do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters.

I liked the Audra/Brigham combination, so I kept him in here.

Also, Thanks to my Beta Reader, Martha, who has been a HUGE help in the navigational and scenery part of this story.

Against the Crooked Sky

Chapter One

Jarrod stood in the corner of the living room watching Nick dance with his bride, one Amelia Barnhurst from Carson City, Nevada. The blue eyed brunette had moved to Stockton with her family the year before and quickly caught Nick's eye, what with her genuine love of horses and ranches. Audra and Brigham were visiting with some of the guests. Audra's very swollen stomach had everyone quite excited. In fact, there had been more than one person afraid they'd have a baby born at the same time as the wedding. Just that thought made Jarrod chuckle; Audra would not have like that. She so disliked missing a good party, even if she though noon a strange time of day to hold reception. She preferred evening parties.

Heath walked up and handed Jarrod a drink. He could tell something was bothering his brother, and that worried him. After all the excitement of the wedding, and the impending birth of Audra and Brigham's baby, Heath hated the idea something was amiss. Then again, things had been going quite smoothly for some time. Maybe, whether or not they liked it, life was getting ready to hand them another challenge. "You should join in the festivities," Heath said as he handed his brother a drink.

Jarrod wanted to; after all, he loved the fact that Nick had finally found a good, real good woman to be with. He loved the party, but mentally he turned the letter that was in his pocket over and over, reading every line. "Don't worry," Jarrod took the drink and forced a smile upon his face, "I'm enjoying myself right here. Observing people is always interesting."

Heath's one eyebrow went up. Something was up; he just knew it. He would have cornered Jarrod on it, but just then Audra let out a holler and grabbed her abdomen. Brigham flew to her side, as did her mother. "Well," Audra said as she looked apologetically at the new bride, "at least the baby waited until after the wedding?" If it weren't for the fact that Brigham and Victoria were leading her to the stairs, Audra would have seen Amelia beaming from ear to ear. Everyone was either smiling or talking excitedly. "This is so exciting" could be heard repeated more than once.

"Looks like you need this more than I do," Jarrod chuckled and handed Brigham the drink in his hand. His brother in law did, too; he looked more scared than a jackrabbit being chased by a hunting dog.

"I might," Brigham took the glass from his brother in law, "Depends on what's bothering you. Are you well?" He spoke low as Jarrod was still in the corner of the room and everyone else was talking in the middle, or at front of the room. It did not pass by Brigham that his words had hit a bit too close for Jarrod's comfort.

"Don't worry about me. My health couldn't be better." Jarrod didn't have to fake a smile for that one; Dr. Merar had just given him a clean bill of health that morning. He hoped his brother in law wouldn't press the issue; he didn't, as his mind was too much on his wife and the baby that had decided to crash the party. Brigham guessed the little tyke didn't care to be left out.

By the time they heard a baby cry all the guests had gone home and hours had passed. Victoria appeared at the top of the stairs, all talk between the men instantly stopped. Brigham made his way to his mother in law, who was now at the bottom of the stairs, his anxiety shown in his anxious filled eyes. "Well, how is she? How's the baby?"

Victoria's face was beaming and her eyes sparkled as she answered, "Audra is fine and so is your son." Hollers and joyous congratulations rang out in the air. Brigham ran up the stairs before anyone could stop him.

Nick wrapped his arm around his bride. "Well, mother how does it feel? A daughter in law and a grandson in the same day."

He, and the rest of the family, busted up laughing as she answered, "Great, just glad it wasn't the bride giving me the grandchild!" That statement only served to embarrass Nick as he realized just how he'd made it sound. He and Amelia then excused himself. Victoria, finally able to get her mind off all the business on hand, realized how quiet Jarrod had been.

"Heath and Gene," Victoria said as she looked towards the window, "There's still some light left; how about taking all these extra chairs out to the shed?" Neither Heath nor Gene were blind, they knew when their mother was really asking to be left alone with someone.

"Sure thing, mother," Gene grabbed some chairs, as did Heath. The moment the door was shut Victoria turned to face her oldest. He'd sat down in the chair closest to the fireplace and was staring into space. She walked over and looked at him for a while, before she spoke.

"Out with it. What's wrong?" She didn't like secrets, especially ones that appeared to be troubling ones, and Jarrod was troubled.

He gave her a smile and chuckled. He wasn't doing so well at hiding his feelings from anyone, maybe it was the wedding and now the birth of a nephew. Still, he wasn't about to say anything to worry his mother. He'd tell her just enough to satisfy her. "I found out just this morning that I have to leave tonight," he finally answered, "I've been asked to meet with a Bryson Tate and a James Brandon; they work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It might take awhile; I could be gone up to eight weeks."

Victoria shook her head. She didn't know why he needed to be gone that long, but she wasn't going to tell her son how to do his work. Though, she didn't feel it was right the way the Indians were being treated, but what could she do except be friendly and helpful to the few she'd met? "You didn't say anything because you didn't want to ruin Nick and Amelia's day."

Jarrod smiled, "I told Nick. I had to; after all, I couldn't expect him to put off his wedding night now could I? But no, I didn't want anyone else's mind on the matter during the wedding." He stood up. "I'll be home in a couple of months. I'll make sure I say goodbye. See you when I get home, lovely lady." He turned and headed for the stairs. He'd say goodbye to his sister first.