by
Torie
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and
have been used without permission. No
copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
Summary: During a fight between the Stockton settlers, Jenny, Nikki, and Patricia Barkley get kidnapped by a hostile Indian tribe.
Jenny Barkley rode into town on her horse, Chestnut. Jenny
wore boy's clothing and her long black hair was loose around her shoulders.
Since Jenny had come to live with her father 7 months back, she refused to wear
dresses and wear her hair up. She looked like her cousin Patricia.
Jenny entered the town. It was as quiet as a graveyard at midnight. A group of
men stood in front of the general store. Her father, Jarrod Barkley, and his
brothers, Nick and Heath were there also.
Jenny stepped up to her father and listened. "Those dirty Sioux will stop
at nothing to take our land!" Wilse Gordon said.
"Father, what is Mr. Gordon talking about?" Jenny asked, tugging on
her father's sleeve.
Jarrod looked down at his little Jenny. Since Jenny had come
back to him, after a long separation of 12 years, Jarrod felt a piece of him
had healed up. His wife had died 4 years back, but Jenny coming back was the
cure for the guilt that ate his soul.
This girl resembled him, but there was more Laura to her personality than most
people saw. She was quiet, calm, and had a way of making people see things her
way without seeming willful or spoiled. The only thing that was completely
Barkley about her personality was when she got upset she had the famous Barkley
temper to match her Uncle Nick's. Jarrod wrapped his arm around her thin shoulders
and whispered in her ear. "This is not for you to hear, Jenny. We'll talk
about it later. Go to school," Jarrod said, kissing her forehead, gently.
"Father, is it something bad? The way Mr. Gordon is talking is scaring
me," Jenny said, sounding like a little girl instead of almost 15 years
old.
Jarrod took her in his arms and hugged her briefly. It was almost as if Jarrod
was trying to hug all her fears away. And oddly enough, Jenny felt safe with
her father's embrace.
Jarrod pulled her face up so he could look into her dazzling
blue eyes so much like his own. "Jenny, go to school. Nothing will happen
to you, I promise," Jarrod said, putting his hands on her thin cheeks.
With Jarrod's promise Jenny felt comforted as she left for school. If her
father said that things would be all right, they'd be all right.
Jenny walked into the schoolhouse. The excitement in the
schoolhouse was more high-pitched than ever. Wilse Gordon was a patron of the
school. His son was as big a loudmouth to boot. Jenny thought he was uncouth
because he spit and put snakes in the girl's desks.
Johnny was a mean-spirited bully too. When Jenny first arrived he said nasty
things about her Bostonian accent and said Jarrod Barkley wasn't her father.
She cringed inwardly at his brazen remarks that she was just an orphan and
Jarrod Barkley was only being nice to her by letting her stay with him.
The remarks about her parentage had let up over the past few weeks. Johnny
Gordon had left her alone. The only thing Jenny regretted about Johnny and his
remarks was not telling her father. Jarrod worried enough about her and this
stupidity caused by one boy was not enough to send her crying to her father.
Even if she told and Uncle Nick heard, Uncle Nick would do something to that
boy that Wilse would never do; give him a decent spanking. Not that Jenny
wouldn't mind Johnny getting a spanking.
She stepped up and sat in her seat next to her cousin. "Patricia, what's
going on?" Jenny asked.
"It's a neighboring Indian tribe. They just want to be
left alone, but the Wilse and Johnny Gordons won't let it go," Patricia
said.
"How do you know?" Jenny asked.
"Johnny made no bones about telling. He's scaring a whole bunch of little
boys and girls with gruesome stories he'd picked up out of a dime novel,"
Patricia said.
Jenny jumped up out of her seat. "Where are you going, Cousin?"
Patricia asked.
"I'm not about to let that stupid insignificant low-life scare little
kids!" Jenny said, her eyes flashing blue glaciers.
At that moment she looked like Uncle Nick. She stalked up to Johnny and tapped
his shoulder.
Johnny turned at the furtive tap on his shoulder. "What
do you want?" He rudely asked.
"Can you stop scaring the children? We don't need to hear hostile Indian
stories right now," Jenny said.
"Well, I don't want to hear lip from an orphan who thinks she's a
Barkley," Johnny sneered.
It took several minutes for Jenny to regain her composure. "I am a
Barkley," Jenny said.
"Just because you live in that big house and Jarrod Barkley thinks you're
his daughter that was kidnapped 12 years ago, that don't make you a
Barkley," Johnny said.
"You are the rudest boy I've ever met, Johnny Gordon!" Jenny said
exasperated.
Jenny walked over to the two smallest children in the school. She extended her hands
to them and took them to the desk that she and Patricia shared.
"Jenny, I'm scared," Louisa Talcott said, throwing
her arms around Jenny's neck.
"I know you are, but don't worry. Your father will see that you are
protected," Jenny said.
"How come you ain't scared, Jenny?" Jaime Adcock asked.
"Because my father told me that I'd be safe. That nothing will hurt me. He
promised," Jenny said.
At that moment 5 to 10 set of parents came into the school. Uncle Heath and
Jarrod were among them.
Miss Worley, the schoolmistress, looked up at the parents. "Yes? May I
help you?" She asked.
Jarrod looked at his daughter with the two children on her lap. "Miss
Worley, we don't mean to intrude, but half the parents in the town feel that we
should take the children home," Jarrod said.
Jenny stood up and looked at her father. "What about you, Father? Do you
think that idea is rational or logical at this time?" Jenny asked.
"No. But Heath and I know that a lot of parents will
lose their heads in trying to get their children home. We only came to get our
children so they wouldn't get hurt by a mob of worried parents," Jarrod
said.
"All right, Mr. Barkley. School is dismissed until further notice,"
Miss Worley said.
Jenny and Patricia walked to their fathers. "Papa, Uncle Jarrod, what's
happened?" Patricia asked.
"Wilse Gordon has been talking about Indian uprisings," Jarrod said,
as if that was explanation enough.
"Like father, like son. What next?" Jenny grumbled under her breath.
Jarrod and Heath took their girls to the wagon and drove them home.
The ride home was quiet and subdued. Jarrod drove home, grim
determination on his handsome features.
"Father, aren't you ever scared?" Jenny asked.
"I'm not scared over this. Only when you disappear on me, Jenny, do I get
frightened," Jarrod said.
"Why aren't you scared, Father?" Jenny asked.
"Because the Sioux tribe might be led by an old friend of mine. Straight
River won't let his tribes massacre the white settlers," Jarrod said.
"Do you trust him, Father?" Jenny asked.
"Yes. When I was your age Straight River saved my life. I became his blood
brother. We said that when the time came he'd protect my family and I would
protect his," Jarrod said.
"So you became part of the Sioux tribe, Uncle Jarrod?" Patricia
asked.
"Yes. Straight River thought it was strange that I had
black hair and blue eyes. He thought I had Indian blood in my veins because of
my hair," Jarrod said.
Jenny giggled at the thought. "Didn't you tell him that some people other
than Indians have black hair?" Jenny asked.
"I tried, but Straight River wouldn't believe me. After he saved my life I
would meet him once a year. We'd just talk as we fished in Islas Del Cielo. I
was always jealous that he'd got more fish than me," Jarrod said.
"Did he ever meet Mother?" Jenny asked.
"No, but he was happy when he found out I got married and was expecting a
baby," Jarrod said.
"When did you last see him?" Jenny asked.
"July. I told him that you came back and he whooped for joy over the
news," Jarrod said.
"Big Brother, I had no idea that you were friends with an Indian,"
Heath said.
"Straight River is my brother, same as you and Nick. We
did the same things that I did with Nick. Go hunting and fishing. And he taught
me to ride a horse and shoot a bow and arrow and throw a tomahawk," Jarrod
said.
"Do you think he'll show up?" Jenny asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Jarrod said.
Jarrod turned into the driveway of the Barkley Mansion. Three or Four Indian
braves sat on horses in the hot sun.
"Jarrod Barkley?" One of the braves asked.
"Yes? I am Jarrod Barkley," Jarrod said.
"Chief Straight River wishes to talk with you. He's inside your eating are
talking to Silver Hair," the brave said.
"Mother," Jarrod said to Heath.
Jarrod climbed down the wagon and rushed into the house. A handsome Indian sat
at the table in the kitchen, smoking a pipe. The Indian stood as Jarrod entered
the room.
"Hello Jarrod Barkley," Straight River said.
"Hello Straight River," Jarrod said, shaking Straight River's hand.
Jarrod sat across from Straight River. "What is happening?" The
Indian asked.
The people in town think you are on the warpath. I couldn't convince them that
you might be friendly. They pulled their children out of school because they're
scared," Jarrod said.
"What about you? You have a child, my friend. Did you pull her out?"
Straight River asked.
"Yes I did. I pulled her and her cousin out of school because they'd get
hurt by the worried parents trying to get their kids. It had nothing to do with
you," Jarrod said.
"I understand. I also have a daughter. I also have to protect my
daughter," Straight River said.
"Would you like to meet my daughter? I just told her about you,"
Jarrod said.
Straight River stood up. "I wish I could, but I have to go back to our
people. Don't worry, Jarrod Barkley. If your daughter gets in trouble, I'll
help you take care of her," Straight River said.
"All right. And if your daughter gets in trouble, I'll
help you take care of her," Jarrod said.
The two men shook hands and parted ways.
The next day was calm and quiet. Too quiet. To make the day
pass quickly Jenny read and slept. By the time it was late afternoon, all
Jenny's activities were exhausted and Jenny was bored beyond all reason.
Jarrod came home at 8:00, missing dinner entirely. Jenny was in Jarrod's study,
writing a piece of Italian into English. At the boarding school she was sent
to, when she lived with her grandparents, she had learned about 3 different
languages: French, Italian, and German.
"You look preoccupied, Honey," Jarrod said, from the doorway.
Jenny looked up from her writing. "Father, you're home!" Jenny
exclaimed.
She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. "How was
today, Jenny? You already miss school?" Jarrod asked.
"A few days without Johnny Gordon? I don't miss it that much!" Jenny
said.
"I take it you don't like Johnny Gordon," Jarrod said.
"I don't. He's as welcome as a bad case of measles. Except I'd rather have
the measles instead of going to school with him," Jenny said.
Jarrod laughed at his daughter's comment. "What did
Johnny do that made you dislike him?" Jarrod asked.
She looked up at her father. "Can't tell you. It's too painful and I don't
want you to worry anymore than you have about me," Jenny said.
"Jenny, I'm going to worry more if you don't tell me," Jarrod said.
Jenny ran her hands through her hair and avoided her father's intense eyes.
"Here goes. Johnny makes fun of me. He teases my Boston accent and says
horrible things about me. He says I'm an orphan and I'm not really your
daughter. He said that I'm only living with you because you just wanted to be
nice to an orphan," Jenny said.
"Jenny, that's not true. You are my daughter. It doesn't matter what that
stupid boy thinks. I know who you are. You know who you are. Your mother knew
who you were," Jarrod said.
"I love you, Father," Jenny said.
"I love you too, Jenny. You know I don't think we're going to have
problems with the Indians, so how'd you like to go on a picnic at Islas del
Cielo tomorrow?" Jarrod asked.
"I'd love to. Is the rest of the family going also?" Jenny asked.
"Do you want them to come?" Jarrod asked.
"Yes Sir. I like being with my cousins. The first day I was here Patricia
and Nikki knew I was scared, so they stayed with me while they showed me the
ranch and unpacked my clothes," Jenny said.
"I'll ask your uncles, aunts, and grandmother if they want to go,"
Jarrod said.
Jenny grinned slightly and sat back down and continued to translate the
Italian.
The next day was cool. The first cool day since March. Jenny
slept with her window open to let some air in since it was always hot. Jenny
woke up shivering under the warm quilts on her bed. For a few minutes she laid
there, warm as toast under her blankets.
She looked at her mantle clock. When the clock read 9:00, Jenny gasped in
fright and scrambled out of the warm bed. She closed the window and dressed
quickly in warm clothes. She buttoned the sleeves of her gray chambray shirt
and tightened the laces of her shoes and went downstairs.
Jenny opened the door to the dining room. Jarrod looked up. "Where were
you, Jennifer?" Jarrod asked, sternly.
"Father, I'm sorry I'm late. I just woke up. I managed to get myself all
studied up and wore myself out," Jenny said.
"Listen to me, Girl! You are NOT going to open a book today until I tell
you to," Jarrod said, sternly.
"Yes Father. I'm not planning to. I have Italian to finish. But that can
wait until tonight or tomorrow," Jenny said.
"You know Italian?" Victoria asked.
"Yep. Fluently. Along with German and French,"
Jenny said.
"Where did you learn three languages?" Aunt Eleanor asked.
"Boarding school. Most of the girls there are spoiled snobs and the
lessons dull as dirt, but the language classes were a lot of fun. It was the
only time any of us laughed and had a good time," Jenny said.
"what did you laugh about?" Olga asked.
"In my German class I accidentally said 'Vielen Danke' wrong. The teacher,
a funny German gentleman, laughed at my pronunciation. And when this man
laughed it made all of us laugh with him," Jenny said.
"I'm happy that you had some joy in your life when you were away from
me," Jarrod said.
"Yeah, considering how bleak my life has been until this year. I needed
something to make my life not anymore boring than it was," Jenny said.
"What school did you go to?" Olga asked.
"Miss Brookfield's House for Girl's," Jenny said.
"Your mother went to that school!" Olga exclaimed.
"She did?? Did Mother love that snake-pit, Aunt Olga?" Jenny asked.
"No. She hated that place as much as you do. The only thing she liked was
her history classes," Olga said.
"Figures. That school has about as much charm as a pile of rocks,"
Jenny said.
Jenny ate her eggs, bacon, and biscuits, not knowing that the picnic this
afternoon would change her life.
By mid-afternoon the cool, hazy air of the morning had
warmed up to a balmy 80 degrees.
The picnic lunch packed by Victoria, Olga, and Eleanor was enough to feed an
army. After the picnic Patricia, Jenny, and Nikki sat on a fallen log, their
feet submerged in the cool water of the lake.
Jarrod, Heath, and Nick were smoking cigars and teasing each other on the
billiard and card games they would play later.
Aunt Olga, Aunt Eleanor, Aunt Audra, and Grandmother sat in the shade
crocheting some quilts.
Patricia leaned over and cupped her hand, flinging water on Jenny.
"Patricia!!" Jenny exclaimed.
Nick, Heath, and Jarrod stopped their laughing and talking to look at their
girls. "Patricia, what did you do?" Heath asked.
"I was just teasing her, Papa. I tossed some water at her," Patricia
said.
"If it's all the same to you, I'm going to sit somewhere else where the
water isn't so cold," Jenny said.
Jenny pulled her feet out of the freezing water and stood
up. She went over to her father and sat on the ground.
It was then it happened. War-cries filled the air as Indians came out of the
bushes. Jenny, Patricia, and Nikki stood by their fathers. Nick picked up
Nikki, while Jarrod and Heath pushed Jenny and Patricia behind them.
A dignified Indian chief looked at the Barkleys, his looking each one over
carefully. His eyes took a surprised look when he looked at Jenny. He let out a
string of Indian words.
A young white boy with pale blond hair came from among the braves. He wore a
pair of leather breeches and a feather interwoven in his blond tangled locks.
What looked like a painting of the sun was on his bare chest.
Beneath the war paint on his face he was very handsome. At least 16 or 17. As
the boy looked at her, he thought how beautiful she was.
The boy stared into Jenny's bright blue eyes for a few
minutes. The chief spoke in Indian to the boy.
"His name Chief Jumping Crow. He a leader of the nation of Cheyenne. He
want to know why you here?" The boy asked.
"This is the Barkley Ranch. My family and I came here to have a
picnic," Jarrod said.
The boy related the message to the chief. The chief looked at Jenny looking at
him from behind Jarrod. The girl had black hair like an Indian, but her eyes
were the brightest shade of blue the chief had ever seen.
A year ago his 13 year old daughter, Little Moon had died of smallpox on the
Indian reservation. This girl standing before him looked like Little Moon,
except for her blue eyes.
The white man who had spoken appeared to be her father. In that instant the
chief decided this girl would do to stand as a replacement for Little Moon. The
hard thing would be to get this girl away from these white people. The way the
white man looked at her, said the white man loved her. When the girl looked at
the white man, it appeared the girl loved him too,
Jarrod looked at the chief looking at his daughter. It was
obvious that the chief wanted to make Jenny his daughter. Jarrod couldn't let
that happen. Jenny was his daughter, not Jumping Crow's. Jarrod wrapped his arm
around Jenny's shoulders in a protective father way.
Jarrod looked at his brothers and their children. "Let's get the children
home. This picnic's over," Jarrod said.
Since there were 10 Barkleys, 2 rigs were brought to the lake. Jarrod,
Victoria, Nikki, Patricia, and Jenny went in one buggy. Heath, Nick, Audra,
Eleanor, and Olga went in the other.
Jumping Crow looked at Jenny as the white man's vehicle drove away. Her black
hair shining in the October sun, laughing with the old lady.
After dinner that night Jenny entered Jarrod's study, where
Jarrod was writing some briefs on a court case the day before. The wire-rimmed
spectacles Jarrod wore for reading and writing glimmered in the soft lamplight.
Jenny flung her arms around Jarrod's neck, kissing his cheek. Jarrod looked up
at his daughter. He kissed her ear gently.
"Father, what happened today at the picnic?" Jenny asked.
"It's kind of difficult to tell you. All I can ask is that you trust me
and don't go anywhere on the ranch or off the ranch without a grownup or
myself. Not even with your cousins," Jarrod said.
"Is it that chief that's spooking you?" Jenny pressed the question on
Jarrod.
"Yes. But that's all you need to know, Honey," Jarrod said, cupping
his daughter's thin cheeks in his soft hands.
"Why won't you tell me?" Jenny asked.
"I have my reasons, Jenny. Don't make me tell them to
you," Jarrod said.
"I thought lawyers were supposed to be honest," Jenny half-teased,
half-pouted.
"We are. But when it comes to protecting you like I promised your mother,
I can't," Jarrod said.
"All right. But when this is over, will you tell me?" Jenny asked.
"Yes. I promise, Jenny. Now I have some work to do. Will you please
leave?" Jarrod asked.
"Yes Sir," Jenny said respectfully. She left the room and went to the
kitchen and poured herself a glass of milk.
******************************************
Jenny was with her cousins and Ciego, the Barkleys
blacksmith, in the barn, watching him shoe Jarrod's horse, the next morning.
"At least you can't get into trouble out here, Cousin," Patricia
said.
"No. Probably not. This is the only thing Father will let me do outside
because Ciego can watch out for me and yell for Father if I get in
trouble," Jenny said.
"Did Uncle Jarrod tell you why he acted the way he did
at the picnic?" Patricia asked.
"No. He just said that he had reasons for not telling me. Did Uncle Heath
tell you what happened?" Jenny asked.
"No. He just said the Indian kept looking at your hair and blue
eyes," Patricia said.
"I wonder why. He probably thought I looked like an Indian with my dark
hair," Jenny said.
"Yeah, you could pass as an Indian. The only difference is that you have
blue eyes," Patricia said.
"What about that boy? He didn't look like an Indian," Jenny said.
"I know, but he was handsome, wasn't he?" Patricia asked.
Jenny blushed slightly. "I wouldn't know, Patricia," Jenny said.
Patricia looked at her cousin's reaction. "You liked him, didn't
you?" Patricia asked.
"Yes. He was good-looking. I don't think he wants to hurt white people
like a savage," Jenny said.
Jarrod entered the barn at that moment. "Hello
Girls," Jarrod said.
"Hi Uncle Jarrod!" Patricia and Nikki said in unison.
"Hello Father," Jenny said.
"Jenny, would you like to join me in Stockton for lunch?" Jarrod
asked.
"The Warden is letting me leave the prison? Amazing!" Jenny said, in
mock-surprise.
"Jennifer Alexandra Barkley, that's not funny," Jarrod said, sternly.
"I know, I know. Father, can I ride Chestnut into town instead of Uncle
Heath taking me?" Jenny asked.
"I don't know, Jenny," Jarrod hesitated.
"Please? If anyone tries to kidnap me, I'll gallop out of there. And
anyway Patricia and Nikki can come with me and try to get to you if I get
kidnapped or get my foot caught in a trap," Jenny said.
"I just know I'm going to regret this. Okay, you can ride into town with
your cousins, but be careful," Jarrod warned.
"Thanks Father! Your wonderful!" Jenny exclaimed. Jarrod kissed his daughter's forehead and left her and her cousins to talk some more.
Jenny, Patricia, and Nikki rode the horses into an empty pasture. “Race you to Stockton!" Patricia yelled.
“Let’s Jenny!" Nikki said behind Jenny.
“All right. Yee-hah!" Jenny screamed, and urged her horse to a fast canter.
As the horses galloped and Jenny’s black hair flapped in the breeze, a group of Indians watched. Chief Jumping Crow watched the dark haired girl ride like an Indian over the pasture. She looked just like Little Moon.
Chief Jumping Crow nodded to his braves. The braves galloped into the pasture, screaming war whoops.
The girls stopped their horses and looked at the Indians behind them. We’re going to have to go, Cousin,” Patricia said.
“I know. Nikki, I want you to hold on. We might jump over fences and you could fall off,” Jenny said.
“ ‘Kay, Jenny,” Nikki said.
Jenny and Patricia kicked their heels into the horse’s sides and galloped off. The Indians were quicker than the girls. The braves grabbed the reins, making the horses stop.
Chief Jumping Crow smiled as his braves brought his new pale-faced daughter to him. Jenny took Nikki into his arms, while Nikki cried bitterly.
Chief Jumping Crow spoke in Paiute to Jenny, while he stroked her hair and face.
The white boy from the day before emerged from the group of braves. “He say you fortunate to be chosen for adoption by Paiute Indian tribe, as daughter of Chief Jumping Crow,” the boy said.
Jenny’s face turned deathly pale at the boy’s words. “My father’s name is Jarrod Barkley, not Jumping Crow. Tell him that,” Jenny said.
The boy said the words in Paiute to Jumping Crow. Jumping Crow gave a harsh reply to the boy. “He say you no white. You Paiute daughter, Blue Sky, ”the boy said.
“I know what I am. I am not an Indian and neither are my cousins,” Jenny said. The old Indian’s response was a hard slap across Jenny’s mouth.
Jarrod waited in his office for two hours for his daughter and niece’s arrival. Jarrod was feeling worried. Jenny had said she’d be here. 30 minutes had passed since Jenny, Nikki, and Patricia should have arrived.
Jarrod went outside to watch for his daughter’s horse. As each minute passed Jarrod grew more worried. His daughter had been kidnapped at a young age by his in-laws. As the years passed he grew more sad and dejected by his daughter’s disappearance.
Since his Jenny had come back to him, Jarrod felt life enter him again since his beautiful Laura’s death when Jenny was ten. His Jenny. Since she had come back to him, he saw her as his Jenny. His baby. Laura’s baby. Their baby. The only child he had. The baby he promised when his wife died, that he would protect.
He loved his daughter. The thought of losing her again would break his heart. Many countless nights Jenny would read books in his study while he worked on cases or briefs. She would sit on the leather couch, her feet propped up on the cool, soft leather, reading Tennyson or the latest book by Mark Twain, “Joan of Arc.”
Jenny had been back for 7 months and it felt like sometime she’d never left. Every morning when she came downstairs and called him “Father,” he felt he gained on more piece of his heart that had been lost to her disappearance and Laura’s death.
Many times when Jenny would read in his study or fall asleep on the couch, he would look up at her, getting a contentment at having her back in his life. He finally understood what having children meant to his father. When he married Laura, his heart felt complete. Then when Laura said she was pregnant with Jenny, he felt like he was the richest man alive.
Jarrod went to the stable and mounted his horse. He galloped hard back to the ranch house. On the way there, a strange sight met his eyes. Chestnut and Gunmetal, Patricia and Jenny’s horses stood there. Jarrod dismounted and stroked Chestnut’s silky mane.
The horse had just recently been broken and Jenny was the only person who could ride the animal without getting thrown.
“Jenny, oh where can you be?" Jarrod asked.
The Indian camp was situated in a box canyon 4 hours from
Stockton. Behind Jumping Crow, Jenny held a handkerchief to her bleeding mouth.
The slap Jumping Crow gave her reminded her of her grandfather's vicious
temper. In 7 months Jarrod had never struck her, neither had he let anyone else
hit her. Jarrod mostly got on to her, lawyer fashion. She remembered the day
she first arrived. Jarrod said he'd never strike her. He loved her as much as
she loved him. Around him she felt safe. She was his little girl. Any way
Jarrod always said no one deserved that kind of punishment.
Jenny sat, the handkerchief pressed against her split lip. When they came to
the camp all three girls were hustled into a teepee and left alone.
"How's your lip, Cousin?" Patricia asked.
"It stings a little. I didn't think he'd hit me. It reminded me of
Grandfather when I was little. Patricia, we have to get home to Father, Uncle
Heath, and Uncle Nick," Jenny said.
"How Jenny?" Patricia asked.
"Let's bide our time. Let the Indians think we are
Indians. During this time we hoard as much food as possible. And hide some
horses in some wooded area we just passed," Jenny said.
"Sounds like a good plan, Cousin. When do we leave?" Patricia asked.
"Tomorrow night. The Indian chief will be happy and will celebrate having
a pale-faced Indian daughter," Jenny said.
"What about Uncle Jarrod's Sioux friend?" Patricia asked.
*****************************************
At the same time Straight River arrived at the Barkley
ranch. When Straight River and Jarrod Barkley were boys, Straight River taught
him how to build a fire and send special signals.
Jarrod was in a meadow, a huge bonfire before him, a linen blanket in his
hands. Jarrod wore the garb of a ranch hand. It was the first time Straight
River had seen his blood brother wear this kind of apparel and a six-barreled
gun.
"My brother, what is wrong?" Straight River asked,
coming to the point as always.
"Straight River, my daughter Jenny, and nieces have been kidnapped by
hostile Cheyenne Indians," Jarrod said.
"Who was the chief?" Straight River asked.
"He called himself Jumping Crow. He was looking at her hair color and eyes
yesterday. I tried to protect her until this afternoon. I told her she couldn't
leave the ranch without myself or another adult. But this afternoon she asked
me if I could let her and her cousins ride into town by themselves. I know I
shouldn't of, but I thought it would be okay," Jarrod said.
"Jumping Crow is not entirely evil, but he's in pain. He lost his 13-year
old daughter to smallpox a year before. Your child must look like her if he's
taken her," Straight River said.
"Can you go talk to Jumping Crow? I'll give him food, blankets and
medicine if he gives me back my baby," Jarrod said.
"Jumping Crow won't take any of it. What he wants is to
make your child hate white people as much as he does," Straight River
said.
"He can't do that! That's my daughter! She's no Indian! She's a white girl
and I love her!" Jarrod exclaimed.
"He can and he will if we don't get her out. He will change her heart and
the sun can change her skin," Straight River said.
"What can we do, Straight River? I can't lose her again. She's all I have
left of my wife," Jarrod said, his voice nearly breaking.
"Do not worry, my brother. We'll get her out. Jarrod Barkley have you ever
heard of the famous Sioux marshal, Sam Buckhart?" Straight River said.
"No," Jarrod said.
"We may need his help. Can you telegram him over in Texas?" Straight
River asked.
"Of course. I'll wire for any help to get my daughter
back," Jarrod said.
Straight River shook hands with Jarrod, exposing the knife scar on his wrist.
Jarrod pushed back the sleeve of his yellow shirt exposing the scar on his own
wrist.
The next morning Jenny stood still as Many Birds, Jumping
Crow's wife, braided Jenny's long black hair. Patricia and Nikki were sitting
Indian-style on the hard dirt floor, already dressed in leather buckskin, like
any other Indian girl would dress.
Jenny tried not to scream as Many Birds pulled her hair and entwined the mass
of black hair with long strands of leather. By the time the woman finished,
Jenny forgot all about her aching head. She looked down at her Indian dress.
The cloth of the dress was beautiful, with its row of shining glass beads on
the gathers of the sleeves. Many Birds picked up a bone choker with a turquoise
stone in the middle.
When the choker was in place, the woman turned Jenny's face toward her. She
kissed Jenny's forehead and rattled a few words in Paiute. She left the room.
Patricia and Nikki stood up and walked to their cousin. Nikki stroked the soft
glass beads on Jenny's left sleeve. "Your dress is pretty, Jenny,"
Nikki said.
"I guess," Jenny said, doubtfully.
"Not very confident are you, Cousin?" Patricia asked.
"I've gotten to where I hate wearing dresses. Father knows that. So he
won't push me into wearing one," Jenny said.
"But Nikki's right. It is pretty," Patricia said.
"I'd much rather wear the boy's clothes you gave me.
Grandfather always insisted that I wear a dress, but when you gave me your
clothes and we found out I was just your size, I loved it so much that I never
wanted to wear a dress again," Jenny said.
"I'm glad Uncle Jarrod didn't push you to wear one. I remember when Aunt
Laura wore pants, vest, and shirt to the dinner table once. Uncle Jarrod was
fit to be tied. I heard him later say that she was his wife and a Barkley and
never to dress as a boy again," Patricia said.
:I'll have to remember to ask him why he thought Mother shouldn't wear pants
while I can," Jenny said.
"Let's get out of here first, Jenny,"" Patricia said.
"Okay. I wonder if that woman is bringing food. We need what we can to
survive out there," Jenny said.
Many Birds and the white boy captive came back into the teepee carrying
steaming bowls of food.
Many Birds and the boy laid the food on the floor. The
Indian woman left the teepee. The boy looked at Jenny as she sniffed the
steaming mixture.
"It Indian Mush," the boy said, in his broken English.
"Do you have a name? An English name?" Jenny asked.
"It Lucas Bentworth," he said.
"Lucas. That's a nice name. My name is Jenny. And these are my cousins,
Patricia and Nikki," Jenny said.
Jenny held out her hand to shake his hand. Lucas held his hand up in Indian
salute.
As Jenny ate some of the mush, Lucas talked to her.
"You no want to be Indian, do you?" Lucas asked.
"No. How long have you lived her, Lucas?" Jenny asked.
"Since I was 8," Lucas said.
"Do you want to be an Indian, Lucas?" Jenny asked.
"No. I want to get out as much as you do. But I don't know how,
Jenny," Lucas said, speaking perfect English.
"Your voice just changed!" Jenny exclaimed.
"Yes, I have to speak in broken English so the white men would think I had
forgotten my tongue," Lucas said.
"Lucas, do you want to leave too?" Jenny asked.
"You don't know what the Cheyenne do to runaway captives, do you?"
Lucas asked.
"No. Is it awful?" Jenny asked.
"Yes," he pulled up his long blond hair, showing his neck. On his
neck was a broad burn. It looked as if someone had burned him with a poker.
Jenny touched it tentatively. "Did they do that to you, Lucas?" Jenny
asked.
"Yes. It is not safe to run at times. True, some captives make it. But
those who don't lose a hand or a foot. Me, Jumping Crow just burned my neck to
remind me never to run again," Lucas said.
"I'm sorry, Lucas. I didn't know. Should we try it or stay until my father
and uncles arrive?" Jenny asked.
"I've been wanting to leave. I hope you three have a better plan than I
did," Lucas said.
"Are you kidding? Jenny ran away from her terrible grandparents and they
didn't find her until August!" Patricia said.
"Really? Let's make Jenny the leader then," Lucas said.
The four children sat down and talked through their plans
for escape that night.
******************************************
Sam Buckhart, the Sioux Indian marshal arrived in town later
that afternoon from Virginia City.
The marshal stepped off the train. A man in a linen suit and a cowboy hat
walked up to him.
"Sam Buckhart?" Jarrod Barkley asked.
"Yes. You are Jarrod Barkley?" Sam asked.
"Yes. I'm glad you could come on short notice," Jarrod said.
"My office in Texas wired me as soon as they got your telegram. I was in
Virginia City taking a criminal to stand trial. Now your wire said it was an
emergency that I come. What is the emergency?" Sam asked.
Yesterday my 14-year old daughter Jenny, and my two nieces,
Patricia and Nikki were kidnapped by hostile Indians," Jarrod said.
"Why would these 3 girls be important to the Indians?" Sam asked.
"Patricia and Nikki aren't. But Jenny's different. My Sioux blood brother,
Straight River, told me that my daughter looks like the chief's daughter that
died a year ago," Jarrod said.
"Ill do what I can. I'll leave tomorrow to find her and her cousins,"
Sam said.
My brothers and I are going with you. What time do we start out?" Jarrod
asked.
"I don't know. Last time I took someone to find his son, taken by Sioux
dog soldiers, he nearly lost his head and almost killed the chief," Sam
said.
"I'm not one to usually lose my temper. Heath is pretty quiet and calm
about things. Nick, he loses his temper fairly quick, but Heath and I can talk
him out of it usually," Jarrod said.
"Is it wise to take him along then?" Sam asked.
"Nick would be furious if we didn't take him. The youngest one, Nikki, is
his daughter and Heath, Nick, and I said we'd get our girls back," Jarrod
said.
"What about your wives? If you get killed it will break their
hearts," Sam said.
"Heath and Nick have wives. Olga and Eleanor understand because we had a
family meeting in the parlor," Jarrod said.
"What about you? Don't you have a wife to worry about you?" Sam
asked.
"No. She died 4 years back. That's why Jenny is so important to me. I lost
her once when she was little. I can't lose her again, Buckhart," Jarrod
said.
"All right. I understand. Take me to your house. We will need food and
supplies and horses for the girls," Sam said.
Jarrod and Sam got into the Barkley's rig and drove off. IN the haste of hurrying back neither man noticed Wilse Gordon listening to their conversation.
Wilse Gordon went to the saloon where a group of men, mostly
loudmouth drunks sat laughing.
"What's up, Wilse?" One asked.
"It appears that Counselor Barkley has problems of his own. Some Injuns
stole his daughter and nieces," Wilse said.
"Well that's hardly any of our affair, Wilse," Bert Hadley said.
"We could follow the Barkleys into the wilderness and bushwhack those
redskins," Wilse said,
"What if we accidentally shot one of the Barkley girls?" Bert asked.
"Barkley won't mind. He'd think it was just a redskin that did it,"
Wilse said.
"I ain't shootin' at the Barkley girls. Those children are innocent. I
ain't agreein' to shootin' anythin' that is innocent," Bert said.
Bert left the saloon porch. "Wee, Bert may have a
point. When we get there, don't shoot the Barkley girls," Wilse said.
The drunks and Wilse continued to make plans to bushwhack the Indians.
******************************************
Jarrod, Heath, Nick, and Sam saddled their horses so they
wouldn't have to wait until the next day. Victoria, Audra, Eleanor, and Olga
prepared food for the men and the girls if they found them.
By late afternoon Jarrod sat in his study, a glass of brandy in his hand and
Jenny's picture in his other hand. Last month on his birthday Jarrod hired a
photographer to take two pictures. One was with the family. The other was a
picture of him and Jenny.
Jenny's eyes smiled and laughed, while her mouth frowned. Jarrod felt tears
coming to his eyes as he looked at the picture. His Jenny. His beautiful baby
girl. The day of the picture was a beautiful sunny day. His Jenny wore a
beautiful aqua-blue silk dress, the color of her vivid blue eyes.
"Miss Barkley, I want you to stand next to your father
and put your arm over his shoulder," the photographer instructed.
The picture was taken and Jarrod kept it on his desk. The tears came down,
blurring Jarrod's vision. His baby taken by another man to be raised as his
daughter. Just as Laura's parents had done. Only Laurence Dawson had done it
out of petty revenge and Jumping Crow did it because he had lost a daughter.
Jarrod wiped his eyes with a linen handkerchief and set the picture back on the
desk.
******************************************
The Indian camp was quiet at midnight. Jenny, Patricia, and
Nikki sat up in the teepee. The beads on Jenny's cloth dress twinkled brightly
in the firelight.
Jenny sat up trying to get strands of the leather out of her black hair. Of
course it made it tangled up in knots and nearly all of it got pulled out. Aunt
Eleanor will have to cut it when I get home, Jenny thought.
Of course Jarrod would be so happy and relieved to have her
home that he wouldn't care much about her hair. Anyway it would grow back.
Lucas smacked a pole outside 2 times. Jenny picked up Nikki
and gripped Patricia's hand. Lucas handed Indian blankets to Patricia. Patricia
wrapped one around her shoulders and helped her cousin fasten her blanket under
her chin.
"Jenny?" Nikki asked.
"Yes Nikki?" Jenny asked.
"I want my mama," Nikki whimpered.
"I know Nikki. but now we have to be quiet. Tomorrow you'll be back at
your mama's Now just go to sleep and don't worry," Jenny said.
"Okay," Nikki said. Nikki laid her head against Jenny's shoulder and
fell asleep.
Jenny followed Lucas and Patricia to the steep embankments
of the box canyon. The embankment was slow and difficult for Jenny. Carrying
Nikki made it more difficult, since each time she tripped on a rock she had to
be careful not to drop the 3-year old.
Once they reached level ground Patricia and Jenny sat down and ate some beans.
Jenny handed a piece of beef jerky to Nikki when she woke up.
"Jenny, where are we?" Nikki asked.
"out of the box canyon, Nikki," Jenny said.
"We're going to have to swim a lake," Lucas said.
"Lucas, Nikki can't swim," Patricia said, worriedly.
"Don't worry, Patricia. I'll carry her across the water," Jenny said.
"Can you swim, Jenny?" Patricia asked.
"A little. If the lake is not deep or cold," Jenny said.
"The lake's not too deep and it may be a little
cold," Lucas said.
Lucas and the girls stood after a few minutes of rest. Jenny put Nikki down and
held her hand as they tramped through the undergrowth. Countless times branches
struck the girls in the faces or their dresses stuck to brambles and thorns.
When daybreak came Lucas found an empty mineshaft and the foursome went inside
to rest and eat the serviceberries Lucas picked.
Jarrod, Sam, Heath, and Nick rode out at that same moment.
The wind was chilling. It was colder than usual for October. Jarrod turned up
the neck of his coat and tried not to think of the cold winds. He was not very
successful.
Jenny was out in this cold. When he got his baby girl back, he wouldn't be
surprised if she was sick with pneumonia. The idea of her being ill made him
worry. He knew that Victoria would take good care of her if he came home with
her ill.
Heath and Nick looked at their brother. He was quiet as he dealt with this
pain. Too often Nick had teased his older brother about being a lawyer and
living a soft life. This morning though, the pain in Jarrod's eyes was
heartbreaking to Nick.
When Nick had married Eleanor and had Nikki, he realized everything his own
father went through as a father and what Jenny and Patricia's love had meant to
Jarrod and Heath.
Before Jenny had disappeared her bouncy, breezy spirit made
life interesting. No wonder Jarrod was so upset when Jenny came back that she
didn't want to talk to him or smile and laugh like she used to. It's like the
carefree spirits in Jenny Barkley had died when the Dawsons took her.
Now that Jenny was back and Jarrod was happy being a father again, Nick didn't
want life the way it was before Jenny came back. Every time Jenny called Jarrod
"Father," Jarrod's blue eyes glowed with happiness.
It was different than when she first came. When she first came she called him
"Jarrod" or "Mr. Barkley." Now she never called him that.
She called him "Father," said she loved him, and was slowly coming
out of her shell. The child could be quite different when she smiled or laughed.
Her face shone like an angel's and Jarrod said often that her happiness was
infectious and it made him remember her at three.
Sam stopped his horse and dismounted. He traced a hoof print with his gloved
hand. "What is it, Sam?" Heath asked.
"Horses headed west of Stockton," Sam said.
"Can we follow them, Sam?" Jarrod asked.
"Probably. The trail may be cold though," Sam said.
"If this trail would find our girls then it is of little consequence if it
is cold, Sam," Jarrod said.
Jarrod's blue eyes took on a look of hard, cold determination. The last time
Nick saw this look was the day Jenny was kidnapped at three years old. Before
that was 1 year before Jenny was born. A year before Jarrod had met and married
Laura, he married a woman named Beth. When Beth was murdered by a man named
Cass Hyatt, Jarrod let hatred and bitterness grab hold of him. Nick winced
slightly as he remembered the punch Jarrod had dished out to him in the gut. If
it wasn't for Nick and Heath Jarrod would have killed Hyatt.
The men pushed their horses harder in an almost desperate attempt to find their
missing children.
*****************************************
Jenny woke up a few hours later to the sound of wind blowing
in the branches of a bare tree. Patricia and Nikki were sound asleep and Lucas
leaned against a post, his blond hair falling over his face.
Jenny stood up, her aching arms and legs nearly screaming in pain as she stood.
Jenny went to the opening of the mine and peered out. A group of Indians were
in the distance. They looked like Paiute. Jenny rushed over to Lucas and hit
his face gently.
"Lucas! Lucas, wake up!" Jenny whispered violently.
Lucas groaned and woke up, rubbing his eyes with his hands. "Jenny, what's
wrong?" Lucas asked.
"Indians!! I saw them from the mine entrance," Jenny said.
Lucas stood up and went to the entrance. Jenny shook her
cousins awake and picked up Nikki. The three girls ran down the mine shaft in
stark terror. Lucas followed them. The mine emptied out into a lake. Lucas
stuck his foot in. The water was a little deep, but they could swim it.
Jenny put Nikki up on her shoulder and waded into the water. The water went up
to her shoulders and caused her black hair to float. The shore was not far from
the mine. Patricia grabbed Nikki off Jenny's shoulder, then Patricia and Lucas
grabbed Jenny's hands and helped her out of the lake.
The foursome trudged through the woods at the edge of the lake. The going was
uphill as they walked. 'We're headed for the high country," Lucas said.
"The high country? We have holdings in the high country. A lumber
camp," Patricia said.
"Patricia, do you think that you can find it for us?" Jenny asked,
shivering with cold.
"I'm sure I can. Papa's taken me up there several times. The owners, Matt
and Lucinda Bentell, can get word to our family," Patricia said.
Now that a place was decided on, the four tried to hurry to
reach the Barkley logging camp. The only problem was that Jenny's constitution
was weakening. The next morning she was couching hard and her lips were pale
blue with cold.
******************************************
The Barkley logging camp was slowly coming to life as Lucas
and the girls entered the camp. Because of Jenny's inability to carry Nikki,
Patricia took over. It took all Jenny's willpower not to fall down in fatigue.
Unfortunately with her cough came sneezes.
The camp grew deathly quiet as the four children in Indian apparel entered the
camp. Through the haze of her fever, Jenny saw a man come close to them.
"Patricia Barkley, what are you doing up here and in those clothes?
Where's heath, Jarrod, and Nick?" Matt Bentell asked.
"Jenny, Nikki, and myself were taken by Indians and this boy tried to help
us escape. I don't know where Papa, Uncle Nick, and Uncle Jarrod are,"
Patricia said.
Jenny's glassy feverish eyes looked at the man's face. He looked at Nikki, then Jenny, then Patricia. Jenny felt a little dizzy and collapsed on the hard dirt ground. Her eyes closed and the last thing she remembered was Lucinda Bentell smoothing her tangled black hair and feverish forehead as she fell into a blessed, dreamless sleep.
Jenny woke up two hours later. She looked down at the lacy
white nightgown she wore. The Indian clothes she wore were drying in front of
the fireplace in the room. Jenny shivered slightly and sweat poured off her
face. Jenny knew she was ill, but she now felt safe and warm and oh so tired!
She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
******************************************
Jarrod, Nick, Heath, and Sam had already found the box
canyon. It didn't take long for them to find the tracks the girls had made.
Since the men were riding horses instead of walking like the girls, it took a
shorter time to cover the distances the girls had covered.
The woods grew denser and thicker as the men went through it. Jarrod looked at
his surroundings as he rode past. "Whoah!" He stopped his horse
abruptly.
"What is it, Jarrod?" Nick asked.
"Do any of you know where we are?" Jarrod asked.
Heath looked around at the woods. "We're in the high country, aren't
we?" Heath asked.
"Do you think the girls would go that far?" Sam
asked.
"Patricia knows her way through the high country. I've taken her up there
many times to check on our logging camp," Heath said.
"Would they make it there, Little Brother?" Nick asked.
"Of course they would. The Bentells would tell us if the girls are
there," Heath said.
The Barkleys and Sam made their way to the camp hoping Matt and Lucinda had
seen the girls
Jenny felt a little bit better the next morning. Lucinda
brought a cup of meat broth into Jenny's bedroom. The older lady held the cup
to Jenny's mouth. The broth burned her throat as it went down, but it gave a
comforting feeling to her nervous stomach.
"Thank You, Ma'am," Jenny croaked, as her throat was sore. The pain
in her throat was almost unbearable. And it was worse when she talked.
Lucinda smiled at her warmly and touched her sweat-drenched black hair. Jenny
gave a faint smile as she fell asleep.
Lucinda took the empty soup cup out to the kitchen to wash it. Matt, Patricia,
Nikki, and Lucas sat at the oak table in the front room.
"How's Jenny, Lucinda?" Patricia asked.
"Very ill. She tried to thank me for the broth and her voice was cracking
as she talked," Lucinda said.
'Who is she anyway?" Matt asked.
"She's Aunt Laura and Uncle Jarrod's little girl," Patricia said.
"The one that disappeared 12 years ago?" Matt asked.
"Yeah. She just came back to our family 7 months ago," Patricia said.
"Your Uncle Jarrod must be happy to have her back," Lucinda said.
"Oh he is. But my papa says that Uncle Jarrod worries to much and is
overly protective of her. I'd hat to think what'll happen when she's ready to
date or get married," Patricia said.
Timothy Adamson, the logging foreman, rushed into the cabin hurriedly.
"Mr. Bentell, the Barkleys are here!" Adamson exclaimed.
Patricia picked up her deerskin skirt and ran outside, Nikki following.
"Papa!" They both screamed at once.
******************************************
The four men looked up as the two children in Indian clothes
ran to them. Patricia and Nikki flung themselves into Heath and Nick's arms.
"Are you two all right?" Heath and Nick asked at the same time.
"We're fine, Papa," Patricia and Nikki said.
Nick hugged his daughter and kissed her small face. "Papa, I was scared.
An' that mean ol' man hit Jenny," Nikki said.
Jarrod looked at his brothers in shock. "What is she talking about,
Patricia?" Jarrod asked.
"Chief Jumping Crow slapped Jenny when she said she didn't want to be an
Indian. He split her lips," Patricia said.
"Where is Jenny anyway?" Jarrod asked.
"Inside asleep, Uncle Jarrod. We had to wade in the
lake to get away and the cold water and the cold winds made it worse. Jenny
started to couch and sneeze. She's very ill, Uncle Jarrod," Patricia said.
"May I go see her, Bentell?" Jarrod asked.
"Of course. Lucinda's been taking care of her very well. You know she was
a nurse during the Civil War, before I was assigned to Carterson," Matt
said.
Jarrod rushed inside the cabin. Lucinda was preparing some tea and honey mixed
with onion. Lucinda looked up from her tasks and saw the handsome, dignified
lawyer standing there.
"Jarrod, how nice to see you!" Lucinda exclaimed.
"How is my little girl? Patricia said that Jenny is ill. But how bad is
it?" Jarrod asked.
"Jarrod, she's very ill. She has mostly been asleep and
her fever has gone down a little," Lucinda said.
"May I go see her?" Jarrod asked.
"Of course. But I warn you Jarrod, the child is asleep. She may not wake
up right now and if she does she may not be able to talk to you. Her throat is
sore and it is a struggle for her to talk," Lucinda said.
Jarrod nodded his head and went into the bedroom where Jenny lay sleeping.
Jarrod leaned over and kissed Jenny's forehead as she lay
sleeping. Jarrod sat in the chair next to her bed. He picked up her cold,
clammy hand and pressed his lips against it.
Jenny woke up and looked at her father. Her eyes watered up and she smiled.
Jarrod was crying like she was doing. How she knew this was because Jarrod's
face was buried in her hand and his tears fell on it like rain.
Jenny squeezed her father's hand and pulled it to her cold lips. Jarrod opened
his eyes in surprise. "Jenny!" Jarrod exclaimed.
"Father, I knew you'd come," Jenny said hoarsely.
"Of course I would come, Baby. You're my daughter and I love you,"
Jarrod said, smoothing her wet black hair out of her bright blue eyes.
"I love you too, Father," Jenny said, her voice nearly giving out.
"Jenny, try not to talk. When you get better we'll go home and we can go
on a picnic to anywhere you wish," Jarrod said warmly.
"Yes Father," Jenny said.
Jenny closed her eyes and fell asleep with Jarrod's soft hand on her forehead.
The cold didn't last long. The nights passed with very
little sleep. Jarrod sat up holding Jenny's hand and praying. On the morning of
the 4th day, the fever broke.
Jarrod spent the days also talking to Patricia and Lucas. After Jarrod, Heath,
and Nick came to realize that Lucas had no choice in the girls' kidnapping,
they saw him as a friend.
"Counselor Barkley, I am sorry for what Jumping Crow did to Jenny and
you," Lucas said in a calm, quiet voice on the morning of the 4th day.
"I know, Boy. It was not your fault. You got my girl out of there and I'm
grateful," Jarrod said.
"I had to. She's not cut out to be an Indian. And I knew that she said she
didn't want it," Lucas said.
"Lucas, do you like Jenny?" Jarrod asked.
Lucas went speechless and blushed a deep red at Jarrod's question.
"I-uh. I-uh. Of course I like her. She's pretty and
nice. Really beautiful. But Counselor, I'm just a poor kid. I can't support a
wife or family," Lucas said.
"I didn't say if you wanted her for a wife!" Jarrod yelled in shock.
"Would you like a job at our family ranch, provided you get new clothes
and a haircut?" Nick asked.
"I don't know anything about ranching!" Lucas protested.
"It's not a difficult job. You'll learn, Boy," Nick said.
"I don't know. I showed Jenny a burn on my neck that Jumping Crow gave
me," Lucas said, doubtfully.
"Where is that a problem?" Heath asked.
"If I cut my hair, people will notice the burn and ask how I got it,"
Lucas said.
"We can tell the ranch hands to not bother you about
it," Jarrod said.
Lucinda rushed out before Lucas could say anything. "Jarrod, Jenny's fever
has just broken!" Lucinda exclaimed.
Jarrod rushed into Jenny's room and touched Jenny's forehead. It was cooler
than when Jarrod first arrived at the lumber camp. Jarrod kissed her forehead
and cried. Jarrod picked up Jenny's hand and kissed it. The relief he felt that
she was all right and was not going to die, washed over him. Every time he
looked at her he felt the joy of fatherhood that his own father had felt. Jenny
would stay with his family for a long time. The only regret was that Laura
couldn't see her daughter. When they got home, he'd take Jenny to see her
mother's grave.
Jenny took a few shaky steps outside in the cool October
air. Since the only clothes she had was the Indian dress, she wore it. But not
without a small measurement of disdain. The dress was beautiful, but totally
foreign. She'd rather wear pants, shirt and a vest, but since the dress was the
only thing she had she didn't complain.
Jarrod was outside with her. He vowed he would be there for her in case she
fell. It was not easy to watch her halting steps. Each time she took a step,
Jarrod felt as if his heart skipped a beat.
He hadn't felt like this since Jenny started walking at 1 years old. When Jenny
was that age Jarrod felt as if watching his toddler walk was too much for his
heart. Each time he watched her walk he had to control himself from scooping
her up and letting her drool on his linen suits.
Jarrod watched her sit on a stump in the faint sunlight. The sunlight bathed
her pale face in golden light. Jarrod smiled at his daughter. She looked happy,
but melancholy too.
Jarrod felt tears come to his eyes. All those years that he
missed with her. He missed every birthday for 12 years; missed his daughter
hugging him when he came home or kissing his cheek as when she was little. Most
of all he missed the lost years, never to come back.
Jenny would never be 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, or 13 ever again, but the rest of
her teenage and adult years he wouldn't miss for anything. Jenny's 15th
birthday was in 3 weeks. Jarrod decided then that Jenny would have the best
birthday in Stockton. One fit for his princess.
"Soon, my little one you'll have the best party in Stockton. With the best
presents, decorations and refreshments I can give with the best money can
buy," Jarrod said.
Jenny stood up and came back to the house since the air had gotten colder.
Jenny's strength came back quickly. Her steps were less
faulty and shaky. When it was time to leave, her color was back and she was
able to ride Chestnut down to the ranch, despite Jarrod's nervousness at her
riding so soon after her illness. If she fell she'd get seriously hurt and all
he wanted was to get her safe and sound and in one piece.
It was late afternoon when the horses pulled into the Barkley ranch. Olga,
Eleanor, Victoria, and Audra came rushing outside Eleanor and Olga cried as
they took Patricia and Nikki in their arms.
The only one not happy was Jenny. The hugs and kisses from her aunts to her
cousins were painful. All it did was remind her how she didn't have a mother to
hug and kiss her like that.
It really wasn't fair. Thanks to her grandparents she lost her mother. She
loved Jarrod more than anything, but sometimes a father-daughter relationship
wasn't enough.
Jarrod looked over at his daughter. Her vibrant blue eyes
were watching the happy reunion between her aunts and cousins. Jarrod could see
the painful longing in her eyes. Jarrod guessed what she was longing for. It
was times like this that he missed Laura too.
Jarrod touched his daughter's shoulder. Jenny looked up at him, unshed tear in
her blue eyes.
"Jenny, are you all right?" Jarrod asked.
"No. I don't have a mother and watching my aunts and cousins hurt,"
Jenny said in a broken voice.
Jarrod's hunch was right! Many countless times he had felt like that himself
after her kidnapping and Laura's death.
"I used to feel that way too. Every time your uncles would kiss your aunts
or be with their children I would miss both you and your mother so much,"
Jarrod said.
"How do you deal with it?" Jenny asked.
"When you came back, I didn't have to miss you so much.
And in regards to your mother, part of her is in you. So your mother's not
really dead, as long as I have you and I remember her," Jarrod said.
"But I don't remember her except for little bits and pieces," Jenny
said.
"Don't forget the pictures I gave you," Jarrod reminded.
Victoria looked at her oldest son's daughter and hobbled over to her on her
cane. "Jenny, your mother was beautiful like you and she cared for you and
your father very much," Victoria said.
"Did you meet her in Boston, Father?" Jenny asked.
"No. I met her when she came out here with your Aunt Olga on a wagon
train. Your mother was a mail-order bride and I was very much against the business
of that nature," Jarrod said.
"If you were against it, why did you marry Aunt Laura, Uncle Jarrod?"
Patricia asked.
"The man who ran the business was cruel to the women
and I saw him hit your aunt. So your father and myself spoke up and said we'd
marry your aunt and mother," Jarrod said.
"Father, that's romantic," Jenny said.
"I suppose it was. Jenny I was planning tomorrow, if you'd like it, to go
see your mother's grave. It is on this property," Jarrod said.
"I'd like that. I've been here for nearly 8 months and I haven't see it
yet," Jenny said.
The Barkley family went into the house to celebrate having the girls home.
The End