Their Secret

It was late, far too late to be out riding. Common sense said she should be in bed. However, with the youngest Barkley, who had boarded a ship headed for Europe months ago, now presumed drowned at sea, her common sense was once again being ignored. She was too full of pain and sorrow to listen or to relax. No, all she could do was ride.

Everything had been going so well. As far as anyone could see each and every one of the Barkleys had nothing to worry about. Why did Gene have to board that ship? Unless a miracle she would never see his eyes sparkle when he laughed, hear his voice as he talked about all the new things he'd learned or watch him prove Nick and the others wrong…like he did when he brought the man from college to save the cattle.

As she rode along the moonlit path, she remembered another hurtful event that had left the family bereft of a family member. The day Tom Barkley was killed by the railroad's hired gun. That day had hurt worse than anything Victoria knew at the time. Never having lost a child, she didn't know the pain could get worse. Everyone had called her strong as she continued caring for her two youngest children and helping her older ones when needed…though at Nick and Jarrod's ages, there had been little to do but be there for them. Everyone said…..but what everyone said had only been true to a point.

As time passed by, as her grief began to subside, the nights grew longer and lonelier. It was then that the nights rides began. At first, they were innocent enough…a way to rid herself of the tension that would build up to the point of having to do something, anything, to get rid of it. Then it happened….she'd bumped into him, a dear and close friend.

He wasn't supposed to be out riding either. At least, she hadn't thought to meet up with him. As a friend, he was concerned and asked what was wrong. A portion of her said to tell him she just couldn't sleep, the rest of her broke down crying as she admitted to what was really going on. He'd held her and listened, nothing else. He'd told her he was there for her anytime if she needed an ear, even suggested they meet once a week just to talk. So, their secret meetings began and they talked.

Talking, that's all it had been at first, but then, one night, very unplanned, they'd wound up kissing…and one thing led to another. If her family had known they'd have been appalled, and they knew it. So, they kept their meetings secret. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they did more than that. Then, slowly, as she truly got her feet back on the ground, the meetings stopped. Though, he told her if she ever needed him again, all she had to do was tell him...that the relationship they'd had would be their secret. And they remained friends.

Now, she sighed, right or wrong, she needed his strength once more. Would they just talk or would there be more? She didn't know and she didn't care. So, she'd left a cryptic note for him in town that day and now, she was riding. Hoping he'd meant what he'd said,

Then, as she turned the bend, she met him. Nothing was said as he pulled his horse up alongside her and began riding with her. Nothing was said until they were in 'their spot'. He dismounted; she dismounted.

"It's been a long time Victoria."

"Too long, Fred."