The Family Feud

Part 1

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: When Jarrod marries Maria Montero a quarrel ensues between the family and Maria’s father, one that Jarrod and Maria’s daughter could end.

Maria Montero sat in the buggy, the tears rolling down her cheeks. She felt she had made the biggest mistake in her life. Her father had told her that if she picked the young man that had come to live with the Barkleys that it would pollute the Spanish bloodlines in the family. Maria didn't know how marrying Heath Barkley would pollute the family's bloodlines.

It was worse that she had to make a choice family over love. But she was 17 she was sure that she would find a husband to love her. The next time she wouldn't let her father tell her that the man was all wrong by just his bloodlines.

* * * * * * * *

5 years later Jarrod Barkley was in San Francisco when he met Maria Montero. Jarrod was walking in the park when he stepped on someone's foot.

He noticed then that it was a lady. "Ma'am, I'm sorry," Jarrod was quick to apologize. It was then that he recognized her.

"Maria Montero!" Jarrod exclaimed.

"Counselor Barkley, what are you doing here?" Maria asked.

"I just came down from Stockton to settle a case," Jarrod said.

"How is Heath?" Maria asked.

"He's fine. He just got married 4 months ago. What about you? Aren't you married?" Jarrod asked.

"No. My father is against every man in the world. Every man, he says, is like your brother. Doesn’t have the proper bloodline," Maria said.

"You are 22, aren't you, Maria?" Jarrod asked.

"Sí. What has that got to do with anything?" Maria asked.

"Your father doesn't have any control over you. If your 22 you are old enough to pick your own husband," Jarrod said.

"You don't understand Spanish aristocracy do you, Jarrod? Nobility always picks out the marriages in the family," Maria said.

"Why don't you decide with your heart? The Spanish aristocracy is close to dying out here," Jarrod said.

"I'll do that, Jarrod. I have to go back home now. My father would worry," Maria said.

"Would you like to join me for lunch tomorrow, Maria?" Jarrod asked.

"My father would not approve of you anymore than he did Heath," Maria said.

"Does he have a problem with my family?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes. Since your family accepted Heath he thinks all of you are not any good," Maria said.

"Well, I'll leave that to you, Maria. You’re old enough to decide if you want to eat lunch with me tomorrow," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Maria went their separate ways. At that moment Maria decided that she wanted to marry Jarrod with or without her father's permission. She then decided that she would eat lunch with him tomorrow somehow.

* * * * * * * *

Maria met Jarrod the next day for lunch without a hitch. Her father usually didn't question her activities during the day, so she was able to sneak out of the house without being caught by her father or the servants. Maria said a swift prayer to Santa Maria for getting her out of the house.

Jarrod was waiting at a sidewalk cafe for her. Since he met her the day before he realized she was the most beautiful young lady he'd ever met. No disregards to his wife, Beth, who had died 3 years back.

Maria walked past the cafe. Jarrod stood up and called after her. "Maria," Jarrod said.

Maria turned to Jarrod, her dark eyes lighting with joy over seeing him. He was so handsome with his dark hair and blue eyes. She had forgotten how tall he was. Maria's head came just underneath his chin.

"Jarrod," Maria said.

She rushed over to him and shook his hand before he pulled out a seat for her. "Was it hard to get away?" Jarrod asked.

"No. My father didn't catch me. If he knew I was meeting you, he'd give me the same lecture that I got when I loved Heath," Maria said.

"Do you still love Heath, Maria?" Jarrod asked.

"I thought about it last night, Jarrod. I think all I had was a silly schoolgirl crush when I met Heath. And anyway you said he was married now. So that releases any guilt I felt about hurting him," Maria said.

"You did hurt him though, Maria. He moped for days after you left," Jarrod said.

"I know. I did too. I cried as I rode away that day. I won't let that same mistake happen again. If I love someone and they ask me to marry them, I won't let my father tell me about bloodlines again," Maria said.

"What if I told you that I loved you?" Jarrod asked.

"I'd say that I love you too. I thought of it all last night and I realized that if I married I'd like him to be someone like you," Maria said.

"Maria, would you marry me?" Jarrod asked.

"Of course. But we'd have to do it when father goes to Stockton," Maria said.

"When is he going to Stockton?" Jarrod asked.

"In 2 or 3 months," Maria said.

"That sounds all right," Jarrod said.

"Yes. And I can go out to dinner and lunch with you. Father never questions my activities," Maria said.

"In the evenings I can take you to the opera and then take you home," Jarrod said.

Jarrod pulled a small case out of his jacket pocket and opened it. He pulled out a small engagement ring and placed it on her left hand.

Jarrod kissed her hand gently. Maria rested her hand on his smooth face and ran her thumb along his jaw line.

After they ate their meal, Maria had to leave, but not without giving Jarrod a quick kiss goodbye.

* * * * * * * *

It was easy for Maria to sneak out to meet Jarrod for the opera or dinner. Jarrod would always pull her chair out for her or hold her hand as she alighted from a coach. Maria grew to love Jarrod more than she did Heath.

One day in August Maria burst into Jarrod's office excitedly. Jarrod was busy with briefs from his last case the day before.

Jarrod looked up in surprise as his fiancée burst in. "Maria, I've never seen you like this," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, Father is going home in two days," Maria said.

"Did he tell you this?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes. He expects me to join him there this weekend," Maria said.

"We can get married before you have to go," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I have been wondering something since you proposed. Do you want children as much as I do?" Maria asked.

"Of course I do. I love children," Jarrod said.

"Do you want boys or girls?" Maria asked.

"Doesn't really matter to me as long as they are healthy. They'll also be accepted among my family. Heath's name was Thomson when he came to the family but anyone with the name "Barkley" is always accepted as one," Jarrod said.

"Will they respect me? I hurt Heath and they may hate me," Maria said.

"As long as you bear my name, you'll be accepted in my family," Jarrod said.

"My father is going to protest when I get back and he finds out that I got married. He'll protest more when he finds out I married a Barkley," Maria said.

"I won't let your father guilt you. If he can't accept me or any of the children that you and I have that's his problem, not yours or mine," Jarrod said.

"Are you going to go to the justice of the peace soon?" Maria asked.

"Yes. Later this afternoon. The day your father leaves go to the justice of the peace two doors down from here. I'll be there and so will 3 or 4 witnesses and the man that will perform the marriage ceremony," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I'm scared. What if Father catches me? He may take me to Stockton with him," Maria said.

"He won't. Just think that in two days you’ll be my wife, Maria Montero Barkley," Jarrod said.

"I love you, Jarrod," Maria said.

"I love you too, Maria," Jarrod said.

Maria threw her arms around his neck and cried on his shoulder. Jarrod kissed her wet cheek and looked into her dark eyes. "Maria you'll have to go home now. I'll see you in two days," Jarrod said.

He kissed her goodbye and then she left.

* * * * * * * *

Maria felt a nervous tension as she watched her father leave bright and early two days later. So far he hadn't suspected that she would be marrying Jarrod Barkley in 2 hours. After Don Alfredo's buggy turned the corner, Maria threw a light shawl over her head and ran down the back staircase.

To Maria's relief no one caught her sneaking out. She ran all the way to the office that Jarrod told her about. The door was locked as Maria tried to push it open.

"Miss Montero?" A voice asked behind her.

Maria pivoted sharply on her heel. It was Jarrod's secretary. "Louisa, you frightened me," Maria said, breathlessly.

"I'm sorry, Miss Montero. Mr. Barkley told me to tell you that he'd thought about it last night and he said he'd rather get married in the Catholic church if that's all right with you," Louisa said.

"I'm fine with that. What church did he go to?" Maria asked.

"St. Peter's. I can take you there. It's the church Mr. Barkley goes to when he's here in San Francisco," Louisa said.

Louisa and Maria walked to St. Peter's and went into the huge building. Two ministers, one of Spanish descent, the other of Irish descent was talking to Jarrod.

"Jarrod!" Maria squealed and ran to her fiancé.

Jarrod kissed her forehead and looked into her dark brown eyes. "I decided it would be best if we married Catholic. Your father won't be ready to disown you if he knew you were married in the Catholic Church," Jarrod said.

"No, he wouldn't. I spent all last night wondering what the eloping would mean to my father when he finds out. Jarrod, you know Catholics don't elope. So this is the Christian way if we marry like this," Maria said relieved.

"Maria, this is Father O'Reilly. He's my pastor when I come to San Francisco. And this is his assistant Padre Manuel," Jarrod introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Montero," Father O'Reilly said.

Padre Manuel spoke to Maria in Spanish the same thing Father O'Reilly had just said.

"Now Jarrod, is it important that you and Maria get married today," Father O'Reilly asked.

'Sí, Padre. You see, my father does not like the Barkley's and I love Jarrod. You see, after my father and myself were to go to Stockton, he wanted to go on a trip of Spain. And it might be a few years before I could marry Jarrod if I did that," Maria said.

"And as long as you marry in the Catholic Church he can't disown you?" Padre Manuel asked.

"He might. My father holds the Catholic clergy in very high regard," Maria said.

"I suppose that's a good reason to marry you. Miss Montero, Mr. Barkley, in one hour you'll be married before God and Man.

* * * * * * * *

Maria was in the priest's chambers putting on a wedding veil. The hour had dwindled down to a few minutes. In a few minutes She would be married to Jarrod Barkley, the most handsome man in the state of California.

Maria took a deep breath to control her nervousness. One of the altar boys knocked on the door to the pastor's study.

Maria opened it. "Miss Montero, we're ready," the boy said.

Maria walked out of the study, pulling the veil over her eyes. At the altar stood the two priests and Jarrod. Jarrod smiled at her and walked to her. He took her hand and both walked to the altar.

A few witnesses were in the pews. Some people to say that the marriage really did take place.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here together in the sight of God and man to witness the marriage of this man and this woman. Who gives this woman away?" Father O'Reilly asked.

"I do," Padre Manuel said.

Father O'Reilly nodded to the Mexican and continued his speech on marriage. Before anyone knew it, it was time for the marriage vows.

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley, do you take Maria Montero to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, honor her, and forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?" Father O'Reilly asked.

"I do," Jarrod said.

"Maria Montero, do you take Jarrod Thomas Barkley as your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and obey him as long as you both shall live?" the priest asked.

"I do," Maria said.

"The rings, please," the priest said.

Jarrod took the ring from the minister. "Jarrod, say with this ring, I thee wed," The priest said.

"With this ring I thee wed," Jarrod said, slipping the ring on her index finger.

"Maria, say with this ring I thee wed," the Padre said.

"With this ring I thee wed," Maria said, slipping the ring on Jarrod's finger.

"As much as Jarrod and Maria have consented to marriage, what God has brought together let no man put asunder. By the Catholic Church and the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the priest said.

Jarrod kissed her. and smiled. The two thanked the priests and paid them. The priests gave them their marriage certificate and the newlyweds left to buy tickets to Stockton the following day.

* * * * * * * *

The next day, bright and early, Jarrod and Maria left for Stockton. The whole way there Maria had a hard time believing that she was married to Jarrod. Once her father saw how much the couple loved each other he wouldn't protest to the marriage. Maria was sure of that. He would love it even more when Maria had a baby. Because even if he didn't like the bloodlines of the Barkley's he wouldn't shun an innocent baby.

Jarrod sat in the seat across from her, looking over some notes for a court case when he got back to Stockton.

Yes, Maria thought, I have married the most handsome man in California.

* * * * * * * *

Maria and Jarrod arrived in Stockton late that afternoon. Heath and his wife Dora met the train at the exact time it arrived. In the 5 years that Heath had lived in Stockton he had earned the respect of everyone in Stockton as a Barkley. No one questioned his parentage or called him illegitimate to his face any more.

Of course if they did Nick would beat them into next week, Heath thought, amused at the fact that his big brother would always try to protect him as if he were a child.

Also Heath had gotten the respect when he married Dora Hamilton. Dora was the prettiest girl he had ever met. When Heath met her she was arriving in town with her twin children, Patsy and Isaac. When the twins were two years old, their father had died in a logging accident. Dora instantly fell in love with the blond Barkley. He was a perfect gentleman and loved her children. The four-year-olds liked Heath too. He was fun and they always sat on his lap even when he was tired from a hard day's work on the range or fixing a fence.

The train stopped breaking Dora and Heath's thoughts. Jarrod came out of his compartment, Maria out of sight behind her tall husband.

"Jarrod!" Heath greeted his older brother.

"Hello, Heath. And how are you, Dora?" Jarrod asked, his blond haired sister-in-law.

"I'm fine, Jarrod. Welcome back," Dora greeted her husband's brother.

"How are Patsy and Isaac? Well I hope," Jarrod said.

"They're fine, Jarrod. Jarrod, I wanted to ask you if you could arrange papers so I could adopt them. In the year that I've known them I've grown to love those children like they were my own. Also the children have started to call me "Papa," Heath said.

"I think that could be arranged, Little Brother," Jarrod said.

"Thank you, Jarrod," Heath said.

"I'll settle it tomorrow, Heath. I promise," Jarrod said.

"Why won't you settle it today, Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"Heath, I got married yesterday and I figured the family would want to celebrate as soon as I got back," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, you didn't!" Dora exclaimed.

"Jarrod, congratulations! Who's the lucky girl?" Heath asked.

Jarrod hesitated slightly. He didn't know how his brother would react to seeing his wife again. He knew that Heath loved Dora now, but the memory of a girl who'd broken Heath's heart might be too painful.

"Heath, it's someone you know," Jarrod said.

"Who is it?" Heath asked.

"Heath, its Maria Montero," Jarrod said.

Heath felt shock for a moment. "You married Maria?' Heath asked, his voice close to breaking.

"Yes. Heath she's sorry that she hurt you and she understands about how much you and Dora love each other," Jarrod said.

"Do you love her Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"Yes. I've been seeing her for the last 2 months. We've gone out to dinner and to the opera. Heath, I love her and she loves me. I promise you, Heath, I never wanted to hurt you," Jarrod said.

"I suppose I can live with that. I'm happily married with a wife and two children. I wish you and Maria all the happiness in the world, Jarrod," Heath said.

Maria stepped out from behind her husband and smiled at Heath sweetly.

"Hola, Heath. I heard you had gotten married. You're very pretty," Maria said, to Dora.

"Thank you. Your very beautiful yourself," Dora said to her new sister-in-law.

"Gracias. You are very kind," Maria said.

"Well, let's get these two home. Mother would be furious if we don't show up at the right time. The twins are rambunctious and Mother will be worn to a frazzle if we don't come home to rescue her," Heath joked.

Jarrod, Maria, and Dora grinned at the thought of Victoria Barkley worn to a frazzle by hyperactive twins. Maria grinned at the thought as the wagon carried her and her husband out to the ranch. What none of them realized was that a Spanish vaquero had heard everything.

* * * * * * * *

Don Alfredo Montero was enjoying the cool of his mansion when one of his vaquero's entered the house.

"Senor, I just saw Senorita Montero in town," the young man said excitedly.

"Maria? I wasn't expecting her until tomorrow. What was she doing here?" Don Alfredo asked.

"She was with the Barkley's," The boy said.

"Why was she with them? She knows how I feel about that family since they welcomed that young man into it," Don Alfredo asked.

"It appeared she married one of them," the boy said.

"Which one? She couldn't have married the young man. He married earlier this year," Don Alfredo said.

"She married the lawyer. The young man, who's not a true Barkley met them there with his wife and the lawyer told him that he married the Señorita yesterday," The boy said.

Don Alfredo felt shock. His only child had married against his wishes to one of his enemies. While he had to admit that Jarrod was a gentleman, he was still a part of a family that would accept a man not of the proper bloodlines. That made every Barkley not of the proper bloodlines.

If his daughter had Jarrod Barkley's baby, he decided, he would never accept this baby as his grandchild. He decided at that moment to go to the Barkley's and tell his daughter that she wasn't his daughter anymore and if she had any children they were not his grandchildren.

* * * * * * * *

Heath pulled the wagon into the yard of the Barkley mansion. Dora talked excitedly to Jarrod and Maria. It took all Jarrod's self control not to laugh at her excitement.

"Oh, Maria, I'm so glad to have you for a sister-in-law. And the children would love having you as an aunt. They already love having Jarrod, Nick and Eugene as their uncles and Audra as their aunt. Tell me are you and Jarrod going to have any children?" Dora chattered.

"We hope so. I love children and Jarrod has agreed that if we do have children that they'll be raised Roman Catholic," Maria said.

"That's good. Whatever child you have they'll learn to go to confession and Mass and learn all the names of the saints," Dora said.

"Have you two decided on any names for any children that you have?" Heath asked.

"Jarrod said that if we have a girl I could name her Katalina Maria Isabel Barkley. But if we have a boy Jarrod said he wanted to name him Thomas, after your father," Maria said.

"Where do you get the name Katalina from?" Dora asked.

"That was my mother's name. Of course Jarrod said that if we call her that, he has to be able to call her Katie," Maria said.

The four Barkley's got out of the rig as two small people came running down the walk to Heath. Heath picked up his two stepchildren and hugged them.

"Those are my children, Maria," Dora whispered.

Victoria came out of the house. She looked tired. "I'm glad you're home, Heath. The children were very rowdy today and broke a window," Victoria said.

"I'll fix that immediately, Mother," Heath said.

"Hello, Pretty Lady," Jarrod greeted his mother.

"Oh Jarrod," Victoria said. She walked up to her oldest son and hugged him.

"I'm glad to be home, Mother. Mother, you remember Maria Montero don't you?" Jarrod asked.

"Of course I do. How do you do, Maria?" Victoria asked, her voice a little chilled.

Maria flinched slightly at Victoria's coldness and looked at her husband with sad brown eyes.

Jarrod took pity on his wife and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Mother, I married Maria yesterday," Jarrod said.

Victoria's reaction was the same as Heath's, only there was a little more anger in her tone. "Jarrod, how do you know she won't leave you?" Victoria asked.

"I couldn't leave him, Mrs. Barkley. We were married Catholic and Catholics can't divorce. And anyway I love Jarrod and I won't let my father break us up like the last time, " Maria said.

Victoria felt this girl was genuine and hugged her new daughter-in-law as a mother would a daughter. "This gives us reason to celebrate. "Welcome to the family, Dear," Victoria said.

"Gracias, Victoria," Maria said.

"Please call me Mother," Victoria said.

"All right, Mother," Maria said.

Victoria took her sons and their wives into the parlor and they had afternoon tea together.

* * * * * * * *

The Barkley family was eating a sumptuous supper in the Barkley dining room in celebration of Jarrod and Maria's marriage. Jarrod would often look at his wife with love in his ice-blue eyes and kiss her hand, gently.

Maria laughed at her husband and would kiss his soft hand in return. Once she leaned over to whisper in his ear. "I love you, Jarrod Barkley," Maria whispered softly.

"I love you too, Mrs. Barkley," Jarrod said, using his wife's new last name.

After dinner, after the twins went to bed, the adults talked about ranching and what Don Alfredo's reaction to Jarrod and Maria's marriage would be. They didn't have long to find out.

A hard knock on the door interrupted the family's talking. Silas, the family's butler answered the door. Don Alfredo Montero stood there, cold determination all over his face.

"I am here to see Jarrod Barkley and Maria," Don Alfredo said to the colored butler.

"Of course, Mistuh Montero. They be in the parlor," Silas led the man inside to the parlor.

Jarrod stood behind his wife and placed his hand on her shoulder in a restraining gesture. Maria twisted her wedding ring on her left hand. Her father had always intimidated her as a child. He would glower at her in a way that made her feel like a guilty child.

Don Alfredo entered the parlor and looked around at the Barkley's. When his eyes fell on Heath, his eyes turned cold. After 5 years this creature was still with the Barkley's.

He moved his gaze to the couch where Maria sat, twisting her wedding ring nervously, Jarrod Barkley's hand on her shoulder, his wedding ring out in clear sight.

Don Alfredo looked at his daughter, the anger clear in his dark brown eyes. "Maria, how could you!" Don Alfredo hissed.

"I fell in love, Father. I love Jarrod," Maria said.

"HE'S STILL A BARKLEY! THESE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE PROPER BLOODLINES! I THOUGHT I MADE IT CLEAR 4 YEARS AGO THAT YOU WERE NOT TO MARRY ANY OF THE BARKLEY MEN!" Don Alfredo yelled.

"Don Alfredo, may I remind you to please lower your voice. We have 2 four-year olds sleeping upstairs and you might wake them up,” Victoria said.

"By the way, Father, I don't care any more. When I lost Heath I said that I would marry if God told me to. God led me to Jarrod," Maria said.

"If you stay married to this man, you are no longer my daughter. Also your children won't be my grandchildren," Don Alfredo said, in an attempt to make her see reason.

Maria saw that as a threat to scare her into leaving Jarrod. "I will not. I love Jarrod. I'm Catholic and we cannot divorce, remember? This family will love also whatever child we have, him or her. If you do not wish to be involved in its upbringing that's your choice. I'm sorry that I disobeyed you, but I'm not a child any longer," Maria said.

Don Alfredo looked at Jarrod, a look of pure hatred in his eyes. "Very well then. You are no longer my daughter. I hope you're happy with whatever life you have from now on. I never wish to see you or the Barkley's again," Don Alfredo said.

Don Alfredo stalked out of the parlor. Maria buried her face in her hands and cried. Jarrod sat next to her on the sofa and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Maria buried her face in Jarrod's chest and cried. Jarrod pushed her face up and wiped her face with his thumb.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod was battling a case in court a few weeks later, when Maria slipped into the room. A week or two ago Maria had started to feel sick to her stomach. Jarrod, feeling concerned, sent her to the doctor.

Maria smiled at her husband's convincing arguments in the courtroom. Whatever could be said of her husband as a lawyer he was a formidable force in the courtroom. His arguments could sway a jury to see his way about any client he defended or prosecuted.

At the call for the recess Maria walked up to her husband and kissed his cheek tenderly.

"Well, Maria?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, the doctor says that he thinks that I'm going to have a baby," Maria said.

"A baby? I'm going to be a father?" Jarrod asked, his eyes widening. A brilliant grin spread over his features.

"Sí. I am going to have a baby," Maria said.

Jarrod kissed his wife’s cheek and hugged her.

"I'm just so happy. A baby. Are we still going to keep the names we decided on?" Jarrod asked.

"Sí. I promised my mother that if I had a girl I'd name her Katalina," Maria said, placing her hands on her husband's shoulders.

Jarrod kissed his wife's lips, gently. "Mrs. Barkley, would you do me the honor of letting me escort you to lunch?" Jarrod asked.

"Of course, Mr. Barkley," Maria said, playing along with him.

A vaquero in the courtroom raced out as soon as he saw Maria and Jarrod leave the courtroom. He raced to the general store where Don Alfredo was sending a letter.

"Señor, Señor, I just saw Señora Maria," The vaquero said.

"Well how is she?" Don Alfredo asked.

"She's going to have a baby! She just said it to the lawyer. He seemed pleased. He picked her up and swung her around and then put her down again. He was smiling," the boy said.

"Well, that is good news. I won't be there for the child, but you can look out for it and tell me if the child is happy and healthy," Don Alfredo said.

"Of course, Señor. I'll be happy to protect Señora Maria's baby. But won't Señor Barkley be protecting it? It's his baby too," The vaquero said.

"Probably. I wouldn't be surprised if that lawyer will treat the child like a spoiled, pampered prince or princess when it's born," Don Alfredo said.

* * * * * * * *

From that day on Maria and her unborn baby had an unseen watcher to protect her and the baby if any danger came. As Maria got bigger, Jarrod started planning things that his child would have. Heath, Nick, and Jarrod started to paint and decorate a nursery for the baby until the time came that the baby would be born.

Maria woke up early on the morning of the 23rd of April the following year. She dressed quickly and went downstairs to where her husband was eating his breakfast.

Maria flinched slightly as she leaned down and kissed Jarrod's cheek.

"Maria, this is surprising. Usually you are asleep when I leave the house in the morning," Jarrod teased his wife.

"I just wanted to eat breakfast with you for a morning before I feel sleepy again and decide to take a nap," Maria said, her brown eyes shining.

Her youthful smile changed to a look of pain. She laid a restraining hand on her stomach and grimaced as a small contraction came.

Jarrod grabbed his wife's free hand and squeezed it gently. "Maria, are you all right?" Jarrod asked

Maria gasped and squeezed Jarrod's hand so hard that Jarrod felt as if she was going to break it. Victoria stood beside her daughter-in-law.

"Jarrod, I think Maria's going to have that baby today. Audra, Dora, I'm going to need your help. We need to get Maria back upstairs to her bed. Dora, grab one of her arms. I'll take the other one. Jarrod, stay down here. We'll tell you when the baby's born," Victoria said.

Victoria and the four women left the dining room, Maria crying, her breathless sobs filling the air.

Jarrod turned to Heath. "Heath, I need you to go to town and tell the judge that I need an extension. Tell him my wife is having a baby and I can't come," Jarrod said.

"Of course, Jarrod," Heath said.

That began the longest afternoon of Jarrod's life. It was hard for Jarrod to sit still in the parlor with Nick and Heath. Jarrod stared at his watch every 5 minutes. Jarrod would also keep taking out a cigar. By the time the baby was born, Jarrod was pacing the parlor when he heard the baby's cry.

Victoria came down the stairs a small bundle in her arms. Victoria looked at her oldest son and smiled at him.

"Jarrod, you have a healthy baby daughter," Victoria said.

Jarrod felt tears come to his eyes as he took his small daughter in his arms. The baby hardly weighed a thing. He pulled back the cloth covering his daughter's face and looked at her. She was beautiful. She had dark hair and her mother's olive complexion. She opened her eyes sleepily and stared at her father for a few minutes. She had bright blue eyes, the exact color of her father's. Jarrod knew that this daughter would look just like him when she grew up.

Jarrod cried as he held her and kissed her soft baby cheek. "How's Maria, Mother?" Jarrod asked.

"She's fine, Son. She was awfully tired when I left with the baby. I need to take her back upstairs to her mother. The baby will start crying soon to be fed. She needs to be there with Maria," Victoria said.

Jarrod felt a near shock of parting with his daughter. He felt that if he parted with her he'd never see her again. He held the baby out to his mother and felt his heart lurch when Victoria took her upstairs.

* * * * * * * *

Don Alfredo was in his study when the vaquero entered. "Señor, she had the baby! I stood outside the sala window when Señora Barkley came in with the baby. She had a baby girl," the boy said.

"She did? Did you see the baby?" Don Alfredo asked.

"Sí. Señora Barkley handed the baby to Señor Barkley and he pulled back the cloth covering the baby's face. She had dark hair and a dark complexion," the vaquero said.

"A girl. Is she pretty?" Don Alfredo asked.

"Sí. She's very sweet, very angelic. She slept the whole time Señor Barkley and Señora Barkley held her," the vaquero said.

"That's good. I'm going to go to the child's christening. I need to see what my daughter's baby looks like," Don Alfredo said.

* * * * * * * *

Katalina Maria Isabel Barkley's christening passed quickly. Besides a faint cry when her father handed her to the priest, she was quiet.

In the week that she was born Jarrod was already taken in by his baby girl's sweetness. She would look at him with intelligence in her vibrant blue eyes. Jarrod often liked to hold her and the baby would drool with charm.

Jarrod smiled at his baby as he stood next to his wife. Katie was an angel, pure and simple. The priest handed her back to Jarrod and the baby cooed with pleasure.

In a week Katie would scream if anyone besides her father held her. Even when Maria held her she'd yell until Jarrod came into the room and would pick her up.

Maria tried not to feel hurt that her baby quieted down for Jarrod, but not for her. Don Alfredo sat unnoticed in the congregation, watching the ceremony.

The baby was adorable, but the problem was that it was still a Barkley. The child may grow to be a lovely and sweet child, but her bloodlines would be polluted.

Heath and Dora were called forward as the godparents, much to Don Alfredo's anger. This boy, with his impure blood would be a godfather for his granddaughter. Jarrod placed the baby in Heath's arms; the baby picked up a high-pitched scream. The priest said the words over Dora and Heath and Heath handed the baby back to Jarrod.

The Barkley's went out of the church preparing for this whole new adventure of having a baby in the house.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod woke up in the middle of the night at the sound of Katie's crying. Since her christening a month ago, she cried more than normal for a baby.

Jarrod walked into her nursery and picked her up. Jarrod sat in Maria's rocker and gently rocked her. The baby's tears fell on Jarrod's nightshirt. Jarrod kissed her cheek gently.

"What's the matter with my baby girl?" Jarrod asked.

The baby whimpered slightly. Jarrod decided in the morning to take the baby to doctor. This crying was not natural. If he and his family wanted to sleep at night, the baby needed a doctor.

Jarrod looked down at the baby. She had fallen asleep and was breathing deeply. Jarrod put her back in her crib and settled in the rocker planning to be there if she woke up screaming again.

* * * * * * * *

The next morning, after Maria dressed the baby, Jarrod took Katie in his arms and carried her outside. Heath and Nick were going to town in the wagon and agreed to drop Jarrod and the baby off at the doctor's. Jarrod handed the baby up to Heath and got up in the wagon next to his brothers.

Katie started to cry again and Jarrod took her into his arms. Katie stopped the tears and went to sleep for the duration of the trip.

* * * * * * * *

Colic. The baby had colic. No wonder she was in crying so much. Jarrod picked up his baby and held her close to his chest. This time, though, the baby didn’t stop crying. The new father looked toward the doctor with a near panic in his eyes.

"Doctor, what should we do to help Katie get over her colic?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, I'm going to give you a new type of milk that's just been invented for this reason. It comes from soybeans. It's sour, but babies drink it. Also Katie's going to feel lonely in the next two or three months, so hold her and rock her a lot," Dr. Merar said.

"Colic lasts that long, Doctor?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes. You’re going to lose a lot of sleep with her crying, but you want Katie well don’t you?” Dr. Merar asked.

"Of course I do. She's my baby and I love her," Jarrod said, bouncing the baby lightly in his arms to calm down her wails.

"Well Jarrod, if you want a healthy baby, you'll do what I tell you. And come see me if something happens," Dr. Merar said.

"How much do I owe you, Doctor?" Jarrod asked.

"For the formula and examination $10.00," Dr. Merar said.

Jarrod paid the doctor and walked outside with the baby still crying. Jarrod kissed Katie's wet face gently and sat down on a chair. He bounced her gently and whispered in her ear. In a matter of minutes the baby quieted considerably and fell asleep in her father's arms.

The crying was harder during the night. While everyone was asleep, Katie would start screaming and everyone would rush to the nursery to check on her.

Jarrod finally told everyone that they didn't need to run to the nursery every time Katie cried. Katie still hadn't warmed up to people yet. The only person that could calm her down was her father.

* * * * * * * *

A month later was no exception. Katie picked up her screams again and Jarrod rushed to her room. As Katie's tears soaked her father's nightshirt, Jarrod continued to rock her in the rocker that he bought for Maria as a present. This evening he decided to try a new tactic to calm her down.

Jarrod opened his mouth and started to sing to Katie. His singing voice was terrible, but if it calmed her down that was enough.

What he didn't know was that he had an audience. When the baby fell asleep, he kissed her cheek and put her back in the crib.

Nick started to laugh from the doorway, joined by Heath and Audra. Victoria and Maria came out of their rooms to see what the commotion was about.

Jarrod turned redder than a tomato. "Pappy, it's amazing that baby didn't scream louder at her father's lack of singing skills!" Nick teased his older brother.

"Nick, stop it! It was the only way I knew to calm her down. And if you don't lower your voice you'll wake the baby and then I'll have to calm her down again," Jarrod whispered violently.

Jarrod yawned and sat down in Maria's chair. "Jarrod, are you all right?" Heath asked.

"I'll be fine, Little Brother. I'll just sit here and watch her sleep for a few minutes," Jarrod said.

Katie woke up at that instant and started to scream again. Jarrod stood up and picked her up again. He sat in his chair and rocked her back and forth. "All of you go back to bed, I'll sit up with Katie," Jarrod said.

Jarrod started to rock her again, until she quieted down. Then he started to talk to her. "Listen to me Katie. You're going to have to stop this crying. I know your stomach hurts and you can't help screaming," Jarrod said, gently.

Jarrod started to hum softly to the baby and both fell asleep in the rocking chair. The baby started to suck its thumb and curled up into Jarrod's chest. The man and baby weren't disturbed until the following morning until Maria, worried about her husband found him in the nursery.

Maria walked over to her husband and shook his shoulder. "Jarrod, you have a case today," Maria said.

Jarrod opened his blue eyes, sleepily, and looked down at the baby in his arms. "Here Maria, take her while I get ready for work and breakfast," Jarrod said.

Maria nodded her head. Jarrod stumbled about tiredly. By the time breakfast was served Jarrod had freshly washed clothes on and had managed to shave. Jarrod sat next to his wife. Victoria looked at the dark rings under his eyes. She remembered having a baby with colic well. She and Tom stayed up nights tending Nick when he had colic.

Of course Nick still hasn't learned to stop shouting in the house, Victoria thought, with amusement.

Jarrod pushed the eggs around on his plate and stood up after only ten minutes.

"Well I have to go. I'll see you later. Maria, see if Katie will sleep all day. Don't try to make any loud noises around her. If she wakes up she'll scream all day," Jarrod said, kissing his wife good-bye.

Jarrod walked out the door and stumbled to the barn in a tired haze. He saddled his horse and went to town.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod was worn out. With Katie crying day and night Jarrod couldn’t get the sleep that he needed to be a good lawyer in the courtroom.

Jarrod loved his daughter to distraction, but Jarrod almost wished she could stop crying for once.

Jarrod left his horse at the stable and made his way tiredly to his office. He lay down on the leather couch and fell asleep. Jarrod slept for two hours when a bad dream woke him up.

Katie was crying and Maria kept calling for him to come quiet the baby and he couldn't find the baby.

Jarrod's face turned pale with fear that his daughter may be in trouble. He ran back to the stables and prepared to leave, when Don Alfredo entered the stables.

He looked at Jarrod with clear dislike, but Jarrod was too tired and worked up to care.

"I understand the baby is giving you a hard time, Señor Barkley," Don Alfredo said.

"Yes, she is. But I don't see that as your concern since you disowned Maria last year and said you wouldn't have anything to do with her or whatever children we have," Jarrod said, testily.

"It's common knowledge that the baby is too much for you and your family," Don Alfredo said.

"She'll calm down eventually. The doctor said it's just a stomachache," Jarrod said.

"My vaqueros say that she screams at everything," Don Alfredo said.

Jarrod whirled around in anger. When it came to a temper, Nick was usually the one to lose it. Jarrod often was the brother to try to talk reasonably with Nick, but not this time.

"Look, Katie is my daughter! Don't tell me how to raise my daughter! She'll stop crying eventually! Now I have to go home to check on her," Jarrod said, his anger spent.

Jarrod mounted his horse and rode out of the stables. Jarrod took a few deep breaths to dispel the anger inside him. How dare Don Alfredo say those things about how he couldn't control the baby!

When Nick and Audra were born he became a second father to them. He knew how to take care of babies. The only difference was that Katie was his daughter and not Audra or Nick.

* * * * * * * *

Jarrod came back to the ranch around noon. In the distance he could hear the baby crying. He grinned slightly. He had pegged her crying at just the right moment.

Jarrod entered the house and saw his wife, trying to bounce the baby as he had often done. Maria looked up at her husband and nearly broke down in tears in front of him.

"Oh, Jarrod! I can't stop her from crying! It's like she knows when you leave her! Take her Jarrod please! Maybe she'll stop for you!" Maria cried, handing Jarrod the baby.

Jarrod took the baby in his arms and gently bounced her; Katie looked up at her father with crocodile tears running down her cheeks.

She stopped wailing and grinned slightly. Jarrod looked at his wife with pure joy on his face.

"Maria, she just smiled at me!" Jarrod exclaimed.

"Well, she closer to you than anybody in the house," Maria said, feeling a slight pain at the idea that her baby loved her father more than her.

"Maria, she'll stop crying eventually and she'll smile at you. I don't know what I did to make her pick me over anyone else," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, it's nothing you just have a way with babies. I know she'll smile at me eventually," Maria said, with false cheer.

Jarrod was not sure about that. His wife was hurt because the baby always cried when she picked her up. As soon as the baby stopped crying, Jarrod would let Maria watch her. Even he knew that a baby's whole world was not the father.

* * * * * * * *

The colic didn't last long after the fight in the stable in town. Jarrod went into his daughter's nursery one day and she was sleeping peacefully, with her thumb jammed in her mouth.

Jarrod picked her up and watched her open her startlingly blue eyes, sleepily. She looked at her father and grinned a gummy smile.

Jarrod kissed her forehead gently and smiled at her. Katie cooed and kicked her small legs in the air.

"How's Papa's little girl this morning?" Jarrod asked, sitting in Maria's rocker.

Maria came to the door and yawned as she looked at the sentimental scene. "How is she, Jarrod?" Maria asked.

"I think her colic is over. She's not crying," Jarrod said.

Maria crossed herself. "Thank the Lord! I didn't know how much longer I could put up with her crying," Maria said.

“Yes. Now I can be able to sleep and get my job done as a lawyer. Your father and I did get into a fight over Katie’s crying,” Jarrod said.

"Father caused the fight, not you. Now Katie can get some rest at night. Maybe she'll even smile at me now," Maria said.

"Would you like to hold her now, Maria? You're her mother. I can't be her whole life," Jarrod said.

"I guess. I just hope she doesn't start crying, " Maria said, nervously.

Jarrod put the baby gently into Maria's arms and directed her to the rocking chair. Maria sat down and rocked the baby. Katie looked up at her mother in surprise. The baby didn't expect this strange woman to hold her. The only person that made the baby feel safe was her father.

The only thing that didn't happen was that the baby didn't cry as she normally did. She looked at her mother with interested eyes and gave a faint grin.

"Jarrod, she smiled at me!" Maria exclaimed to her husband.

"Of course she did. I told you she would. When Katie's not in pain, she's a good baby. Now let's take her downstairs and tell the family that she's over the colic," Jarrod said.

"Sí, that should be a relief to the family. Nick said that Katalina has been making it hard for him and Heath to run el rancho," Maria said, her brown eyes sparkling.

Jarrod grinned slightly and took the baby into his arms. and the small family walked down the stairs to the dining room.

* * * * * * * *

The rest of the year passed without much ceremony. Katie had warmed up to the rest of the family by her first birthday, but her father was still her favorite person.

On the eve of her first birthday something wonderful happened. Katie was in Jarrod's study on the floor, playing with her dolls. Jarrod was seated at his desk, preparing some briefs for the court case in the morning.

Katie looked at her father's desk and spoke softly. "Papa."

Jarrod looked up from his paperwork in surprise and went to his daughter on the floor. "Katie, what did you just call me?" Jarrod asked.

"Papa," Katie said again.

Jarrod's features broke into a huge grin and he picked Katie up off the floor. He swung her around and kissed her.

"I love you, Katie. Let's go tell your Mama," Jarrod said.

Jarrod and Katie ran down the hallway, where Maria, Dora, Audra, and Victoria were knitting in the parlor.

"Maria, Katie just talked!" Jarrod exclaimed.

"Jarrod, she didn't!" Maria exclaimed.

"She did. I was in my study working on my case when she opened her mouth. She said "Papa," " Jarrod said.

"Oh Jarrod, this means she'll soon be talking in complete sentences!" Maria said.

Katie looked at Maria. "Mama," She said.

"Jarrod, she called me 'Mama!' Sí, I'm Mama," Maria said to the baby.

Katie grinned and laid her head on Jarrod's chest, suddenly tired of her achievement.

"Jarrod, I think it's time we put her to bed. She's tired," Maria said.

"All right. I'll be down in a few minutes. I still have to finish the work Katie interrupted," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, are you upset that she disturbed your work?" Victoria asked.

"No. I'm always happy when I get a break from work," Jarrod said.

Jarrod took his now sleeping baby upstairs and put her to bed. Katie's thumb was in her mouth again. Jarrod gently pried it out of her mouth and laid it on the mattress next to her. He leaned over kissed the sleeping baby's head and quietly tiptoed out of the room.

* * * * * * * *

Katie's birthday was a wonderful day for the Barkley family. The 1-year-old loved all the lavish attention her family showed her. Jarrod would scoop her up into his arms and carry her to the back yard to watch Uncle Heath and Uncle Nick break a new horse.

Heath and Nick walked over to their small niece and kissed her cheek. "Hello there, Miss Katie. How are you?" Nick asked, making his young niece smile.

Katie appeared often fascinated at her uncle's loud words. Both of her uncles were different from her father. Heath was the quiet one. He held her when Jarrod left in the morning. He understood the baby's tears almost as much as the baby's father did.

Uncle Nick was funnier. His loudness around the house often made Katie smile. Uncle Nick was often got on to by Victoria and even though Katie didn't understand words too well, she smiled at the sheepish look on Nick's face when Victoria got on to him.

"Pappy, are you happy that Katie's 1 years old today?" Nick asked.

"Yes I am, Brother Nick. But I feel as if my baby grew up to quick," Jarrod said, looking tenderly at his daughter.

"Well Jarrod, enjoy her being a baby as long as you can. She's going to grow up. She's going to think that her father is someone who always meddles and is old," Nick teased his brother.

"Very funny, Nick. I'm sure Katie won't think that. She knows that her papa loves her," Jarrod said, kissing his baby on her soft baby cheek.

Katie grinned at her father, already cutting her first tooth. Jarrod remembered the pain she went through getting that tooth.

"Well Katie, time for your afternoon nap," Jarrod said.

Katie yawned and laid her dark head against Jarrod's chest. Jarrod ran his hand through her thick black hair. In the short time of a year the child had such heavy dark locks. She closely resembled Tom Barkley.

All the Barkley boys looked like Tom, but Jarrod was the one who resembled his father more. He had Tom's dark hair and blue eyes. The baby was the same way. Except for the baby's dark skin, she looked just like Jarrod, Tom and Nick Barkley. There was also a trace of Don Alfredo in her features as well. Sometimes when she was deep in thought with a doll or looking at the smile on a family member's face, a deep frown came out.

Maria said her father often looked like that when he was deep in thought. So it was hereditary. Jarrod laid his baby girl down on the mattress in her crib and kissed her again on the forehead.

"I'll see you downstairs, Birthday girl," Jarrod whispered softly, not knowing that the next time he'll see her would be in 9 years.

* * * * * * * *

After Katie's disappearance 9 years back Jarrod and Maria had another baby. This time it was a boy. Because of the original agreement between Jarrod and his wife they called him Thomas after Jarrod's father. Jarrod loved his little son, but he felt that he couldn't love him as much as he did Katie.

On Thomas's third birthday Jarrod sat down to do some paperwork in his office when Nick came in.

"Pappy, aren't you coming to Tommy's birthday dinner?" Nick asked.

"No. I'm very busy, Nick," Jarrod said, never taking his eyes off his paperwork.

"Jarrod, you would never have missed Katie's birthdays," Nick said.

"Leave Katie out of this!" Jarrod snapped angrily.

"Katie is in it whether you like it or not, Pappy. But refusing to love your son is not going to make the pain of losing her go away. Jarrod, that pain is going to get worse and worse," Nick said.

"You don't know anything about how I feel," Jarrod said.

"You're right I don't. I don't have kids, but Jarrod Katie would not want you to mourn over her death if she's dead. She'd want you to be happy," Nick said.

"Nick, I just miss her so much. I want her to be here with us again. I miss her laughter and how she used to call me Papa. She was just learning to call me that when she was stolen," Jarrod said, feeling tears roll down his cheeks.

"Jarrod, you have a little boy who would like to have you come to his birthday. Don't pretend you don't have a son just because you miss your daughter," Nick said.

Jarrod wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand. "You're right, Nick. Do you think Tommy would forgive me?" Jarrod asked.

"I'm sure he would. Jarrod, he worships the ground you walk on. Just like Katie did," Nick said.

"You want to know what the hard part is, Brother Nick?" Jarrod asked.

"What Counselor?" Nick asked.

"I still feel that Katie might be alive. I just wish that I knew how to find her,"" Jarrod said.

"Well, why don't you hire private detectives to find her? It's common knowledge that she was taken from her crib. It wouldn't hurt anything if the detectives turned up a trail we didn't see before," Nick said.

Jarrod pondered that idea. Nick was right. It wouldn't hurt anything to look for Katie once more. Jarrod thought of what would happen if they found her.

Katie was about ten now. Jarrod wondered what she looked like. When she was a baby she resembled him. Jarrod didn't doubt that she still probably looked like him.

"You're right, Nick. Tomorrow I'm going to send a telegram to the Pinkerton Agency and ask them to find my daughter," Jarrod said.

* * * * * * * *

In the next few weeks The Pinkerton agency turned up three or four leads on Katie Barkley. Jarrod and Maria followed every lead to find their daughter.

After the last disappointment Jarrod and Maria went home saddened that they were not any closer to finding Katie than before.

Jarrod was sitting in his office at home, when Celia the housekeeper came in with a slip of paper.

"Mr. Jarrod, this came for you. The man at the door said it was urgent," Celia said, handing it to him.

"Thank you, Celia," Jarrod said, opening the envelope with the paper cutter on the desk.

It was from the Pinkerton Agency. I hope this isn't another false alarm, Jarrod thought. Jarrod read the telegram quickly.

To Counselor Jarrod Barkley, Stockton California. We have a lead on Katalina Barkley. Stop. We showed her picture around Pennsylvania. Stop. A widowed woman by the name of Stallingforth has a daughter that is of half-Hispanic blood. Stop. She may be Katie. Stop. Well-advised not to jump to conclusions that it might be her. Stop. The Pinkerton Agency, San Francisco, California. Stop.

Jarrod felt his stomach take a lurch. This telegram had a different tune to it. The other leads had left him wary, but he felt, deep inside that this was Katie. It had to be.

Jarrod stood up and went to the parlor. Victoria, Dora, Maria, and Audra were all sitting on the couch, knitting.

Victoria looked up at her son. "Jarrod, are you all right? You look as if you've seen a ghost," Victoria said.

"Mother Maria, I think I found Katie," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, what do you mean? We have had so many false leads on Katie," Audra said, looking at her mother concerned.

"I know. But the Pinkerton Agency said that she might be in Pennsylvania staying with a woman called Stallingforth," Jarrod said.

"Stallingforth? The only Stallingforths in Pennsylvania I know about are the ones in Philadelphia. Edna and Jonathan Stallingforth. He's a railroad tycoon that made his money very early in life. When he died his money went to his wife Edna Silsbee. I had no clue that Edna Stallingforth had a daughter," Victoria said.

"Mother, I read a little bit more. Appears the child's name is Abigail and she was recently admitted to a popular boarding school in Connecticut. She's about the same age that Katie would be," Audra said.

"Maria, I have to know," Jarrod said, kneeling in front of his wife.

"Jarrod, you promised that after the last one we wouldn’t go searching for Katalina,” Maria said.

"Maria, I know I promised. But I feel different about this. This girl is Katie I feel it," Jarrod said.

"All right Jarrod. If you feel this strongly about it you can go," Maria said.

Jarrod kissed his wife on the lips and jumped up. "Thank you Maria. I love you," Jarrod said.

"I love you too, Jarrod. I just hope you're right," Maria said.

"I don't know if I am yet, but when I see the girl I'll know," Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, I'd like to go with you," Victoria said.

"Of course Mother. Maria, go pack our bags. I have to finish my paperwork and go tell Mark Bromeley to take over my cases for me,” Jarrod said.

The next morning Jarrod, Maria, and Victoria left for Philadelphia, hoping Jarrod was right.

* * * * * * * *

Edna Stallingforth sat in her warm parlor on a cold and snowy January day reading a book from her study. Since her husband had died 3 years ago Edna submerged herself in books and of acting like a socialite.

Her daughter Abigail once said that when her father died her mother had might as well have died with him. Edna used to laugh and enjoy life, but now all she cared about was the rules of polite society.

Abigail had told her mother at Christmas that she hated the school she had previously entered in the fall, but her mother said that the best young ladies in New England went there to learn the education that was needed to be a socialite.

Edna had bought her daughter the best clothes to wear at the school since the Stallingforth's were the wealthiest family in Philadelphia. Most of Abigail's expensive wardrobe was brown, because that was her favorite color and because she had dark skin and black hair.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Helga, the downstairs maid answered the door. "May I help you?" The young girl asked.

"Yes. I'm here to see Edna Stallingforth please," a man's deep voice said.

"May I have your name please?" Helga asked.

"My name is Jarrod Barkley and this is my wife, Maria. We're from Stockton, California," the man introduced himself.

"Mum, a man and his wife from Stockton, California are here to see you," Helga said, entering the parlor.

"Do they have a name?" Edna asked.

"Yes Mum. Jarrod and Maria Barkley," Helga said.

"Show them in, Helga," Edna said.

Edna entered the foyer as Kathleen, the scullery maid, was putting their coats and hats on the hall tree.

"Mrs. Stallingforth will see you, Mr. and Mrs. Barkley," Helga said.

Jarrod and Maria followed the girl into the huge parlor. Crystal lamps hung everywhere. The carpets were a soft English rose color. The chairs and couch were elaborately upholstered in gold. The tables were made out of expensive teakwood. On the coffee table there were framed photographs. A red-haired woman sat on a settee with a book in her hands. Her red hair was caught up in a sophisticated French bun and she wore an expensive white shirtwaist and peach skirt.

"How do you do, Mr. and Mrs. Barkley? I am Edna Stallingforth," Edna said.

"Jarrod Barkley. This is my wife, Maria," Jarrod said.

"What brings you down here to Philadelphia? You are a long way from California," Edna said.

"I don't normally beat around the bush, Mrs. Stallingforth-" Jarrod started.

"Please, both of you, call me Edna," Edna interrupted.

"Very well, Edna. You see 9 years ago my wife and I had a baby girl and she was stolen on her 1st birthday," Jarrod started.

"I am so sorry. You see, I also have a daughter and if someone stole her I'd feel very unhappy," Edna said.

"Well, a few weeks ago on my son's birthday my brother, Nick, said I should look for her again. So I wrote to this detective agency in San Francisco. The Pinkerton Agency gave us about four or five different leads to Katie, but each one proved false," Jarrod said.

"I would have been very downhearted," Edna said.

"We were. Then Maria made me promise that I wouldn't look for Katie anymore because of the pain it caused," Jarrod said.

"I would have made my John promise the same thing if my Abigail was stolen for so many years," Edna said.

"Then a week ago I got a telegram from the agency. It said that another lead was found. Mrs. Stallingforth, have you ever seen this girl?" Jarrod asked, holding out a picture of Katie taken four days before her 1st birthday.

Edna took the picture and her breath hitched. Her face turned deathly pale as she looked at it.

"You don't have to say anything. Abigail is Katie isn't she?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes, but Mr. Barkley I didn't kidnap her. My lawyer said that he knew my husband and I wanted children and he said there were children out there in California. If I had known I would have returned her to you right away," Edna said, feeling slightly sick.

"I believe you, but it's important that we get Katie back. Send for her," Jarrod said.

"Of course. She was never mining to have then. Of course you may have her back. I'll send a telegram to the school today," Edna said, going to her little writing desk.

Jarrod smiled at Maria. They watched her write out two letters and give them to a butler.

* * * * * * * *

Abigail Stallingforth was practicing walking with a book on her head at the rich boarding school her mother insisted she attend.

Abigail was by far the best student in the school. She was tall, graceful, and wore the best clothes at the academy for girls.

Abigail was half Hispanic, but no one paid attention to that. As long as everyone knew that she was the richest girl in school, no one could say anything about her Spanish descent.

She mostly looked white anyway. She had black hair and blue eyes, but her skin was a dark bronze color, She often wore Indian-brown dresses that complimented her hair color and skin color perfectly.

The ones she often wore was edged with lace at the collar and throat. She was beautiful, but quiet and had a stubborn streak a mile wide.

Abigail walked back in forth in her classroom when the headmistress Miss Traverse walked in.

"Excuse me, I need to talk to Abigail Stallingforth for a moment," The petite lady said.

Abigail took the book off her head and followed the woman outside. "Yes, Miss Travers?" Abigail asked.

Abigail had a nice soft quiet voice that everyone liked.

"Abigail, your mother just sent this letter. I had to open it and read it," the woman said.

Abigail took the sheet of paper out and stated to read. Her eyes widened with shock at each word.

Dearest Abigail,

You know I adopted you when you were 1 years old, but I love you as if you were my own daughter. But now I realize that you were never mine to have. When you were given to me you were stolen from your real family. Your real father and mother are here to take you back to California. We have no choice in the matter. If I don't give you back to them I'll go to jail. I'll see you in Philadelphia. Martin will pick you up at the station

Love Mother.

Abigail's bright blue eyes filled with tears and her dark face turned pale. She ran upstairs to her room and flung herself on her bed.

* * * * * * * *

The next morning Abigail left the school for the train station. She had dark rings under her eyes and a slight melancholy in her looks.

It would be dinnertime by the time she arrived home, and she wished it were a slow train home.

Martin, the coach driver picked her up at the depot. Abigail climbed listlessly into the carriage and went home.

The whole way there Abigail sat staring at the gray overcast sky and the dreary snow that covered the ground.

She found herself wondering what her birth parents were like. It wasn't fair. They had to have given her away. What did she do to deserve that? Father said she was kind and sweet and a person would have to be foolish to not like her.

The tears pricked the back of her eyelids and threatened to fall down her cheeks in salty tracks. Abigail wiped the back of her hands across her wet cheeks and felt sadder at each passing moment.

The carriage pulled into the driveway of the Stallingforth mansion and Martin opened the door for her. "Welcome back, Miss," Martin said.

At her mother's house the servants loved and respected the young girl. Her look of quiet authority made all the servants respect her. If any of the servants were stealing or gossiping all Abigail had to do was look at them and they would stop.

Abigail opened the front door. The warm air from the parlor's fireplace reached her in the foyer. "Welcome, Miss," Helga said, taking Abigail's expensive brown coat away from her.

"I wish I could say that I am glad to be back, Helga," Abigail said to the young girl.

"Miss, they are waiting for you in the parlor. Would you like me to announce you?" Hula asked.

"If you'd be so kind, Helga," Abigail said.

The door to the foyer opened and someone came into the house. Helga entered the parlor.

"Miss Stallingforth, Miss Abigail's in the foyer," Helga said.

"Send her in, Helga," Edna Stallingforth said.

Helga left the parlor. "Miss, they are ready for you," Helga said.

Abigail followed Helga into the parlor, fighting the nervous twists her stomach was doing. It was like this every time she also took a test at school. Her stomach started to ache.

Abigail entered the parlor, her eyes down, looking distressed. Edna nodded to Jarrod. Jarrod walked over to her. He pushed her chin up so he could look into her eyes. Her eyes looked so familiar it took his breath away. It was Katie! His baby girl!

Jarrod took his baby girl into his arms and hugged her. Abigail's face was buried into Jarrod's chest. The rich smell of cologne was a familiar scent. John Stallingforth wore the exact same brand of cologne. Abigail had missed the smell of it since her father had died.

Maria flung her arms around Abigail's shoulders and hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Mother?" Abigail asked Edna, raising her head from Jarrod's chest and looking over his shoulder.

Edna stalked out of the room the tears flowing down her cheeks.

Jarrod stroked her thick, black hair and ears with his fingertips. Abigail looked up at her father. He had blue eyes and black hair just like her.

Her mother had an olive complexion and reddish- brown hair. They looked like pleasant enough people. Suddenly she felt shy.

"I don't know what to say about all this, Mr. Barkley," Abigail asked in a tiny voice.

Jarrod took his daughter's small hand in his large one and kissed it gently.

"What do you say we go sit down and talk?" Jarrod asked.

"I can do that," Abigail said.

Abigail sat on her mother's settee. Jarrod sat beside her and Maria sat across from them in a blue overstuffed chair.

"How old are you?" Jarrod asked.

"Nine. How old are you?" Abigail asked.

Jarrod smiled at his daughter's question. "I'm 45 years old," Jarrod said.

"What's it like out in California?" Abigail asked.

"It's very beautiful and wide open. You were born there," Jarrod said.

"I know. That's what it said on my adoption papers. Father showed them to me once," Abigail said.

"Do you know that I am your father, Katie?" Jarrod asked, finally moving to a serious question.

"Yes Sir, Mr. Barkley," Abigail said.

"Do you think that your mother and myself gave you up for adoption?" Jarrod asked.

"The thought did cross my mind," Abigail said.

"I don't know if you'd believe it, but no. WE didn't give you up for adoption. You were kidnapped on your first birthday," Jarrod said.

Abigail turned to look at her father, her blue eyes blazing.

"Mother and Father didn't do it, Mr. Barkley. I've known those two all my life, they are incapable of doing that," Abigail said, her childish voice filling with anger.

"Calm down, Katie. I'm not accusing them. A law agency kidnapped you, not the Stallingforth's," Jarrod said, putting his hands on Abigail's thin shoulders.

"Why are you here then?" Abigail asked.

"We are taking you home, Katie," Jarrod said.

"WHAT?!" Abigail exclaimed, her voice rising to a scream.

Jarrod was surprised. His daughter did have a voice to her. He thought she was like a little mouse when it came to talking, but he was wrong.

"Katie, the law says you have to come home. You legally belong to your mother and myself," Jarrod said.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Abigail shouted.

"Lower your voice," Jarrod said.

"You can't make me," Abigail said.

"Young lady, I can make you come with us," Jarrod said, his face stern and his eyes an icy blue.

"I WON'T! I WON'T!" Abigail ran out of the room and up the stairs. She entered her bedroom and slammed the door so hard it bounced open. She shut it again and this time it stayed closed. She locked the door and flopped onto her bed in tears.

* * * * * * * *

Abigail sat up in her room on her window seat, staring out at the darkening sky. In Philadelphia dark came early in the winter.

She wondered if Jarrod and Maria were still downstairs. It wouldn't hurt to check. Her father said he had the right to take her legally. But what about what she wanted?

She wanted to stay in Philadelphia. It wasn't right for these two strangers that she didn't even know to take her back to California. She couldn't leave her mother, Helga, and all the servants. Abigail hopped off the window seat and unlocked her bedroom door.

Agnes, the upstairs maid, was dusting and polishing an expensive brown table in the hallway. Abigail went past the maid without even talking to her. She was in a hurry to see if the Barkleys had left.

As she went downstairs, her heart froze. Jarrod and Maria Barkley were still in the middle of the parlor, talking to Edna.

"Counselor, I don't know how you can get the child to go with you. She's very stubborn and set in her ways," Edna said.

Jarrod smiled. "I actually knew that. If Katie wasn't my daughter she would have given in without a fight," Jarrod said.

"You knew that?" Edna asked.

"Yes. The Barkleys are a stubborn hot-tempered lot. What does she look like when she's angry?" Jarrod asked.

"She gets very angry. She yells and her blue eyes turn icy," Edna said.

"That's my point. Katie's like her Uncle Nick in that respect. If someone told him he had to leave the ranch and never come back he would have thrown a fit," Jarrod said.

"But where does she get her stubbornness from?" Edna asked.

"All the Barkleys are stubborn. Jarrod can be very pigheaded at times," Maria said.

At that moment Abigail entered the parlor and sat by the fireplace on a small footstool.

The room was quiet as the three adults looked at the girl. Edna felt tears come to her eyes. Giving her back to the Barkleys was the right thing to do. But why did she feel so terrible about it?

Jarrod crouched down next to his daughter and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Do you feel any better about this, Katie?" Jarrod asked.

"No. I just came down to see if you left," Abigail said, her voice icy.

Jarrod flinched slightly at the sound of her voice. She was going to fight him every step of the way back to Stockton.

"Abigail!" Edna snapped.

Abigail looked at her mother. Her mother was angry, that much was true. Her mother definitely had the right. She had never taught Abigail to talk like that to people.

"Sorry Mother," Abigail said, in a low voice.

"Abigail, Counselor Barkley is right. You should go back to Stockton," Edna said.

"But I want to live with you, Mother," Abigail protested.

"I know you do, but I'm not your mother. Maria Barkley is your mother. Counselor Barkley said you can come see me this summer. At that time if you feel as if you are unable to love them as your parents maybe they'll let you come back here to stay," Edna whispered her last comment to Abigail.

Abigail nodded her head and turned to look at Jarrod. "Mr. Barkley, I'm willing to try living with you," Abigail said.

Jarrod's heart leaped for joy. His daughter didn't call him "Papa" like she used to, but she said she was willing to try.

"I kind of figured you would once you had time to think about it, Katie. Go get your things and be back down here in ten minutes," Jarrod said.

Abigail went up to her room, grabbed her diary, her writing case, and a few books and stuffed them in her carry-on bag.

Abigail went downstairs and stopped in the middle of the stairs. All the servants were there. Some of the women were crying.

First Abigail stopped at Polly, the cook. "The house will be so lonely without you, Miss," Polly said, tears running into each wrinkle on her sixty-year-old face.

Peterson, the butler, gave her a hug, as did all the servants. Helga brought Abigail her coat. Abigail walked out of the house and into the carriage. Martin drove it like always, but this time it was different. This time it was taking her away from home and she might never come back.

* * * * * * * *

30 minutes later Maria and Jarrod entered an expensive hotel room with Abigail. Since Abigail had found out who her parents were she sat in a state of shock as Jarrod and Maria talked to her.

In the carriage her parents sat next to her and tried to tell her what she was to expect in Stockton. Jarrod told her she'd be given lots of clothes and the school she was going to would be so close that she could come home two weeks out of the month.

Even though Abigail heard all this she sat as quiet as a stone and didn't say anything. In all of her life she'd been told children were best when they were not talking.

The hotel was the finest in Pennsylvania. Abigail and Edna had eaten there countless Sundays after church. But this day Abigail didn't even notice it.

"Take Katie upstairs, Maria. I have to get the luggage down," Jarrod said to his wife.

"All right, Jarrod. Victoria would want to see Katalina also," Maria said.

It was then as they walked up the steps to their rooms that Abigail came out of her stupor. "How come you call me Katalina and Mr. Barkley calls me Katie?' Abigail asked.

The sound of Abigail's childish voice filled Maria with joy. "Well Katalina was my mother-your grandmother's name- and your father said when you were born that if we named you Katalina, it would be a perfect chance to call you Katie," Maria said.

Abigail nodded her head and fell back into silence. Maria felt tears well up inside her. Her daughter was scared of what had happened to her, but she wouldn't tell her how she was feeling.

They entered the rooms and Abigail went instantly to a window seat and curled up on it. Victoria looked wordlessly at her granddaughter.

"I know, Victoria. She barely even looks at Jarrod and me. Jarrod tried to tell her about the school in San Francisco and she didn't even say anything to him," Maria said.

And Jarrod and Katie used to be so close when she was a baby," Victoria said.

"I know. It's like she wants nothing to do with either of us," Maria said.

"All we can do is keep loving and praying for her, Maria. Maybe that love and prayers can bring the little girl she was back," Victoria said.

Jarrod entered the room with Abigail's luggage and set them on the floor. Jarrod looked over at his daughter sitting listlessly at the window seat.

Jarrod walked over to her and sat down. He laid a soft hand on her dark head and stroked her soft long hair. "I brought your luggage up, Katie. You may want to freshen up before dinner," Jarrod said.

"I'm not hungry, Mr. Barkley," Abigail said, flatly.

"Katie, you need to eat. Your clothes are over there and your room is over in that direction. I expect to see you in here in 30 minutes dressed for dinner," Jarrod said, sternly.

Abigail jumped of the window seat, her blue eyes flashing. "You can't tell me what to do! You're not my father!" Abigail said, angrily.

Jarrod's face turned stony. "30 minutes, Katalina," Jarrod said.

Abigail walked over to her luggage and struggled to try to pick it up. The bag was too heavy. Jarrod walked over to the suitcases and lifted them for her. He laid them on her bed.

Jarrod walked out and left her alone. Victoria walked up to her son.

"Jarrod, is that fair to do that to Katie? She just got here. She's scared of everything," Victoria said.

"I won't have her saying things like that to me, Mother. She's going to learn that when I tell her to do something, she'll do it or be punished for disobedience. What kind of father would I be if I let her get away with everything?" Jarrod said.

"Jarrod, she's scared! Maybe we could try to be more understanding," Maria said.

"No. She is not going to be pitied for what has happened today. Katie is a Barkley and our daughter. Starting today she's going to behave like one. And that little temper tantrum over by the window seat is not going to be tolerated," Jarrod said.

Inside her room Abigail cried, the tears falling down her face like rain. She changed out of her dress into a plain brown dress with a snow-white collar. She tied her heavy locks back with a ribbon and sat down in an overstuffed chair. Abigail, tired from the trip from Connecticut fell into a dreamless sleep.

40 minutes later Abigail had still not come out of her room. Jarrod flipped open his pocket watch and looked at the time.

"I thought I told her to come out in 30 minutes," Jarrod said, irritably.

"Jarrod, please, she's scared. She doesn't remember us. I think we are pushing her to hard to be our daughter," Maria begged her husband.

"Maria, could you go in there and see what's keeping her?" Jarrod asked, his voice softening.

"Of course," Maria opened the door to Abigail's bedroom. Maria smiled as her daughter lay sleeping in the chair.

"Jarrod, get in here," Maria said.

Jarrod entered the room and smiled at the scene. His daughter looked so peaceful and happy while she slept. Her dark hair was tumbled around her head like a halo.

Jarrod knelt next to the chair and gently touched Abigail's cheek. "Katie, wake up," Jarrod whispered into her ear.

Abigail blinked her blue eyes sleepily and looked at her father. He looked kinder than he did a few moments ago.

"Katie, it's time for dinner," Jarrod said.

"I'm so tired, Mr. Barkley," Abigail said.

Jarrod felt a brief flash of pain as his baby girl called him "Mr. Barkley."

"Katie, I'm Papa. When you left you were just starting to talk. Please could you try to call me "Papa?" Jarrod asked.

Abigail nodded her head slowly. Jarrod smiled and kissed her head gently. Jarrod hauled her to her feet, gently rubbing her cheeks with his soft hands.

In a matter of moments Abigail was wide awake and trying to straighten the lacy cuffs of her simple, but expensive brown dress.

Jarrod held out his hand to her. She stared at it for a brief moment. She remembered that this man wanted her to call him Papa, but to hold his hand as if he was her father was another thing entirely.

Jarrod made the decision for her. He took her hand in his and walked downstairs to the dining room with Maria, Victoria, and herself.

Jarrod pulled out a chair and Abigail sat in it, quickly. When the waiter came, much to her annoyance, Jarrod ordered the food for her.

Maria leaned over to her daughter. "Don't worry, Little One, your father he thinks that you are his princess. That's why he orders your food for you," Maria said.

Abigail gave a faint grin. Her real mother seemed to understand why Jarrod was treating her like a 2-year old.

Jarrod looked over at his daughter and brought her small hand to his lips. "I've missed you, Katie," Jarrod said, his voice close to breaking.

"I don't remember anything. If I had, maybe I would have remembered you," Abigail said.

"Katie, you were my whole life when you were a baby. I made more fuss over you than your mother ever did. When you were born you wouldn't let anyone hold you. I was the only one who could calm you down. Then you got sick with awful stomachaches and it lasted several months. I was the only one who could stop those horrible cries. I lost a lot of sleep, but you were my top priority," Jarrod said.

"How was Edna Stallingforth as a mother?" Victoria asked.

"She was kind to me. I didn't feel like I lacked anything in the mother department. Until my father died three years ago. Now she's changed. I think she misses him a lot, she did take me to Spain last summer," Abigail said.

"Now I'm your father and Maria is your mother. From now on when Maria or myself tell you anything we expect you to listen," Jarrod said.

Jarrod was upset that Abigail would consider another man as her father, but that was not her fault. It was like her kidnapping, beyond her control or anyone else's.

Abigail nodded her head slowly. "We're not saying that to be unkind, Katie. We just want you to start blending in with our family and you have a 3-year old brother at home. If you disobey, he might think he could do it too. Right now you have a lot of responsibility waiting for you at home. When we get home, your mother and myself will explain the rules a little bit better. Right now here's our food," Jarrod said.

Abigail ate her chicken without complaining and without a word as Jarrod talked to Maria and Victoria about some clothes Abigail would need. At this moment Abigail felt so miserable she forgot that she hated the taste of chicken. Right now she would rather of eaten a huge baked potato and some roast beef, with a glass of milk.

Continued…