A/N: This is a story I wrote several years ago. My OC is an Irish girl. I have done my best to research the country and its history and incorporate it here. Any errors are mine and I apologize to my Irish friends if it is not accurate. Please let me know if it offends your national pride. I have a deep affinity for Ireland and hope to see her shores one day.
AOE01
Chapter One
She bent low in the saddle watching the house. Seen from the entrance gate, the house was imposing. A short drive led to the structure. It was a large, white house with tall columns and a wide front porch. The house towered over two stories and was majestic when compared to most of the town of Stockton, California. If you walked around to the back, you would see the barn and corral area. It was neat and well cared for. There was also a beautiful rose garden that gave the occupants much joy. The ranch was very large and spoke of vast wealth, high status, and great success.
The sudden, fierce storm was getting steadily worse. She ignored the driving rain, the stiff wind, and the bitter cold; she'd experienced them before. She concentrated all her senses on what lay before her. The house was ablaze with light. To many people, it would be a welcome respite on this cold, stormy night. She sat deep in the shadows under the canopy of dense trees, watching, looking for signs of her enemy. She shrank in the saddle to be as inconspicuous as possible.
The foreboding feelings she had been feeling for the last few days were getting stronger. She had been watching the house and its occupants for weeks and was now certain that she had not been followed or detected. She was almost discovered by the younger one, the one they call Heath. She still couldn't believe he had tracked her at all. He was good, but not as good as she was. She managed to elude him; but it was close, too close. He earned her respect that day.
She hated having to spy on seemingly good people, but she couldn't be too careful…too many lives would be at risk if she was wrong. She saw what they had done for her family. They took in her sister, brother-in-law, and their children. Children haunted by war. Jack now worked on their ranch aiding the foreman and was in his element as second in command. They had no idea the experience he had in that regard. The children looked happy and more carefree than she had ever seen them. Oh, how she missed her nieces. She hoped to be reunited with them soon. Kathleen! She had sensed a growing darkness surrounding her. She knew that her sister needed her NOW.
She took a deep breath and prayed with all her being she had read things right; that there was no danger here. She knew in her heart even if she sensed great danger here, she would risk it. Her sister was in need and she would move heaven and earth to help her. And yet, there was a peace that came over her here and it comforted her as it unsettled her. Silently she urged the great stallion forward and dismounted in front of the house. Quietly she spoke to the horse, "Now, Brady, you behave now and don't be destroyin' the yard. I'll be back soon…be ready. Now, go quietly." As her horse moved off quietly to await his master she mounted the steps quickly and knocked on the door.
She heard steps and the door opened. She was greeted by a tall, dark haired man. He seemed more elegant than the two she had watched. For a moment she was uneasy. Maybe there were more people here than she had counted on. His voice broke through her confusion, "May I help you, miss?" She looked at him and knew without a doubt that she could trust him. She trusted her instincts and this one was strong; it was safe here. She finally spoke, "I am looking for Kathleen Ryan."
Jarrod Barkley looked at the apparition before him. A young woman dressed in a heavy woolen uniform stood before him. It reminded him of his years in the war, though the uniform was unfamiliar. He noted the horse outside and thought if only Nick could see that fine animal! He could also see she was soaked to the skin and cold. No matter what her circumstances were, Jarrod couldn't turn her away in this weather. He simply said, "She's here, won't you come in." As she passed him he made a mental note to check up on this woman.
As she entered the house, she unconsciously moved her hand towards her weapon in case she needed to defend herself. She looked around at her surroundings. She was in a large foyer. There was a round table in front of her with a floral arrangement on it. There was a wide curved staircase off to the right. Farther to her right was an entrance way that seemed to lead to another part of the house. To her left was a parlor. Through the doorway she could see a massive fireplace with a blazing fire warding off the chill of the night. There were many seats and a piano. The room was empty. With a practiced eye she absorbed it, in a matter of seconds. She liked what she saw and relaxed her stance.
A grand lady entered the foyer. She was an older woman, slight in stature with silver hair and bright intelligent blue eyes. Their visitor watched her appraisingly. This woman, she could tell, is a dragon lady. She appears soft and feminine on the outside, but has an interior of solid steel, though she sensed a kindness in her.
The man spoke, "Mother, this young woman is looking for Kathleen." The lady replied, "I see. May I ask who you are? I don't remember having seen you before." Their visitor was uncertain how to reply. The truth was only for those who had earned her absolute trust. The lady seemed to understand that she was being evaluated. She liked what she saw in the young woman standing before her. Her heart went out to the mysterious young woman. "My name is Victoria Barkley and this is my son, Jarrod. Kathleen is here but is in no shape to receive visitors. I am sorry." The young woman suddenly felt the cold hand of fear grip her heart, permeating her soul. Her head snapped up and she looked this formidable woman straight in the eye, "What has happened? Where is my sister?"
"Your sister!?" both Barkleys said in surprise. They were under the impression that Kathleen had no family other than her husband and children. Their surprise was short lived when the woman standing before them suddenly spoke harshly and with authority, "Take me to her. Now!" The two Barkley's looked at each other and having come to a wordless agreement; Victoria said simply, "Of course, may I take your coat and hat?" The woman seemed to soften her demeanor slightly and handed her the hat. "Now, where is Kathleen?" Jarrod replied, "Follow me, Miss," as he led her to the billiard room.
She followed him to the threshold of the room and stopped, placing her hand on his arm to stop him. She put a finger to her lips and took in the scene before her. She had not lived as long as she had without taking precautions. She always looked to see the lay of the land before jumping ahead. Jarrod, realizing what she was doing, was surprised and confused. He was used to putting people at ease in his home, though, so he just watched and waited. He was curious as to how she would handle the scene before her.
The room was large and had many French doors. It was a paneled room, masculine in appearance. There were many paths of exit, but just as many entrances and also many windows; if she was followed...She noticed another massive fireplace with a warm fire blazing against the cold of the night. There were several men standing around a table studying papers and in serious discussion. Across the room, a young, blonde woman was sitting on a red velvet settee next to Kathleen trying to comfort her but Kathleen was staring into space lost in her own thoughts. Kathleen's husband, Jack, was with the men. He looked anxious and exhausted. Kathleen appeared to have shut down. What has happened here? The air was full of tension, worry, and fear.
Quietly she took a few steps into the room. Everyone was so preoccupied they didn't notice her entrance. Not wanting to startle her sister, she said very softly, "Kathleen?" At the sound of her voice, Kathleen suddenly came to life and looked up in wonder. She stood and ran into the waiting arms, sobbing. As she took her sister in her arms, Rhianna O'Brien knew she had come home and that she was desperately needed.