Jarrod climbed the stairs of the Barkley home, turned into the hallway and began walking towards Audra's room. The whole family, including Silas, was traveling down to Rockville to visit their Uncle Jim and see his new ranch. The man's move to the Rockville area had been a pleasant surprise, and they were all eager to make the trip. As he drew near to Audra's room, he could hear his sister singing. He couldn't help but allow a sad smile to appear on his face for a moment, his mind going back in time.

Jarrod stepped away from the hospital wall while his brothers, who were sitting on chairs that were set against the hallway walls, looked up when one Dr. Allen Pike appeared at the end of the hallway and began walking towards them. Fear gripped their hearts when they saw a more than serious look upon the man's face.

For his part, Dr. Pike hated times like this. Patients who had been well taken care of, saved by another physician only to have one thing or another happen afterwards and to have other problems develop …as was the case this time. Dr. Travers had done an excellent job in removing Audra's appendix. She'd been fine as she and her brothers traveled to the hospital. However, sometime after arriving in the hospital, the young woman had come down with what was supposed to be a simple cold. Only thing was…the 'simple cold' had turned into a raging fever, one that had went too high, lasted too long and caused the young woman to have more than once seizure.

"Doc?" Jarrod asked once the physician stopped in front of the family. "What's wrong? Is my sister…gone?" Jarrod held his breath, as did his mother and brothers.

Gone? Dr. Pike sighed and shook his head. That was one way to put it-even if she was very much alive. "Her fever broke, and she's awake."

"What's wrong?" Victoria spoke up, using a tone that spoke volumes. The doctor was to tell her everything and sugar coat nothing.

"It's time, Audra." Jarrod took a deep breath and stepped inside his sister's room. "Everyone's waiting. We need to get going. Uncle Jim will be expecting us in a few days."

Audra, was sitting on her bed, held up a piece of paper and showed it to Jarrod. "Do you think Uncle Jim will like it?"

Jarrod had to bite his tongue. His sister had many talents only drawing had never been on the list before…and still wasn't. "I'm sure he will." He told her as he picked up her suitcase which sat on the floor next to her brown chest of drawers. 'At least he'll flower you with praise as he's always done' Jarrod thought as Audra stood up and, folding the paper, slid it into the handbag her brothers' had bought her for her birthday. She then grabbed two books and her favorite doll.

"Do you think he'll mind my bringing Missy along?" Audra looked at Jarrod as the two of them headed back down the hallway. Missy was the name she'd given the doll Jarrod had purchased for her shortly after bringing her home from the hospital.

If Jim Barkley had been like many people Jarrod had met through the years, he might have been worried about his uncle's reaction to seeing his full grown niece reading third grade McGuffey readers and playing with dolls. As it was, Jim - like all the Barkleys- was the salt of the earth. Jarrod had no doubt their uncle wouldn't even bat an eye. Well, not now he wouldn't. After all, he'd had a whole year to come to terms with Audra's condition…one that was free of the seizures the doctors had feared might continue to plague the young woman. That-the freedom from any seizures-was a miracle they were all thankful for. "He won't mind a bit." Jarrod assured her as he led her down the stairs and out the doors.

Once outside, Victoria, who was sitting on the buckboard, started move over only to have Audra point towards the back of the wagon. "May I ride in the back with Silas, please?" Their faithful servant was sitting in the back of the wagon, next to the left side.

Victoria wasn't surprised to hear the request. Clear up to the time Audra had turned fifteen, she'd loved to ride in the back. After that, she would insist on riding up front or on a horse. Only, after the spell in the hospital…"Do you mind, Silas?" Her mother turned and looked at their faithful servant. The only reason he'd gotten in the back was so there would be room for her daughter up front.

"No, I don't Mrs. Barkley." Silas was smiling wide; he'd always had a soft spot for the Barkley's only daughter; her request made him glad he was already in the back.

"Fine, go ahead." Victoria nodded and then watched as Heath, who was standing at the back of the wagon, lowered the tail gate. In a matter of seconds, Audra was sitting in the back, across from Silas and holding her doll in one arm while she opened one of her books.

"No standing in the wagon, just sit still." Heath looked at his sister as he closed the tailgate. He might not have stated the obvious only, more than once, Audra had gotten it into her head to stand up in the wagon…and do it while moving. Needless to say, they'd had to stop the wagon and get after her.

"Yes, sir." Audra made a funny face and then laughed. She liked teasing her brothers, especially Heath. She didn't know why, but she did. Heath, who didn't mind Audra's antics, gave her crooked smile as he mounted Charger. Only, like Jarrod, a tiny piece of his heart still ached and longed for days gone by. Though, for the most part, he didn't dwell on it. Why should he? It's not like he could change what had happened.

Nick, who would have preferred to go by stagecoach if it wasn't for the fact the family was trying to protect Audra from the unkind stares and words from heartless people, brought the reins down and started the wagon down the road. That is, he did once everyone was in their places and ready to go. He hoped they could make good time and make it to Rockville by the middle of the week. It would be good to see their Uncle Jim again.