I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Barkley characters.

Hold on Tight (Part Two of "Against the Crooked Sky")

Prologue

Knowing there was nothing he could do for the men Jarrod turned his attention to Gentle Wind. He couldn't help but wonder what the future held for the two of them. Without half thinking, Jarrod reached out and laid his hand upon hers. Gentle Wind looked down and then over. "Do you really realize what you're getting into?" Running Wolf's words as he spoke to her in their native tongue rang in her ears, "Not all white men are like Jarrod and his brothers. It will be hard, and I mean hard!" She turned her hand upwards, twisted her fingers around Jarrod's and went back to looking ahead. For better or worse, she wasn't turning back.

Chapter One

The wind, which had been just a soft breeze, was picking up its speed. Gentle Wind, now called Sarah, stood at the edge of the camp Jarrod and his brothers had set up and watched the sun rise. It was her favorite time of day what with the way the sun lit up the sky. It was as if it was telling the earth, and everyone on it, it was time to get up and do something. She looked down at the dress she now wore. It was a simple earth green dress; Jarrod had promised he'd buy her something 'fit for a queen' once they got back to Stockton.

Stockton. As she thought on the town Jarrod had described to her, Sarah found her heart racing. Who would accept her? Who wouldn't? Would anyone try to hurt either one of them? After all, it was only her name that had changed. These were just a few of the questions that raced through her mind. How could she not help but wonder? Hadn't there been those in her village who had said unkind things to the two of them? Hadn't there been those who had tried to hurt her or Jarrod, and would have had it not been for Running Wolf, Cochise and others? Hadn't there already been whites who had shown their feelings towards her? Her mind turned back to Hawthorne.

Paul had left them the moment they reached Hawthorne; she, Jarrod and his brothers had headed for a nearby store. "You need another dress," Jarrod had explained. When she'd looked confused and tried to argue saying there was nothing wrong with the one she had on he'd simply smiled and asked what had been wrong with the pants he wore into the village. She'd broken out in a grin and started laughing, and then agreed to wear anything he chose. After all, many Apaches were already wearing the clothes of the white man anyway.

"We don't serve squaws!" the owner of the store had blurted out the moment she walked in only to find Nick's hands on the counter and an icy glare being shot his way.

"That's my sister-in-law you're talking about! I'd watch your mouth if I were you!" She had found herself extremely happy that it was Nick who confronted the man. It told her the man had indeed come around and would do what he could to support his brother and herself, though she was sure an all out war was about to break out, until Jarrod stepped in.

She and he had already talked about a few things, one of them being the fact that she really needed another name to go by. That is, one that she could use while out in public. She thought it was stupid, but for the sake of her husband had agreed. The two had located the local priest, discussed it with him, and then he'd suggested the name of Sarah. The two of them had then chosen a last name for her and the priest had married them. That being the case, Jarrod spoke up, "My wife's name is Sarah, and she needs a dress." His tone was flat and unmoving.

"Your wife…" the owner had started to say something, but his wife stepped out of the back room. Thank goodness, she was far more polite than her husband had been. Soon the woman and she had found a dress that looked quite good on her. Jarrod had paid for it and the undergarments that went with it.

The hotel clerk had felt the same way as the storeowner, but could do nothing as the owner had been in the lobby, unseen, as they entered. When they had been told to leave, the owner had revealed himself, gave what was apparently the man his last warning. Jarrod and his brothers had hidden their grins until they had the two rooms they needed and were out of the clerk's sight.

"This crazy!" Sarah was trying to figure out how to put everything on. "Why I not wear one dress? Why put on other things?" She'd asked as Jarrod had helped her with the corset.

Jarrod sighed. He knew Heath was right when he said neither he nor his wife really knew what they were asking for and that wearing the things he'd bought for her was going to be the least of her adjustments…and who knew what he'd be dealing with. He turned took a hold of her shoulders and turned her around. She was just as beautiful as the first day he'd met her, even if he hadn't known he was going to meet her later and fall in love.

He took her face in his hands and smiled. "We're not in your village anymore. Remember, I did warn you about things like this, right?" She gave a start knowing full well he had a point, but before she could get a word out he was holding her as close to him as he could and was kissing her for all he was worth. Sarah had wrapped her arms around his neck and not fought him as his mouth continued to roam and removed the articles of clothing he'd just helped her put on.

She jerked slightly as Jarrod surprised her when he walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her backwards. "Are you okay?" He kissed the side of her temple. She had acted very much the part of a lady around the storeowner and the hotel clerk, but he'd seen past the look of dignity she'd maintained and saw the pain. Maybe, just maybe, that's why he'd had such a strong need to lie with her in the hotel room.

"I with you," She turned around in his arms and laid her head against his chest, "With you, I fine." He tightened his hold on her. "….hardships they face." Jarrod's own words came back to him as he ran his free hand from the top of her head and down the back of it.

From where Nick and Heath sat they could see Jarrod and their new sister-in-law. "You know, Hawthorne may look like heaven when we get back to Stockton," Nick looked at his younger brother, "I don't mean mother, Audra, Gene, or Amelia either. I'm sure it will be a shock when they get the letter Jarrod sent to them, but they'll adjust to it."

"You're talking about his law practice aren't you?" Heath didn't really ask the question because he needed an answer. He was really just making an observation.

Nick shrugged his shoulders. "That's part of it. He's bound to lose clients because of this. She may be going by a white name while out in public, but she's still Apache. There are a lot of people who won't like that, especially those back in Washington." It was another reason he'd reacted so violently when he first learned of the marriage. He was afraid it would mean that sooner or later Jarrod would have to find someplace else to practice law, if he even could. That idea upset him a great deal as Jarrod was one of the best attorneys in California.

Heath kept his eyes on the fire and shrugged his shoulders. "Let's hope it doesn't come down to that." They finished their breakfast in silence. By the time they were done, Jarrod and their new sister-in-law were back. It didn't take them long before they were headed towards Walker Lake. The lake was twelve miles away; they hoped that, as long as they made good timing, they'd be there by nightfall.