The Christmas Trip

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: A Christmas trip with Jarrod and his children turn dangerous when two enemies from the Barkleys past comes back to haunt them

When December came to Stockton at the end of the year 1891, the month was cold and sharp. Kristina Barkley and her brother Jarrod Thomas Barkley Jr. were helping their newfound family with all the preparations for Christmas.

It never snowed in the San Joaquin Valley at Christmas time. But this year was different. Sharp bits of snow stung Kristina Barkley's face as school broke for the holidays in mid-December.

Kristina was happy with her new father. The lawyer had done all he could to make her happy since she and her 16-year old brother arrived in Stockton last July after a diphtheria outbreak left them almost orphaned.

Since July, Kristina went through a court case, been kidnapped by the Sturges Brothers, been beaten up by them in a final showdown, fell in love with the new ranch hand, David Leonard, and bought her father a birthday gift for the first time ever.

In spite of everything though, Kristina still missed her mother. Her mother always knew how to brighten the holidays. Elizabeth Randall Barkley always managed to give Kristina and Jaddy gifts at Christmas. They were always hand-sewn.

Kristina rode her horse, Midnight, over to her father's office. The lantern inside the window spilled out in a warm, comforting light.

Kristina walked in the office. Lou Anne, Jarrod's secretary, looked up at her. "Hello Miss Barkley. Should I tell Counselor Barkley that you're here?" Lou Anne asked, her gray eyes framed by a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles.

"If it's not too much trouble, Lou Anne," Kristina said, rubbing her hands over her red face.

Lou Anne Chelmsford never admitted how much she liked Counselor Barkley's little girl. The child was kind and sweet and she acted so much like her father, it was strange.

Lou Anne entered Jarrod's office. Jarrod was preparing some notes for a huge case coming up the day before Christmas Eve.

"Counselor, Kristina is here," Lou Anne said.

Jarrod looked up at his secretary and smiled at her. "Send her in, Lou Anne," Jarrod said.

Kristina walked into her father's office. Jarrod's office was like him, elegant but warm and cheerful.

Kristina perched on the edge of her father's desk and watched him go over some briefs. "You spelled 'Procrastinate' wrong, Father," Kristina said, smugly.

Jarrod looked at his youngest daughter, annoyance and amusement written all over his face. While Jarrod loved this new daughter as much as her brother, he couldn't stand her being arrogant and smug. When she got this way the two of them would often get into huge arguments. But this time he wouldn't fight with her.

"Kristina when you become a lawyer you can spell words however way you think they should be spelled," Jarrod said, standing and kissing her cheek tenderly.

Kristina helped her father all afternoon with the briefs. After they closed the office, Jarrod treated her to a dinner at the Cattleman's Hotel. Then they went home ready for all the adventure this Christmas would bring them.

What father and daughter didn't know was how much danger would come this one special Christmas.

Kristina and Jarrod arrived at the ranch house later in the evening. The Barkley family usually congregated in the billiard room.

Jarrod and Kristina handed Silas their coats. "Hello Mr. Jarrod, Miss Kristina. They all in the billiard room waiting for you," the old servant said.

"Thank you, Silas," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around Kristina's shoulders.

"Yes thank you, Mr. Whiting," Kristina said, politely.

"Miss Kristina, I done tol' ya, I works for your papa. I'se just Silas," Silas said.

"And I told you Mr. Whiting that my mama said I should respect people older than me," Kristina said.

"You didn't respect your papa when you first came here," Silas said.

Kristina blushed with shame as she looked at her father. Silas definitely had her there. "You're right, Silas," Kristina said.

Jarrod looked at Kristina as she avoided looking at him.

"What's wrong, Honey?" Jarrod asked, turning her head to look into her clear blue eyes,

"Father, I feel bad for the way I treated you. I know you just wanted to help me. Did I hurt you that night? You know when I said I didn't want to live with you?" Kristina asked.

"I won't lie and say you didn't hurt me, Kristina. It felt like you had put a knife in my chest," Jarrod said.

"I'm sorry. I realize now how much you actually cared for me. I mean, how many fathers would let me get away with pointing out your spelling errors?" Kristina teased.

Jarrod laughed out loud and kissed his daughter lightly on the ear as they walked down the hallway. Kristina took a deep sniff. The house had a gingerbread smell to it.

When they reached the study, they heard Nick Barkley's booming voice.

Kristina grinned as her loud uncle got louder. "Sounds like Uncle Heath got some more money out of Uncle Nick," Kristina said, her voice full of amusement.

Jarrod smiled at his daughter as he opened the door.

When Jarrod and Kristina entered the study, Nick was arguing with Heath. Both cowboys were holding cue sticks.

"Uncle Heath, did you beat Uncle Nick in pool again?" Kristina asked, grinning broadly.

"Yeah, Uncle Nick here is bein' a sore loser," Jaddy said, his blue eyes laughing at his sister.

Kristina giggled at the grumpy expression 9on her volatile uncle's face.

"Just remember the saying, Uncle Nick, 'You win some you lose some'," Kristina said.

Every Barkley in the room, except Nick, cracked up at Kristina's joke.

"So, how was school?" Audra asked.

"Fine, Aunt Audra. I took my exam for math. I don't know how I did. I hate math. I don't see where I'm going to use it when I become a lawyer," Kristina said.

"Honey, you may need it. Let’s say for example that we’re going to sell a piece of property. A lawyer has to know figures to sell that piece and to draw up the legal papers," Jarrod said.

"Father, can you show me how to do that?" Kristina asked.

"Of course. You have two weeks off from school. I'm planning a little surprise for you and Jarrod for Christmas starting tomorrow," Jarrod said.

"What's that got to do with showing me how to draw up deeds?" Kristina asked.

"I can show you on the way to the surprise. It takes a train to get there. And you, Jarrod, and I can talk about how some business matters go here," Jarrod said.

"Will we be back here in time for Christmas?" Kristina asked.

"We'll only be there 4 days and then we'll come home," Jarrod said.

Kristina and Jarrod got involved in a billiards game until bedtime.

Kristina fell asleep that night warm and comfortable in her warm bed, unaware that her father's Christmas surprise trip would spring into a dangerous adventure.

The next morning Kristina woke up before the other members of the house did. She pulled back the draperies covering her window.

The sight was breathtaking. The Barkley ranch was covered in snow. White, feathery snowflakes drifted lazily to the ground.

Kristina dressed quickly in the cold room and stole down to the kitchen. Silas was preparing breakfast in the warm kitchen.

"Good morning, Silas," Kristina said.

"Oh good morning, Miss Kristina. You're up awful early is you, child?" Silas asked, turning to her.

"Yeah. I looked out my window this morning and I just couldn't go back to sleep. If Father asks where I am tell him I'm in his study reading one of his law books," Kristina said.

"I'll tell him, Miss Kristina," Silas said.

Kristina walked down the hallway to Jarrod's study and walked in the small room. Kristina lit the lantern on her father's desk and sat it on the table in front of the settee.

Since her arrival in July, she had read all but two of her father's law books. She pulled out the thicker of the two and started to read.

The hours slipped by as Kristina read. At eight o'clock the door cracked slightly, but she didn't hear it.

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

Jarrod Barkley had heard from Silas that Kristina was in his study reading a book when he entered the kitchen that morning.

When breakfast was served he went to the study to fetch Kristina.

She was bowed over the thickest law book in his collection; her black hair tumbled over her shoulder.

Jarrod sat on the settee next to her and pushed back her thick black hair.

Kristina looked up into her kind father's vibrant blue eyes. "Good morning, Father," Kristina said.

"Good morning, Honey. I just came here to tell you it's time for breakfast," Jarrod said, laying one hand on her face and twining his fingers in her hair.

"Goodness, what time is it?" Kristina asked.

Jarrod pulled his pocket watch out and opened it. 8:05.

Kristina gasped as she realized how fast the morning went.

"Father, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was that late," Kristina said.

"Don't worry about it. After we eat, I'm going to take you to that surprise I promised. Pack a few clothes for a few days in your carry on," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Kristina walked down the hallway to the breakfast room, not prepared for the surprises this trip will bring.

Meanwhile in a place called San Quentin, a prisoner was being paroled. His name was Cass Hyatt. He was sent to prison 15 years earlier on the charges of attempted murder.

Hyatt was packing up his mere belongings. His cellmate, Cal Lorch watched him.

"What are you gonna do, Hyatt?" Lorch asked.

“Get back at the man who locked me up; Counselor Jarrod Barkley," Hyatt said.

"You gonna kill him?" Lorch asked.

"No. Beat him up. If that new wife of his is still around she can watch her fancy husband take a beating," Hyatt said.

"And if she's not?" Lorch asked.

"Well, I think Lawyer Barkley may have had kids by her. So his son or his daughter can watch their old man take a beating," Hyatt said.

"I don't think Barkley would let you hit him in front of his wife and kids," Lorch said.

"He has offices in San Francisco. He has to go there sometime," Hyatt said.

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

Back at the Barkley ranch, Kristina kissed her grandfather, grandmother, aunts and uncles as she stepped up next to her father in the rig.

"Good-bye, Kristina! See you in three days!" Audra said.

"Good-bye, Aunt Audra! Bye Uncle Heath! Make sure you cheat Uncle Nick out of more money," Kristina teased her temperamental uncle.

"Pappy, get this clown of a niece away from me before I take a stick to her!" Nick growled.

Kristina giggled and her blue eyes shone like beacons.

"I'll do that, Brother Nick," Jarrod urged the horses forward and grinned at his excited daughter, her hat and scarf askew.

"So Father, where are we going?" Kristina asked.

"I told you Kristina Elizabeth Barkley; it's a surprise. You'll see when you get there," Jarrod said.

Kristina grinned at her big brother. He was in the back watching the snowy landscape.

"So Jaddy, are you looking for a place to bury my face in the snow?" Kristina asked.

"Maybe Kris," Jaddy teased his little sister.

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley Jr., if you ever dunk your sister in the snow, I will spank you," Jarrod lectured his son.

"Father, I was teasing her!! I wouldn't really dunk her in the snow, "Jaddy said.

Kristina yawned and went into the back of the rig. She pulled a worn blanket over her shoulders and fell asleep for the remainder of the trip to town.

Jarrod and his children arrived in town an hour later. The town was like the Barkley ranch; everyone was preparing for Christmas.

Jarrod parked the wagon at the livery stable. He got into the back of the wagon, picked up his sleeping daughter, and they all went to the train station.

Jaddy walked beside his father in total silence. In the last few months he’d been thinking a lot about his father and mother’s failure at marriage. The more he thought of it, the more he blamed himself for their separation.

His father was happy to see him when he came, but when Jarrod found out about Kristina Jaddy got ignored a lot and Kristina got all their father’s attention.

Jaddy’s mind went back to the string tie he bought for his father’s birthday a few months back. His father loved it, but Kristina’s cigar trimmer won more praise.

When Jaddy worked with Uncle Heath on a fence or helped Uncle Nick with a difficult horse that was the only time he felt he counted for anything in his new family.

I guess I should be more understanding. It’s not Kristina’s fault that the family spoils her. It’s just that I feel that I can never be my father, Jaddy thought miserably, not watching where he was going.

Jarrod stopped and Jaddy kicked him in the leg, accidentally. Jarrod almost dropped Kristina, but Jaddy gripped his sister’s elbow to keep her from falling.

“Jarrod, you watch where you’re going," Jarrod snapped.

Jaddy averted his eyes from his father’s face, feeling the pain of Jarrod’s words bring tears to his eyes.

“Yes Father. I’m sorry. I just had a lot on my mind," Jaddy said.

Jarrod and Jaddy walked into the station and Jaddy sat down, his sister sleeping across the room on a empty bench, unaware of the trouble that will bring father, son, and daughter closer together.

When Kristina woke up an hour later, she was on the train, her father's warm winter coat wrapped around her shoulders.

Jaddy was looking sullenly out the window, and Jarrod had a stack of paperwork in front of him. Kristina slipped quietly off the seat and sat next to her brother.

"Jaddy, are you okay?" Kristina asked.

Jaddy turned his light blue eyes toward his sister.

"What makes you think I'm not okay?" Jaddy asked, his voice tight with tension.

"Oh I don't know. You just look kinda upset. Did I do something wrong?" Kristina asked.

"You didn't do anything wrong, Kris. You're just a kid," Jaddy said.

"I must have done something. Are you angry with me?" Kristina asked.

"No. I'm not angry with you," Jaddy said.

"Then what's wrong?" Kristina asked.

"I didn't want to involve you in my problems. But now it looks like I have to. Sis, while you were sleeping I was thinking of Mama and Father's marriage," Jaddy said.

"Yeah, what about it?" Kristina asked.

"I feel a little worthless sometimes. I feel as if I was the reason Mama left Father," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, it wasn't your fault. Months ago when I was in town with Father, and I thought it was my fault, he told me that it was my fault. That he loved you and Mama, but he let being a lawyer be his whole life," Kristina said.

While Kristina was trying to comfort her distraught brother, Jarrod looked up from his notes.

"Kristina, I thought you were asleep," Jarrod said.

Jaddy bristled slightly as his father ignored him. Again. Kristina felt her brother's hand in her small hand go tense like iron bars. Kristina squeezed his hand gently to give him a little encouragement.

"I was. I just wanted to talk with Jaddy for a few minutes, Father," Kristina said.

Jarrod nodded at his son. Jaddy grinned a lopsided grin at his sister. "Kris, I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air. Thanks for trying to help me feel better," Jaddy said. He leaned over and gave Kristina a light peck on the cheek.

Kristina looked out the window at the snowy landscape. She felt like crying for her big brother that felt like he didn't count. This Christmas I'm going to try to make Jaddy feel wanted, Kristina thought resolutely.

Jarrod looked at his quiet daughter. She had her hand propped up against her chin. She was looking at the landscape and pulled his wool coat tighter around her thin shoulders.

"Kristina, what's wrong?" Jarrod asked.

"Father, do you love Jaddy?" Kristina asked point-blank.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Jarrod asked.

"Do you know that he thinks that you hate him?" Kristina asked.

"Did Jarrod tell you that?" Jarrod asked.

"No. He didn't have to. It's easy to tell if you look at him. His eyes give it away. He blames himself for Mama leaving you," Kristina said.

"Kristina, he told you that?" Jarrod asked again.

"Yes. Sir. I also have the feeling that he wants your attention. I grew up without a father, but Jaddy wants the father he remembers when he was three," Kristina said.

"Honey, people change," Jarrod said.

"I know that. They have to. But Father, go to him. He wants your attention. Let him know that I'm not your only child," Kristina said.

Jarrod stood up at his daughter's words and left the compartment in search of his son.

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

Jaddy stood outside at the railing of the train. His tears fell in scalding rivulets down his face.

He moved back inside where it was warm, and collapsed on the ground burying his face in his knees.

Jarrod sat down next to Jaddy and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Jaddy looked up and saw his father through his tears.

"What are you doing here? Didn't you want to show Kris how to do a bill of sale?" Jaddy asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Jarrod flinched slightly at the splintered, bitter voice.

"No Son. I wanted to spend some time with you. Since you came back to live with me I haven't been able to talk much to you," Jarrod said, trying to be patient with his angry teenager.

"I can see why. I mean havin' to pull Kris out of the croup. Then going through a court case with her and also last night spending the time going over a case with her would make you busy," Jaddy said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jarrod grabbed his boy's face and forced him to look at him. "Jarrod Thomas Barkley Jr., if I ever hear those words out of your mouth again I'll spank you! And also young man, I'm here because your sister felt sorry for you and told me some truths. So I won't spend the trip telling her about the legal end of selling things. I'm going to spend my time on this train talking to my son," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Jaddy walked back to their compartment and sat talking in a tense manner until the train stopped in San Francisco, California.

"San Francisco! Next stop San Francisco!" The conductor yelled through the train. He poked his head through the compartment that Jarrod and his children were in. "Folks, next stop San Francisco," the man said.

"Thank you," Jarrod said.

Jarrod put all his legal papers in his valise, as Kristina handed him his coat. Jaddy and Kristina buttoned up their coats and picked up their carry-on bags from the racks above.

"Jarrod, Kristina, I would suggest that you stay by me at all times. San Francisco is a big place and it's very easy to get lost," Jarrod said.

"Father, don't worry so much. Kristina and me know how to take care of ourselves," Jaddy said.

Jarrod fixed a stern look on his son, while Kristina kicked her brother in the shin.

"Ouch! Kristina what did you do that for?" Jaddy asked.

"Jarrod Barkley, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?" Kristina asked. Her blue eyes were as angry as her father's.

"No," Jaddy said obstinately.

"Well I would kinda like Father to be with me in this place. The sounds out there are a little frightening," Kristina said timidly.

The train jerked to a stop, throwing Kristina back into her seat.

The train jerked to a stop, throwing Kristina back into her seat.

Kristina stood up weakly and tied her scarf around her neck.

Jarrod grabbed his valise and Kristina's hand and they all walked off the train into the freezing cold, not noticing they were being watched.

Kristina stood shyly by her father's side as they moved through the crowded San Francisco depot. The wind pushed back her jet-black hair and whipped her scarf around her slender neck.

Her father helped her up onto a horse-drawn trolley. Kristina held her father's hand with one hand and her small valise with the other.

Jaddy stood by the railing of the trolley, the wind pushing back his wavy black hair. Jarrod released his daughter's hand and moved over to his silent, angry son.

"Jarrod, I'm glad we had a chance to talk," Jarrod said, laying his hand reassuringly on his son's shoulder.

Jaddy looked up at his father. The concerned look in Jarrod's eyes made him tear up. Jaddy closed his eyes, his hurt melting away with the tears. Jaddy threw his arms around Jarrod's neck, crying wildly.

"Father, I'm sorry! I just felt left out. All you pay attention to is Kristina lately. I don't begrudge her for getting to know you," Jaddy hiccupped, as he buried his face in Jarrod's chest.

Jarrod rubbed his hand through Jaddy's hair. He pulled Jaddy's head back and looked into his vivid blue eyes. Jarrod pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his son's eyes. Then he wiped his own.

"Well Little boy, are you ready to look over San Francisco with your little sister and myself?" Jarrod asked, good-naturedly.

"Yes Father. Forgive me for being impossible. I guess I just feel bad. I want to be seen and heard sometimes like Uncle Nick does," Jaddy teased.

Jarrod laughed out loud at his son's bounce back to a good mood.

"You are just like your Uncle Heath! You can get angry, but you hide it very well," Jarrod said.

Jaddy grinned. Jarrod and his son moved back into the warm trolley and Kristina smiled a warm smile at her big brother.

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

While the Barkleys had gotten off the train from Stockton a person watched them. Cass Hyatt was due the following day. This particular person who watched them leave the train had a personal score against the Barkleys. His name was Rizley.

18 years before Jaddy Barkley was born Heath and Nick were falsely imprisoned in the man's prison camp.

Jaddy and Kristina's father realized how late they were so he went looking for them. He found his brothers in the prison camp. Heath had burned his leg and was very ill from the burn and whipping he'd gotten before Jarrod arrived.

Jarrod had threatened the man with imprisonment and said he would bring the Circuit Judge. Before Jarrod arrived with the Circuit Judge and the Marshall Heath had been placed in a sweltering iron box and left there.

The warden Rizley, the town sheriff and a man named McGowan had been found guilty of abuse and sent to San Quentin.

Rizley had just recently gotten out of prison when he heard that Cass Hyatt was soon to be out.

The next morning after a sumptuous breakfast Jaddy, Kristina, and Jarrod braved the cold to walk to Jarrod's office.

Kristina clung to her father's side the whole time. She was a little nervous around the big crowd of the city and she refused to let go of Jarrod's hand. They walked from the Nob Hill district to the business district where Jarrod's office was.

Becky Carmichael, Jarrod's secretary in San Francisco, smiled as her employer entered the office. "Counselor, welcome back!" The beautiful blonde said warmly.

At one time Becky had been in love with her handsome boss, but when he told her that he was married and had a son she knew that Jarrod didn't love her.

"Hello Becky. Becky, these are my two children, Jarrod and Kristina," Jarrod said.

Becky looked at the two siblings. Both of them looked like their father. The boy was an exact image of Jarrod, but Kristina had thinner lips. Must have been inherited from the mother, Becky thought.

"Welcome. I hope you like San Francisco," Becky said.

"Thank you, Ma'am. Honestly it's okay, but I'd rather be somewhere less crowded," Kristina said.

"I understand, Dear. I'm from the country too. The city can be amazing," Becky said.

Jarrod and the children entered the office and Jarrod pulled out some paperwork that Becky had put on his desk. Kristina perched on the edge of the desk to look over the papers with him.

The first paper was obvious. "Father, this paper needs a clause to make it more binding," Kristina said.

Jarrod smiled at his daughter and stroked her hand that was next to his hand on his desk. "Yes I think you are right," Jarrod said.

"Sis, how do you know that the paper needed that?" Jaddy asked.

"I'm a genius." At the look of "Yeah right." on her brother's face she then changed what she said. "Actually I spend my time reading Father's law books for extended periods of time. I'm going to know about the legal bindings in contracts and deeds," Kristina said.

"When I finish my work how would you two like to go eat on Fisherman's Wharf?" Jarrod asked.

"What's Fisherman's wharf, Father?" Jaddy asked.

"You'll see, Son. You'll see," Jarrod said. Kristina helped her father all the way to lunchtime. When lunchtime came they locked the office door and walked in the direction of the wharf. The were unaware that Rizley watched them leave from across the street.

Fisherman's Wharf was crowded and smelled like fish. The wind brushed Kristina's face in a cold flood. The only part of her that wasn't chilled was her hand, gripped in her father's left hand.

Kristina shivered slightly as the freezing wind struck her face like tiny sharp needles.

Jarrod walked into a building. A man in fancy-looking clothes walked over to Jarrod and curtsied.

"Ah Monsieur Barkley, welcome to our restaurant," the Maitre 'd said, in a heavy French accent.

"Thank you, Jean," Jarrod said. Jean helped them off with their coats and escorted them to a table.

Kristina, Jaddy and Jarrod were sitting elbow to elbow at a small table.

Jaddy pulled on the collar of his chambray shirt a few minutes later. Jarrod looked at his son, concerned. "What's the matter, Son?" Jarrod asked.

"Nothing Father. It just feels kinda warm in here," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, you're always warm. Mama said that when you were little, about 2 or 3 maybe, you'd kick the covers off on the coldest days of the year," Kristina said.

"You're a fine one to talk, Little Sister. Mama and me know that you got cold on the hottest days of the year," "" Jaddy retorted back to her.

"Can't argue with you there," Kristina said.

Jarrod sat, amused at his children's teasing. It reminded him of how He and Nick had been as boys. And also when Heath had arrived when he was fourteen. Jarrod felt a passing sadness at the thought of his children growing up without him. He didn't hate Beth for what she'd done. In fact even though she was dead he still loved her as much as when he first married her.

Jarrod was lost in his thoughts when Kristina nudged her father's foot with her own.

Jarrod looked up at this beautiful girl he had the privilege to call "Daughter." In the 6 months that she had arrived at the Barkley ranch, she had become a vital part of his life.

"What is it, Honey?" Jarrod asked, reaching across the table and squeezing her hand.

"Jaddy wanted to ask you something," Kristina said.

Jarrod nodded his head to his son. "Father, is there a place where I can wash my hands?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. There's a water closet down that way," Jarrod said.

"Water closet?" Kristina asked, puzzled.

"Yes, Honey. It has running water in it," Jarrod said.

Jaddy took his leave of Jarrod and Kristina, while both talked of water closets. Twenty minutes later Jarrod looked at his pocket watch worriedly. Jaddy hadn't come back.

Kristina took a sip of water as her father looked around the restaurant for his missing son. He looked over at his daughter, seemingly unaware of his dilemma.

"Kristina, I want you to sit here and eat your lunch. I have to go looking for your brother," Jarrod said.

Kristina looked around also, trying to get a glimpse of her older brother. Before Jarrod could stop her, she bolted out of her seat and in the direction of the water closets. She raised her hand and started to knock on the door.

"Jaddy! Jaddy!" She screamed.

Every diner in the restaurant stopped eating to stare at the girl knocking at the door.

Jarrod stood up and hightailed it for the water closets. He reached out and grabbed her wrist.

He pulled her into an embrace and let her cry as much as she wanted.

"Kristina, I'm going to take you to my office. While you are there, I'm going to search for Jarrod," Jarrod said, cupping her cheeks with his hands and pushing her face up so she could look at him.

"No! I'm coming with you!" Kristina said.

"You're not coming with me. You're going to stay at the office and behave yourself. You're a Barkley and it's time you started to behave like one," Jarrod said sternly.

"He's my brother," Kristina tried one last argument to sway her father's decision.

"Look, you are not going with me. You are going to do as you are told and not argue anymore about it," " Jarrod said.

Jarrod laid his hand on the back of her neck and forced her to march. Kristina's eyes filled with tears as she was taken to her father's office. She laid down on her father's soft leather couch and buried her face in the buttery cool leather as the tears started to fall.

Jarrod looked over at his sad daughter and walked over to her. He took his hand and ran it through her jet-black hair. He leaned over and kissed her ear gently. Kristina pushed up on her elbow and hugged her father as if he was never coming back.

Jarrod and Kristina broke the embrace. Jarrod walked out of the office and Kristina laid back down on the couch, sound asleep.

When Jarrod was looking for his son and Kristina was asleep, Jaddy was safe and sound in the Fisherman's Wharf district. Or not.

When he went to go wash his hands in the water closet, Rizley and Hyatt grabbed him, drugged him and carried him away.

When he woke up hours later, he had broken ribs and felt blood running down his nose in a torrent.

He tried to get up, but the pain in his ribs kept him where he was. He had felt this much pain since the time he'd tried breaking a wild stallion at the ranch. Of course Father was Furious when I'd done that, Jaddy thought with grim amusement.

Jaddy knew he had some broken ribs. The pain was enough to attest to that. Jaddy also knew that if he didn't get out he'd be dead. He looked around his empty makeshift prison and examined everything.

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

Meanwhile Kristina woke up from her tired sleep. She looked around and noticed something on the plating of one of her father's windows.

She stood up and walked over to the window and pulled at the scrap of paper on the outside pane. She opened it and stared at the scribbled writing.

"Counselor Barkley, if you ever want to see your son alive again, come to the Fisherman's Wharf district at midnight. Cass Hyatt and Rizley," Kristina read out loud.

Before she even stopped to think, she pushed open the window and jumped out to run after her father. The note was jammed in her pocket.

Kristina wandered in the cold wind looking for the Fisherman's Wharf district. The wind chilled her body and blew her hair around her head. She shivered slightly as she had forgotten to put her coat back on at the office.

She stepped aboard a trolley and sat in the corner of the vehicle. A woman with a load of laundry looked sympathetically at her. She started to talk in her native tongue to the girl.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am I don't know a word you're saying," Kristina said, politely.

"She said, "What's a pretty thing like you doing out here by yourself and with no coat on?'" An old woman said.

"I'm going to Fisherman's Wharf and I forgot my coat," Kristina said.

The two women conversed quietly in the unknown tongue. The laundry woman clucked her tongue and patted Kristina's arm, gently.

"She says that a child your age shouldn't be roaming the city by yourself. She wants to know where your mama and papa are," the other woman said.

"My mother's dead. I'm out looking for my father. He's looking for my brother Jaddy," Kristina said.

The laundry woman asked a question.

"She wants to know your name," the old woman said.

Kristina hesitated slightly. Mama had told her to never tell a stranger her name. This woman looked kind enough. Kristina looked at the Swedish lady and decided she was trustworthy. "I'm Kristina Barkley," Kristina said.

The rest of the trip was taken in complete silence as the woman sang in Swedish to Kristina. Kristina fell asleep against the woman's shoulder for the remainder of the trip. As the woman sang, she smoothed back Kristina's jet-black hair.

The trolley stopped outside the Fisherman's Wharf district. Kristina nearly got thrown from her seat as the trolley screeched to a halt. She would have if the Swedish lady hadn't of grabbed her shoulder.

"Thank you, Ma'am," Kristina said.

The old lady across from them repeated Kristina's words in Swedish to her friend. The laundry lady grinned broadly at the beautiful child next to her and patted her head in a motherly fashion.

Kristina walked off the trolley into the biting cold. The temperature in Fisherman's Wharf was colder than the business district where Jarrod's office was.

Kristina walked over to the restaurant where her father had taken her and Jaddy for lunch. She walked into the warm restaurant. The Maitre 'd walked over to her.

"Mademoiselle Barkley, what are you doing here?" The snooty man asked.

"Did my brother come back here?" Kristina asked.

"No Mademoiselle. Your father was here a few minutes ago and I told him the same thing," Jean said.

"Merci, Monsieur Jean," Kristina thanked him in French.

Kristina walked out into the blowing cold. She ducked into an alley and examined grates in the sides of the buildings. She stopped at one grate and looked in. A form was tied to a wooden guardrail by the hands.

Through the dim light Kristina couldn't tell you it was. She ventured a whisper. "Jaddy, is that you?"

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

Jaddy turned his head toward the grate. "Kristina?" Jaddy moaned through the pain of his broken ribs.

"Jaddy, are you all right?" Kristina asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, except for these broken ribs. Kristina, is father with you?" Jaddy asked hopefully.

"No. He doesn't even know I'm here. He went looking for you and left me at the office with strict orders to stay there. When I got this ransom note I panicked and came to look for you" Kristina said.

"You disobeyed Father to find me?" Jaddy asked amused.

"All right. I'll accept any punishment Father gives me. But we have to get you to a doctor right now," Kristina said.

"Kris, go looking for Father. I need a strong man to help me and you aren't strong enough to carry me," Jaddy said.

"All right Jaddy," Kristina moved away from the grate and ran through the alley blindly.

Kristina ran into someone as she ran into someone as she ran through the street. The person grabbed her hands as she swung them at him.

"Kristina, stop it!" The voice of the person ordered.

Kristina's eyes flew open and she looked into the angry eyes of her father.

"Father! Boy howdy am I glad to see you!" Kristina exclaimed, throwing her arms around Jarrod's neck.

"What do you think you are doing here?" Jarrod demanded angrily, forcing his daughter's head back so he could look her in the eyes.

"When I woke up I saw this piece of paper/ I read it and I was coming to look for you," Kristina said.

Jarrod stared at his daughter. Her hair was a mess and her lips were blue from the cold. She was shivering slightly from the cold. He noticed then that she wasn't wearing a coat.

"Kristina, where's your coat?" Jarrod asked, rubbing her cold hands briskly.

"Forgot it when I left the office," Kristina said, her teeth chattering.

Jarrod removed his sheepskin coat and wrapped it around her shoulders and marched her to a diner.

Jarrod was very putout with Kristina as they marched to the diner. Not only had she not stayed where she was ordered, but she'd managed to come to the most dangerous area in San Francisco.

Kristina dug her hands into the warm pockets of her father's coat and tried not to cry. She'd seen her father angry with her before. It was terrible then as it was now. Her mind went back to the first horrible days of being part of the Barkley family in July.

When she first met David Leonard, he'd saved her from a snake. He helped her get home that night, really late. When she walked in the door, Jarrod grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to his study.

There he yelled at her and hugged her. In those days he was just Mr. Barkley. Now with him angry with her it was worse. She had grown to love her father in the months that followed and having him mad at her hurt so bad.

Jarrod strode into the diner and pulled out a chair. She sat timidly in it, not looking her father in the face. Jarrod sat across from her. He pulled her chin up so she could look at him.

"Now I'm going to ask you some questions and I expect an honest answer from you, Young Lady," Jarrod said sternly.

"Yes Sir," Kristina whispered.

"Now did I or did I not tell you to stay at my office?" Jarrod asked.

"You told me to stay at your office, Sir," Kristina said, faintly.

She took her hands out of the big pockets of her father's coat and blew on them to warm them better.

"Then why did you disobey me?" Jarrod asked sternly.

Kristina pulled a piece of paper out of her pants pocket and handed it to her father. He read the note two times before he looked back at her. Kristina was examining her hands.

"Honey, you should have waited until I returned. Now how can I trust you?" Jarrod said.

Kristina looked into her father's eyes. It was the saddest expression she had ever seen on any man's face. Kristina's eyes watered up and a tear fell down her face.

"I'm sorry. If you want to punish me, I'll take any punishment. I told Jaddy I would," Kristina said.

"Jarrod? You've seen Jarrod?" Jarrod questioned.

Kristina looked into her father's eyes again. The sadness was now replaced by a surprised look. "Yes Sir. He's in an alley. Tied to a guardrail. I think he has a few broken ribs. He told me to come look for you, since your stronger than I am," Kristina said.

"Can you show me this place?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes Father," Kristina stood up and peeled of her father's coat.

She ran out the door, Jarrod hot on her heels

Kristina ran through the alleys. Jarrod tired to keep up with his equally fast daughter. She slowed down outside a gray stone building. She crouched in a kneeling position and whistled a tune.

Jarrod crouched next to Kristina and put his hand on her slim shoulder.

"Jaddy, I'm back. Where are you?" Kristina asked, calmly.

"I'm in here, Kris. Rizley just came in here. I think he broke my nose," Jaddy said, thinly.

"Jarrod, I'm here. Papa's here," Jarrod said.

"Papa? My ribs hurt Papa," Jaddy said, using the name he called Jarrod when he was three.

"Don't worry, Son. We'll get you out of there. Jarrod did you see an entrance when Risley and Hyatt brought you here?" Jarrod asked.

"No Papa. I woke up in this place. I think Risley and Hyatt may have drugged me," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, can you reach your pocketknife?" Kristina asked.

"What? Kristina didn't you here me say I was tied to a guardrail? My hands are a few feet over my head," Jaddy said exasperated.

"Jarrod your sister and me are going to try to get you out of here. I may need your uncles Heath and Nick Can you hold out to tomorrow?" Jarrod asked.

"No! Father we can't leave him here alone!" Kristina exclaimed.

"Kristina, be quiet!" Jarrod ordered.

"Father's right, Sis. Now you have to do what he tells you. I can hold out until you come back," Jaddy said.

"But you'll be all alone?" Kristina's voice broke at those words.

"Kristina I'm not alone. Remember Mama said that Jesus was always with us even in our darkest times. He's with me now even in this prison I'm in," Jaddy said.

Jarrod extended his hand to his daughter and helped her off the ground.

"Son, we'll be back soon," Jarrod said.

"Thank you, Father. I hope you can return soon," Jaddy said.

Jarrod and Kristina walked down the alley. Tears fell down Kristina's face in icy tracks. Jarrod's heart went out to his daughter and he pulled her into his arms. Kristina buried her face into her father's chest and sobbed. Jarrod lifted his daughter into his arms and carried her, just as he did when she had diphtheria.

Jarrod carried Kristina all the way to a nearby trolley. He sat with her. Her head was against his arm and the tears rolled down her face and on his coat. When the trolley stopped he picked her up and carried her into his office. Kristina laid down on his couch and cried as if her heart would break.

Jarrod wrote out a message for Heath and Nick to come quickly. He stared at his beautiful young daughter crying. In the months that he'd known her she had never cried like this.

When she heard what happened to Beth, she cried. He figured it was because of the relationship between his wife and daughter that broke her heart.

Jarrod kneeled next to his daughter and pushed a tangled lock of dark hair away from her face. She pushed up on her hands and stared at her father, tears swimming in her vivid blue eyes.

"Father, I can't lose Jaddy! I won't lose him!" Kristina sobbed, putting her arm on an armrest.

"You won't lose him, Kristina. I promise you that," Jarrod said.

Kristina sniffled as she tried unsuccessfully to wipe away her tears. "When Uncle Nick and Uncle Heath come can I come with you?" Kristina asked.

"No honey that's not such a good idea," Jarrod said gently.

"I know how to take care of myself," Kristina said.

Jarrod took a deep breath to try to calm his frustration with this stubborn daughter of his. It didn't work.

"No. I don't want you to get hurt," Jarrod said.

"Please Father let me come?" Kristina begged.

"I said, no!" Jarrod said sternly.

"Why do you treat me like a two-year old?" Kristina asked

That did it. Jarrod took his hand and grabbed her wrist. He smacked her hand hard with the palm of his hand. Kristina's eyes filled with tears at the sting on her hand.

"Now do you want to continue to argue this? Because if you do there's my desk over there. I can tell you to bend over and your bottom will be a lot sorer than your hand," Jarrod said.

Kristina shook her head no, trying hard to keep the tears from falling down her face.

"Good Girl. I know that after that little bit of parental guidance you wouldn't want me to spank you harder than I just did," Jarrod said.

"Yes Sir," Kristina whispered faintly.

"Now I would suggest you sit here until I get back. If you set one foot out of this building, I'll spank you. Do you understand?" Jarrod asked.

Kristina nodded her head and sat on the leather couch. Jarrod leaned over and kissed her head gently. Jarrod walked out the door and Kristina sat there, the tears falling unchecked down her face in salty tracks.

When Jarrod came back, he took her back to his city apartment and the two ate dinner in subdued silence.

Kristina knew she deserved her father's swat, but she didn't know how to tell him she was sorry for her behavior or that she wasn't mad at

The next morning at breakfast, Jarrod's front door received a sharp knock. Jarrod looked at his daughter picking at her eggs.

"Honey, don't play with your food," Jarrod said.

"I'm not hungry, Sir. Please don't make me eat it," Kristina said in a low voice.

Jarrod looked at his forlorn child and gently patted her hand. "Have I ever forced you to eat anything when you didn't want to?" Jarrod asked.

"No. I thought that maybe you would," Kristina said, her eyes on her plate.

Jarrod pushed his daughter's chin up. She looked at him, a pained expression in her light blue eyes.

"Child, I wouldn't make you eat anything you don't want to eat. What kind of father am I if I got finicky about the food you eat?" Jarrod said.

"Father, I'm sorry. What I said yesterday about you treating me like a two-year old," Kristina said.

"No, Sweetheart. I should be more understanding. You were upset and tired and I shouldn't have lost my temper," Jarrod said.

"Yeah, I was tired and upset. But Mama taught me to have more respect for my elders. And yesterday I let Mama down," Kristina said, tears coming to her eyes.

"Then let's just say both of us were wrong. I was wrong to hit your hand and you were wrong to backtalk to your father," Jarrod said.

"You got yourself a deal, Counselor," Kristina said. She leaned over and hugged her father, the argument and strain forgotten.

Kristina got back to eating her breakfast when the door got rattled on.

Jarrod answered the door. Not only were Heath and Nick there but so was Grandfather and Grandmother and Aunt Audra.

"Mother! Father! Audra! What are you all doing here? I asked for Heath and Nick," Jarrod said.

"Son, you're not alone on this. Cass Hyatt has hurt this family for the last time. So has Rizley," Tom said.

"We may need Kristina to help us. I lost all sense of direction with trying to keep up with her," Jarrod said.

The morning was spent making plans for Jaddy's rescue from his ordeal. Kristina ate her breakfast for strength and Audra and Victoria helped her wash her hair while the men talked.

After the plans were made, the Barkley clan got on a trolley to the Fisherman's Wharf district. The wind was still bitterly cold, but not as bad as the day before. Kristina was wearing a coat. So that helped some.

Kristina sat down next to Uncle Heath, while Jarrod talked in whispers to Uncle Nick and Grandfather. Two ladies entered the trolley at one of the stops.

When the ladies saw Kristina, one of them chattered excitedly in Swedish. Kristina recognized her as the woman who was nice to her yesterday.

"I don't believe it!" Kristina exclaimed.

The woman patted her head gently and kissed her head gently. She and her friend sat down across from Heath and Kristina.

"Friend of yours?" Heath asked.

"Yes Uncle Heath. I met her yesterday when I disobeyed Father. She sang to me a lullaby in her language. And when the trolley stopped, I nearly lost my seat and she grabbed my shoulder so I wouldn't crash to the floorboard," Kristina said.

"Nice of her," Heath said.

"Yeah. I haven't known many foreigners, except Mamacita," Kristina said.

"I met Mamacita when me, your father, and grandmother came and got you. I was the only one who could talk to her. Since I know Spanish," Heath said.

"Me and Jaddy know it. In Pine hollow it was absolutely necessary to know Spanish," Kristina said.

The two sat in silence for a few moments in silence.

"Uncle Heath, what did Grandfather mean when he said that Hyatt and Risley had hurt our family enough?" Kristina said.

"Before you were born Risley and Hyatt were sent to prison for things they had done to our family. I was on a cattle buying trip with Uncle Nick, when we were put in prison for stealing cattle. Which we didn't do. The man in charge of the prison was named Risley," Heath said.

"Does Risley beat up people?" Kristina asked.

"Yes. Before you father came to find us. I had burned my leg, and been whipped by Risley. When he found out that me and Uncle Nick were Barkleys he put me in an iron box to dehydrate me," Heath said.

"What about Hyatt?" Kristina asked.

"Attempted murder. When your father and mother first got married a year before Jaddy's birth, a man named Cass Hyatt intended to hurt your father. He hurt your mother instead. She was paralyzed for a long time. Hyatt was sent to San Quentin. Somehow he got out," Heath said.

"Why didn't Mama and Father tell us about this?" Kristina said.

"I can't speak for your mother. I don't know her reasoning. But your father, I guess it just never came up. Or maybe Jarrod didn't want to hurt you," Heath said.

Kristina thought about it in silence for the rest of the trip. Mama must have forgiven Hyatt for nearly killing her. Oh Mama, if only you knew how much we're in trouble over this. You had God on your side. You never hated anyone. Jesus help me to have Mama's forgiving nature, Amen, Kristina thought and prayed quietly to herself as the trolley bumped along the road.

The trolley stopped outside Fisherman's Wharf. The Barkleys got of the trolley. Jarrod looked at his daughter and went into a stern lawyer's voice.

Kristina, as soon as you show us the alley, I want you to go back to my office and wait," Jarrod said.

"No. I can't. I have to make sure Jaddy's all right before I leave," Kristina said.

Jarrod cupped his daughter's thin cheeks in his hands and made her look at him. "Sweetheart, you're going to have to do as I say. Risley and Hyatt are dangerous men and I don't want to see you get hurt," Jarrod said.

"I know. Uncle Heath told me what they did. What Risley did to him and Uncle Nick and what Hyatt did to you and Mama," Kristina said.

"So do you see why I have to protect you? Your mother told me to take care of you and I'm going to do that. Can I trust you to leave when I tell you to?" Jarrod said.

Kristina nodded her head. All the Barkley men followed Kristina down an alley. Kristina stopped at the grills she discovered the day before.

"Jaddy? Are you there? Answer me!" Kristina's voice got desperate.

"I'm here, Baby sister," Jaddy said faintly.

"Jaddy are you all right? Are you dead?" Kristina asked.

"No, but I did find out Risley and Hyatt's plan," Jaddy said.

"Jarrod what is there plan?" Jarrod asked.

"I'm too cold to think about it. They took my coat and it's very cold in this basement," Jaddy said.

"Don't worry, Boy we'll get you out," Nick said.

"Uncle Nick? I thought you were home letting Uncle Heath win again at pool?" Jaddy said, his tired voice full of amusement.

"Would I let my favorite nephew get hurt? Nick growled.

Kristina giggled in spite of herself. "Jaddy are you still tied up?" Kristina asked.

"No. Hyatt and Risley saw I wasn't going to run with broken ribs so they untied me," Jaddy said.

Kristina looked at the bars on the grill. I wonder if these metal bars can be bent, she thought.

She looked around and saw a lead pipe. On a brilliant idea, she picked up the dirty pipe and swung at the metal bars.

As Kristina swung Nick grabbed the lead pipe before it impacted with the bars. Her father breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Kristina Barkley what do you think you're doing?" Jarrod demanded.

"Getting Jaddy out?" Kristina said.

"Kristina we have to find the opening. And you hitting those bars could cause Risley and Hyatt to hear if they are close," Jarrod said.

"But Father we have to get him out!" Kristina protested.

"We will. But Honey, I suggest it was time you left for my office. I'll come get you when we get Jaddy out," Jarrod said.

"What if you're late?" Kristina asked.

"Then go to my apartment instead. I wouldn't want your grandmother and aunt to worry," Jarrod said.

"Okay. Here take my coat. Jaddy may need it if he's freezing," Kristina said, peeling her coat off.

"Sweetheart, I can give Jarrod my coat. So you keep yours on," Jarrod said.

"It's all right. I know what it means to be cold. Living in that cabin in Pine hollow I had to. Jaddy needs it more than me," Kristina said, pushing her coat back into his hands.

She kissed his cheek lightly. She ran through the slush and waited for a trolley. When one arrived she gave him her father's address and sat down.

Kristina got off the trolley and walked over the substantial area. She walked up the narrow steps and knocked on the door.

Aunt Audra answered the door. "Kristina! Where's Jarrod and the others?" Audra asked.

"They're still trying to get Jaddy out. Father told me to come here," Kristina said. So that began the afternoon of waiting for the three Barkley females.

Jaddy lay there shivering in the basement of the building, his ribs hurting where Hyatt had hit him with the butt of a rifle. The cold was making it worse since Risley had taken his coat. I guess to aid pneumonia, Jaddy thought grimly.

He heard Jarrod talking to his grandfather and his uncles. He furtively hoped Kristina got back to Nob Hill all right. "Papa? Papa?" Jaddy called weakly.

Jarrod's face appeared where the grating was. "Jarrod, what's wrong?" Jarrod asked.

"Did Kristina leave?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. She left me her coat. Son, are you all right?" Jarrod asked.

"Father, I'm fine. I just feel a little cold. Risley took my coat and it's not very warm in here," Jaddy said.

"Don't worry, Son. We'll get you out of here. I promised your mother that I'd take care of you, Jaddy," Jarrod said.

"Boy Howdy, that's the first time you've ever called me by that nickname of Kristina's," Jaddy said.

"Don't get used to it, Boy," Jarrod said.

"I won't, Father," Jarrod said.

Jaddy was quiet for a few moments. "Jarrod, We need you to talk to Jaddy. Keep him awake while we go look for the entrance," Tom said.

"I'll do that, Father," Jarrod said.

Jarrod turned back to the grate. "Jarrod, you need to stay awake," Jarrod said.

"Father, I can't. I'm so cold," Jaddy said.

"Try, Son. Jarrod tell me how your sister came up with that name Jaddy again," Jarrod said.

"When Kristina was learning how to talk she couldn't say Jarrod like anyone else. So she came up with Jaddy. Everyone in Pine Hollow liked it so much they started calling me Jaddy too," Jaddy said.

"And Kristina she has hardly ever called you Jarrod?" Jarrod said.

"Nope. She said that Jaddy's the name she's used to," Jaddy said.

Jarrod tried for an hour to keep his boy awake. Jaddy fell asleep despite his father's trying to keep him awake.

Nick, Heath, and Tom looked around the alleys and side streets looking for an entrance to Jaddy's prison to no avail.

The street was crowded with people as the Barkleys searched. Heath was about to turn a corner when Tom stopped him. "Heath, look," Tom held his son back.

Risley and Hyatt were coming out of a secret door. "That boy of the counselor's is strong. Did you notice Hyatt that he didn't even scream when I broke his nose?" Risley said.

"He's as stubborn as his Pa is," Hyatt said, his voice full of contempt for Jarrod.

"I thought he was more like his uncles 597and 370. When they were in my camp, I beat up 597 and he didn't even scream either," Risley said.

Heath knew Risley was talking about him. In spite of the fever that wracked his body, he remembered that Risley horsewhipped him and stuffed him in that iron box. He knew that he never screamed. Since he was young boy he knew how to deal with pain. It was ironic that his nephew, his own half-brother's son was the same way.

He remembered what Jarrod told him when the Sturges kidnapped Kristina. That his niece was also the same way. She managed to forget any pain and force herself to be on top of everything.

The three men waited until Risley and Hyatt left. Then Heath and Nick pushed on the secret paneling. It gave way to reveal a cold, drafty warehouse.

"Boys, let's hurry. The cold air I feel could kill that boy if we don't get him out," Tom said.

The men went through the warehouse looking for Jaddy's prison.

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

Tom, Nick, and Heath pushed through the dark warehouse until they reached a door. Ironically it wasn't locked. Heath pushed open the door. His nephew's prone body lay on the floor where Risley and Hyatt had left him.

Jaddy appeared to be unconscious. His lips were blue. His face was pale under the bruises and scratches.

Heath, Nick, and Tom could vaguely see Jarrod peeking through the grate. Heath walked over to his nephew and touched a lock of his black hair.

"He's alive. But we have to get him out of here. This cold could kill him and he doesn't have a coat on," Heath said.

Heath took off his coat and wrapped around his nephew's shoulders. Then he and Nick put their arms under his jutting shoulder blades and carried him through the door.

When they reached Jarrod, he hugged his son and then lifted him up in his strong arms, like he did Kristina and Jaddy when they were sick with diphtheria.

They rushed to the nearest trolley. Jarrod spent the trip pushing back Jaddy's hair from his eyes.

When they reached the hospital, Jarrod carried Jaddy to the front desk and got him checked into a hospital room. Then he left to get Victoria, Audra, and Kristina.

"Father if Jarrod wakes up tell him, I'm going to fetch his aunt, sister, and grandmother," Jarrod said, pulling Tom out into the hall.

"All right, Son. But remember that God can give a miracle and make sure that Jaddy's all right," Tom said.

Jarrod looked in on his son's battered face and said a silent prayer for him.

He left the hospital to go back to Nob Hill. Kristina was praying quietly in the study of Jarrod's office, when Jarrod walked in.

She looked up, her face pulled into a serious frown. "Father, you’re back!" Kristina exclaimed a trace of tears in her voice.

She went to him and hugged him.

"We got Jarrod out," Jarrod said.

"How is he? Is he all right?" Kristina asked.

"He was asleep the whole time. I don't know what the aftereffects of being in that freezing warehouse might have on him. He has a few bruises and some blood has dried on his face. He also didn't have a coat on. His color was pale when we got him out," Jarrod said, pushing back Kristina's long hair.

"Can I go see him?" Kristina asked.

"Yes. That's why I'm here. I'm going to take you to the hospital," Jarrod said.

Kristina grabbed her coat for Jarrod's sofa and raced out the front door. The rest of the family arrived at the hospital 30 minutes later.

When Jarrod, Victoria, Audra, and Kristina entered the hospital it was all Kristina could do not to run to her brother's hospital room. Heath, Tom, and Nick were waiting outside the room when the foursome arrived.

"Grandfather, is Jaddy all right?" Those were the first words out of Kristina's mouth when they approached Nick, Heath, and Tom.

"He's fine, Child. A few broken ribs and a broken nose. He's sleeping right now, but he'll be all right," Tom said to the granddaughter he didn't even know existed until last July.

"May I see him?" Kristina asked.

"Kristina, he's very weak and tired. I would suggest you wait until he wakes up," Jarrod said gently.

"But Father he's my brother," Kristina said.

"Sweetheart, we know how you feel but Jarrod needs his rest," Victoria said.

"No you don't know how I feel. None of you will know how I feel until this kind of thing happens to you," Kristina said.

"Kristina!" Jarrod said sharply.

Kristina looked at her father, tears brimming in her blue eyes. Before anyone could stop her she rushed into Jaddy's room and sat on the edge of the bed. She pushed back a shock of black hair out of his eyes. His battered face surprised her. He had dark rings under his eyes. His nose was slightly crooked from a break and there were bruises covering his face.

Jarrod walked behind his daughter and rubbed her shoulder gently. Kristina leaned over and kissed Jaddy's pale cheek. She put her hand on his and started to rub it methodically

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

It wasn't Kristina's massaging Jaddy's hand that woke him up. It was the excruciating pain in his ribs that woke him up. Jaddy's eyelids fluttered painfully open as he took a deep breath of oxygen.

He looked around, disoriented, at his surroundings. He was on a comfortable bed in an unknown place. He remembered being in the cold basement of that building and that as he got used to the cold, he felt surprisingly tired. His grandfather and uncles must have found an entrance.

Jarrod was standing next to the doctor, talking to him. Kristina wasn't even looking at him. She was busy stroking his hair and hand at the same time.

He flipped his hand around and squeezed her hand gently.
Kristina looked down. Jaddy's blue eyes were open and he was holding her hand. He breathing was shallow and painful-sounding.

"Father, Jaddy's awake!" Kristina exclaimed.

Jarrod came over to his injured son's bedside. "Jarrod are you all right, Son?" Jarrod asked.

It was a struggle to try to talk through the broken ribs, but Jaddy tried to answer his father.

"Yes Father. My ribs hurt and it hurts to breathe or talk," Jaddy whispered hoarsely.

“Young man, when your grandfather, uncles, and myself brought you in you were asleep. I would suggest you rest. Don't try to talk, Son. Just rest and relax," Jarrod said.

"I can't. I have to make sure Risley and Hyatt get punished by the law for what they've done to me," Jaddy said.

"Jaddy, you can't. Not now. Not ever. Jaddy, I learned something today while me and Uncle Heath were talking. You remember how we always said Mama was a forgiving person? Now I know why," Kristina said.

"Why?" Jaddy asked.

"Before you were born Mama got into a big mess with Hyatt and Hyatt hurt Mama. She, I guess got shot. She could have detested him, but she forgave him for doing it. Remember she said if we don't forgive our enemies God won't forgive us," Kristina said.

"Thanks, Sis. You always bring me back to all of Mama's words at just the right time," Jaddy said.

"Don't give me the credit, Jaddy. Mama said that it's never a person who says Christian words. Remember when we were talkin' about The Bible how she said that men wrote it but God inspired them to?" Kristina said.

Jaddy nodded his head to worn out to talk anymore. He fell into a peaceful sleep. Kristina folded her hands under her chin. "God help Jaddy's ribs to heal. Thank you for helping us forgive Hyatt and Risley for hurting us. And also forgive them for hurting us. And thanks for helping both of us remember that love is stronger than hate. In Jesus name amen," Kristina said.

Jarrod took his daughter down to the hospital cafe and they ate a quiet meal.

Kristina picked at the steak in front of her with a keen sadness. Even Jarrod stopped eating his food to stare at his daughter with interest.

Jarrod took his left hand and covered her hand with it. Kristina looked up at him her bright blue eyes tired.

Jarrod was surprised by the worn-out look on his girl's face. She looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks.

"Kristina, after you eat, I'm taking you back to my house," Jarrod said.

"No. I'll be all right. I'm just a little sleepy is all," Kristina said.

"Kristina you can't go on like this. You're tired and worn-out. You need a proper night's sleep," Jarrod said.

"I can't leave. What if Jaddy wakes up and I'm not there?" Kristina asked, her voice ragged-sounding.

"I'll tell Jarrod that you're worn out and that you're back at my apartment getting a well-deserved sleep," Jarrod said.

"I can't. Please Father, don't make me leave," Kristina said.

"Kristina you are going to sleep. I hope you don't decide to argue this," Jarrod said, sternly.

"I noticed a bed next to Jaddy's. May I sleep there? It'll kill two birds with one stone. I'll still get the sleep you want me to have and still be there if Jaddy wakes up," Kristina said.

Jarrod looked at his daughter. He knew she was right so he nodded his head. "All right. I'll let you stay here with us. But promise me Kristina that you'll go straight to sleep, and not give me a reason to take you home," Jarrod said.

Kristina nodded her head tiredly. "Yes Sir," She said, and tried to force herself to eat the food on her plate. When she finished Jarrod helped her walk back to the room Jaddy was in and she collapsed wearily on the bed.

Victoria covered her with a blanket and Kristina slept the evening away. Jody was sleeping also, but it was not a pain-induced sleep, but a drug-induced sleep. While Jarrod and Kristina were eating, Jaddy woke up with sharp pains in his stomach so the doctor gave him a shot of chloroform. So both the children slept under the watchful eye of their father and their family.

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

While Jarrod's children slept, the adults made plans. Nick was ready to tear Risley and Hyatt limb from limb, but Jarrod in no-uncertain terms to calm down.

"Don't tell me to calm down, Pappy! Those two men tried to kill my nephew!" Nick roared.

"Nicholas, don't yell. You'll wake the children," Victoria said.

"Anyway, Kristina was right. Getting revenge, Brother Nick is not the way to accomplish anything," Jarrod said.

"So what you suggest we do, Jarrod?" Heath said.

"Well, Risley and Hyatt will notice Jarrod's gone. They'll probably think that he'll try to get back to me. So they'll search hospitals and try to locate my apartment," Jarrod said.

Kristina woke up while the grownups were planning. "How about planning a trap?" Kristina said, from her hospital bed.

Jarrod turned to his daughter in surprise. "Kristina, I thought you were asleep," Jarrod said, sitting on the bed next to Kristina.

"I was until Uncle Nick started to shout," Kristina said.

"Nick, Mother told you you'd wake the children," Jarrod accused.

"Father, I'm all right. I'm glad I heard what you're planning. And I can help you in capturing Risley and Hyatt," Kristina said.

"No. You're not going to help us capture Risley and Hyatt. Sweet heart I want you to stay here with your grandmother and aunt," Jarrod said.

"Father, what if you don't come back?" Kristina said, her voice small-sounding.

Jarrod hugged his daughter and whispered through her long dark hair, "I'll be back, Kristina. I promise."

Jarrod kissed his daughter on the cheek and watched her drift back to sleep.

As soon as she fell asleep, Heath, Jarrod, Tom, and Nick continued with their plans.

After Kristina drifted back to sleep Jarrod, Heath, Nick, and Tom went to Jarrod's office. Considering the men who'd beaten up Jarrod's son, it was thought of they knew almost everything about the Barkley family.

Jarrod spent the afternoon working on some briefs. Jarrod knew he was doing this for his son and daughter. He also knew he couldn't die after making that promise to his tired little girl.

His only comfort about this mess was that Jaddy and Kristina would be safe from Risley and Hyatt.

Wrong again.

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

When Risley and Hyatt came back to the room that was Jaddy Barkley's prison, they saw through the dimness of the interior, that he was gone.

"The boy's gone Risley!" Hyatt exclaimed angrily.

"I can see that Hyatt!" Risley snapped.

"Where could he have gone? I broke his ribs. No one could get far on broken ribs," Hyatt said.

"You're forgetting who his pa and uncles are. He's a Christian also. I heard him praying last night. If he got out on his own he'd go to Counselor Barkley or the hospital," Risley said.

"Where do we search first?" Hyatt asked.

"The hospital," Risley said.

So the two men went looking for Jaddy in the hospitals of San Francisco, putting both children in danger.

When Kristina woke up a few hours later, Jaddy was already awake. Victoria had some chicken broth and was feeding it to her grandson a spoonful at a time.

The bruises that he sustained from Hyatt and Risley were healing on his face beautifully. They looked greenish instead of purple. His color looked better from the previous hours. When Kristina first saw her brother he was pale as ice.

Kristina pushed up on her hands and planted her feet on the floor. She took in her wrinkled clothes and tried to brush the lint from them.

"Jaddy, are you all right?" Kristina asked.

"Yeah, Sis. I'm fine. It still hurts to breathe. But I'll be fine," Jaddy said.

"That's good. I was so worried about you. At one point I got upset and Father swatted my hand," Kristina said.

"Father hit you?" Jaddy asked.

"Yeah. But that's because I wouldn't mind him when he said I was to stay at his office," Kristina said.

"Kris, this trip has turned kinda dangerous. I sorta would like to go home," Jaddy said.

"To Pine Hollow or Stockton?" Kristina asked.

Pine Hollow actually. I never got in this much trouble in Pine Hollow. Since we moved to Stockton, trouble has seemed to be all we're in," Jaddy said.

"We can't go back to Pine Hollow. Father said it would be impossible. There's nothing there to go back to. And anyway I kinda like living with Father and our family and if it's home you want I want to go back to Stockton," Kristina said.

"I didn't think you'd like it so much," Jaddy said.

Victoria listened to the conversation between her two grandchildren. She spoke quietly at a break in the conversation. "If I wrote your father a note, I could take you children home to Stockton," Victoria said.

"Grandmother, could you?" Kristina asked.

"Of course, Sweetheart. Audra, run get me some paper. Kristina gets me some clothes for your brother to wear and I'll go fetch the doctor," Victoria instructed.

"Yes Mother, Grandmother," Audra and Kristina said in unison.

The female Barkley family members and Jaddy managed to get away from the hospital before Risley and Hyatt got there.

When Jarrod arrived at the hospital after a fruitless day of waiting Risley and Hyatt out he read the note Victoria left him. He breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"What is it, Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"Mother took my children back to Stockton. My mind can rest easier knowing that the children are safe. Mother and Audra can take care of them on the ranch and the country air is better for Jarrod's lungs than breathing in the city smog," Jarrod said.

"Victoria is one brave woman. If Risley and Hyatt come out there your mother can stop them," Tom said.

"I guess the only thing to do is go home ourselves. Now that the children are safe," Jarrod said.

"What about Risley and Hyatt, Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"I'm not going to be vengeful for what they did to my boy. I'm going home to spend my first Christmas with my best girl and my best boy," Jarrod said, a note of pride entering his voice.

The four men left the hospital and went back to Jarrod's apartment and gathered Jarrod's clothes and his children's clothes that they weren't able to take with them.

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

The weather was still snowy and cold when Jarrod and others. They stopped by the livery stable and picked up one of the Barkley rigs and Heath and Nick's horses, Thunderbolt and Current.

When they reached the house, the smell of gingerbread floated out to the Barkley men. Jarrod inhaled a deep breath and saw his son walk over to the wood box. Clutching his ribcage painfully Jaddy was, to Jarrod's relief, up and about.

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

Christmas Eve was cold and snowy. When Jarrod came back to the ranch, his children were busy helping Victoria and Silas hang up Christmas decorations. Every so often Jarrod had to tell his son to stop and slow down on account of his ribs.

Jarrod was in his study when Jaddy stumbled into the room tied and clutching his side. Jarrod didn't look up for a few seconds.

"Father?" Jaddy said in a ragged voice.

Jarrod looked up from his paperwork and practically rushed his son over to the leather couch.

"Jarrod Barkley, what do you think you're doing?" Jarrod demanded.

"Helping Grandmother, Aunt Audra, and Kris put up Christmas decorations," Jaddy said.

"I thought I told you to take it easy?" Jarrod said.

"Ya did. I just stopped. Father, I'm so tired, and my ribs hurt. Sis, likes being in here. So I want to stay in here for a few minutes. I'll just lay here on your couch. Please Papa, can't I stay?" Jaddy asked.

"Of course you can stay. Just lay back and relax," Jarrod put his hands on Jaddy's shoulders and pushed him back on the couch.

Jarrod spent a few minutes stroking his son's hair until he fell asleep. Jaddy fell asleep with a peaceful look on his face. Father and son didn't know the trouble that would come that night.

Jaddy woke up with a sharp pain in his side an hour later. Since Rizley had broken his ribs with that rifle butt Jaddy felt he hadn't lived.

Jaddy sat up and braced his hands on the armrest of his father's leather couch. Jarrod looked up from his papers.

"Jarrod, what are you doing?" Jarrod asked his son, the corners of his mouth pulling down into a frown.

"Trying to get up without killing myself first," Jaddy said.

Jarrod stood up, walked over to his son, and pushed him back onto the couch. "Jarrod, sit down. You're in no condition to move, young man," Jarrod said.

"I have chores I need to do, Father," Jaddy said.

"They can wait. Heath or Nick can do them," Jarrod said.

"I'm sorry. I have to go. I only wanted to stay here for a few minutes," Jaddy said, trying to get back on his feet.

Jarrod pushed him back down again. "Look Boy, I didn't risk everything getting out of that building in San Francisco to watch you puncture a lung. You sit down and rest here or I'll take you over my knee!" Jarrod said.

"Just you try it!" Jaddy said, his face red with anger.

"Don't tempt me, Boy!" Jarrod snapped.

"Don't call me, Boy!" Jaddy snarled.

Kristina entered the room just then. Her father and brother both looked upset. She nearly flinched under her brother's steely gaze.

"Boy Howdy, am I glad I'm not the one you're mad at!" Kristina said.

"Kristina, shut up!" Jaddy snapped at his sister.

"Jarrod Barkley, I never want to hear you say that to anyone!" Jarrod reprimanded.

"What are you doing here, Sis?" Jaddy asked.

"Keeping you and father company?" Kristina asked.

She set a checkerboard in front of Jaddy and played checkers all afternoon.

4 hours later, after Kristina had beaten her brother in checkers for the 7th or eighth time, Jarrod looked up at his children.

"Well, my children it's time for dinner," Jarrod said, in that slightly patronizing voice Kristina and Jaddy found annoying sometimes.

Jaddy winced slightly as he tried to stand up. His ribs were healing, but the pain was not very comfortable.

"Jaddy, do you need help?" Kristina asked her older brother.

"Do I look like I need help, Little Sister?" Jaddy asked.

"Well, you do look rather pathetic," Kristina said.

"Not any more pathetic than you looked 6 months ago when the Sturges brothers kidnapped you," Jaddy said.

"Son, you are hurt worse than what your sister was. She was getting over the aftereffects of breathing chloroform," Jarrod said.

"I just hate the fact I have to stay inside all the time. If I wasn't stupid enough to let Rizley or Hyatt get me, I'd be going out with Uncle Heath, Grandfather, and Uncle Nick to find a Christmas Tree," Jaddy said.

"I see. Then answer me this Jaddy. Was Mama stupid to let herself get shot by Hyatt? Or were Uncle Heath and Uncle Nick stupid enough to be in Rizley's prison camp?" Kristina asked.

"No. I was just stupid, Kris," Jaddy said.

"Young man, I suggest you sit still until your ribs heal. And Son, you were not stupid. I was stupid. I should have known something was wrong after you didn't show up after 5 minutes in the restaurant," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Kristina put their arms under Jaddy's shoulders and lifted.

"Ouch! Watch it!" Jaddy yelped as Kristina and Jarrod carried him out of the study. None of them knew what was about to happen.

Jarrod, Jaddy, and Kristina stopped in horror at the entrance to the dining room. Rizley and Hyatt were there. Silas sat on the couch, putting a handkerchief to his bloody lip.

"Counselor Barkley," Rizley sneered.

"What do you want?" Jarrod asked.

"We've come calling to wish you a Merry Christmas, Lawyer," Hyatt said.

"Why don't you just go away? You two have done enough damage already," Jarrod said, pushing his children behind him.

"Mr. Rizley, You and your friends are beasts. What kind of man hits a sixteen-year-old boy?" Kristina said.

"Rizley, leave my children alone. My life for my children's. If you want to kill someone, kill me," Jarrod said.

"Father, no!" Kristina said, shocked.

"Kristina, I have to. If they kill you I might do what I did when your mother got shot. I nearly killed Hyatt myself," Jarrod said.

"Father, I love you," Kristina said.

"I love you too, Sweetheart," Jarrod said, kissing his daughter's head.

Jarrod took his son's hand. "Look after your sister," Jarrod said, simply.

"Yes Father," Jaddy said. Jarrod took his son in his arms and hugged him. He looked at Rizley and Hyatt over his son's head. By the look in their eyes he knew that they meant to kill him.

Hyatt and Rizley dragged Jarrod away. "Stay here," Jaddy ordered his little sister.

"Jaddy, where are you going?" Kristina asked.

"I'm going to help Father," Jaddy said.

Jaddy went to the gunroom, picked out a rifle, and loaded it with some bullets.

Jaddy went out into the biting cold. and hid behind some bushes and waited while he cocked his gun.

Jaddy nearly jumped when a gloved hand touched his shoulder. Uncle Nick and Uncle Heath were close by.

"Jaddy, what are you doin'?" Heath asked.

"Saving Father?" Jaddy asked.

"Why? What happened to Jarrod?" Nick asked.

"Uncle Nick, Hyatt and Rizley threatened to beat Kristina. Father offered his life for ours. I can't let him die like Mama. I just can't," Jaddy said.

"Why do you think it's up to you to save Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"It's my fault that he's getting killed," Jaddy said.

"No Jaddy. It ain't your fault. Hyatt and Rizley have had vendettas against us since we sent them to prison," Nick said.

"I don't care. I'm not going to let Father die on account of me," Jaddy said

Jaddy looked through the bushes. Jarrod was slapped hard in the face. The blood ran down his nose and onto his white shirt. Jaddy cocked the rifle and shot at Hyatt's feet.

"Rizley, what was that?" Hyatt asked in terror.

"It could be Counselor Barkley's brothers," Rizley said.

Another shot rang out and struck the tree next to them.

"Lawyer, tell whoever that is to stop," Hyatt said.

Jarrod looked at the ground and wouldn't say anything. The next shot was aimed at the ground again.

"Jaddy, they could kill your father on your shooting," Heath said.

"I know, I know," Jaddy said.

Jaddy picked himself up and clutched the rifle tightly in his right hand. The left he placed on his ribcage. He came out of the bushes.

The look of surprise turned to absolute rage in Jarrod's eyes. Jaddy had not only stayed in the house where he could be safe; he was armed with a rifle from the gunroom.

"Let him go," Jaddy said, pointing his gun at Rizley.

Rizley and Hyatt backed away, looking at the gun. Jarrod ran his hands on his nose to make sure it wasn't broken.

"Now get on your horses and ride. I never want to see you near my family again," Jaddy said.

Rizley and Hyatt went past as if obeying Jaddy's orders. Without even realizing what was happening, Hyatt grabbed at Jaddy's gun and smacked him in the face with it.

A shot rang out behind him and Jaddy passed out.

Jaddy woke up in his own bedroom on the Barkley ranch. The last thing he remembered before he blacked out was a gunshot.

He looked around the room. Kristina, Jarrod, Grandfather, Aunt Audra, Uncle Nick, and Uncle Heath were all there. Victoria had a compress on his forehead. Jaddy groaned as he touched his aching head.

"Jaddy, are you all right?" Kristina asked.

"Yep. Just have one humdinger of a headache," Jaddy said.

"You fell and hit your head on a rock," Jarrod said, pushing Jaddy's dark hair out of his eyes.

"Who got shot? I heard a gunshot," Jaddy said.

"Hyatt got shot in the arm," Heath said.

"Did the sheriff come and take them away?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. Both are charged with assault and battery and breaking and entering," Jarrod said.

"Father, are you mad at me?" Jaddy asked.

"For what, Son?" Jarrod asked.

"I didn't stay in the house like you wanted me to," Jaddy said.

"Son, you and your uncles saved my life and I'm grateful. If you hadn't come along Hyatt and Rizley would have killed me," Jarrod said.

"But are you upset at me for not staying in the house?" Jaddy asked.

"All right. I am a little disappointed that you would disobey me. The next time I give you an order I expect you to obey it, young man," Jarrod said.

"Yes Sir," Jaddy said.

Kristina looked at her father. He didn't seem too upset that Jaddy had disobeyed. And after his ordeal he had still had time to change his bloody shirt and clean his face.

"Merry Christmas, Jaddy," Kristina said.

"Merry Christmas, Sissy," Jaddy said.

"Will you two be able to take a family picture tomorrow?" Tom asked, teasing his grandchildren.

"Family picture?" Jaddy asked.

"Yes. Every Christmas we have a photographer come out to the house and take a picture of the family," Victoria said.

"I reckon," Kristina said.

"I suppose," Jaddy said.

The next day was cool and beautiful. The picture was taken. The only difference between this and the other family photographs was that Jaddy stood behind Jarrod, as he was seated, and Kristina stood next to him, her arm slung over his shoulder.

In 1925 Kristina's adult son Nicky took the picture and had it redone for his mother. And that was when Kristina told her family about the first Christmas she and Jaddy spent with the Barkleys.

The End