maybe Daddy's right. You should go back to Louisiana and I could go back to school this afternoon," Maureen said, fear reflected in her pale blue eyes.

Julia smiled at her daughter. She knew how hard that was for Maureen to call her father "Daddy." "What did I tell you about promises, Maureen?" Julia asked.

"Always keep them and if you can't make a break for it?" Maureen asked, a cheeky grin on her face.

"I didn't say that, Miss Cheeky!" Julia exclaimed.

Maureen snorted and started to giggle. Jarrod smiled and finally started to laugh as well. His laugh made Maureen giggle more. It was a terrific, incredible laugh and Maureen loved the sound of it. Julia finally had to admit what Maureen said was funny. Julia started to laugh too.

Jarrod was finishing his noon meal when he heard someone knock on the door.

Since Jarrod was the only one home he answered the door. It was Fred Madden.

"Fred," Jarrod greeted his friend.

"Jarrod, this isn't a social call. Mc Pierson’s has been murdered," Fred said bluntly.

"What? How did it happen?" Jarrod asked unbelievingly.

"I've arrested Julia Saxon for the murder," Fred said.

Jarrod's heart slammed into his chest. What about the girl? How is Maureen?" Jarrod asked.

"She's at the jail with her mother. When Julia got arrested she refused to leave her. Jarrod, why are you so concerned about Maureen Saxon? It's not like you're her father," Fred said.

"Fred, I am her father. Maureen Saxon is my daughter," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, you're that girl's father? Why doesn't she live with you?" Fred asked shocked. It was no wonder that the girl seemed familiar. She was Jarrod's daughter. That explained the black hair and blue eyes.

"Julia hid Maureen from me when Maureen was born. I just found out about her," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I'm going to tell you this as a friend. I think you should forget about Julia Saxon. She's not worth your concern," Fred said.

"Does that mean that I ignore my baby girl too?" Jarrod asked.

"Well considering whom her mother is it might be best," Fred said.

Jarrod felt angry. He felt like hitting Fred for saying that. He was told now to pretend that he didn't have a daughter. He couldn't do that to Maureen. She was his daughter and, now that she existed, he would keep her.

Jarrod went to hitch up the buggy and went to town.

Maureen had fallen asleep on the cot in her mother's jail cell. This was the first time she'd ever been in a jail cell and she was scared. She found herself wondering if Jarrod would come to get her out. It would be a totally "Dad" reaction if he did.

Maureen didn't know if she loved Dad or hated Dad. When he asked her to stay at the ranch with him for the rest of the week she'd refused. Daddy's face had nearly collapsed at her blunt refusal. She didn't want to hurt him, but the love she could have for Jarrod Barkley just wasn't there.

Jarrod entered the jail cell after Maureen had fallen asleep. She wore a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles and the book of poetry was open beside her.

"Jarrod, I figured you'd come," Julia said.

"How's Maureen, Julia?" Jarrod asked.

"Maureen's trying not to let on she's frightened. Jarrod, you have to protect her at all costs. Maureen is not as strong as you are. If I died Maureen could crumble under it," Julia said.

"Julia, I can take her back to the ranch with me," Jarrod said.

"I was hoping that you would, Jarrod. I don't want her to stay in this jail call indefinitely," Julia said.

"Before I leave, did you kill McPierson?" Jarrod asked.

"You wouldn't believe me anyway. I'm a liar to you, remember?" Julia asked.

Yes. Lying is an art to you," Jarrod snapped.

"Very well then. I killed that man then," Julia said.

Jarrod looked at Julia. She looked smug at her confession, but her eyes revealed everything. "You didn't kill McPierson, Julia. Again you are lying," Jarrod said.

"Yes, but I do know what you think about me, Jarrod," Julia said.

"You did damage Matt Parker's life," Jarrod said.

"I know that too. That's why I love Maureen so much. She's the only thing I have that is not affected by my lies. She's sweet and innocent and has no idea that anyone can suffer pain. She reminds me so much of you. That day when you said that you loved me I realized that I couldn't hurt you so I told you that I was a spy," Julia said.

"Yes. That was when I decided that it would be best to annul our marriage. But Julia, I don't understand why you hid Maureen from me," Jarrod said.

"I couldn't tell you. I ruined your life enough. A baby would have damaged your reputation. But Jarrod, don't blame Maureen for being born. Her being born was not her fault. She didn't ask to be born," Julia said.

"I know and I don't. But Julia I wouldn't have cared if you'd told me about our baby. I would have helped send her to school and you could have let her see me," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, take her with you now. She can't stay in this jail cell with me. She's a growing girl and needs fresh air and sunshine," Julia said.

Jarrod crouched down next to his daughter and touched her face gently with his uncalloused hands. Maureen opened her eyes sleepily.

"Dad. Dad, what are you doing here?" Maureen asked half-awake.

"You're coming back to the ranch with me, Maureen," Jarrod said, removing her glasses.

"What about Mom?" Maureen asked.

"Sweetie, I want to come, but I need to do a concert. You and your daddy will have so much fun. He'll teach you to ride a horse and your aunt will teach you how to knit. You always wanted to learn how to knit," Julia said.

"You know, you aren't a very good liar, Mom," Maureen said, standing up.

"That's not true, Baby. Your father thinks lying is an art to me," Julia said.

"Uh-uh," Maureen said, pulling her books and attaché case into her arms. She fumbled with the ancient clasp and pushed her books into it.

Jarrod took his daughter's case and called for Fred. "I love you, Mom," Maureen said.

"I love you too, Baby," Julia said.

Jarrod gripped Maureen's hand and took her outside to Fred's office.

Jarrod was driving the buggy back to the ranch. Maureen sat next to her father. Jarrod's eyes were on the road, but he looked happy. Probably over me, Maureen thought.

"Maureen, do you ever wear anything besides that outfit?" Jarrod asked.

"No Sir. Unless I'm at school I wear this. Mom never complains. Why should you?" Maureen asked.

Because I'm your father. I'm supposed to care how you look or dress. You are a Barkley now. Don't you want to start looking like one?" Jarrod asked.

"Where do I get a dress?" Maureen asked.

"Your aunt Audra was your size when she was about 13. Her clothes should fit you," Jarrod said.

"And what if I chose not to? Wear her clothes, I mean?" Maureen asked, clearly mocking her father's authority.

"Maureen, don't make fun of me. Ever. Those clothes are old," Jarrod said warningly.

"If you don't want me making fun of you then don't tell me what to do," Maureen said.

After that smart remark Maureen made a jump out of the buggy. Maureen tumbled head over heels on a small hill. Maureen stopped tumbling and lay on the ground, feeling slightly nauseous.

"Maureen!" Jarrod yelled. Jarrod jumped out of the buggy and ran to his daughter. Maureen jumped up as her father ran to her. Despite the pain of standing, Maureen ran to a small pond. Jarrod's long legs made it possible for him to keep a short distance behind her. Here I go again, Jarrod thought with deja vu.

3 years before he had brought a 15-year-old girl to the ranch. The girl had played this same scenario by jumping from a wagon.

Jarrod managed to get a second wind and grabbed his daughter by the shoulders, spinning her around to face him.

"Let me go!" Maureen screamed, hitting Jarrod's chest with her fists.

"Listen here, you little wildcat, don't you dare try that again," Jarrod snapped angrily, feeling more deja vu as he had said these words to the girl three years ago.

"I hate you!" Maureen yelled at him.

Jarrod's face nearly collapsed at his daughter's words. She hated him, but he loved her so much. Jarrod could hardly blame her for hating him. He was never there for her as a child. Jarrod pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"I hate you," Maureen said, a little more muffled since her face was in her father's chest.

"I know you do, Honey. But even though you hate me I love you so much. I not asking you to love me or want to love me in return," Jarrod said.

"How could you love me? I'm just your illegitimate daughter," Maureen said.

"Maureen Barkley, I never want to hear those words out of your mouth ever again," Jarrod said sharply.

"Don't tell me what to do. You’re not my father," Maureen said.

Jarrod scooped his daughter up into his arms and carried her back to the buggy. Jarrod put her down.

"Get in," Jarrod ordered.

"Don't order me around," Maureen said.

"Maureen, if we have to wait here all day we will," Jarrod said.

Maureen looked into her father's bright blue eyes. He was serious. He would wait all day if she continued to fight him. Maureen clambered up into the buggy, Jarrod following.

The sounds of conversation came from the Barkley dining room. Jarrod and Maureen walked to it without saying a word. The trip home had been just like that also. Maureen didn't even have the heart to tell him her ankle hurt from her tumble down the hill.

Jarrod and Maureen entered the dining room. All conversation came to a stop as everyone stared at Jarrod and Maureen. "Hello Pretty Lady," Jarrod said, kissing the top of Victoria's head.

"Hello Jarrod. Maureen, what a pleasant surprise! Are you all right?" Victoria said.

"Yes Ma'am," Maureen said quietly.

"How's your mother?" Heath asked.

"Fine, Mr. Barkley. Or as fine as a person can be in jail," Maureen said.

"I thought that you were staying at the jail also," Audra said.

"I had no where else to go and I wasn't about to go begging to you Barkleys for help," Maureen said prideful.

"What do you mean 'You Barkleys?' You're a Barkley too," Jarrod said, his eyes narrowing.

"My name is Maureen Saxon and I'm from Louisiana," Maureen said.

"Maureen please sit down," Jarrod said.

""I'm thirteen years old. I'm not a baby," Maureen said.

"Well you're acting like three," Heath said.

"I am not!" Maureen exclaimed. Maureen caught herself instantly. She was behaving like a three-year-old and she turned bright red with embarrassment.

Jarrod noticed his daughter's discomfort at proving Heath right. Right now her thin cheeks matched her shirtwaist, even though she tried to hide it by covering her face with her hands. Heath's words had provided at least one small, fleeting comfort. If Maureen had been three she might have been more accepting of him as her father.

Jarrod's heart ached. His baby girl was not willing to know who her father was even if her father wanted her to. All Jarrod wanted to do was tell her that he loved her so much and have her say that she loved him. But Maureen would step away from him if he did try to hug her and if he did hug her she wouldn't return the hug. Also the only time Jarrod had kissed her, Maureen's face had flinched at the gesture. Jarrod pulled out a chair for her to sit in. Maureen flashed her father a grateful look and started to eat.

******************************************

Later that night Maureen sat patiently as her grandmother brushed out her long black hair.

"Grandma does Dad really like the idea that I'm here?" Maureen asked.

"Your father hasn't complained. But Sweetheart, he's really hurt by your coldness," Victoria said.

"I don't know how to talk to him. He's more like a stranger than my father," Maureen said.

"Maureen, you don't have to talk to him. Let him talk to you. If you get to know him you might just realize that you love him," Victoria said.

"I don't know how to love him. I've never had a father figure in my life and Grandma; I'm scared," Maureen said, her voice small and hollow.

"You know, your father's scared too. He has a ward that's sixteen, but he never worried about being a father 24 hours a day 7 days a week. He never had to worry about food, clothes, or raising a daughter," Victoria said.

"What should I do, Grandma?" Maureen asked.

"Well, why don't you go downstairs and tell your father goodnight? He'd love to hear it from you," Victoria said.

"I just don't know. All my life I've wondered who my father was. Why he wasn't there, or why he didn't want me. Now that I have the answers I don't know if I wasn't to ask anymore," Maureen said.

"Your father will answer any question if you ask him. He loves you, even though he just found you," Victoria said.

Maureen wrapped a shawl around her thin shoulders and went downstairs, her heart thudding nervously.

Jarrod was in his office in the study preparing some briefs for a trial the following week. A timid knock on the door caused him to look up.

"Come in," Jarrod said.

Maureen entered the room just as timidly as her knock. She wore a simple cotton nightgown and a plaid shawl over her shoulders. Jarrod felt mildly surprised. His daughter had come to see him! "I thought you were going to bed," Jarrod said.

"I was," Maureen said.

Jarrod calmly waited to see what she wanted. After a few awkward minutes Jarrod finally lost his patience.

"Did you want something?" Jarrod asked.

"I just wanted to say goodnight, Dad," Maureen said softly.

"Good night to you too, Honey," Jarrod said.

Maureen started to walk away. "Maureen?" Jarrod said.

Maureen turned back to her father. "I love you," Jarrod said.

Maureen nodded her head and left the room. Jarrod watched her go, feeling a pain enter his heart. It wasn't love or hate that Maureen felt for her father. It was fear. Fear that he'd take her away from her mother or fear that she might love him more than her mother. Besides the fear it was also exhaustion. Maureen was tired and it was showing in her blue eyes.

******************************************

Idiot! Maureen literally kicked herself for what just happened. She didn't know why she folded like that. Why was she scared to tell Jarrod goodnight? It wasn't as if her father was a fire-breathing monster that ate thirteen-year olds for breakfast. Why was she so afraid of him? Was she afraid she might love him more than her mother?

Maureen couldn't love him more than Mom. She just couldn't! Maureen went up to her bedroom, locked the door, and cried herself to sleep.

The next day was hot and muggy. Maureen woke up earlier than usual and dressed quietly. The boy's clothing she donned seemed a little too big, but oh well, beggar's couldn't be choosers.

Maureen slipped out to the stable where the family's horses were. Jarrod's horse, Jingo, looked at her with huge soulful eyes.

Maureen, hesitating slightly, touched the horse's silky nose and mane. Maureen was afraid to admit that she liked horses to her father and family, so she came out only when no one was around.

Maureen picked up a brush and gently ran it through the horse's back and sat on the fence of Jingo's pen.

Jarrod entered the barn at that moment, unheard by his daughter. "You missed a spot," Jarrod said, pointing to an area on Jingo's shoulder.

Maureen brushed the area with the currycomb. "Maureen, would you like to go for a ride?" Jarrod asked.

"I guess if I knew that the horse wouldn't throw me," Maureen said.

"I'll let you ride Jingo. He's very gentle with people," Jarrod said.

"I'll take your word for it. He's your horse," Maureen said.

Jarrod saddled up Jingo while Maureen sat on a bale of hay. When Jarrod was finished he turned to his daughter. "Now do you know how to mount up on a horse?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes sir," Maureen said.

Maureen took the reins from Jarrod and mounted the horse. The horse looked at her and snorted. "Don't jump. Don't jump," Maureen begged quietly of the horse.

"Jingo won't jump. Trust him," Jarrod said, as if he had just read Maureen's thoughts.

"Easy for you to say," Maureen muttered under her breath.

"Hand me the reins," Jarrod ordered, holding out his hand.

Maureen handed the reins to her father and grabbed a huge handful of Jingo's mane as the horse moved. Jarrod had the horse trot around the barnyard for five minutes. Maureen started to enjoy the ride. Riding was fun! Maybe Jarrod would let her ride more now that she enjoyed it.

"Whoa!" Jarrod said, stopping the horse.

Maureen looked down at the ground. Her stomach lurched just a little. She had never been this high up from the ground. Jarrod looked at her terrified expression.

"Just dismount the same way you mounted. Maureen, I won't let you fall," Jarrod said.

Maureen looked into her father's blue eyes and saw the love in them. Maureen dismounted, both her hands shaking like jelly as she released the horse's mane.

As soon as Maureen let go of the horse's mane she sat on a bale of hay. Jarrod gripped her shoulders and pulled her up. "It's time for breakfast, Maureen," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around her slim shoulders. Maureen walked with Jarrod back to the house, feeling for the first time that she could trust and, maybe, love him.

Maureen and Jarrod sat in Jarrod's office later that afternoon. Jarrod was poring over papers while Maureen was looking at some sheet music. She was humming the tune to the song she was looking at.

Jarrod looked up as she was humming. If the humming was any indication of her singing then she had a beautiful voice. "What song are you singing?" Jarrod asked.

Maureen looked up, her gold-rimmed glasses shining. "Johann Sebastian Bach. I've been singing this piece for a long time and I keep messing up in one area," Maureen said.

"May I see it?" Jarrod asked.

Maureen stood up and handed Jarrod her music. The piece was written in Latin, that much Jarrod was sure. Jarrod had studied Latin in college and law school and could understand part of the piece. The door opened to Jarrod's office abruptly. Ross and Ward Parker entered. "Jarrod," Ross said.

"Ross, Ward can I help you?" Jarrod asked.

"We've heard you're defending Julia Saxon, Jarrod," Ward said.

"Yes. Why have you come to see me?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, we think that's a huge mistake. You have a good reputation in this town. I'm sure you want to keep it," Ross said.

"How is Mr. Barkley defending my mother a way to ruin his reputation?" Maureen asked, slightly puzzled.

"Well, well, well if it ain't Julia Saxon's little brat," Ward sneered.

Jarrod stood up and placed a restraining hand on Maureen's shoulder, pushing her behind him. “What happened to you? I thought that you were staying in the jail with your ma. The place were all you Delilah's belong," Ross said.

"I was. Mom asked Mr. Barkley to keep me at his house until this blew over," Maureen said.

"Jarrod, why would you do that? It's not like you're her pa," Ross said.

"Ross, I'm sorry about Matt. If it were Nick or Heath that died I'd feel the same way you do. But Maureen is not her mother. She is more like her father than she cares to admit. She shouldn't be punished for what her mother did," Jarrod said.

"And you know her father?" Ward asked.

"Yes. I'm her father," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, you're her father?" Ross asked.

"Yes. I was in love with Julia Saxon like Matt was at one time and I married her. When I found out that she was a spy I annulled the marriage. She found out later she was pregnant with my baby and hid her from me," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, we won't condemn you for having a kid by that awful woman. But you can't defend her after what she did to Matt!" Ross said.

“This has more to do with my daughter than anything does Her feelings toward her mother overshadows my own dislike of Julia," Jarrod said.

"Remember what we said, Jarrod. You have to live in this town. If you defend that woman your life as a lawyer is over," Ward said.

Jarrod's blue eyes turned stormy. "Don't you ever threaten me. I defend whomever I wish to. Now get out of my office," Jarrod said, his voice low and angry.

Ward and Ross stalked out. Maureen wrapped her arms around her father's waist and laid her head against his chest. "Thank you. I'm sorry if I damaged your reputation," Maureen said.

"It's not your fault, Angel-baby," Jarrod said, stroking her face and dark hair gently.

Maureen blushed a fiery red. "Where'd you hear that?" Maureen asked.

"I heard your mother call you that. I hope you don't mind," Jarrod said.

"I don't really like that name, Daddy. Please don't call me that," Maureen begged.

Jarrod laughed and gently kissed her forehead. Maureen sat down and continued to read the sheet music.

Maureen was putting away her sheet music and Jarrod was closing his books when a rock came through Jarrod's window, shattering the glass. Maureen looked at her father. He was furious.

"Daddy?" Maureen asked.

Jarrod looked over at her. Her blue eyes were large and terrified. "Maureen, don't worry. It'll be all right," Jarrod said, trying to comfort her.

"I don't know if it will ever be all right ever again, Dad. This town will not be satisfied until they have Mom's and mine heads on a silver plate," Maureen said.

Maureen picked up the rock and put it on Jarrod's desk. Jarrod took his daughter's small, tanned hands in his large hands and pulled her over to the couch.

"Maureen, listen to me. You and your mother will be all right. I'm not going to let your mother die," Jarrod said.

"Daddy, it's impossible. You can't save Mom or myself," Maureen said.

"Maureen Barkley, there is no such word as "Can't" in my dictionary," Jarrod said.

"I'm just so afraid. I don't want Mom to die and I want to go back to school where I know it's safe," Maureen said.

Jarrod wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her as if she was a very small child. Maureen buried her face in Jarrod's chest. Jarrod then pushed her face up. "Maureen, trust me. I'll get your mother out," Jarrod said.

"All right. I'll trust you," Maureen said.

Jarrod stood up and held his arm out to Maureen. Maureen threaded her arm through his and walked out of the door with him.

"You know that this is a threat, don't you Pappy?" Nick bellowed as soon as Jarrod showed him the rock.

Maureen stood next to Victoria. Victoria had slipped a comforting arm around Maureen's shoulders. "Who would they threaten, Nick? My daughter is no troublemaker and when I'm at the office I don't wear a gun. It's normally in my desk," Jarrod said.

"They're trying to scare you into not defending Mom. Honestly grownups are so thick sometimes!" Maureen snapped.

"Maureen, I am not thick!" Jarrod said.

"Apparently all they want is to kill Mom and myself. And now I'm starting to wish I'd never come to Stockton and I was still dense about who my father was," Maureen said, not hearing Jarrod's exclamation.

"You don't mean that, Maureen," Heath said.

"I do, Uncle Heath. My world was so much less confusing before I came to Stockton. I wish sometimes that I’d never been born. I'm tired of fighting people who call me my mother's sin," Maureen said.

"I know what you're going through. When I was your age I was hurt by people that said the same thing," Heath said.

"You were told things like that?" Maureen asked.

"Yes. Like you my mother raised me. That's why I have such a soft spot for you. Then I found out that Tom Barkley was my father and I came here," Heath said.

"What did you do to stop the pain when people hurt you?" Maureen asked.

"I cried when I was little. When I grew up I did what your Uncle Nick did: I used my fists. When I moved here I retired on the punching and let Nick do it," Heath said, his eyes twinkling at his brother.

"Okay, so you made me laugh. But when I was little I wanted my daddy to protect me and love me. By the time I was 10 you were someone I didn't need or want," Maureen said.

"That's not true, Maureen. You think it is, but it's not. I've seen how you look at your father when he's not looking," Victoria said.

"I don't know how to have a father, Grandma. Having a mother is another thing entirely," Maureen said.

"Maureen, I'm here if you need me. Anyway if you hadn't wanted or needed me you wouldn't have said that you trusted me," Jarrod said.

Maureen ran her hands through her long black hair and jerked hard; a habit that was to become common in the Barkley family.

The next morning was clear and crisp. Jarrod was absent from the breakfast table as he had to go back to town the night before. It felt a little odd to think that her father wasn't at the ranch this morning. He had been close by since he found her.

Last night he told her that he had to go back to his office and he may be late. Maureen couldn't go because it would keep her up past her bedtime. Her father's reasons for not allowing her to go with him was sound and she was tired of sitting in his office with just sheet music. Maybe she could explore the ranch. After all the entire ranch was half hers.

Maureen stood up and put on a hat that Heath had given her to protect her head from the sun and the wind.

Maureen went to the barn and looked at the horses in the stalls. Nick and Heath had taken Charger and Coco, their horses, to a fence line that was down. Jingo was in his stall, since Jarrod had taken a wagon to town.

Maureen stroked Jingo's nose and grabbed two large handfuls of Jingo's mane. She then saddled him like she had seen her father do. She mounted up and trotted into the barnyard.

Riding was more fun than ever and she joyfully kicked her heels into Jingo's flank. The horse reared as he felt the jab in the ribs.

******************************************

Maureen came back late in the afternoon. Jingo was sweating and Maureen paced him to cool him down. Then she brushed him down. Maureen wiped her sweaty forehead when she was done.

Maureen entered the house, stopping when she saw Victoria carrying some bandages upstairs.

"Grandma, where's the fire"?" Maureen asked, following her.

"Where've you been?" Victoria asked.

"I went for a ride on Dad's horse. That is okay, isn't it?" Maureen asked.

"Of course it is, Dear," Victoria said, absentmindedly.

"Grandma, what's happened?" Maureen asked.

"Your father. He's been hurt. Someone found him nearly unconscious in the town livery stable," Victoria said.

"Will he be all right?" Maureen asked, concern in her blue eyes.

"The doctor is wrapping his head and I need to take these to him," Victoria said.

Maureen followed Victoria into her father's room. She was afraid that Jarrod would die.

Jarrod lay in the bed, his pale face matching his nightshirt. A bandage was being gently applied to his head. Maureen stood at her father's side and watched his chest rise and fall.

When Jarrod had said that she needed him, he was right. She wanted her father to stay alive so he could see her sing and she could come to see him during vacations and breaks from school.

"Doctor is Jarrod going to be all right?" Victoria asked.

"Looks like nothing more than a concussion. But he should rest a few days before going back to work," Dr. Merar said.

Jarrod woke up, a glazed sleepy look in his bright blue eyes. "What happened?" Jarrod asked sluggishly.

"You were found this morning by the sheriff in the barn, Jarrod," Victoria said.
"I have to go to work. I have things to do," Jarrod said. He fell back into his pillows, drifting off to sleep.

"I gave him a sedative. He needs to recover properly by resting. He could bleed to death if he doesn't," Dr. Merar said.

"Will he be all right?" Maureen asked, sitting down on a chair across from Jarrod's bed.

"He should be," Dr. Merar said.

The doctor left the room. Nick finally exploded. "Mother, I'm going to town. I'm going to find who did this," Nick said.

"I'm coming with you," Maureen said, making a rash decision.

"No you're not," Nick said bitterly. After the last few days Nick still hated her for even carrying the name Barkley.

"Yes I am. Me and Mom got him into this mess. It'll be the least I can do to get him out of it," Maureen said.

"All right. If you come with us, skedaddle when there is a problem," Heath said.

"I will. I may be illegitimate, but I ain't stupid," Maureen said.

Nick, Heath, and Maureen were riding horses to Stockton. Maureen was riding Jarrod's horse, since Jingo was the only horse she had ridden on the Barkley ranch.

Heath was quiet while Nick was fuming. It was to become a common remembrance for Maureen. When Nick Barkley was mad, don't interrupt him. Heath had obviously learned that when he first came here.

Maureen wondered if Nick was mad at her coming along. She knew that Nick despised her. The reason being that Julia Saxon was her mother. The fact that his brother was her father didn't make a world of difference to Nick.

Maureen pushed a stray lock of black hair behind her ear and wished that she had pinned it up. This weather was just too hot to wear it down.

“This is all your fault!” Nick's voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"Pardon?" Maureen asked, staring at Nick. His hazel eyes glared at her hatefully.

"If you and your wretched mother had never come to Stockton Jarrod wouldn't have been hurt," Nick said.

Heath saw his niece's face go tense. She looked just like Jarrod when she was mad and he was soon to learn that she acted like him too.

"Oh forgive me for ruining your life, Uncle Nick. Do you honestly think when I came down here I going to find my father? I thought Mom was going to sing. I was going to enjoy my fall break. And I would go back to school and not know anything," Maureen said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"We didn't say that you ruined our lives, Maureen," Heath said, trying to mediate the topic.

"Don't you dare stick up for him, Uncle Heath. He didn't have to say it. He's made it perfectly clear since the moment I've arrived. You don't have a clue what it's like for me, do you?" Maureen asked.

Nick stopped his horse and looked at her, his eyes telling her to continue.

"I've lived my whole life in Louisiana, people hating me because I didn't have a father. Then my mother told me that when I got here that my father was someone else other than your brother. So don't either of you presume to tell me you understand, because you don't," Maureen said.

"Maureen, we're sorry if we hurt you. You are a part of Jarrod even if it is hard for us to believe," Heath said, looking pointedly at Nick.

"Yes. You look like your father, but when I think of who your mother is I just get so angry. You should have been here all the time with us," Nick said.

"Uncle Nick, are we actually having a cordial conversation?" Maureen asked.

Nick and Heath laughed at her question. "Well Miss Maureen, we better go find the people who hurt your father," Heath said.

"Yes Sir," Maureen said. The three galloped away, not realizing how close they were to finding McPiers0on's murderer and Jarrod's attackers.

The town was busy when Nick, Heath, and Maureen hitched their horses outside the town's music hall. Ward and Ross were out there in front whittling with their knives on pieces of wood.

Maureen looked at them. She didn't know why, but something about Ross and Ward she just didn't trust. After all they were the ones that told Jarrod that he shouldn't take her mother's case.

"Howdy there Nick, Heath," Ross greeted them.

"Ross, Ward. Is McPierson's assistant in?" Nick asked.

"He went in there this morning. Haven't seen him leave yet," Ward said.

"Thank you," Nick said.

"Uncle Nick, I'm coming with you," Maureen said, following her tall dark haired uncle inside the building.

"Heath, what's going on?" Ross asked.

"Jarrod was found this morning in the barn. Someone beat him up," Heath said, looking Ward, and then Ross in the eyes.

"Are you saying it was us?" Ross asked.

"Maureen told us that you told her father not to take this case," Heath said.

"We've known Jarrod and Nick long before we ever even heard of you. You don't think we'd hurt Jarrod, do ya?" Ward asked.

"I don't know. I'm just going on what my niece told me," Heath said.

"Anyways, how could you take stock in anythin' she says? You know how those kids are who don't have a father. They'll lie there little faces off," Ross said.

Heath's face turned tense. "I was one of those kids. And I haven’t ever lied about people," Heath said angrily.

Heath mounted his horse and rode down the street.

"What do we do Ross? If Nick and the Saxon girl find out from McPierson's assistant that I killed McPierson, they'll tell the sheriff," Ward said.

"The sheriff won't be finding out little brother. I promise you," Ross said.

Ross and Ward went inside the music hall. Maureen sat while Nick questioned McPierson's assistant.

"Uncle Nick, what if he doesn't show up?" Maureen asked, after five minutes.

"He'll show up. Your father told me that he questioned him the day after McPierson's death," Nick said.

"Yeah. I was with him when he did," Maureen said, remembering.

"How was he acting when he saw you and your father?" Nick asked.

"I don't understand. What do you mean by "Acting?" Maureen asked, a frown furrowing her forehead.

"I mean was he happy? Nervous? Anxious?" Nick asked.

"Tense. Like maybe he'd wished that Dad and me hadn't shown up at his office," Maureen said.

"Tense?" Nick asked.

"I didn't think much about it until just now. But he kinda evaded Daddy's questions about Mom killing McPierson. He kept saying that she did it. But I know he's lying," Maureen said.

"How can you tell?" Nick asked.

"Well Uncle Nick, when a person lies to me I can tell by them not looking me straight in the eyes. Also when they look like they want you to leave, that's how I can also tell," Maureen said.

"You are just like your father. You'd make a great detective or lawyer some day, Kid," Nick said.

"Perhaps, but I don't want to be a lawyer. I want to be an investigative journalist or a singer. I like to write and sing," Maureen said.

"Well now that you're a member of the family you might get it," Nick said.

The door to the office opened. A small man with graying hair and a bushy mustache entered the room. As soon as he saw Maureen and Nick he looked like he did before like he was hiding something.

"May I help you?" The man asked.

Nick stood up. Yes, the man was obviously hiding something. That much was obvious. Maureen was right. That kid had a gut instinct along with a stubborn streak a mile wide. The exact same qualities of any Barkley, Nick thought.

The small gray-haired man looked just about as nervous as if Nick and Maureen were huge cats about to eat a mouse alive.

"Do you remember me? Counselor Barkley and myself came to see you two days ago after the death of your boss McPierson," Maureen said.

"Of course. You’re the Saxon woman's daughter," the man said.

Mr. Barkley and I want to ask you some questions. And we want some honest answers," Maureen said.

"I don't have to give you any information until the trial," the man said.

"I know that, but it appears that Counselor Barkley won't be able to defend my mother for quite some time and he needs to know this information when the trial does take place," Maureen said.

"Very well. Ask me what you want to know," the man said grudgingly.

"When did you find McPierson dead?" Nick asked.

"About five minutes after it happened," the man said.

"How did you know that it was my mother that did it? It could have been someone else," Maureen pointed out.

"It was her. You see she came to the office when he told her she should leave. He told her that the people of the town wouldn't like it if she stayed and would burn the concert hall down," McPierson said.

"Didn't she tell him that she couldn't do that?" Maureen asked.

"Yes. She said that she would sue him for every cent that he owned if he didn't keep his end of the contract they had signed," the man said.

"Yes. I was there when Mom and McPierson signed it. So you are saying that Mom was upset about McPierson going back on his word?" Maureen asked.
'
"Yes," the man asked.

"Did you see Julia Saxon try to kill McPierson?" Nick asked.

"Well... no. But I heard the argument in the next room," the man said.

"You weren't even in the room? Then how did you know that she did it? My mom would never kill anyone," Maureen said.

"What about Matt Parker?" The man asked.

Maureen's face turned a dark red. "That was an accident. She didn't mean it," Maureen said.

"Mr. Barkley, I suggest that you and Miss Saxon leave now," the man said.

"It's all right, Uncle Nick. I'll leave if he wants," Maureen said, standing up.

Maureen stepped outside the door. Maureen stopped in terror at the gun pointed straight at her chest. She raised her hands in the air and prayed for a miracle.

She took a few deep breaths and tried to gather what courage she had.

"Mr. Parker please let me by," Maureen said.

"I don't think so, Kid," Ward said.

Ross, with the gun in his hand, motioned toward a chair for her to sit in. "Look Kid, we don't want to hurt you-" Ross started.

"No, but you want to kill my mom and you were the ones that beat up my dad last night, weren't you?" Maureen asked.

"Your mother destroyed our brother's life. She deserves to go to prison for what she did," Ward said.

The final piece of the puzzle finally clicked. "You killed McPierson, didn't you?" Maureen asked.

"I didn't. Ward did," Ross said.

"And you decided to frame my mother for it. Then when Daddy got too close to the truth, you beat him up last night in the barn. And you also got McPierson to cover for you," Maureen said.

"You're very smart. You're just like your daddy. Now Miss Barkley, please sit down," Ross said.

Maureen sat on the couch, knowing that if she started to pray it might get her out of this awful mess. God, help me, Maureen thought.

Maureen sat waiting for Nick to come out of the assistant's office. She and her uncles had unwittingly walked into a dangerous trap were someone could possibly get killed.

"Mr. Parker, why are you doing this? I never did anything to warrant this kind of revenge," Maureen said, trying to keep at least one of them talking.

"No, you didn't. But your mother did. She ruined our brother's life when he died," Ward said.

"What's that got to do with Dad? You beat him up," Maureen said.

"Your father should have kept his nose out of our business," Ross said.

"It became his business when Mom got put in jail. What did you expect him to do? Did you think he'd leave me in that jail?" Maureen asked.

"Your father had no business taking your mother's case. She's a Delilah after all," Ross said.

"Then what does that make me? My father said he loved me and that he accepts me as a Barkley," Maureen said, standing up.

"Miss Saxon, sit down," Ross said, pointing the gun at her chest again.

"Are you going to shoot my uncles?" Maureen asked, sitting back down.

"They got too close to the truth. Just like you did," Ward said.

Maureen nodded her head and felt fear enter her for the first time as the door to the office opened. Nick Barkley stepped out of the office.

"UNCLE NICK, WATCH OUT!" Maureen screamed as her uncle entered the room.

Nick Barkley dropped to the floor as Ross and Ward fired their guns. Maureen kicked the back of Ward's knees, causing him to drop the gun.

Maureen picked it up and crawled behind a potted plant. Maureen watched as her uncle got into a fight with the Parkers. Two against one weren't fair odds, but Nick obviously knew how to take care of himself.

Nick managed to knock both Parkers out after just a few minutes. Maureen came out from behind the plant.

"Maureen, give me the gun," Nick said to his niece.

Maureen looked at the two men on the floor and pointed the gun at Ross.

"Sweetheart, give me the gun. If you shoot them you'll go to jail. And I don't think your father would want that," Nick said.

Maureen's hand trembled as her uncle talked about her father. "Part of being a Barkley is having mercy on others, Maureen. Show me you are your father's daughter and give me the gun," Nick said.

Maureen looked at the gun and then at Nick. She placed the gun in his hand and bursting into tears sank to the floor.

Heath entered the concert hall and went to Maureen. "Maureen?" Heath asked his niece.

"Oh Uncle Heath!" Maureen sobbed.

This was the first time that either brother had seen their brother's daughter cry since she came to Stockton. Her blue eyes flooded with tears.

Nick helped Ross and Ward up, unaware that Ward still had his gun.

"Are you two all right?" Heath asked.

"Yeah. Besides after being scared to death we're fine," Maureen said. hugging her blond uncle.

"I'm glad you didn't do anything stupid with that gun, Maureen," Heath said.

"No. If I did I'd need Daddy to defend me for it," Maureen said, her bright blue eyes sparkling.

Heath and Nick started to laugh. This was the first joke that she had cracked since she came here.

"I don't think that Pappy would want to do that either," Nick said.

Heath heard the click long before Maureen and Nick ever did. "Maureen Nick, watch out!" Heath said, pulling out his gun.

Maureen buried her face in Nick's chest. Maureen looked at Heath. He was helping Ward and Ross both up. Ward had his hand on his arm.

"You shot him!" Ross said.

"You were going to shoot my niece," Heath said.

"You did all this for that Delilah!" Ross said.

Nick took Ross by the arm, while Heath took Ward to Dr. Merar.

As Nick, Ross, and Maureen walked out Maureen stopped by her mother's picture advertising her show. Her mother's name had just been cleared and they could go home.

******************************************

Julia sat in the jail cell, knitting on a piece of lace. Since Audra Barkley had come to see her to tell her not to let Jarrod take her case, she had been doing a lot of thinking.

Maureen was one of her worries. When she came to Stockton she didn't want Maureen hurt by what had happened. But being accused of murder was something that could shatter anyone's morale.

"Mom! Mom!" Maureen came into the jail cell area, followed by the sheriff and Nick Barkley.

The sheriff unlocked the door to Julia's cell.

"My baby!" Julia said, throwing her arms around Maureen.

"Mom, you're free. Ward Parker killed McPierson," Maureen said.

"And you found this out how?" Julia asked.

"Uncle Heath, Uncle Nick, and myself went to the concert hall. Ross pulled a gun on me and those two told me everything. Ward is at the doctor's office because he tried to kill me and Uncle Heath shot him. But Mom now we can go home," Maureen said.

"That's wonderful, Angel-baby. But you are not going home with me. You're going back to school in two days. And I think it'd be best if I sign all custody of you over to your father," Julia said.

"What? But Mom, I want to go home!" Maureen protested.

"Sweetheart, I was wrong to lie and hide you from your father. It's time you got to know him. He loves you, Baby," Julia said.

"But Mom-" Maureen started.

"No 'buts' Maureen. Your father deserves to know you also. Give him a chance. Your father is stubborn and pigheaded, but underneath all that he loves you a lot," Julia said.

"Are you coming with us, Mom?" Maureen asked.

"No. I should go back to the hotel. But come say bye to me before I leave all right?" Julia said.

"Yes Mom," Maureen said.

Maureen walked out and went to Jingo out in the street. Things were totally different now. Maureen knew that God sometimes revealed things that were secret, but this had happened all too quickly.

By the time Nick, Heath, and Maureen came back to the ranch Jarrod had managed to dress and shave and get downstairs to the dining room. The head bandage around his head was repulsive, but everyone ignored it.

Maureen ran into the dining room first, oblivious to her father sitting in his place across from Victoria.

"Maureen! You are just like your Uncle Nick! You're going to shatter every window in the house save nothing of my eardrums," Victoria said.

"Sorry Grandma. I just wanted to tell you we found McPierson's murderers," Maureen said.

"It wasn't your mother?" Audra asked.

"No Aunt Audra, it wasn't. It was Ross and Ward Parker," Maureen said.

"How did you find that out, dear?" Victoria asked.

"Well, Uncle Nick and I went to McPierson's assistant's office. The man lied straight through his teeth like last time and I went outside. Ross and Ward were waiting for me with a gun and pointed it at me," Maureen said.

"WHAT!?" Jarrod's voice boomed from the other end of the table.

Maureen looked over in surprise at her father's place. "Dad, you're up!" Maureen exclaimed.

"Never mind that. What do you mean they pointed a gun at you?" Jarrod demanded.

"Dad, don't worry. I'm all right. And Mom's all right and in a few days I'm going back to Butterfield were excitement like the last few days never happens," Maureen said.

Jarrod looked at his daughter. She looked relieved that everything was over. "Maureen, come here," Jarrod said.

Maureen went to her father's side. "What I meant was I didn't want you involved with this case. You could have gotten hurt," Jarrod said.

"I know. But I had to do something. When someone I care about gets hurt, like you and Mom, I have to do something," Maureen said.

"I know. But from now on I want you to think before you do something. And if you are still unsure ask me about it," Jarrod said.

"Mom and Uncle Will did say I do get impulsive," Maureen said.

"Yes, you do do things without thinking about what could happen," Jarrod said.

"It was just when you got hurt I just thought I could help both you and Mom," Maureen said.

"I know Honey and I'm grateful. You saved me from having to go to court anytime soon," Jarrod said.

"What about your mother?" Audra asked.

"She said that she was leaving tomorrow. She also told me that she would sign over all custody of me to you, Dad," Maureen said.

"That's not necessary, Honey. I'm willing to share you with your mother," Jarrod said.

"You know Mom. She feels that she ruined my life and yours. And she said it was time that I got to know you and spend time with you. But I don't see how. I can't come to Stockton every day from Butterfield," Maureen said.

"You could come to Stockton twice each month and every holiday and summer break," Jarrod said.

"I suppose that would work. Would I still be able to see Mom?" Maureen asked.

"Yes. I may be furious with your mother for hiding you, but you still need her in your life," Jarrod said.

"Where are your uncles?" Victoria asked.

"Oh, outside. Uncle Nick said that Charger, Coco, and Jingo need to be fed and brushed down," Maureen said.

"I take it you've been riding Jingo again," Victoria said.

"Yes Ma'am. Your horse is a lot of fun to ride," Maureen said.

"I'm glad you approve of my horse, young lady. But we need to see about getting your own horse," Jarrod said.

"I know. That's what Uncle Heath said," Maureen said.

"Sit down, Maureen and eat your supper," Victoria said.

Maureen sat next to Jarrod and filled her plate to overflowing and ate hungrily.

Early the next morning Julia Saxon was at the depot waiting for the train. Unlike last time the depot was empty of people yelling at her.

Julia! Wait!" Jarrod's voice came to her. Julia turned to face her ex-husband.

Maureen stood next to her father. She wore her favorite red shirtwaist and rumpled brown skirt.

"Where are you going Julia?" Jarrod asked.

"I'm going back to the South. You and our daughter seem to think that I belong there," Julia said.

"Julia, the Parkers are going to spend a long time in jail," Jarrod said.

"I know, Jarrod. But I have to go. I will, of course, send you something on your birthday,” Julia said to Maureen.

"Sounds nice, Mom. Mom, I love you," Maureen said.

"I love you too, Baby. I'm so sorry for lying to you about your father. And Jarrod I'm sorry that I couldn't bring myself to tell you about her," Maureen said.

"I understand Julia," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I also went to a judge yesterday. I had him change Maureen's birth certificate. I think you would want it," Julia said, taking a piece of paper out of her drawstring bag.

Jarrod took the paper and read it over. Maureen Victoria Barkley: Born October 10th, 1864.

"Thank you Julia," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I'm also sorry for the argument we had after our marriage," Julia said.

"I know. I'm sorry too. I did love you, Julia," Jarrod said.

"I loved you too, Jarrod. I'm sorry I hurt both you and our daughter with my lies," Julia said.

"Mom, it's true that you hurt me with your lies, but I still love you no matter what you do," Maureen said.

"Thank you Angel-baby," Julia said, her gray eyes twinkling at her daughter. She knew what Maureen would say next.

"Mom! Don't call me that!" Maureen exclaimed, her face turning fiery red.

Julia laughed and took her daughter in her arms. She smoothed back Maureen's long black hair and kissed her cheek warmly.

Julia looked up Jarrod. "Goodbye Jarrod," Julia said. She got aboard the train and looked at her daughter and Jarrod as it pulled out of the train yard.

The End

She's been there. God knows she's been there. She has seen and done it all.

She's a woman she knows how to dish it out or take it all.

Her heart's as soft as feathers. She can wear the stormy skies.

And she's a sparrow when she's broken, but she's an eagle when she flies.

Gentle as the sweet magnolia, strong as steel her faith and pride.

She's an everlasting shoulder. She's the leaning post of life.

She hurts deep and when she weeps she's just as fragile as a child.

She's a sparrow when she's broken, but she's an eagle when she flies.

Dolly Parton - Eagle When She Flies, 1992