Hope’s Gift

Part 2

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: After the death of Jarrod's wife, his daughter, Audra Anne, tries to get her father's attention. This is an alternate universe that goes probably until the end of the show itself.

Part 2

The next two days were filled with tension as the valley waited to see what would happen with the dam. Len Colter still caused a lot of problems. The day before Heath and Nick had gotten into a barroom brawl trying to help Jubal Tanner.

Audra Anne, Lucy, and Lee were ordered to stay at the ranch until Jarrod and the brothers said otherwise. Audra Anne knew that her father wanted to keep her safe, but why couldn't she ride her horse?

Audra Anne was mopping around when she went into the gunroom and saw Nick, Heath, and Jarrod putting on their guns. Seeing her father and uncles wearing a gun wasn't all that unusual. Living on a cattle ranch knowing how to shoot was highly common.

Audra Anne had really no desire to learn how to shoot. She would just let her father protect her. "Father, where are you going?" Audra Anne asked, stepping to Jarrod's side.

Jarrod looked down at his daughter. Jarrod stooped to her level and laid his hands on her shoulders. "Jubal came and said that Len Colter tried to oust Jubal and Chad off their land," Jarrod said, trying his best not to frighten her.

"So, you're going to fight Len Colter like you did with the railroad?" Audra Anne asked, her greenish gray eyes filming with tears.

"Audra Anne, we do what we hafta do," Heath said, joining on the conversation.

"Uncle Heath, what if any of you don't come back? I lost my mother. Do I have to lose my father too?" Audra Anne asked, her voice trembling.

Jarrod flinched inwardly. His daughter was frightened of losing him. That was why she followed him to the Semple Farm six months before. "Audra Anne, listen to me. You are not going to lose me," Jarrod said, his voice firm.

"I wish I could be that sure, Father," Audra Anne said, one lone tear going down her face.

"You'll just have to believe me, Audra Anne," Jarrod said, wiping the tear away with his thumb.

"Pappy, it's time to go. Remember Audra Anne, Barkleys don't cry," Nick said, ruffling his niece's black hair.

Jarrod planted a kiss on her forehead and followed his brothers out of the gunroom. Barkleys don't cry! Sure is easy for Uncle Nick to say, Audra Anne thought irritably.

On more than one occasion had Audra Anne seen Nick cry. When Aunt Audra fell in love with someone terrorizing the whole valley, Uncle Nick cried when he told her the truth. Of course her father and Uncle Heath were there too, but it was Nick's tears that upset Audra Anne.

Audra Anne sat down on the settee in the gunroom. She wished she could make sure that Jarrod could come home safely. Lucy, Lee, and Chad all came into the gunroom.

"Hey, what's the matter, Cousin?" Lucy asked, sitting next to Audra Anne.

"Don't you even feel upset that your father might die tonight?" Audra Anne asked, her hands tightly clenched in front of her face.

"Not really. It takes more than a bullet to kill Papa," Lucy said, putting her hand comfortingly on Audra Anne's shoulder.

"I wish I could be sure," Audra Anne said, wiping her eyes.

"If wishes were horses then beggars would ride," Lee said, sitting on the other side of Audra Anne.

"Who told you that?" Audra Anne asked, looking at her red-haired cousin.

"Grammy. She used to say that when I wanted some pie-in-the-sky dream," Lee said.

"Why don't we go out there? My grandpa's out there," Chad said, his voice as sad as Audra Anne's.

"One problem with that, Chad. We would definitely be going to the woodshed if we did that," Lucy said worriedly.

"I'm scared," Chad said, his eyes reflecting his fear.

"I am too," Audra Anne admitted.

"Then let's go check on them," Lee said, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.

"All right. Let's do it," Audra Anne, Lucy, Lee, and Chad left the room and snuck down to Oak Meadows, hoping everything would be all right.

Audra Anne felt the cold night air through her green jacket and shoes. Her arms and toes felt as if they were frozen. Audra Anne sat in the wagon next to Lucy, Lee and Chad trying not to let her teeth chatter. It wouldn't do to let their fathers know that they had disobeyed them.

Audra Anne blew on her hands with her breath as Uncle Heath raised the canvas of the wagon.

"What are you four doin' here?" Heath asked, sounding upset.

"Uncle Heath, don't tell Father and Uncle Nick we are here," Audra Anne whispered, putting her finger to her lips.

"Please Papa?" Lee asked her father.

Heath looked hard at all the children. "Okay. Stay out of sight all of ya," Heath ordered in a voice that was meant to be obeyed.

"Thanks, Uncle Heath," Lucy and Audra Anne both said as the canvas dropped down, concealing the children from view.

The wait was only a few minutes more, but to Audra Anne it felt like years. She heard the voice of the sheriff and Len Colter.

"This is not your fight, Jarrod," the sheriff said, trying to get the Barkleys to leave.

"This is our fight. This is our land. We gave it to Jubal. We will help him defend it," Jarrod's voice was hard and serious as it reached the wagon.

"Your father sounds as if he means it," Chad whispered to Audra Anne.

"He usually does," Audra Anne said, straining her ears to hear more of the conversation.

The sound of gunshots echoed throughout the air. "Grandpa!" Chad yelled, jumping out of the wagon.

"Chad! Wait!" Audra Anne yelled, following the little boy. Right now if her father saw her, it didn't matter. Right now Chad could get hurt by a stray bullet. The little boy stopped in front of the fallen body of Jubal.

As soon as Audra Anne reached the boy, the shooting stopped. "Jarrod, I'm sorry," the sheriff said.

Jarrod looked over at where Chad was crying, Audra Anne's small hand resting on the boy's shoulder. "I think you are a little too late for that," Jarrod said, his eyes and voice sad.

Chad was still crying as Uncle Heath lifted the boy in to his arms. Lucy and Lee joined their cousin as they watched heath carry the boy away.

Jarrod and Nick went to their daughters and niece. "Father, is Chad going to be all right?" Audra Anne asked, looking up at her father.

"I don't know, Audra Anne. I'm concerned though with why you and your cousins are here," Jarrod said, a slight warning in his voice.

"The same reason that happened last time. We were worried and we thought that nothing would happen," Lucy said.

"Lucy, you and your cousin always think that. That's why the two of you get into such trouble," Nick said, his voice as growly as a bear's.

"I'm sorry Papa, Uncle Jarrod," Lucy said, lowering her eyes.

""Me too," Lee said.

"I'm sorry too Father, Uncle Nick," Audra Anne said, lowering her eyes from her father's. Jarrod's eyes were so intense when he was angry that Audra Anne couldn't look at them. They were scary.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow," Jarrod said finally, lifting Audra Anne into his arms. Nick picked up both Lee and Lucy and the Barkleys went home. They didn't know what would happen with the dam now, but all were too tired and disgruntled to think about it.

Chad stood glumly in front of the parlor. His grandfather had been buried the day before and Chad was being forced to go live with his aunt and uncle.

Chad was wearing a new shirt, pants, and jacket. His biggest problem was keeping his shirt buttoned up. "There keep it like that. And try not to tug on it," Audra Said, buttoning his top collar button again.

Audra Anne looked over at her two cousins. Both looked as tired as she felt. Since their little escapade at Oak Meadows their fathers had punished them well. Audra Anne still had blisters on her palms. Their punishment had involved picking grapes out of the vineyards. The vines were sharp and cut into their hands, but it was a sufficient punishment.

Audra Anne looked up as Jarrod entered the house. Jarrod knelt in front of Chad, as he would have done with Audra Anne. "Chad, I just came from a meeting," Jarrod started.

"Do you think your dam will go in now?" Chad asked.

"Yes I think so. The sheriff and, especially, Len Colter, would like to express how sorry they are," Jarrod said, trying to console the boy.

"Those are just words," Chad said, bitterly.

"No, no. They also asked with your permission if they could name the dam, The Jubal Tanner Dam," Jarrod said.

"I don't know," Chad said, glumly.

"Chad, you can continue to feel bitter about what happened, but that wouldn't be what your grandfather would have wanted," Victoria gently said to him.

"She's right, Chad. The thing I've learned about bitterness is that it can eat you up. There were times that I was so angry with my father for the times he ignored me that I let it become part of me. I was wrong. You have to forgive them for what they've done," Audra Anne said, putting her arm around Chad's shoulder.

"The Jubal Tanner Dam? It would have to be as great as he was!" Chad said, a smile lighting up his eyes.

"Let's get Chad to the train station so he won't miss his train," Victoria said, happy that his good spirits had come back.

All the Barkleys were getting ready to walk out, when Chad yelped. "Wait my Bag!"

Chad ran back to get it, causing all of them to laugh. "He sure doesn't talk like any kid I've ever seen!" Nick shouted as they left the house.

The spirits were high as they left for town, not any of them caring what problem Stockton could face next.

A few months later on a nice fall day Audra Anne and Victoria went to the church in Stockton. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful in Audra Anne's opinion. Victoria had decided to go to deliver supplies to the priest in charge of the church. The priest gave the supplies to the Modoc people living on the reservation.

Audra Anne really liked the Spanish style church with its old hymnals and ancient organ. She would spend a few minutes to pray about any problem she was facing.

Audra Anne and Victoria entered the light, cool exterior. It would have been more pleasant if Mr. Tate wasn't there. Mr. Tate was a man that Uncle Nick had fired from the ranch. It was discovered that he had been drinking on the job and Uncle Nick and Uncle Heath preferred sober men on a cattle ranch.

"Well now, if it ain't the queen and her granddaughter?" Tate sneered looking at the two.

"Mr. Tate," Victoria said, her voice edged with steel.

"What are you doing here, Mr. Tate?" Audra Anne asked, politely.

"Doin' some odd jobs for the priest. Jobs I would have had if your son hadn't of fired me," Tate said accused Victoria.

"My son fired you for drinking on the job," Victoria said matter-of-factly.

Before Tate could come up with a smart reply the priest came out of the confessional. "Mrs. Barkley, Audra Anne! What a pleasure to see you!" The priest said, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Hello Father. Audra Anne and I have brought you some food to take to the Modoc reservation," Victoria said, her voice cordial.

"Thank you, Mrs. Barkley. If only my parishioners could be as generous as you and your family," the priest sad, patting Audra Anne's head.

Tate snorted his displeasure at that comment. "Mrs. Barkley, I'm going to go get your supplies," the priest said, walking toward the door.

"Grandma, I'm going to go say hello to that Modoc lady over there," Audra Anne said, indicating an Indian woman who was praying.

The next few moments were like the quiet before the storm. Then it happened. Audra Anne felt the ground shake beneath her feet and then all went black as Audra Anne hit her head on the cool floor.

Audra Anne awoke to a sharp pain in her head. The pain was so terrible that she felt like crying. She touched her head briefly. Audra Anne started as she felt something sticky on her head. It felt like blood. Audra Anne's fingers gently probed her head. There was a huge cut on her forehead.

Victoria stirred slightly beside her. "Grandma?" Audra Anne asked, worried.

"I'm all right. How are you?" Victoria asked, wrapping her arm around Audra Anne's shoulders, trying to help her up.

"Where's Naomi and Tate?" Audra Anne asked, inquiring about the people who had been in the church.

"Over here," Naomi said, her head against the wall.

"I'm alive if anyone cares," Tate said rudely.

Audra Anne and Victoria didn't care much for Tate. They personally thought he was a low life, but they wouldn't have said anything about it.

"Any way out of here?" Tate asked, dropping the rudeness briefly.

'I think so. My husband used to own a mine thats passages intersected with the church,” Victoria said, pushing some silver hair out of her eyes.

"I hope we can find it," Audra Anne said, looking around at the dark room.

"It's here somewhere," Victoria said, her voice echoing in the cavern.

All three started to look around. Naomi laid her hand on her stomach, looking at the three find an entrance. It took all of three minutes to find it.

Audra Anne looked over at the Modoc lady and hauled her up by the arm. "Come on, Naomi. The sooner we get out of here, the better," Audra Anne said, dragging Naomi through the wine cabinet opening.

Victoria grabbed Naomi's other arm and both Victoria and Audra Anne helped the woman along both hoping they could find the way out.

The town of Stockton was absolute chaos as Jarrod, Nick, Heath, Audra, Lucy, and Lee rode in. Smoke from the fires reached their noses, making a few sneeze. Jarrod's heart lurched slightly. All of them were worried about Victoria, but Jarrod had double to worry about.

Audra Anne was with Victoria and if they weren't safe Jarrod would have to bury his daughter with her mother. Jarrod had to mentally shake himself for thinking that. His daughter was as tough as any Barkley. She wouldn't let something like an earthquake kill her if she could help it.

Jarrod was often surprised at his baby girl's toughness. It was like looking at Nick sometimes. Nick was very tough as a ten-year-old. The one consolation Jarrod had was that at least Audra Anne didn’t shout like Nick was prone to do.

Since the earthquake had started the crime had escalated. The looters were breaking into homes and stealing whatever they could get their hands on. To the anger of some people the church was also a target for looters. Because of the heavy gold candlesticks, bowls, and tapestries thieves would have had a field day at the church.

The Barkleys stopped at a tent in the middle of the street. It had been converted to a hospital with the priest acting as supervisor.

"Father, have you seen our mother and Audra Anne?" Nick asked in his forthright manner.

"Yes, but I'm sure they got out of the church. I had to go get the supplies out of your mother's wagon," the priest said, putting a cool cloth on someone's head.

"Was there an Indian girl in the church as well?" Roy Schneider, a merchant in Stockton, asked.

"Naomi? I'm not sure if she got out. She probably did if Audra Anne and Victoria were there to help get her out," the priest said, looking at Schneider over Jarrod's shoulder.

The sheriff's loud voice was heard as he pushed a thief along. The thief wore a big hat and looked as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. "I found this man in the church. He had these on him," the sheriff said, holding out a purse and a small gold locket.

Nick took the purse while Jarrod took the locket. Jarrod felt tears come to his eyes. This was the necklace he had given to Audra Anne when she turned ten. Audra Anne didn't like to take it off because it had her mother's picture in it. Jarrod opened it to see that his picture and Hope's picture hadn't been damaged.

"Where did you find these?" Jarrod asked, looking up from the locket to the thief.

"In the church. They was jes' layin' there on the floor, the man said, his voice squeaking.

"Did you see the people they belonged to? A woman and a ten-year-old girl?" Heath asked.

"No. I didn't see anyone," the thief insisted.

"Look, I gave this to my daughter on her birthday. You are sure you didn't see her. She has long black hair and shining greenish-gray eyes," Jarrod said, holding out the locket.

"I didn't see her. The church was completely empty. And if that's your kid's necklace she should know bettter'n to wear it where it can get stolen," the thief said, his tone sounding as if he were mocking.

Jarrod's mouth got hard and angry. This man had no right to slam his daughter like that. Audra Anne wore this necklace without regard for losing it. Jarrod put the necklace in his coat pocket. If he found his daughter she would want her necklace back.

"Jarrod, why don't we go to the church?" Heath asked, breaking Jarrod's train of thoughts.

"That's a good idea, Heath. If Mother and Audra Anne are still in there, they may be wounded," Jarrod said, taking a few deep breaths.

"The girls and I are coming with you," Audra said, making a decision for herself, Lucy, and Lee.

"No you're not. The inside of that church may be unstable. You and the girls are not going inside," Nick ordered in a stern voice.

"THEY'RE MY MOTHER AND NIECE TOO! WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING! SOMEONE DO SOMETHING!" Audra screamed, bursting into tears.

Heath took his sister in his arms and hugged her tight. "It's all right, Sis," Heath said in a comforting, gentle tone. It was the same tone he would have used if Lee, Lucy, or Audra Anne were upset.

"We'll go in the church. We'll let you know if we find something," Jarrod promised his sister and nieces.

"I'm coming with you!" Roy Schneider said, running to catch up to the brothers. All four men entered the church, worried for the people that may be trapped inside.

The basement was cold as Audra Anne walked beside her grandmother and Naomi. Mr. Tate was scowling the whole time. Apparently being trapped in a basement due to an earthquake hadn't done a whole lot to improve his disposition.

Audra Anne pushed her hair out of her eyes as she tried not to let on how chilly the air was. Naomi had no such qualms. "It feels cold in here," the Modoc lady said as she tried to keep up with Victoria and Audra Anne's steps.

"The sooner we get there, the sooner you and your baby can get out of this cold air," Victoria said, patting Naomi's arm.

"What kind of baby do you want, Naomi? A boy or a girl?" Audra Anne asked, trying in an attempt to get everyone's mind off the cold air.

"I don't care," Naomi said flatly.

"You don't care what kind of baby you have?" Victoria asked shocked at the Indian woman's response.

"I never wanted this baby. The baby's father is a white man who said he loved me!" Naomi said, her voice close to breaking.

Audra Anne felt sorry for Naomi. The Indian woman's attitude toward her baby was an awful lot like Jarrod's attitude toward her when she was born. Jarrod paid a whole lot more of attention to her lately, but Audra Anne seriously doubted how long her father would be this way.

"Naomi, Don’t talk like that. When I was born my father didn't like me," Audra Anne said, taking the woman's hand in hers.

"Why?" Naomi asked, puzzled. Audra Anne seemed like a nice girl to her.

"Because my mother's death was because of me," Audra Anne said bluntly.

"What Audra Anne is saying Naomi is that you should want to have this baby," Victoria said.

'What about my baby's father? He's married and would he take responsibility for it?" Naomi said fretfully.

No one had any response to that. Victoria and the others continue to walk as Naomi's problem was on their minds.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod, Nick, Heath, and Roy Schneider entered the church, worried about what they would find. Inside the church was totally messed up with beams all over the place. Beams and other pieces of wood blocked the door to the basement.

Jarrod removed his jacket and looked at the door to the basement. If Audra Anne and Victoria were anywhere in the church they would be in the basement. Jarrod would have banked on it.

Jarrod placed his hands on the beams and tried to move them. They were impossible to move. Nick put his hand on Jarrod's shoulder. "Pappy, we're going to have to have help in moving these," Nick said gruffly.

"Nick, I have to get them moved. My daughter may be in there," Jarrod said, his eyes misting over.

"Jarrod, I know how much Audra Anne means to ya. We'll do everything to get her and Mother out, but right now it won't do to let your emotions go," Nick said, in a way of trying to make his brother feel better.

"Nick, that is my daughter. If it were Lucy in there you'd understand why I feel the way I do! So stay out of it!" Jarrod said sharply.

Nick flinched inwardly. Jarrod was really upset. One more word and Jarrod might hit him. Heath put his hand on Jarrod's shoulder.

"Jarrod, Nick is just tryin' to help," Heath said, trying to be a peacemaker.

"Unless any of you lose your daughter, don't tell me anything about how I feel," Jarrod snapped, turning back to the beams in front of the basement.

The four men tried to help Jarrod move the heavy beams without any success. "There has to be a way in there," Heath said, wiping his brow with his bandana.

"I think there was another way into the church. It was a mine our father opened years ago. Some of the passages intersected with the church basement," Jarrod said, running his hands through his black hair.

Nick, Heath, and Roy looked at Jarrod. "Do you remember the way in?" Nick asked his brother.

"No, but the assay office would probably know," Jarrod said, putting on his coat and hat.

"I'm going there," Heath said, walking out the door.

"I'm going with you," Roy volunteered. No one knew then that Roy didn't want Victoria, Audra Anne or Naomi, the Modoc Woman, to be found.

Audra Anne's feet were starting to get chilled through her thick leather shoes. It felt as if she wasn't wearing any shoes at all. If Audra Anne felt this bad, how did Naomi and Victoria feel?

Audra Anne was starting to feel sleepy too. She felt like lying down and possibly never getting up again. The only thing that kept her going was that her father would want her to keep going. Or would he? She had given him nothing but pain from the day she was born.

Audra Anne stumbled over a loose rock, falling flat on her face. 'Audra Anne!" Victoria exclaimed, trying to help her granddaughter up. Audra Anne grasped her grandmother's hand and took a few deep breaths of air. The air was starting to smell old and stale.

"Come on, Audra Anne. You have to get up," Victoria said, plucking a strand of Audra Anne's hair away from her bright red cheeks.

"I can't!" Audra Anne exclaimed, her voice revealing the despair in her voice.

"Please try, Audra Anne. Do it for your father," Victoria said, her voice turning firm.

"Why? I ruined my father's life," Audra Anne said, the tears rolling down her face.

"So you're just going to lay there and feel sorry for yourself? No you don't, Audra Anne Barkley. If I have to carry you out I will. Prove you're your father's daughter and a Barkley. Barkleys don't give up and neither do they wallow in self-pity," Victoria said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Audra Anne looked at her grandmother. Her grandmother's words were harsh, but true. Audra Anne loved her father and he loved her. She HAD to get up. Jarrod Barkley wouldn't expect less from her than that.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod and Nick continued to try to move the beams when Heath, Schneider, and the sheriff came into the church. By the looks on Heath and the sheriff's faces they were upset.

"What happened?" Jarrod asked his younger brother.

"Schneider here burned the plans that lead into the mine!" Heath exploded, his face bright red with anger.

"You WHAT?" Jarrod roared, looking at Schneider, his eyes burning with rage.

"Why would you do that? That's our mother and Jarrod's daughter down there?" Nick asked, barely controlling the urge to pop Schneider in the mouth.

Before Schneider could answer Jarrod grabbed Schneider by the front of his shirt. "My daughter could die on account of you. Is whatever secret you had worth the life of a ten-year-old girl?" Jarrod asked, his voice low and deadly calm.

"Jarrod, he's not worth your anger," Heath said, putting a hand on Jarrod's back.

"He's right, Jarrod. Right now, finding Audra Anne and Mother is more important. The law will punish him," Nick said, for once being the logical one.

Jarrod walked back over to his brothers. "Is there some other way to get them out?" Heath asked his two brothers.

"Father and Mother knew about the mine. Is there anyone else who could have known?" Nick asked Jarrod.

"The only other one who could have known would be old Jeff out at the ranch," Jarrod said.

"I'll go get 'em," Heath said, running to the door.

"Jarrod, I'll send some men to help you move those beams," the sheriff said.

"Thanks, Fred," Jarrod said, turning back to the beams.

The men continued to work on the beams, with the hope that old Jeff might help them find the entrance to the mine.

Audra Anne sat next to Naomi as they took a brief break. It was getting harder to breathe in this place as the air became nearly intolerable.

The air had to be thinning as they got closer to the entrance to the mine. Naomi was having a harder time, Audra Anne was sure.

A scream of pain from Naomi jarred everyone from there thoughts.

Audra Anne took the Indian woman's hand and tried not to wince as Naomi nearly succeeded in breaking it. "Naomi, are you all right?" Audra Anne asked, pushing back a lock of black hair out of Naomi's eyes.

"I can't go on!" Naomi screamed.

"You have to Naomi!" Victoria said, her voice harsh with worry.

"Just leave me here to die!" Naomi said, her voice sounding as if she had lost all hope of getting out.

"Maybe we should all do as the squaw says," Tate said, sounding cruel.

"You can stay here if you want to, Mr. Tate. But we are not leaving Naomi and her baby to die," Victoria said, her eyes hard.

"Grandma, how are we going to get her out? We'll never be able to carry her and the baby," Audra Anne fretted as she put one of Naomi's arms over her shoulder.

"This is all your son's fault your highness. If he hadn't fired me, I wouldn't be down here!" Tate said, his tone turning to blame.

"How do you figure, Mr. Tate? Uncle Nick fired you for being drunk on the job. He had every right to fire you," Audra Anne said, fed up with Tate's complaining.

In a flash of anger Tate reached out and slapped Audra Anne hard across the mouth. Audra Anne felt the tears come to her eyes as she turned to help Victoria with Naomi.

"Mr. Tate, don't you ever strike my granddaughter again," Victoria said, her voice deadly and even.

The foursome continued on their way, a new burden being added to them. If they didn't get Naomi to a doctor now, then Naomi and the baby would die.

* * * * * * * *

Everyone stared in shock at what Roy Schneider had just said. The Modoc woman in the basement was carrying his baby and he was willing to kill an elderly lady and a girl to hide his guilt.

Roy's wife Ann stood there with tears in her eyes. Her husband's affair had truly broken her heart.

"I am sorry," Roy repeated, not looking at any of the Barkleys in the eyes.

Jarrod looked at the man. Years of being a lawyer had taught him when a person was lying. Roy wasn't sorry that he might have killed his mother and daughter, he was sorry that he had been caught.

"As soon as old Jeff shows up, I hope he can lead us into another entrance in the mine," Jarrod said, his tone revealing the urgency that they needed to hurry.

"Don't worry, Jarrod. We'll get Audra Anne out. You are not going to lose her," Nick said, clapping his older brother's shoulder.

Jarrod hoped Nick was right. With the air in the mine getting lower his daughter's chance for survival was slim. Jarrod looked up to Heaven asking God for help. If anyone could help now, it was God.

Naomi's pain had been intensifying for about an hour. Audra Anne wasn't sure if it had been that long. They had been in the mine for hours and it felt like it was years to the rest of the world.

Audra Anne wondered if she'd ever see her father alive again. Jarrod had to be worried about her by now. After all the times he had neglected her he was really the best father in the world.

"Grandma, I want my father," Audra Anne said, trying hard not to cry with no success.

"We'll get to him, Little one. Your father will be waiting for you when you get out of this mine," Victoria said, trying to tell her granddaughter never to give up hope.

"Why don't you tell her the truth, your highness? She's never gonna get out of here and see her father. She's gonna be joining her mother soon," Tate said, still very cruel.

"That's not true," Audra Anne said, her tone denying what she had just heard.

"Mr. Tate, my granddaughter will live to see her father. You trying to discourage her is not helping anything," Victoria said, her voice chilled.

"Anythin' you say, your highness. Anythin' Victoria Barkley says is the truth," Tate said, mocking Victoria.

"Ignore him, Audra Anne, Naomi," Victoria said, Leading Naomi and Audra Anne in one direction of the shaft.

Tate went in the other direction; a loud rumble of rocks falling caught the attention of Victoria. "Stay here with Naomi!" Victoria ordered sharply.

After a few minutes of waiting Victoria came back. "Mr. Tate?" Audra Anne asked, confirming what had just happened.

Victoria nodded. Tate was dead. Victoria and Audra Anne helped Naomi along, hoping that the baby would wait to come until they got outside.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod, Nick, Heath, Audra, Lucy, and Lee waited as old Jeff looked around. Jarrod couldn't hold his tongue any longer as Jeff walked around.

"Can you find the entrance, Jeff?" Jarrod asked the old man.

"I don't know, Mr. Jarrod. It's been a long time since I've been to this area. The land has changed," Jeff said, apologetically looking at Jarrod and his family.

'Please try, Jeff. My mother and daughter's lives are at stake," Jarrod said, trying to stop himself from crying.

'Yes Sir. I understand how you feel. I started that mine with your mother and father. We were all the best of friends," Jeff said, trying to sound comforting. He knew the lawyer loved his daughter so much that the thought of her dying was something he didn't like to think about.

Jeff remembered the depression and despair Jarrod had sunk into when his wife, Hope Barkley, died. Right now Miss Audra Anne was all Jarrod had left to remind himself of Hope. If he lost Audra Anne it would be like losing Hope all over again.

'Hurry, Jeff," Audra said, breaking the old man's thoughts.

Jeff went around looking for the entrance. After about fifteen minutes Jeff gave a shout.

"Here it is!" Jeff shouted to the brothers.

The brothers started to pull away brush and rocks away from the mine entrance; Audra and the girls keeping their distance. Jarrod felt his heart lurch. He hoped Audra Anne was all right. All he knew was that when he found her she would see her father cry for the first time in her life.

After Tate's death things got relatively worse. Naomi now screamed in pain every five minutes. The baby was wanting to be born now.

"Grandma, we're going to have to stop. The baby-" Audra Anne said, her lips blue with the cold and her face ashen-gray.

Victoria nodded. She looked as bad as Audra Anne did. Audra Anne and Victoria helped Naomi sit on the cold floor. Audra Anne sank down next to the Indian woman, her exhaustion showing in her dull greenish-gray eyes.

She fell asleep, not hearing what was happening. The dream she had in the cave was so nice. She dreamed she was at home. Home was so nice and wasn't cold like this cave. The sound of a baby's crying shattered the dream.

Audra Anne opened her heavy eyelids and she saw a small bundle in her grandmother's arms. Naomi was quiet and appeared to be asleep.

Audra Anne smiled faintly. "Grandma, is the baby all right?" Audra Anne asked, her voice cracking with tiredness.

"He's all right. Would you like to hold him?" Victoria asked, holding out the baby to her granddaughter.

"I never held a baby before. I won't drop him, will I?" Audra Anne asked, as Victoria put the baby on Audra Anne's shoulder.

"No. Just lay still," Victoria said, running her hand through Audra Anne's tangled black hair.

"I'm so tired. Wish I could see Father," Audra Anne mumbled, her voice getting fainter as she drifted back to sleep.

Victoria also fell asleep, Her hand on the baby's back. The hours sped by unknown to any of them.

* * * * * * * *

The entrance to the mine was cleared in a matter of hours. Jarrod ran into the mine followed by his brothers and Audra. "Mother!" Audra yelled.

"Audra Anne!" Jarrod's voice followed that of his sister's. Jarrod knew well how stale and thin this air was. If Audra Anne was all right he could breathe a sigh of relief.

As the foursome walked they nearly missed the three figures asleep on the floor. Victoria woke up bleary-eyed. "Jarrod, Heath, Nick Audra!" Victoria's voice croaked.

The siblings all turned to see Victoria trying to stand. Audra ran to her mother, hugging and crying all at once. Jarrod looked down to see his daughter still asleep on the rock floor, a baby on her shoulder.

Jarrod took the baby off her shoulder and handed him to Victoria. Jarrod cupped her face and rubbed her cheeks with his hands. Her face was freezing cold and only her shallow breathing told Jarrod that she was alive.

"Wake up, Audra Anne. It's me, Father," Jarrod said, pushing her tangled hair away from her face.

Audra Anne's eyes opened to the merest slit and a ghost of a smile touched her lips briefly. "Father?" Audra Anne asked, her voice very faint.

Jarrod pulled her into his arms and gently stroked her head. "Try not to talk, Honey," Jarrod gently told his daughter as he picked her up.

"I was so scared," Audra Anne whispered in Jarrod's ear as she passed out again, her head falling into Jarrod's chest.

Jarrod looked at his daughter. He would give her necklace when she woke up. He just hoped that the mine wouldn't kill her as it did the Indian woman. Apparently Naomi had died and Victoria and Audra Anne weren't aware of it.

Audra Anne woke up to the sounds of people's voices. She remembered being trapped in the basement with Victoria and Naomi.

Am I in Heaven? Audra Anne thought sluggishly, as she tried to force her heavy eyelids open.

Her father's voice reached through the fog in her brain. "How is she, Doctor?" Jarrod asked, his voice sounding concerned. It was then that Audra Anne felt her father's fingers on her forehead. They gently pushed back her hair. Audra Anne felt tears come into her eyes. That whole time in the basement she had wanted her father and now he was here.

Audra Anne opened her eyes. The area where she was spun for a moment as her eyes tried to focus. The room stopped spinning as she looked up at her father. She moaned and put her hands on her eyes.

Jarrod looked down on her in surprise. "Audra Anne!" Jarrod said, his voice betraying all the fear and anxiety he had felt in the last few hours.

Audra Anne looked into her father's concerned blue eyes. He was still very worried; even though she and Victoria had gotten out of the basement alive.

"Father," Audra Anne moaned, her voice cracking slightly with tears.

Jarrod felt his heart wrench. At the tears in his baby girl's voice he drew her into his arms and hugged her tight. Audra Anne returned the hug, happy that her father did love her enough to come and rescue her from the mine.

Jarrod looked into her eyes. The tears spilled over onto her cheeks and onto his hands that were cupping her face.

"I was so scared," Audra Anne sobbed, looking into her father's eyes.

"Would ya believe Uncle Jarrod was too?" Lee came over asking her cousin.

Audra Anne looked up at her red-haired cousin. "I believe it, Lee. How's Grandma and Naomi?" Audra Anne asked her father, turning her eyes away from Lee.

"Your grandmother's fine. But who's Naomi?" Jarrod asked puzzled.

"The Modoc woman we were with. The baby belongs to her," Audra Anne asked, getting upset at her father's confusion.

Jarrod then remembered the woman who had died in the mine. "I'm sorry, Audra Anne. Naomi died in the mine," Jarrod said, wishing it was anyone but himself giving her this news.

Audra Anne's face turned pale. "I don't believe you," Audra Anne whispered in shock.

"Your father is telling you the truth, Audra Anne. Naomi died in the mine," Victoria said, placing her hand on Audra Anne's thin shoulder.

"What about the baby, Grandma?" Audra Anne said, tears filling her eyes again.

"If the father won't take responsibility for it, we'll raise it," Victoria said, a determined glint in her hazel eyes.

"Are you up to raising a baby, Grandma?" Lucy asked, looking up at her grandmother.

"Of course. I raised Audra Anne after her mother died. I can raise this baby too," Victoria said, ruffling Audra Anne's tangled black hair.

"MOTHER, THIS BABY IS HALF-MODOC!" Nick shouted in shock.

"Uncle Nick, we are quite aware of that. You don't have to break the sound barrier," Audra Anne said testily.

"And if memory serves me correctly, Nick, Tom Lightfoot was a friend of yours and he lived with us. He was full-blooded Modoc," Victoria said, mentioning a friend of the family who was away at Harvard to become a lawyer.

At Nick's tongue-tied expression Audra Anne, Lucy, and Lee giggled. "Mother's right, Nick. If Schneider won't take responsibility we'll raise the baby," Jarrod said, sounding like the older brother.

"All right! You win!" Nick said, throwing his hands in the air in surrender.

Keeping the baby would end up not being an option for the Barkleys though. Someone would take the baby in, but not Victoria.

The Barkley family gathered as the priest baptized Naomi's baby. Audra Anne stood next to Jarrod, wiping the smudges off her face with her father's handkerchief.

Victoria held the baby in her arms as the priest blessed it. As the family turned to leave they heard a voice come to them over where Roy and Ann Schneider were. "Mrs. Barkley, may I have the baby?" Ann asked, stretching her arms out to the baby.

"You want the responsibility of this child?" The priest asked, surprised as everyone looked.

"Yes. I can't have children and I'll be willing to take this one," Ann said, her voice full of emotion.

Victoria handed the baby over to Ann, with some reluctance. In the space of a few hours Victoria had grown to love the baby as a mother would.

"This child was born in the dark. It has been now brought into the light of a mother's love," the priest said, by way of blessing the baby.

Ann walked away, holding the baby tightly in her arms. Roy joined his wife outside. A look of sadness crossed Ann's face as Roy joined her. Roy wrapped his arm around his wife and the couple walked toward the store. As the Barkleys watched them leave Audra Anne felt happy. The baby was going to have a mother to love it. She didn't know if the baby's father and mother would ever tell him that his real mother was an Indian, but it was enough for the moment that he had a mother to love him.

"Well now, young lady, let's get your grandmother home," Jarrod said, pushing his daughter's chin up so he could look into her eyes.

"Sounds great. I still feel kind of tired," Audra Anne admitted, yawning a little.

"I think we should take baths first," Victoria reminded her granddaughter.

"Sounds great too. I plan to take a bubble bath. My feet ache from all the walking we did. And then I'd like to eat a three-inch steak," Audra Anne said, her mouth watering slightly at the mention of food.

The whole family walked to Victoria's buggy. "Why don't you let me drive?" Victoria asked as Heath took up the reins.

"Right now, you two are going to be treated as queens. I'll drive," Jarrod said gallantly. He took the reins from Heath and drove home. Halfway to the ranch Audra Anne fell asleep, not caring what could happen to Stockton or her family next. All she wanted was sleep and know she wasn't going to die this day.

Three weeks later Audra Anne, Lee, and Lucy were with Heath while he met the train. A gold shipment was expected for the Barkleys and Heath and the girls would ride home with Jarrod as soon as it was delivered.

"Hey, Mr. Barkley!" Elmer, the stationmaster said by way of greeting.

"Hello Elmer. Is our gold shipment in?" Heath asked. The gold shipment was of utmost importance to the family. This was the first time since Heath had arrived that Nick trusted him to handle some of the Barkley wealth. It was different than when Heath had to go see why mineworkers were going on strike at the Barkley-Sierra Mine. He hadn't come in direct contact with any of the wealth that time.

"I think so, Mr. Barkley. I'll go check," Elmer said, going to check a train's baggage car.

"Uncle Heath, do you really think the gold may be on that train?" Lucy asked the question that all three cousins were thinking.

"It should be, Lu. Your father and Uncle Jarrod have never steered me wrong before," Heath said, looking down at the girls. In the time of barely a year, he had grown to love his brothers’ children as much as he loved his daughter. Audra Anne believed him when no one else had and she was his strongest ally when Nick had resented him. Lucy was brave and she definitely had her father's temper.

A man's shout reached them from the direction of the alley beside the train station. Heath and the girls started at the shout.

"Stay here!" Heath sharply ordered the girls. He took off running in the direction of the shout. Audra Anne, Lucy, and Lee took one look at each other and followed him.

* * * * * * * *

Heath touched the side of the man's throat. There was no pulse. From the streetlights above Heath recognized the man as Colonel Ashby. The way it looked he hadn't been dead for long. Three sets of feet came to a shocked halt besides Heath.

"It's Colonel Ashby!" Lucy yelped in surprise. Colonel Ashby was well known in Stockton. He was extremely wealthy and his wife worked with Audra at the children's home. At this moment Audra and Mrs. Ashby were trying to get a new home for the orphans as the present one was too small.

"Didn't I tell you three children to stay put?" Heath asked, exasperated.

Audra Anne ignored the question by asking another one. "Who do you think killed him, Uncle Heath?" Audra Anne asked, gesturing to Ashby.

"I don't know. But I think he's still around here somewhere," Heath said, his eyes combing the shadows. A figure took off running. Heath ran after him, the girls on his heels. Heath knocked the man to the ground and spun him around by his shoulders.

He looked into the eyes of Korbie Kyles. Korbie Kyles and his family were not good people. Over the years they had caused much mischief in Stockton. A lot of people wished the Kyleses would leave for good, but apparently that was wishful thinking. Until now.

"Korbie Kyles!" Audra Anne said in shock.

"Audra Anne, you and the girls go get the sheriff and Jarrod," Heath said, his voice all serious.

"Yes, Uncle Heath. Come on Lucy, Lee," Audra Anne said, running through the streets to the sheriff's office, her cousins on her heels.

Audra Anne yawned briefly as she ate breakfast. She looked up to see Jarrod giving her a sharp look. While he understood why his daughter was tired, he didn't approve of her yawning without covering her mouth.

Because Heath and the girls were the only witnesses to Colonel Ashby's death, the sheriff and Jarrod had questioned them thoroughly the night before. Heath, Jarrod, and the girls hadn't gotten home until well past two o'clock in the morning. Then they had to get up at five. All Audra Anne wanted to do was go back to bed. It took all her self-control not to fall asleep at the table. Jarrod would have looked angrier at her falling asleep than yawning at the table.

"Heath, are you sure that it was Korbie Kyles you and the girls saw?" Victoria asked, after taking a sip of her coffee.

"Mother, what other proof do you need? Besides the girls saw it was Korbie Kyles too. Isn't that what you said when you saw it was Korbie Kyles, Audra Anne?" Nick demanded of his niece.

"Yes Sir. I'm not blind ya know," Audra Anne said, her voice sharper than she intended.

Everyone overlooked her sharp tone. She was tired from not enough sleep and that made her cranky.

"See that, Mother. The whole Kyles clan is as guilty as sin. It was just a matter of time before one of them actually killed someone," Nick said judgmentally.

"I just feel sorry for Mrs. Ashby. I think I'll ask her if she wants to postpone the building of the new orphanage," Audra said, putting her two cents in.

"That may be a good idea, Honey. She has to have time to grieve," Jarrod said, proud of Audra's caring heart.

A loud ruckus came out of the dining room. Jacob Kyles followed by his two sons, Alan and Emmet came into the dining room. Silas was at the rear looking apologetic.

"Jacob," Victoria said, rising from her place at the table.

Everyone else stood from their place. 'Hello Victoria. We're here to see Jarrod," Jacob said, after nudging his sons to remove their hats in the presence of ladies.

"What is it you want, Jacob?" Jarrod asked, his tone like that of a lawyer's. Audra Anne knew that tone well. It implied that her father was upset that these people came into his house, but he wouldn't yell or get mad.

"Well, I've been to countless lawyers and they won't take my boy's case. And I was wonderin' if you would do it," Jake said.

"Jake, think of why those other lawyers turned you down. And besides my brother, daughter, and nieces are the main witnesses against your son," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around Audra Anne's thin shoulder.

"You always treated people fair and square. Any way who'd believe him? He's not really a Barkley anyway," Jake said, making every Barkley mad.

"Jake, I'll try to overlook that remark. Also my daughter is no liar. If I took your side I'd have to prove that my own daughter was lying," Jarrod said, his voice tight with anger.

"So you're like everyone else in town. I always heard you Barkleys were fair people. You feel that my boy should die for somethin' he didn't do," Jake said, accusing Jarrod.

"I think you should leave now," Nick said, his voice like a mantra's.

The room was as quiet as a tomb after the Kyleses left. Audra Anne looked at her father as he pushed food around on his plate with his fork.

"Father, do you think Mr. Kyles would find a lawyer for Korbie?" Audra Anne asked, grabbing one of her black braids and twirling it around in her hand.

"Probably," Jarrod answered absent-mindedly.

"Does that mean we have to testify, Uncle Jarrod?" Lee asked, her green eyes worried.

"Possibly. If there is a trial I can ask the judge if the lawyers can refrain from using you three girls as witnesses," Jarrod said, his tone sounding protective of his three nieces.

"What if you can't, Father?" Audra Anne asked, putting her hands on her father's arm.

This was one question Jarrod couldn't answer. If he couldn't keep his daughter off the witness stand, she'd have to testify. Quite frankly Jarrod was interested in this case. He felt that maybe he should investigate. Maybe Heath and the girls hadn't seen what they thought they saw. Maybe Jarrod could prove them wrong, but there was a slight inkling they could be right. If that was the case Audra Anne might be very angry with him for a long time. Right now Jarrod was confused about everything.

Jarrod walked down the streets of Stockton, determined to find out what happened the previous night with colonel Ashby and Korbie Kyles. Jarrod still wasn't entirely sure if Heath and the girls had seen what they saw. He knew that thinking that was calling Audra Anne a liar, but Jarrod still couldn't shake his doubts.

After getting a haircut at the barber's, Jarrod stepped out feeling the cool October air on his neck. It was a relief to be out of the barber's. All he had heard there was how guilty Korbie Kyles was and how he couldn't get out of it because of Audra Anne and Heath's testimony.

Jarrod was also thinking that if he could take the case that maybe he could prevent Audra Anne from testifying. The other lawyer could question her, but Audra Anne would not be cross-examined by her father. He was a lawyer, but he was a father first.

Jarrod's thoughts were interrupted by the squeals of children. Audra, Audra Anne, and two children were walking down the boardwalk. Audra Anne held the hand of a six-year-old girl while Audra held the hand of a little boy. Audra Anne had her mother's heart for orphans. The 10 months that they were married Hope had thrown herself into helping Victoria with the orphans at the orphan's home. Hope loved children dearly and the orphans loved her just as much.

"Father!" Audra Anne exclaimed, running to him to give him a hug and kiss his cheek.

"How's my favorite girl?" Jarrod asked, pulling on one of her braids gently.

"I'm fine, Father," Audra Anne took a look at her father's haircut. "It looks good, Father."

Jarrod ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Thank you, Audra Anne. Audra, who's your friends?" Jarrod said to his sister, patting the little girl on the head.

"Oh these are two of the children from the children's home. Audra Anne and I are taking them to the general store. Children, take this silver dollar and go buy yourselves some candy," Audra Anne said, putting a silver dollar in the little boy's hand.

The two children scampered off. "How's Mrs. Ashby?" Jarrod asked his sister and daughter.

"As well as can be expected since her husband was killed," Audra Anne said, her tone blunt.

"Is she still going to help you with the children's home?" Jarrod asked Audra.

"Yes. She said that she wants something to keep her mind off the Colonel's death," Audra said, tearing up slightly.

"Well, I better be going. I have to run an errand to the jail," Jarrod said, kissing his sister's cheek and Audra Anne's forehead.

"Why do you have to go to the jail, Father?" Audra Anne asked, puzzled.

"I've been investigating what happened last night. I think Korbie Kyles could tell me his side of the story," Jarrod said, knowing this comment would rile her up.

To Jarrod's surprise Audra Anne didn't look upset. "All right. I hope Korbie Kyles's story is different from what Uncle Heath and myself told you," Audra Anne said, her greenish-gray eyes expressionless.

"Come on, Audra Anne. Let's go check on the children," Audra said, touching her niece's shoulder gently.

"Yes Ma'am, Aunt Audra," Audra Anne followed her aunt into the general store. Jarrod felt his heart sink like a stone. Audra Anne hadn't appeared angry, but she didn't say goodbye or kissed him goodbye just before she entered the store. Audra Anne was angry. She was just not going to show she was angry where all of Stockton could see her.

Jarrod entered the sheriff's office. He could hear Korbie Kyles yelling from the cellblock. The sheriff was filling out paperwork as Jarrod stood in front of him.

"Hello, Fred," Jarrod said, trying to get the lawman's attention.

"Jarrod! How's Audra Anne?" Fred asked. Fred had been one of Harry Lyman's deputies. He was the only deputy that really cared about people. His question showed that he was concerned how the Kyles case would affect Jarrod's daughter.

'She's a little angry with me right now," Jarrod said, shrugging his shoulders.

"What did you do?" Fred asked instantly. He knew that Jarrod and his daughter didn't exactly get along at times. When it came to Audra Anne Barkley's temper she was just like her father.

"I said I wanted to question Korbie Kyles about what happened last night," Jarrod said, putting his hat back on his head.

Fred whistled and shook his head. "I'm just glad Audra Anne's not my daughter. She may be angry with you for a long time," Fred said, keeping his tone light.

"Tell me something I don't know," Jarrod muttered under his breath.

Jarrod went into the cellblock. Korbie lay on a cot, staring at the ceiling. "Mr. Jarrod Barkley is here to talk to you, Kyles," the sheriff said, his voice dripping with scorn and contempt.

Korbie looked at Jarrod. "Mr. Barkley, what are ya doing here? Your kid's testimony could get me hung," Korbie said, standing to his feet.

"I'm here to see if there is any reason I should doubt my brother's and daughter's testimonies," Jarrod said tightly.

"You hear those clowns out there. I'm a Kyles. I deserve to die," Korbie said, sarcastically.

"It doesn't matter if you deserve to die, Korbie. It matters only if you are guilty or innocent," Jarrod pointed out.

"Well, I didn't," Korbie said, looking straight into Jarrod's eyes.

"My daughter and brother said they saw you run out of the shadows," Jarrod said, hoping for an explanation to that.

"Yah, they saw me. But I saw who really did it and I was terrified that they might catch me," Korbie admitted.

"Who did it?" Jarrod prodded.

"Some China man. They all look the same to me. I saw the China man stab Colonel Ashby and then run off," Korbie said, his sarcasm gone.

"Why would a Chinese worker stab Colonel Ashby?" Jarrod asked, interested in Korbie's revelation.

"Well, the Colonel was doin' somethin' he oughtn't of. I was involved in an illegal opium ring and China men and myself helped distribute it," Korbie said, sounding like he was having a tooth pulled.

Jarrod was silent a few seconds as he pondered the story. "I should have known that you were incapable of telling the truth," Jarrod said finally, sounding disgruntled.

"Well thanks, Jarrod," Korbie said, sounding pleased that his lie hadn't worked.

Jarrod's eyes turned steely and his mouth hard. "Don't you ever call me Jarrod," Jarrod said, his voice low and deadly calm.

The stupid look fled from Korbie's eyes as he looked at Jarrod. "Now why would a man like Colonel Ashby involve himself in Opium?" Jarrod asked, his anger leaving as quickly as it had come.

"He wasn't all high and mighty like he appeared to be. He was involved in that opium ring up to his neck," Korbie said.

Jarrod nodded his head. "I'm going back to my office. I'll think about taking your case. No one else in town's going to do it," Jarrod said.

Jarrod felt more like a snake now for wanting to take this case. Audra Anne, forgive me, Jarrod thought, tears coming to his eyes as he walked to his office.

He knew that as soon as he got home he would tell his daughter that he would take the case. But there was one thing he would not do; question her like a witness in front of a court of law.

Audra Anne sat on the stone bench that was next to her mother's grave. She didn't come by here as often as she used to. It was only when she was sad and miserable that she came.

If she knew her father's morals he was going to defend Korbie Kyles. Why, she had no idea. She knew that that awful man needed a lawyer, but why did it have to be her father to defend him? There were plenty of lawyers in Stockton. Jarrod didn't have to keep sticking his neck out for people like Korbie Kyles.

"Hello, Beautiful," Jarrod's voice broke into her thoughts. Audra Anne looked up to see her father on Jingo. “what are you doing here?" Jarrod asked, dismounting and sitting next to her.

"I came to put flowers on Mother's grave if you must know," Audra Anne said testily.

"I don't appreciate your tone of voice, Audra Anne Barkley. Change it, please," Jarrod said, his tone and eyes stern.

'Sorry," Audra Anne said, her voice close to breaking.

Jarrod put his hand on her shoulder. "Audra Anne, I know you are angry with me for taking the case. Believe me, Sweetheart, the last thing I want to do is hurt you," Jarrod said, stroking her long black hair gently.

"Then why do you have to defend that awful man? There are plenty of lawyers in Stockton. Why does it have to be you?" Audra Anne asked, looking her father in the eye.

"Audra Anne, as a lawyer I have to believe that every man is innocent until proven guilty," Jarrod said, gently massaging her face with his hand.

"I know, but is it at the expense of Uncle Heath and me? Like let's say we were wrong and we didn't see what we thought we saw; people are going to think little of us," Audra Anne said, the hopelessness in her eyes.

Jarrod's heart felt sick at his daughter's confession. Jarrod hugged her, cradling her head against his chest. “Audra Anne, I wouldn't think little of you. I would just say you made an honest mistake," Jarrod said, brushing her ears with his fingertips.

"In that courtroom you're going to have prove I'm a liar. You'll put me on the witness stand," Audra Anne said, finally allowing the tears to fall.

Jarrod gently wiped her tears away with his hand. "Audra Anne, I'm going to see that that doesn't happen. I'll put your Uncle Heath on the stand, but I'll ask Green if we could question you in the judge's office," Jarrod said, forcing his daughter's chin up so he could look into her eyes.

"You're not going to have me testify in front of everyone?" Audra Anne asked, her voice squeaking slightly.

"No I'm not. I may be Korbie Kyle's attorney, but you are my daughter. Your feelings are more important to me than this case. I don't have to hurt you in a court of law to make a name for myself as a lawyer. Your feelings do matter to me, Honey," Jarrod said firmly.

"I'm still upset that you would consider doing this case, but I can live with it," Audra Anne said, burying her face in Jarrod's chest.

Jarrod smiled and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Audra Anne Barkley," Jarrod said, pushing her hair behind her ear.

"I love you too, Father," Audra Anne said, kissing his cheek.

"Well, young lady, let's go home for dinner," Jarrod said, tweaking her nose gently.

"Yes Sir," Audra Anne said. Both of them mounted their horses. The talk with her father had helped Audra Anne sort out her feelings, but what was Nick and everyone else in the family going to say about this?

This was the worst argument that Audra Anne had ever heard between her father and Uncle Nick. Uncle Nick's face was five different shades of red and smoke was practically coming out of his ears and nose.

Jarrod was actually not doing any of the yelling, but when it came to shouting Nick did it better than any member of the family.

Audra Anne stood there unnoticed by her father and uncle. Lucy and Lee were doing their chores. Audra Anne had finished early in her chores and had come to get an apple from the bowl in the hallway. Apparently Nick and Jarrod hadn't heard her come in.

"I'LL HAVE TO SIDE WITH AUDRA ANNE ON THIS ONE, JARROD!!! WHY DEFEND KYLES? HE'S NOT WORTH IT!!!!" Nick shouted. If it was possible for a shout to get any louder Nick's could.

"Nick, I am quite capable of hearing you without you shouting," Jarrod said, his tone frosty.

"Do you have any idea who you'll have to discredit when you get into that courtroom? Our brother and our daughters! Are you willing to do that to your own daughter?" Nick asked, furious that Jarrod would even do it.

"Nick, I talked to Audra Anne. She understands that I have to do this," Jarrod said, his voice calming.

"Well she has a better understanding of you than I do. But why would you defend Korbie Kyles? He's a no-account bum," Nick protested.

"Nick, every man is innocent until proven guilty," Jarrod said, hoping that statement would work.

"Jarrod, the Kyles family came here when we did. Jake has had the same chances to raise those boys as Mother and Father raised us and you, Heath, and myself raise our daughters. He hasn't. He has let those boys do whatever they wanted without caring how it hurt people. Korbie's behavior has just been nipped in the bud," Nick said, trying to get Jarrod to see reason.

"Nick, I just believe that Heath and the girls may have made an honest mistake," Jarrod said, his blue eyes stubborn.

"You do what you have to, but without any support on your decision from me," Nick said, storming out of the room.

By that time Heath had joined Audra Anne in the foyer and both had heard the conversation. Jarrod looked at his blond brother and Audra Anne.

"Heath, do you think I am wrong?" Jarrod asked his brother.

"Jarrod, you're a lawyer. Your job has called you to do this. You're going to tear me inside out to win this case, but I understand," Heath said, his voice sounding like he understood the turmoil Jarrod was facing.

"You're a good man, Heath Barkley," Jarrod said, clapping his brother's shoulder.

"So are you, Jarrod. I know you'll do the right thing. You not taking this case because you're afraid of hurtin' my feelin's is not the right thing," Heath said, trying to encourage Jarrod.

"He's right, Father. If you’re concerned about hurting our feelings, don't be. If you or Mr. Green put me on the stand I'll understand," Audra Anne said, choking slightly on a sob.

Jarrod at that moment felt proud of his daughter. Earlier she hadn't wanted to testify in a huge courtroom, but now she said she didn't care. It was, to Jarrod's shock, what Hope would have said if it were her. Jarrod realized more than ever that hope would have been proud of their daughter's attitude as he was.

The day of the trial was hectic as well as nerve-wracking. Audra Anne found herself snappish and irritable. Also she couldn't eat and she stayed up all night, nervous. This day she had to testify in court with her father trying to prove that she might not have seen what she saw.

Jarrod already knew his family was still angry with him for taking the case. Mrs. Ashby had gotten so mad she had withdrawn her support in building an orphanage. Audra was downcast and wouldn't even look at Jarrod. Hooded assailants had beaten

Heath up one night in the barn. The bruises on his face had healed. That meant that Heath didn't have to have people looking at the bruises and wonder how he got them.

Audra Anne came down to the breakfast table and slid into her place next to her father. Jarrod was talking to Heath when she came in.

Her pallid face and red rimmed eyes was enough to throw Jarrod into a state of concern. "Audra Anne, are you all right, Honey?" Jarrod asked, feeling his daughter's forehead.

All conversation stooped as everyone turned to stare at Audra Anne. "Will everyone stop looking at me? I'm fine," Audra Anne snapped, pushing some eggs around on her plate.

"Audra Anne, you don't look fine," Heath interjected.

"No fever, but try to eat some of your breakfast. I don't want you passing out in the courtroom," Jarrod ordered strictly.

"Father, I'm not really hungry," Audra Anne said, laying her head on her arm.

Jarrod stroked her black hair. "I know you're not, but you could feel hungry later. Also, did you sleep last night?" Jarrod asked, looking at her tired eyes closely.

"No, not really. I was too upset to sleep," Audra Anne admitted, averting her eyes from Jarrod's.

"So, you are planning to go into a courtroom half-asleep?" Nick asked in disbelief.

"I guess," Audra Anne said, taking a drink of her milk.

Jarrod was shocked. How could his daughter be able to answer any questions from either lawyer if she was too worn out to do so? Jarrod knew there was no way Audra Anne could answer any questions now. Maybe if she slept for a few hours she could, but not now.

"Audra Anne, as soon as we get to Stockton you are going to take a nap in my office. My couch makes a pretty comfortable bed," Jarrod said, leaving no room for argument.

" But Uncle Heath and me are the key witnesses!" Audra Anne protested anyway.

"After we get to Stockton I'll tell the judge that you are unable to testify now. After you sleep for a few hours then we'll see if you can do it," Jarrod said, obviously disappointed that she would argue with him.

"Your father's right, Dear. You're practically falling asleep now. A few hours sleep is what you need," Victoria said, taking Jarrod's side.

"All right! You win! May I have the key to your office, Father?" Audra Anne asked, holding out her hand to Jarrod.

Jarrod put his hand in his suit coat pocket and gave her the key. "What do I do when I wake up?" Audra Anne asked.

"Come to the courthouse. You know where it's at," Jarrod said.

Breakfast was eaten in silence. "Father, I am sorry. I didn't intend to be this much trouble," Audra Anne said, her voice catching.

Jarrod reached across the table and squeezed her hand gently. ''You are not a trouble, Honey. I love you very much," Jarrod kissed her forehead gently. Audra Anne, at that moment knew how much her father loved her. This afternoon he would ask questions that would hurt her, but that one kiss, the insisting that she take a nap, showed her how much Jarrod cared and loved her.

Audra Anne woke to the sunshine streaming through the picture window in her father's office. The gilt letters on the window threw a golden light into the room; JARROD BARKLEY, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. OFFICES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND STOCKTON.

Audra Anne stood and stretched her arms over her head and yawned. The nap was refreshing to her tired mind. She felt that she could go now into the courtroom.

She stood in front of a wash pitcher and basin. She poured some water in and doused her face with the refreshing liquid. After wiping her face and hands on the roller towel she walked out to the courtroom. The streets were quiet. Everyone must be at the trial, Audra Anne thought.

She opened the door quietly and entered the courtroom. Mr. Green was questioning the sheriff about that night. Audra Anne slipped into her seat and watched the questioning silently.

After a few minutes it was Jarrod's turn. Jarrod stood, turned around to look at his family, and saw Audra Anne looking up at him. Jarrod smiled at her briefly and his eyes watered with tears. Heath had been questioned earlier and all Jarrod felt was pain at what he was doing to his brother and daughter.

Audra Anne felt tears come to her own eyes as she saw the pain etched in her father's face. This WAS hurting him more than it hurt her.

Jarrod commenced with the questioning. Mr. Green stood up as soon as Jarrod was done. "Your honor, the defense calls Audra Anne Barkley to the stand," Mr. Green said.

Audra Anne stood on shaky legs and made her way to the witness stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?" The Bailiff asked, holding out a Bible in front of her.

"I do," Audra Anne said, quietly.

"Miss Barkley, you do realize that you are under oath?" Mr. Green said, standing before Audra Anne.

"Yes Sir. I do know that it's wrong to lie in court," Audra Anne said.

"Who taught you that it's wrong to lie in court?" Green asked, not ready to change the subject.

Audra Anne looked at her father. "My father, Sir. My father's the best lawyer in Stockton," Audra Anne bragged, a hint of pride in her voice.

The court burst into laughter at Audra Anne's reply. "With a comment like that, you must really believe it," Green said, when the laughter died down.

"Yes Sir," Audra Anne said, her voice humble again.

"Do you realize that your father is defending Korbie Kyles?" Green asked, angering Jarrod.

"Objection, Your Honor! This is my client's trial, not mine!" Jarrod said, rising to his feet.

"I have to agree with Counselor Barkley. Stay with the point, Mr. Green," the judge said, wiping his glasses with a handkerchief.

The questioning went on for ten minutes. Then it was Jarrod's turn. Audra Anne felt her stomach roll slightly. It was easy enough for Mr. Green to question her. She didn't know how she would feel answering Jarrod's questions.

Jarrod came up to the witness stand, his eyes filled with pain as he looked into his daughter's eyes. Hope, forgive me, Jarrod thought, tears welling up inside him.

Questioning Audra Anne would be worse than questioning Heath. Heath and Audra Anne said they understood, but if Hope were here would she understand why her husband was doing this to their daughter? Would she be furious at Jarrod for his treatment of Audra Anne?

Jarrod opened his mouth to ask her a question, but nothing came out. Jarrod tried again this time the words came. "Where were you when the murder took place, Audra Anne?" Jarrod asked, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.

"Uncle Heath had just taken my cousins and me to town to check on the gold shipment that was coming in," Audra Anne said, feeling sorry for Jarrod.

"Why were you out late that night to begin with?" Jarrod asked.

Audra Anne looked down, not wanting to meet her father's intense blue eyes. "I had gotten into an argument with my father and I wanted to say I was sorry for what I said," Audra Anne said, looking at her hands folded on her left knee.

Jarrod remembered that fight. Jarrod had gotten mad at her for not coming home in time for supper and had said she was grounded. Of course Audra Anne had said that he had no right to ground her. Then Jarrod had gotten really mad and said that one more comment like that and she'd be confined to her room.

Jarrod had stalked out, angry. But right now Jarrod couldn't think of that. "Now did your uncle tell you at any time to stay at the depot platform?" Jarrod asked, his mind back on the trial.

"Yes Sir. But I didn't do that. Lee, Lucy, and myself followed Uncle Heath to the alley where we found Colonel Ashby dead," Audra Anne said, biting the inside of her mouth.

"I know this has been asked before, but are you sure it was my client Korbie Kyles who killed Colonel Ashby?" Jarrod asked, his voice turning into that of a lawyer.

"Yes Sir. We saw a man running from the shadows. Uncle Heath grabbed him before he could get away. It was Korbie Kyles," Audra Anne said, her voice deadly calm.

"Now, my client says it was a Chinese worker who killed the Colonel. Are you sure that it wasn't a Chinese worker who was running?" Jarrod asked. The sound of his voice was relentless. It was as if he was willing to prove she was lying.

Audra Anne's face and eyes got hard. "I'm not lying! I know Korbie Kyles's face when I see him! You're the one who taught me never to lie!" Audra Anne said, her face turning red.

Everyone in the courtroom mumbled and muttered at this last comment. The judge beat his gavel on the hard wood counter in front of him.

"Order! Order! I will have order in this courtroom!" The judge demanded, silencing the courtroom.

"No more questions, your honor," Jarrod said, going back to his seat.

Audra Anne avoided eye contact with her father as she walked past him to her seat next to her cousins. Audra Anne finally realized how wrong she was to think that she could understand her father's reasons for defending Korbie Kyles. She had never felt more humiliated in her life. Her father questioning her honesty was the worst thing she had ever gone through. She had seen Korbie Kyles run away. No one would tell her different.

Audra Anne picked at her dinner late that night. Jarrod kept looking in her direction. When she was so mad at him that she wouldn't talk to him that was a time usually for fatherly concern.

They had their disagreements now and then, but they had been getting along a lot better lately. It surprised Jarrod how his daughter could remain stubbornly silent when she was mad at him.

It was like her father didn't even exist when she was angry. Jarrod would try to talk to her, but she wouldn't even meet his eyes.

Audra Anne poked at a potato with her fork. "Audra Anne, I think that potato is dead. You can eat it now," Jarrod said, not resisting the opportunity to tease his daughter just a little.

All conversation stopped around the table. Everyone looked at Audra Anne. By the look on her face she was madder to be the center of attention. It was common knowledge that she hated people to make her the center of attention.

"Would everyone please go back to their dinner? How I eat is nobody's business!" Audra Anne said, her voice as angry as her eyes.

"It's my business, young lady. Now would you please eat your dinner and not play with it?" Jarrod said, his voice stern.

Audra Anne looked up at her father. He looked upset at her behavior right now. 'Why do you even care? You humiliated me in front of everyone in Stockton!" Audra Anne said, the tears building up in her voice.

"I'm sorry, Audra Anne. You knew what would happen when I questioned you," Jarrod said, taking his daughter's small hand in his large hand.

Audra Anne jerked her hand out of his. "Don't talk to me! I'm going to my room!" Audra Anne said, throwing her napkin down.

Audra Anne ran out of the room, Jarrod hot on her heels. Jarrod grabbed her by the shoulders and led her to the study.

"Sit down," Jarrod ordered, his voice grave.

Audra Anne obeyed instantly. "Now, I would like to know why you are behaving like this," Jarrod said, keeping his voice calm.

After a few minutes of silence and Audra Anne looking at her hands folded over her knee, Jarrod lost his patience. "I asked you a question, young lady. I expect an answer. Since you were five I have taught you to answer your father when he asks you a question," Jarrod said, his voice hard.

Audra Anne looked up at him, her greenish-gray eyes flashing. "A lot of good answering you today did me!" Audra Anne said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You're angry with me for questioning you?" Jarrod asked, finally feeling like he was finally getting the answer that he wanted.

'Yes Sir. I knew that you would ask me questions about the case, but it sounded like you doubted my honesty. I've never lied to you," Audra Anne said, the tears flowing freely down her face.

Jarrod's heart clenched at her words. She was right. She had never lied to him. While Jarrod didn't like her being too cheeky, they could always tell each other the truth.

Jarrod pulled out his handkerchief and wiped her cheeks gently. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. "I know you haven't. Like you said I have always taught you to tell the truth. But Sweetheart, you didn't actually see Korbie Kyles kill the Colonel. You just saw him running away. Your uncle and yourself could be wrong," Jarrod said, smoothing back her long black hair.

"I'm not, Father. I saw him. You just don't want to believe me," Audra Anne said. She ran out of the study and upstairs to her room, passing her uncles and cousins in the hallway.

Jarrod never felt so awful. The worst thing in the world right now was the fact that Audra Anne thought her father thought she was a liar. He didn't know how long Audra Anne would be hurt over what Jarrod had done today.

The next day dawned cool and clear. Audra Anne still avoided any conversation with her father and Jarrod knew better than to talk to her when she was this angry with him. A rift had come between father and daughter again.

The second day of the trial was like the first. The only difference was that Audra Anne didn't go to her father's office to take a nap. If the truth be told she would rather have slept on the ground than the couch in Jarrod's office.

The courtroom waited in anticipation as Jarrod called his first witness. "The defense recalls Heath Barkley to the stand," Jarrod said, looking at his brother briefly as he said it.

Heath stood and walked to the stand. He looked at Jarrod as he came toward him. Heath understood the agony Jarrod had gone through with questioning both him and Audra Anne the day before. The worst part was that Audra Anne refused to even look at her father due to that questioning.

Heath was grateful that he had never gotten into a fight with Lee. Heath and Lee were very close to each other, while Jarrod and Audra Anne's relationship as father and daughter was rocky. One wrong word and Jarrod and Audra Anne would get into a fight. Heath hated to think what the arguments were like before he came.

"Now, Mr. Barkley, I don't need to remind you that you are under oath like yesterday," Jarrod said, looking into his brother's blue eyes.

"I understand," Heath said, his voice calm and collected.

"Now, you said that after you and Audra Anne saw Colonel Ashby lying in the street a man took off running. You also said that when you grabbed him by the shoulders that it was Korbie Kyles. Is there anything that made it possible to recognize Korbie Kyles?" Jarrod asked, his voice sounding particularly lawyerish.

"The lights from the street," Heath said. If he was nervous his voice didn't show it.

"I checked the street lamps. They were not working," Jarrod said.

"Then I saw him in the shadows," Heath said, the tension coming out in his voice.

"Without street lamps working you saw him in complete darkness?" Jarrod asked, his voice as sharp as nails.

"Yes," Heath said, his voice calm again.

"Mr. Barkley, my client said that he saw a Chinese dockworker kill the Colonel," Jarrod said, his voice also dropping from his angry tone.

"And I say you are dead wrong!" Heath objected, his voice the loudest anyone had heard it in a long time.

Jarrod felt flustered. Both his daughter and Heath were not going to change their statements. Audra Anne was like him when stubborn. Also the fact that he had taught her to never lie was painfully obvious in this case. Even if she made an honest mistake she was not going to admit it. Heath was the same way as well.

"Now I'm going to ask you again, Mr. Barkley, in the night with no street lamps working are you sure that you saw Korbie Kyles kill Colonel Ashby?" Jarrod looked into his brother's eyes. The pain Jarrod felt inside was in his eyes Jarrod was sure of it.

Heath hesitated slightly. "Maybe I'm not so sure after all," Heath said quietly.

Jarrod nodded his head. "Thank you. That will be all, Mr. Barkley," Jarrod said, dismissing Heath.

"Mr. Green, any questions for the witness?" The judge said, looking at the prosecuting attorney.

"None, your honor," Green said, standing to his feet.

"You may go back to your seat, Mr. Barkley," the judge said, dismissing Heath as well.

Heath walked back to his seat. Jarrod put some papers in his briefcase. "Looks like I cain't lose," Korbie whispered to Jarrod, a smug look on his face.

The way things were looking maybe Korbie was right.

Audra Anne watched her uncle step down from the stand a dejected look on his face. Audra Anne turned her eyes to her father. The look of pain was the same one he had worn when he questioned her.

Jarrod looked into his daughter's greenish-gray eyes. She was still upset and angry that he had questioned Heath, but something akin to understanding was in her eyes.

"Your honor, the prosecution calls Henry Bingham to the stand," Mr. Green called his next witness.

Besides Elmer, Henry had driven the train that night. Audra Anne didn't have the foggiest idea as to what importance he could have to this case. Apparently neither did anyone else.

"Mr. Bingham, you are a train conductor. right?" Mr. Green asked, after the witness had been sworn in.

"Yes Sir. I was away from Stockton then I heard that Heath, Lucy, Lee, and Audra Anne Barkley were testifying in the trial that killed colonel Ashby," Mr. Bingham answered truthfully.

"Where were you at 11:30 that night?" Mr. Green asked.

"I had just delivered a gold shipment for the Barkleys. It was the only delivery that night," Mr. Bingham said.

"Now you saw something in that alley, right?" Mr. Green asked, causing Jarrod to figure maybe Heath and Audra Anne were right.

"I saw two men fighting. I recognized one of 'em. By the fancy suit it was Colonel Ashby," Bingham said.

"How did you recognize them?" Mr. Green asked, as if this was an important piece of information.

"I saw them by the light of the locomotive," Henry said, as if the answer was obvious.

"Can't you get him to shut up?" Audra Anne heard Korbie Kyles ask Jarrod in a whisper.

"The other man did you recognize him?" Mr. Green asked, looking out at the court.

"At the time I didn't know his name. He dressed like a ranch hand. I didn't know his name until the trial," Henry said, regretfully.

"Why did you wait until now to tell what you knew?" Mr. Green demanded.

"Well, when Heath Barkley and Counselor Barkley's little girl were the key witnesses, I thought it was all cut and dried. I figured there was no need to come out and say anything," Henry said, apologetically.

"Is that man here in the courtroom?" Mr. Green asked, moving aside so Mr. Bingham could see everyone.

Audra Anne heard in the quiet Korbie Kyles's threats. It sounded like he said he would kill Mr. Bingham. Audra Anne held her breath for a long moment.

"It was him. Korbie Kyles," Mr. Bingham pointed at Korbie. Then the courtroom exploded. Most of the anger came from Korbie. Over everything Audra Anne heard his voice shouting.

"There was no way he can prove that! I thought there was no way that Barkley and those brats could tell either!" Korbie said, incriminating himself.

The trial was over. Korbie Kyles was guilty. Jarrod looked back at his daughter. She appeared to look relieved that it had ended. Maybe now she wouldn’t be angry with her father for making an honest mistake. Jarrod could only hope that Audra Anne wasn't angry.

At ten o'clock that night the rest of the family sat in the parlor waiting for Jarrod. Heath and Victoria were playing cards. Audra was sewing some lace onto a petticoat. Nick was standing by the fireplace. And Lucy, Lee, and Audra Anne were busy playing with their dolls.

Audra Anne had just brushed her doll's flaxen blonde hair when she heard the door open. Audra Anne looked up to see her father enter the room and set his hat on the hall table.

Jarrod looked around at the family. Everyone seemed busy with what they were doing. Jarrod didn't know if everyone was still mad at him or not.

Jarrod poured himself a glass of scotch and after a few moments gave a toast. "I'd like to propose a toast to big brother and Father for making the biggest mistake of my life," Jarrod said, breaking the silence.

"A mistake? Do you know what mistake he's talkin' about, Audra?" Heath asked his little sister.

"No. I don't know about any mistake. Do you know what he's talking about, Mother?" Audra asked, looking over at Victoria.

"No, I don't know what he's talking about. Maybe Nick and the girls know what mistake Jarrod is talking about," Victoria said, looking up at Jarrod an amused glint in her eyes.

"No, I don't know about any mistake," Nick said, turning from the fireplace.

"Neither do we," Lucy said, speaking for the three cousins.

The look of surprise on Jarrod's face was laughable. "Why don't we go in to dinner?" Victoria asked, standing up.

"What? You haven't had dinner yet? It's ten o'clock," Jarrod said, looking at his pocket watch.

"The family does not eat without all of its members present," Audra informed her brother, hugging him.

Audra Anne set her doll on the couch. Audra Anne ran to her father and hugged him tight.

Jarrod stooped down so he could look into her eyes. "Audra Anne, forgive me for doubting you," Jarrod said, tears in his eyes.

'I forgive you, Father. And if it's all the same to anybody, I'd rather not hear about it ever again," Audra Anne said, looking around at everybody.

"Audra Anne is right. We won't mention the trial ever again," Victoria said, her voice firm.

Jarrod hugged his daughter again. Jarrod felt light, knowing that his daughter forgave him and was getting along with him again.

"Let's go in to dinner," Victoria led the way to the dining room. Dinner that night was happy and joyous. All the strain of the past few weeks forgotten.

Christmas was mild that year in Stockton. This was really one of the first Christmases that Jarrod didn't have to go out of town. Audra Anne had always given her father a gift a few days before he left. This year she gave him a blue silk handkerchief. It was exquisitely machine-made and she managed to stitch her father's initials in some nice red silk thread.

Audra Anne was with her cousins, grandmother, and aunt as her uncles lugged in a large tree they had cut down. Heath was happy because this was the first year he was going to spend Christmas with the Barkleys. Lee was practically jumping up in down. She had never decorated a tree before like her cousins had.

"Well what do you think of the tree?" Nick asked in his usually loud voice.

"I think you need to throw it into the fireplace, Nick," Jarrod's voice entered the room. Everyone turned to look at Jarrod. He was grinning and his dazzling blue eyes had a teasing glint in them.

A sullen young girl, no older than fifteen stood behind Jarrod. She had dirty red hair, green eyes and a smudged face. Her clothes were that of a boy's. She wore denim pants and a denim jacket over a checked red shirt.

"This is my mother. My sister, Audra. My daughter, Audra Anne. My two nieces, Lucy and Leah. And these two gentlemen with the piece of firewood are my brothers, Nick and Heath. Everyone this is Maybelle Williams," Jarrod introduced.

Everyone looked in shock at each other. Maybelle Williams was the girlfriend of Billy Joe Gaines. Billy Joe was a notorious outlaw and murderer. Having Billy Joe Gaines's girlfriend in the house was not a good idea.

Nick was the first to recover from the shock. His eyes glittered hard at the young outlaw's girlfriend. "Well, well, well. The Maybelle Williams," Nick said, his voice dripping with scorn and sarcasm.

"No, the famous Maybelle Williams, Mr. Barkley," Maybelle said, her voice rebellious.

"What is your boyfriend, Billy Joe Gaines, doing this holiday season, Miss Williams?" Nick asked, not willing to drop his rude tone.

"Billy Joe has places to go and people to see," Maybelle said, not falling for Nick's snide remarks.

"I bet he has," Nick said shortly.

"You must be tired. Audra will take you to your room," Victoria said, bringing an end to the conversation.

Audra led Maybelle out of the room. Audra Anne went to her father's side. "Father, was it necessary to bring her here? She's rude and ill mannered," Audra Anne said.

"Audra Anne's right, Jarrod. You should have told us about this decision," Victoria chided her firstborn son.

"I just couldn't bear the idea of her being in that cold jail cell when I have a warm house and family to go home to for Christmas. She has no family," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around his daughter's shoulders.

"Jarrod, she's Billy Joe Gaines's girlfriend. What if he comes back for her? I WANT HER OUT!" Nick shouted, not caring if Maybelle heard his voice.

"Nick, I am quite capable of hearing you without you shouting," Jarrod said, his voice chilled.

"Father, maybe Uncle Nick is right. You saw what happened when you brought her in. She apparently likes the fact that her boyfriend kills people for the fun of it," Audra Anne said, looking up at her father.

Heath looked confused. How did Audra Anne know about Billy Joe Gaines? Heath then looked at Lucy. She apparently didn't look surprised either. Did every child in Stockton know about Billy Joe Gaines?

"You weren't here last Christmas, Heath. Last year Billy Joe Gaines robbed the Stockton bank last year. When it seemed the clerk didn't move fast enough Billy Joe gunned him down. That was his Christmas gift to Stockton," Nick said bitterly.

"Jarrod, maybe you should take her back," Victoria said, her eyes somber.

"An' I agree with whatever Nick says," Heath said, siding with Nick.

Jarrod sat down, his expression reflective. Audra Anne sat down on the footstool by Jarrod's feet. "You know, I went to her jail cell to talk about her case, but didn't say anything. I started to get angry and the more she didn't say anything the angrier I got. I just felt that she shouldn't have to spend Christmas in that jail cell. And I believe you wouldn't want that either, Nick," Jarrod said, looking up at his brother.

A sheepish grin crossed Nick's face as his brother reprimanded him. "I just hope we don't regret this and that we have a merry Christmas," Nick said.

At those words the three cousins scampered out of the room to do their chores and get washed up for dinner. Audra Anne thought of Nick's words. She hoped like her uncle did that they wouldn't regret it either.

The next morning was bright and clear as Audra Anne woke up. The sunshine streamed through her window, making bright patches of golden light on the wooden floor. Audra Anne got out of bed and dressed into her ranch clothes.

School may have been out for two weeks, but her chores weren't. Uncle Nick was fond of saying that the Barkley ranch was a working ranch and everyone did his or her share of work.

Audra Anne stepped out of the room and saw Maybelle come out of hers. "Good morning, Maybelle. I hope you slept well," Audra Anne said politely.

"I suppose. Where's the dining room?" Maybelle asked, her voice still upset.

"Come on. I'll show you," Audra Anne said, taking Maybelle's hand and pulling her along.

"Is your pa always stern with you?" Maybelle asked out of the blue.

"No, not always. He really is a good father to me," Audra Anne admitted.

"What happened to your ma?" Maybelle asked out of curiosity.

"She died when I was born," Audra Anne said, her voice low.

"I'm sorry. My ma and pa died when I was a baby too," Maybelle said, understanding the tone of voice Audra Anne had.

"Oh. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay with us," Audra Anne said, opening the door to the dining room. Jarrod was the only one at the table.

He was drinking his coffee and swallowing a last bite of scrambled eggs. "Morning, Father," Audra Anne said, kissing Jarrod's cheek before sliding into her place.

"Good morning to you too, Honey. Good morning, Maybelle," Jarrod said to Maybelle.

"Well, aren't you going to take me back?" Maybelle asked, confused by Jarrod's greeting.

"You said last night that you'd never do it again. Did you mean it?" Jarrod asked, wiping his mouth with his napkin.

Audra Anne looked puzzled at the conversation. "I tried running away last night and your father found out about it," Maybelle said, looking at Audra Anne.

"Oh. That's why you asked me if Father is always stern," Audra Anne said, taking a miniscule bite of her eggs.

"Well, if you really meant it, we'll just forget about it. Sit down and I'll have Silas prepare you the best eggs this side of the Mississippi," Jarrod said, standing up.

Jarrod kissed Audra Anne's forehead and left the room. Silas came in with the percolator filled with coffee.

"Man says that you make the 'best eggs this side of the Mississippi,' " Maybelle said to the Negro servant.

"Well, if that's what the man says," Silas said, pouring coffee into her cup.

"Can I trust him?" Maybelle asked, meaning Jarrod keeping her from prison.

"If you can't trust him, can't trust nobody," Silas said confidentially.

Maybelle sat back down to her breakfast. Audra Anne finished her breakfast and stood up. "Well, I have my chores to do," Audra Anne said.

"Bye," Maybelle said.

The outdoors was cold and brushed against Audra Anne's face like water. This Christmas would be perfect if they only had snow.

Audra Anne ran back to the house, her breathing choppy. Aunt Audra had been hurt! One of the ranch hands had said it was the new horse that Uncle Heath had been trying to break. That horse was difficult to manage. Audra Anne despaired of ever seeing that horse gentle.

She pushed the door open. Her two cousins sat on the wide staircase, the picture of despair. "How's Aunt Audra?" Audra Anne asked, breathing hard.

"Don't know. Grandma and the doctor are with her," Lee said, looking at her boots.

Uncle Nick came into the room, his face showing his anger clearly. Maybelle came in from the other side of the room.

"What's for dinner?" Maybelle asked to the shock of everyone.

"Before we talk about dinner maybe you'd like to tell us what happened out there? Heath told both of you to stay away from that horse. My own daughter has more sense than you!" Nick growled, his expression that of a hibernating bear.

"Then Audra should have listened," Maybelle said, making Nick angrier.

That was definitely not the brightest thing anyone could say to Uncle Nick. Audra Anne knew from experience that Nick would start shouting at any time now. Jarrod entering the house saved Maybelle from Nick’s anger.

"I just heard. How's Audra?" Jarrod asked, looking at his brother, daughter, and two nieces.

"She'll probably be fine, Father," Audra Anne said, trying to sound optimistic.

"How did this happen?" Jarrod asked sternly, turning to Maybelle.

"Your brother is trying to determine that. I say ask your sister," Maybelle said, acting as if she didn't care.

"Go get your things together. You're going back to town," Jarrod said, using a voice he often used on Audra Anne.

"I'll save you the trouble, Counselor. I never unpacked!" Maybelle said hatefully.

She went running up the stairs. Audra Anne stepped up to her father's side. Jarrod wrapped his arm around her thin shoulders and hugged her.

"Nick, what happened?" Jarrod asked, looking up from Audra Anne to Nick.

"Audra got hurt and that girl could of cared less!" Nick exploded.

"Nick, stop it! Your tone of voice is frightening the children," Jarrod reprimanded.

Maybelle came down the stairs, carrying her carpetbag in her hands.

"Go outside. I'll be there in a few minutes," Jarrod said, his voice turning to that of a stern father again.

Maybelle turned to look at Nick. "I am sorry," Maybelle said, her voice sounding contrite for the first time ever.

"Go outside!" Jarrod ordered.

Maybelle left the room. Audra Anne looked up at her father. "May I go with you to town, Father?" Audra Anne asked.

"I don't see why not," Jarrod said. Audra Anne followed her father outside. Maybelle just stood there, a glum expression on her face.

"Wait there. I have to saddle the horses," Jarrod said, indicating the unhitched buggy.

"May I have some water?" Maybelle asked politely.

"The pump's over there," Jarrod said, indicating the pump with his hand.

Maybelle tried, without success, to pump the water. "Allow me," Jarrod said, grabbing the pump handle and pumping the water into the trough.

Maybelle grabbed the dipper and filled it with water. She took a drink. "Would you like some? It's real tasty. Real cold," Maybelle said, hoping Jarrod got the insult.

The look on Jarrod's face implied that he did. Audra Anne snorted, knowing what Maybelle had tried to say.

"Do you have any idea how I'm going to defend you?" Jarrod asked, trying to ignore the comment.

"I figure I'll find out soon enough. Lawyer, are you going to take me back to jail or not?" Maybelle asked impatiently.

"You have an itch for jail, don't you?" Jarrod asked, starting to lose his temper.

"It's no use talking to me!" Maybelle shouted. It was the first logical thing that she said since Jarrod had brought her here.

"You know something, you are right, little lady, it doesn't do any good to talk to you! What you really need is to be turned over my knee and paddled until you can't-" Jarrod said, in absolute anger.

"Just you try it!" Maybelle snapped angrily.

"Don't tempt me!" Jarrod said, just as angrily.

The next few minutes were a source of amusement to Audra Anne. Maybelle had grabbed the dipper in her hands and held it like a weapon. Jarrod picked her up like he would have Audra Anne and dumped her unceremoniously into the horse trough.

Audra Anne broke into giggles as she looked at the girl. Maybelle's hair hung in wet strands down her face and she looked scornful and embarrassed. She was sputtering threats and crying at the same time. Jarrod was nodding his head as the threats came out.

Jarrod grabbed the girl by the shoulders and pulled her out. "I can't take you to town like this," Jarrod said, as calmly as if he were discussing the weather.

"Why not?" Maybelle asked, still scornful.

"Well, you might catch pneumonia," Jarrod said sharply.

"And die? That would save us all a lot of trouble," Maybelle said, her voice still upset.

"And cheat me out of winning this case? Don't you dare!" Jarrod said.

Jarrod's voice turned more gentle in the next few seconds. "Now go inside and get cleaned up for supper," Jarrod said to Maybelle and Audra Anne.

Maybelle's expression changed at the thought of dinner. "I hope we have some more of that ham tonight," Maybelle said, going toward the house.

Audra Anne and Jarrod looked at each other in surprise and disbelief. After punishing Maybelle, she was still thinking of food! Audra Anne started to laugh.

"Audra Anne, would you like to be the next in the horse trough?" Jarrod asked sternly.

"No Sir. Excuse me. I'm going to get cleaned up for supper," Audra Anne said, trying to control the uncontrollable gales of laughter. She rushed into the house, giggling. Maybelle sure was making Christmas a lot of fun this year!

A considerable change had come over Maybelle by the time the family decorated the Christmas tree that night. Audra Anne could see the girl had a crush on her father, but didn't know how she felt about it.

It was true that her father was a very handsome man, but Audra Anne didn't know if he should love anyone as much as he had loved her mother. Also Maybelle had said how much she loved Billy Joe. Audra Anne hung a glass ornament on the tree when someone knocked on the door.

Silas answered the door to reveal Meg Travis and her mother Helen. Audra Anne rolled her eyes slightly. Meg Travis had been in love with her father since Audra Anne could remember. Jarrod looked over at his daughter in time to catch the eye rolling.

"Be polite!" Jarrod whispered sharply in her ear.

"Father, I don't like her. She thinks she's going to marry you," Audra Anne said, a deep frown crossing her face.

"You shouldn't say you don't like people. Just mind your manners and be polite to them. They are guests in our home," Jarrod said, low enough where Meg and Helen couldn't hear him.

"Yes Sir," Audra Anne said grudgingly. She turned back to the tree to straighten some of the tinsel.

'Hello Jarrod," Meg said, in that sugary voice that made Audra Anne want to scream at times.

"Hello Meg, Mrs. Travis. This is our houseguest spending Christmas with us, Maybelle Williams. Maybelle, this is Helen Travis and her daughter Meg," Jarrod introduced the three.

"Hello," Maybelle said, her voice low.

"Hello," Meg said tightly. Apparently Meg didn't like Maybelle. Was it because she could see that Maybelle had a crush on Jarrod?

"You already know my daughter, Audra Anne, of course," Jarrod said, getting Audra Anne to actually talk to Meg and her mother.

"How do you do Mrs. Travis, Miss Travis?" Audra Anne asked, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.

"Hello, Audra Anne. Are you enjoying your Christmas vacation, dear?" Mrs. Travis asked. Mrs. Travis rather enjoyed Jarrod's little girl. She was an exact copy of her mother, except for the black hair, which belonged to Jarrod.

"I guess. Father, I'm going to go help Grandma take out the cookies in the kitchen. Maybelle, would you like to come?" Audra Anne asked, relieved to be away from Meg Travis.

"Okay," Maybelle laid down an ornament on the table and followed Audra Anne to the kitchen. Mrs. Travis followed them. Audra Anne found herself thinking of Meg Travis. At least Jarrod didn't love her as much as he loved her mother. Audra Anne thought of the picture taken on her parents wedding day. Her mother was ten times prettier than Meg Travis was.

Christmas Day dawned bright and clear. To Maybelle's surprise Victoria and Audra had chipped in and bought her some really expensive perfume. Audra Anne was happy when her father gave her a really expensive book on the history of Scotland.

She hugged his neck and kissed his cheek happily. "Thank you, Father. I love it!" Ellen said, running her hand over the soft spine of the heavy book.

"And thank you, Honey, I love the handkerchief," Jarrod said, holding the blue silk handkerchief in his hand while he hugged his daughter.

"Thank you, Jarrod for the gun," Heath said, holding up an exquisitely carved handgun.

"You're welcome, Heath. Just remember not to fire it in the house," Jarrod said cheerfully.

"Thank you for the jewelry, heath. You shouldn't have," Audra said, holding up an expensive necklace.

"That's exactly what I said when the salesman told me the price," Heath joked.

"Thank you for the saddle, Nick. Now you can just return the saddle you borrowed from me last year," Jarrod said, running his hand over the nickel trimmings of his shiny new saddle.

"And thank you, Pappy. Now you can just keep the saddle you borrowed from me last year," Nick joked back at his brother.

"I want to thank you all for this. I'm going to be the best smelling woman in prison," Maybelle said, holding up the bottle of perfume.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, filled moments later by Audra's gasp of awe. "Oh Jarrod!" Audra exclaimed holding up a beautiful red silk dress. It was absolutely gorgeous! Maybelle's eyes filled with longing as she looked at it.

"It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen," Maybelle said, her voice wistful as she took in the beautiful dress.

Jarrod caught the look in Maybelle's eyes as she looked at the dress. "Isn't that just like a woman? Taking a dress without even asking for permission to borrow it?" Jarrod took the dress out of Audra's arms and handed it to Maybelle.

The wistful look turned to surprised and then tearful. "Where am I going to wear a dress like this?" Maybelle asked, disguising how happy she was to own such a dress.

* * * * * * * *

After all the presents had been opened it was time for Victoria and the girls to get dressed for Christmas Day visiting.

Audra Anne was the first one downstairs. She wore a red wool plaid dress with tiny pearl buttons down the back. She wore a red ribbon in her thick black hair and the locket that contained pictures of her father and mother.

Jarrod was going to stay home to catch up on some paperwork he had missed over the past few days and he stopped and looked at his daughter as she came down the stairs. Jarrod let out a whistle.

"You look beautiful, Honey," Jarrod said, kissing his daughter's forehead.

Audra Anne's face turned pink at her father's compliments. "Thank you, Father," Audra Anne said shyly.

Victoria and Maybelle came downstairs before any more conversation could be said. Maybelle was wearing her new Christmas dress and a black velvet stole. Her auburn hair was piled on top of her head. Right now she looked very beautiful.

"Maybelle, you look absolutely beautiful," Jarrod said.

Maybelle was tongue-tied as she turned slightly pink. She walked outside. Victoria turned to look at her son.

"Jarrod, I think she's falling in love with you," Victoria said, sounding slightly concerned.

"I think Grandma's right, Father. When we were decorating the tree she looked like she was falling in love with you," Audra Anne said, all too happy that Victoria was as concerned as she was.

"Audra Anne, it's nothing. If I recall you asked me if I'd marry you when you were five," Jarrod said, an amused grin on his face.

Audra Anne felt briefly annoyed. At certain times members of the family would remind her of that. It was so embarrassing now that she thought of it. She would like to forget about it, but the people in her family would not let her forget it.

Her face turning red with humiliation she stalked out of the room, not bothering to look Jarrod in the eye as she walked past him.

Later that afternoon the buggy was going across the Barkley land when two men stopped it. Victoria, Audra Anne, and Maybelle looked in surprise as two men stepped in front of it. \

Corey! Hayes! What are you doing here?" Maybelle asked in surprise as she recognized the two men.

"Well now, will you look at our miss Maybelle? Don't she look pretty? Billy Joe has come for you," Hayes said.

Audra Anne grabbed Maybelle's thin arm. "Maybelle, no! My father is doing what he can to clear you!" Audra Anne whispered violently.

"It's all right, Audra Anne, Mrs. Barkley," Maybelle said. Audra Anne knew what the girl was doing. Billy Joe would kill Audra Anne and her grandmother without thinking about it. Maybelle was saving their lives.

"Corey, go get Billy Joe up at the house," Hayes said to his partner.

Billy Joe Gaines was at the house! Audra Anne felt a brief gnawing of fear inside her stomach. Jarrod was at the house! Was her father still alive? The thought of her father dying made Audra Anne's throat ache with pain.

Audra Anne bit her lip as they waited for Billy Joe. What was ten minutes felt like ten years. A young man with dirty blond hair and a smile that was too big came riding up on his horse.

Billy Joe looked briefly at Victoria and Audra Anne. Audra Anne held her breath, hoping and praying that Billy Joe wouldn't kill either of them. After Maybelle had left the buggy, it was then that the outlaw spoke.

"Okay. They may leave now," Billy Joe said to Audra Anne and Victoria's immediate relief. Victoria snapped the reins of the buggy and rattled down the road.

The two nearly passed Jarrod on the road. Audra Anne was the one to first notice him. "Father!" Audra Anne shouted, jumping down from the moving buggy.

Jarrod dismounted and caught his daughter up in his arms, hugging her tight. Audra Anne looked up into her father's eyes. He looked as happy to see her as she was to see him.

"I thought Billy Joe had shot you!" Audra Anne said, burying her face in Jarrod's chest.

Jarrod smoothed back his daughter's long black hair and held her tight. Jarrod looked at his mother. She also looked relieved to see him alive. Jarrod then looked confused.

"Where's Maybelle?" Jarrod asked his mother.

"She's gone, Father. She went with Billy Joe," Audra Anne said, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

"I'm sure she didn't want to. I have to go after them," Jarrod said, walking fast back to his horse.

Before Audra Anne and Victoria could say anything Jarrod rode off, promising to be back soon. Audra Anne hoped so. If what Uncle Nick said was true, Billy Joe and his boys could kill Jarrod.

Jarrod did take his gun with him, but one gun against three were not fair odds at all.

Audra Anne started from the window sweat as she saw her father ride into the yard. Jarrod was safe and she didn't have to think about Billy Joe Gaines killing him.

Audra Anne started up and out the front door, flinging herself into Jarrod's arms and hugging him tight.

'Audra Anne, I was only gone for a little while," Jarrod said, surprised at how tight his daughter was hugging him.

"I was afraid that Billy Joe would kill you, Father," Audra Anne said, burying her face in Jarrod's chest.

"He didn't kill me, Audra Anne," Jarrod said, smoothing back his daughter's jet-black hair.

It was then that Audra Anne noticed that Maybelle wasn't with her father. "Where's Maybelle, Father?" Audra Anne asked, looking around for the red-haired girl.

"She left with Billy Joe," Jarrod said, his voice slightly strangled.

"Father, I'm sorry. I guess I thought Maybelle wouldn't want an outlaw's life when she saw how kind some people were," Audra Anne said, looking into her father's blue eyes.

"I know, Sweetheart. I thought the same thing too. But Maybelle's going to want to change. We can't make that decision for her," Jarrod said seriously.

"Are you hungry, Father? Grandma just took the roast out of the oven," Audra Anne said, changing the topic.

I guess so. I have to go see Judge Parker tomorrow and tell him that Maybelle's run away," Jarrod said, walking with his daughter into the house.

* * * * * * * *

The next afternoon Jarrod and Audra Anne were at the judge's office when Jarrod told the old man the news. Jarrod had brought a box of his favorite cigars to give to the judge.

"I can't say that I'm sorry for you, Jarrod. I did try to warn you," Judge Parker said sympathetically.

"You did," Jarrod said glumly.

"You just want to save everybody, but I've seen a hundred Maybelles and Billy Joes. They don't change, Jarrod," Judge Parker said.

Audra Anne and her father looked at each other. Somehow they knew what each other was thinking. Judge Parker was wrong. A person could reform. No one was hopeless.

Jarrod was about to say something when something outside the window caught his attention. Jarrod ran outside, Audra Anne hot on her father's heels.

Maybelle was standing next to a horse. Her red dress was mud-splattered and her red hair hung loose on her shoulders.

"Well?" Was the first word out of Jarrod's mouth.

"Well I knew Billy Joe would have to fall asleep eventually and I just snuck away quiet like. Now what do I do?" Maybelle asked, her nose wrinkling in confusion.

"You come with me. I know a gentleman who's claimed that he's seen you a hundred times. I'd like to see the look on his face when he meets you for the first time," Jarrod said, escorting Maybelle and Audra Anne to the judge's office.

Audra Anne giggled at the thought of the judge's dumbfounded face when he saw that Maybelle had reformed. It was mean to laugh at the thought, but Audra Anne couldn't help herself.

Spring came early to the San Joaquin Valley. Audra Anne and her two cousins loved being outdoors again and feeling the warm wind tug at their hair. One event coming up that was important was the fair in Sacramento.

Audra Anne and Lucy went every year with Victoria, Audra, and Nick. Jarrod was always busy, but this year, to Audra Anne's delight, her father said he was going to the fair. Audra Anne couldn't wait to show him her favorite spots of the fair.

Audra Anne hoped her Aunt Audra got a prize this year for her pickles. They tasted horrible, but no one, except Nick would dare to say that to his little sister.

The day they were to leave for the fair was unnaturally warm. It felt like summer instead of spring. Audra Anne had dressed in her favorite best lavender dress. Victoria and Audra had recently ordered it for her and this was the first time she had ever worn it.

Silas and Jarrod were in the kitchen as Audra Anne came down the back stairs.

"I surely hopes Miss Audra wins something for her pickles this year, Mr. Barkley," Silas said, as he packed the pickles in the large hamper of food.

"Why do you think Mrs. Barkley left early, Silas? It was to buy off the judges to give Audra the prize," Jarrod said, his deep voice teasing the old man.

"Mr. Barkley," Silas said, half-stern half-laughing.

Silas left the room to just as Audra Anne entered the room. "Hi Father!" Audra Anne said cheerfully as she entered the room.

"Here's my ray of sunshine and already the room is brighter!" Jarrod said, hugging his daughter tight and kissing her forehead.

Audra Anne smiled up into her kind father's eyes. "Do you see what you missed by ignoring me all these years, Father?" Audra Anne asked, teasing him.

"I'm not perfect, Audra Anne. I can make a mistake, but that's one I won't make again. Did you pack up all your clothes that you're going to take along?" Jarrod asked, changing the subject.

"Yes Sir, except for my reading material. The only thing is I don't know how I'm going to read it. The car we're going in always has people going to the fair and they're too loud for me to read my books," Audra Anne said, closing the hamper of food Silas left open on the table.

"There is more to life than just books, Audra Anne," Jarrod said, tweaking her ear gently.

"I know. Do you think Uncle Heath and Uncle Nick are going to win the rifle-shooting contest?" Audra Anne asked, changing the subject.

"Why don't we go ask them?" Jarrod said, both of them walking into the living room.

Nick and Heath were in the parlor, shining their guns. Lucy and Lee sat on their footstools, apparently enjoying the banter between the brothers.

"Ya see this gun, Heath. It has won the first prize at the fair every year, for ten years," Nick said, showing off the rifle he was polishing.

"I see. So you won't mind that all that lovely money stays in the family this year?" Heath teased his older brother. Heath had finally become confident in teasing his siblings. Audra Anne loved having her new uncle around and couldn't imagine what life was like before he had arrived.

'Is Audra ready?" Jarrod asked, jumping into the conversation. By the look on Jarrod's face he was enjoying the banter between his brothers as much as Lucy and Lee.

"She's upstairs getting ready, Uncle Jarrod," Lee piped in. Everyone groaned inwardly. Audra had a habit of spending a long time getting ready. If she didn't hurry they'd miss the train.

"I'll go see if she's ready," Nick said, running up the stairs. On the way up he shouted a wager over his shoulder. "Fifty dollars that I win the rifle contest!"

"That's nearly all the prize," Heath said to Jarrod as Nick moved out of earshot.

Jarrod smiled and they all waited for Audra to make her appearance. Audra and nick came down the stairs five seconds later. Audra was wearing a bright red dress and matching hat.

Audra Anne didn't have the heart to tell her aunt that the hat was hideous. If she did her father would be furious and Audra's feelings would be hurt. Right now no one knew the trouble about to happen on their way to Sacramento.

Reading on the train was proving to be exactly like Audra Anne had said to Jarrod. The only one being embarrassing was Aunt Audra. Heath was pretending to be a bull and Jarrod was dancing and yelling to the Mexican music.

Audra Anne had never felt so embarrassed about her father before and today he proved her wrong. Audra Anne turned her back and went to listening to Audra's conversation to a neighbor friend of the Barkleys, Mrs. Wellman.

Jarrod danced up to his sister carrying a plate of food. "The last two drumsticks, but for a lovely lady," Jarrod said, presenting the plate to his sister.

"Thank you," Audra said graciously. She winced in absolute pain upon taking the food. Jarrod, Nick, and Audra Anne exchanged worried looks.

"Audra?" Jarrod asked, concerned.

"It's nothing. Just a stitch," Audra said, taking a deep breath.

The look of concern on Jarrod's face and the deep frown on Nick's caused Audra to speak again. "Stop frowning, you two. I'm all right. Now give me that food. I'm starving," Audra said.

Jarrod handed her the plate. A pain shot through her causing her to grab her stomach. "Audra?" Heath asked, stepping to his sister's side.

"My stomach!" Audra gasped out. Beyond a shadow of a doubt it was not a stitch.

"Did you eat some of your pickles?" Nick asked his sister.

"She's got better sense than that," Heath quipped.

"Those pickles are fine and if I recall you both had some yourselves," Audra said breathless with pain.

"There was a doctor in here. I'm going to go get him. Nick, Heath get all the passengers out of here. Audra Anne, Lucy, Lee a bed on that window seat for your aunt," Jarrod ordered the girls in a no-nonsense voice.

"Yes Father," Audra Anne said instantly.

Jarrod went off down the train corridor, Nick and Heath ushered the other passengers out into another car, and the girls put Audra on the window seat and covered her with some blankets.

It had to be her appendix. Only that would bring such pain. Audra Anne hoped it wasn't the appendix and that Audra would be all right. Audra Anne found herself hoping the doctor would say it was Audra's pickles and not the appendix. If it was the appendix there would be an operation and Audra needed a hospital, not a train for such an operation.

Appendicitis. It had to be. Dr. Travers whispered the dreaded word to Jarrod, Heath, and Nick. Audra Anne looked over at her father. The worried expression on hi face told her that he believed the doctor's diagnosis.

After giving Audra a spoonful of laudanum, they all sat down to talk about their options.

"I need to operate, but not here. She needs a hospital where a nurse can check to see if her appendix needs to be taken out," Dr. Travers said.

"What should we do, Doctor?" Jarrod asked.

"We need to get her to the nearest hospital and as fast as possible," Dr. Travers said urgently.

"There isn't one. The nearest hospital is in Sacramento," Audra Anne said, jumping into the conversation.

Jarrod shot his daughter a disapproving look for talking out of turn. "She's right, Doctor. And the next stop is no more than just a weigh station to pick up water," Nick said, jumping to Audra Anne's side.

"We could tell the conductor to not stop at some of those stops," Lucy said, looking up at her father.

"Good idea. I'll do it," Heath said, turning to walk out of the train car.

Dr. Travers followed him. "Where are you going, Doctor?" Jarrod asked after him.

"To go get my black bag," the doctor said, shutting the door behind him.

"I'm going to go get some more pillows and blankets," Nick said, following the other two men out of the car.

Jarrod sat down, his face in his hands. Audra Anne wrapped her thin arm around Jarrod's shoulder. "Father, is Aunt Audra going to be all right?" Audra Anne asked seriously.

"She'll be fine, Audra Anne. Just keep praying," Jarrod said, his voice tight with worry.

"Uncle Jarrod, what caused Aunt Audra to get sick?" Lee asked with huge soulful eyes. Everyone in the family called her eyes her kitten eyes. Her eyes got as large as a cat's at times and this was no exception.

"I don't know, Leah. I just don't know," Jarrod said, shaking his head slightly.

"Father, are you upset at me for talking out of turn?" Audra Anne asked, twirling a stray lock of her hair around her finger.

"I'll overlook it this time, but don't let it happen again, Audra Anne Barkley," Jarrod said, his voice a slight reprimand.

A scuffle out on the catwalk outside caught all their attentions. Jarrod stood up and looked toward the door. "Audra Anne, you and your cousins stay here with your aunt," Jarrod said, walking toward the door.

Audra Anne and the two girls talked about everything they'd do at the fair to what childhood memories Lucy and Audra Anne had of it. Jarrod and Dr. Travers entered the room, followed by Heath and Nick. Jarrod and Dr. Travers looked upset, but Audra Anne knew better than to ask what it was. Her father would just say that children should be seen and not heard. Audra Anne's thoughts and prayers moved to her Aunt Audra. She prayed that they made it to the hospital before Audra's appendix burst.

This day was just getting better. Besides Audra's pains in her side coming back two men had hijacked the car they were in and threatening to kill Dr. Travers.

With all those threats Dr. Travers had no choice now. Audra's appendix was close to bursting and he had to operate now.

"You can't let him take a knife to your sister. He's Lucien Kelleher!" Mr. Moyers protested, as Nick and Heath held their guns on him and his son.

"He has to. My aunt will die if he doesn't," Audra Anne spoke up quietly. Jarrod didn't appear to look upset this time that she had spoken completely out of turn. Apparently she had said what all of them were thinking at this point.

"Miss Barkley is right. If I don't operate she will die," Dr. Travers said, agreeing with Audra Anne.

"But he's Lucien Kelleher!" Mr. Moyers clung tight to his stubborn argument.

"Lucien Kelleher also served ten years in prison and was let go. He served his time. He now helps people as a doctor," Uncle Nick, not moving his gun from Moyer's chest.

"He can't be a doctor," the younger Moyers said, sounding like he was convincing himself more than the others.

"Maybe I didn't pay for what I did ten years ago, but when I was in prison Lucien Kelleher ceased to exist. I became a doctor and when I was released I went around healing people in camps. I fixed their broken bones, delivered their babies, and helped bury their dead. After the operation here I will go with you if you want to kill me," Dr. Travers said, defeated.

"Dr. Travers, no!" Audra Anne exclaimed, shocked that the doctor would let these two men kill him.

"We'll hold you on that," Moyers agreed.

Dr. Moyers looked at Jarrod. "You come with me. I'm going to need an assistant," Dr. Travers said, motioning Jarrod to a room beyond the curtains.

Jarrod kissed Audra Anne's forehead lightly. "Father, don't let Dr. Travers go with these men," Audra Anne whispered as she hugged her father tightly.

"I don't intend to, Honey. He may have agreed, but we didn't," Jarrod said, running his hand through her black hair.

Jarrod left the room. Audra Anne watched him go. She hoped he was right and the Moyers wouldn’t kill Dr. Travers.

"When he gets done butchering your sister, you'll be only glad to help us string him up," Moyers said, breaking Audra Anne's thoughts.

"Mr. Moyers, shut up. You're not making things any better," Audra Anne said sharply. Moyers was getting on her nerves with his talk. At least his son wasn't saying anything.

The minutes dragged as Audra Anne looked at her father's pocket watch. Jarrod often gave her the watch so she'd be sure what time her father would come home when he was away. She hadn't given it back to him yet.

Audra Anne looked up as the curtains pushed aside. Dr. Travers and Jarrod both stood there. Audra Anne rushed to her father, wrapping her arms around his neck, tight. Jarrod hugged her and smoothed back her long dark hair.

"I'm all right, Audra Anne," Jarrod whispered in his daughter's ear.

"How's Aunt Audra?" Lee asked the doctor somberly.

"She'll be all right. There shouldn't be any problems between here and Sacramento," Dr. Travers said, putting his equipment back into his bag.

"You ready?" Moyers asked, stepping into the conversation.

Since Audra Anne had told him off, the man had kept his mouth shut.

"Yes," Dr. Travers said flatly.

"Hold it, Moyers. If you kill him, I'm going to make sure that the law finds you," Jarrod said, buttoning up his shirtsleeve. Jarrod's voice was deadly calm. It was the same voice that he used when Audra Anne had disobeyed him.

"He agreed to let us kill him," Moyers said, shocked by what he was hearing now.

"Dr. Travers agreed, but we didn't," Nick said, his voice as gruff as a hibernating bear.

Moyers and his son looked at each other before the fight started. The kid kicked Nick in the shin and grabbed up Nick's gun, pointing it at Dr. Travers.

The kid just held it in the air, the tears in his eyes obvious. "Andy!" Moyers exclaimed.

"He wasn't like you said, Pa. We both saw him save that girl's life. Lucien Kelleher is dead," Andy said, putting Nick's gun on the ground.

The boy stood up and turned without looking back. He turned back to look at Dr. Travers. "He didn't kill my mother," Andy said as an afterthought.

The boy walked out of the train, his father following. Jarrod and Audra Anne followed the men outside. They mounted on their horses and rode away with their ranch hands following.

Audra Anne breathed a sigh of relief as she buried her face into Jarrod's chest. "All right, Honey?" Jarrod asked, cupping her face with his hands and looking into her green-gray eyes.

"I'm just glad that it's over. Will the Moyers ever be able to forget what Lucien Kelleher did, Father?" Audra Anne asked, looking up at him.

"I think so. When your mother died I did blame you, in a way, for her death. When your grandfather died I realized how wrong I was to ignore you as much as I did," Jarrod said, apologetically.

"I'm not as mad at you as I was a year ago, Father. I didn't understand why you ignored me when I was little and why it took grandfather's death to make you pay attention to me," Audra Anne said,

"I think we have both grown up a little over this past year, Audra Anne," Jarrod said, kissing her forehead gently.

"I love you, Father," Audra Anne said, hugging him again and kissing his cheek.

"I love you to, Audra Anne," Jarrod whispered into Audra Anne's ear.

The father/daughter moment was broken when Nick came out the door. "Audra's awake," Nick said gruffly.

Jarrod and Audra Anne entered the train car. Audra lay on the settee again. Her eyes were open and she was smiling. "You look quite better, young lady," Jarrod said, kissing his sister's forehead as he sat down.

Audra Anne sat in a chair next to her two cousins. Everyone looked happy to see that Audra was recovering. "I'm sorry for all my screaming and carrying on," Audra said softly.

"Screaming and carrying on? Doctor, in all your years have you ever seen a patient more better than our sister here?" Nick asked Dr. Travers.

"Your sister gets first prize," Dr. Travers said, going along with the family banter.

"First prize? Will you remember to enter my pickles in the fair?" Audra remembered the pickles she had made.

"Nick might not win the rifle contest, but he might just place with those pickles," Heath teased his brother.

"Wait a minute! Those aren't my-" Nick interrupted himself as everyone started to laugh. Audra Anne felt the happiest. She and her father had stopped quarreling over little things and Aunt Audra would be all right. Right now Audra Anne was happy to be the gift that Hope Barkley had given to the family. Audra Anne would always hope that her mother had lived to see her, but she was glad that she had a father and family that loved her.

THE END