Author's Note One: One of my favorite 'Big Valley' episodes has always been 'Joshua Watson', which featured the rival ranch of the Morton's. The opening scene, where Zack and JR bait Nick set up an interesting dynamic. It made me wonder when the rivalry had started, and what the relationship had been like before.
This was a plot bunny that popped into my mind, while writing 'Lily In The Valley'. My original intent with that story was for Zack Morton to cause a great deal of mischief with Heath and Lily. It did not work out that way, and I referenced in the second to last chapter what happens to Zack.
On the surface, this story is about Zack Morton, but it will also serve as a window on the Barkley's. There will be scenes with the couples, and various family members, with some references to happenings that were discussed in my two other stories. You don't need to have read them though, to be able to follow along.
FYI – This story will not be posted at The Big Valley Writing Desk, because it does not meet the guidelines, of having at least one Barkley has a major character. They do not even appear until chapter 4 in this story. I understand that the story will probably not have a large audience, but it was a way for me to spend more time with the characters. Yes, the story is rather 'Barbara Cartland' but it was fun to write. Several of the chapters will be rated 'M' due to language and suggestive scenes – I will note those at the beginning of the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, or anything else associated with the Big Valley. This story is for entertainment only, nothing more.
Author's Note Two: The story opens in Colorado, and there are references to places that existed by the end of the nineteenth century. Not all though were around when this story starts, but the dates are close enough in my opinion. I like the idea of using well known landmarks to help set the stage, and all places mentioned can be visited today. Please note; the clock tower on Union Station was torn down in 1914.
All Aboard
Mid-July, 1878
Zack Morton stood on the platform at Union Station, in Denver, waiting to board the west bound train. The façade of the elaborate stone structure featured a clock tower with four clocks set into it. They symbolized the four railroads that passed through Denver. The station had recently opened up, as a way to consolidate passenger traffic. People could now switch trains with no problem, but the station was always busy and crowded. Zack was jostled several times, as the people moved rapidly around the platform.
After spending the last six weeks with his grandfather, in Georgetown, Colorado he felt ready to return home to Stockton. His maternal grandfather was a tough Welsh miner, who had left coal in Wales for gold in the Rockies. The old man had struck it rich, wore fine suits, owned several banks and business, but still retained his down to earth pragmatism. Zack had needed it, which was why he'd come to visit the man.
In April he had returned from San Francisco to his ranch, after the happenings with Heath and Lily. Her being kidnapped and held hostage had made Zack realize he was treading into dangerous waters, with his feelings for her. It had started out innocently enough when he had rescued her that day on the Zephyr ridge. Watching her being held by Heath, as he comforted her, had caused his body to be flooded by jealousy and desire. Zack had gone out that night and gotten drunker than he'd ever been before, to eradicate the feelings he had for another man's wife.
Arriving back in Stockton he had thrown himself into the ranch work, while trying to avoid Lily and Heath as much as possible. It was harder than he had thought it would be though, because now he was becoming friends with Nick Barkley again. There was a four year age difference between them, but growing up they'd been close because they were alike in many ways. Neither man had ever wanted to work anywhere else besides the family ranch, and they both had strong willed fathers.
By the time the rivalry kicked in, Tom Barkley was dead and Rufus Morton was mourning the loss of his wife and daughter. Zack now wondered if the rivalry would have reached the point that it did if none of that had happened. He had been glad to reconnect with Nick again, and they had enjoyed several rounds of drinks together. That had been the beginning of a new relationship for the two ranches, as well as Nick, Zack, and JR.
When Nick's son was born, the Morton's had visited the Barkley ranch. The entire family was in residence, and he found it hard to even be in the same room as Lily. He was also aware that all the brothers were married, and Zack felt an envy he'd never experienced before. His reputation as a ladies' man had always pleased him, but now he just felt lonely. Zack was a very eligible bachelor, but he was tired of girls and their match making mommas who only wanted him for his money.
On the way home from the visit he'd expected his father to give him and JR a hard time about when would they make him a grandfather. Zack had been surprised though that the man had not said a word about the subject, but he did notice his father looking at him with concern. The next month was spent trying to avoid Lily and Heath for that matter also. Church was difficult, because everyone would mingle after the service, and on more than one occasion he would turn around to see Lily standing there.
Two things happened at the end of May that sent him to Colorado. The first was that Zack heard through the grapevine that Lily had been with child, but suffered a loss. Since the subject wasn't discussed in public he knew that he wouldn't have to say anything to her or Heath, which was a godsend. The second was a letter from his maternal grandfather, telling them about how cosmopolitan Georgetown was becoming, because of all the gold and silver being mined there.
The letter had arrived in the morning, and Zack spent all day thinking about his grandfather, and Colorado. It had been quite a while since he'd seen the gruff man, and there was the fact that Lily wouldn't be there. He loved his land, and was usually happiest there. However, Colorado now beckoned as a place of solace and he made his decision.
That night at dinner Zack announced that he was going to go visit the old man. JR immediately threw a fit, since it was the busy time on the ranch. Their father surprised both of the boys by agreeing that it was a good idea, to make sure the man was doing fine. As Rufus made his announcement he had given Zack one of those concerned looks that he'd seen before.
His father took him to the train station, and before saying goodbye, told Zack that he was doing the right thing by leaving town for a while. It came to him that Rufus was a great deal more perceptive than he let on. Obviously the man had seen what he was struggling with, and Zack appreciated his father's hands off approach.
His grandfather, David Rhys, had been glad to see him, even if somewhat surprised. Georgetown was a thriving, affluent community with grand houses, businesses, and a hotel worthy of Europe. Grandfather David lived in an elaborate three story house, built and decorated in the latest style. He had several servants, and a close companion.
Maisie Watters ran the largest and most exclusive house of pleasure in the city. She was also a long time love of David Rhys. His wife had died almost twenty years ago, and he had never had the inclination to remarry. Maisie for her part was a very successful businesswoman, and was not interested in marriage either. Zack had known all about Maisie for quite a while, and wasn't bothered by her background. In his mind, his grandfather's private life was his own business.
Zack had been in Georgetown for over two weeks, before his grandfather, or more precisely Maisie got the whole story out of him. She had offered to introduce him to some of her girls, but he had declined. He'd come to Colorado to get away from women, and clear his head. JR, if he had talked to his brother about the situation, would have told him to bed everything in town, as the way to deal with the issue. Zack though didn't want to be reminded of his loneliness through a series of meaningless, physical encounters.
Making the comment 'a young man who turns down one of my girls is either in love, or suffering from a broken heart', Maisie offered him a drink one evening. They had finished dinner, and he and his grandfather were both smoking cigars. Zack exhaled a stream of smoke and muttered 'either, both, neither'. The reply had caused his grandfather to chuckle, as he passed the decanter of port.
Once the story had come out it was Maisie that offered words of wisdom, which helped Zack to finally resolve the issue. She had asked him if he was really in love with Lily, or just the idea of Lily; the question kept him up a lot of the night. He replayed the conversations he'd had with Lily, and realized that they had nothing in common with each other.
Zack's great interest, besides his ranch, was horse breeding, and he was continually working to improve the horses on the ranch. He had done some cross breeding with a warm blood stallion from Germany to some thoroughbred mares. A cutting horse has to be agile, but sturdy at the same time, and he had great hopes from the stallion. As they were riding back from the Zephyr ridge, Zack had told Lily about his progress, but he had known she'd not understood what he was talking about.
By the time he woke up the next morning, with a headache from lack of sleep and too much port, he saw the relationship in a different light. It wasn't Lily that he wanted, but someone to share his life with. He made the decision that when he returned to Stockton he would look at the young ladies in a different way, with an eye to the long term.
Resolving that gave Zack his zest for life back, and he spent the next four weeks with his grandfather, enjoying Colorado. The young man visited mines, banks, and various meetings in the capital of Denver. The area was thriving, and Zack had a good time with all the people he met. He learned a great deal too, and was looking forward to talking to his father about some business opportunities they should consider.
It was the loneliness he felt, missing his father and brother, that made him realize it was time to return home. His mother had passed away when he was fifteen, and since then the bond with his family was even stronger than it had been before. Zack also knew there would be a lot of work waiting for him on the ranch, which he missed too. He now stood on the platform, well rested and eager to get home.
He was a young man of twenty-four, with blond hair and blue eyes. Zack was good looking, especially now that the self-satisfied smirk he used to have was gone. The confident air was still there though, which always made sure he was treated with deference by other people. He was a proud young man, and anyone looking at him would see that.
Instead of his ranch clothes he was wearing a new suit of light blue, white shirt, red tie, with a stylish hat, and was pleased at how he looked. A representative of Brook's Brothers, from New York, had set up shop at the Hotel de Paris, in Georgetown. The haberdashery had heard about the fortunes being made in Colorado, and knew that there would be newly wealthy gentlemen who wanted to look the part.
The sales representative had brought a tailor, and two apprentices, along with trunks of fabric. They booked a suite at the hotel, which was said to be the most luxurious, European hotel between Chicago and San Francisco. Zack had been able to get his evening clothes, ruined in the scuffle with Maud Collins, replaced, as well as several day suits, with accompanying shirts and ties. His brother, JR, was going to be very jealous when he saw the new clothes.
Zack smiled happily, and looked at the train, wondering when he would be able to board. It was a four day journey out to Stockton, and he had booked a sleeping compartment, in one of the Pullman cars. He spent enough time sleeping in rough conditions on the range, and he didn't feel the need to endure that misery on a four day train ride. He was impatient to get aboard, unpack some, and then find the smoking car. He wanted a glass of decent whiskey, and maybe a poker game too.
Those were the thoughts in his mind, when they were interrupted by pressure on his left arm. Zack looked down and saw a dainty hand encased in a purple suede glove. The fingers were pressing against his arm, so he glanced up to see who the owner was. He found himself staring into a heart shaped face, the creamy skin framed by deep auburn hair. What really caught Zack's attention though was the large eyes the color of pansies, framed by long, lush eyelashes. His brain stopped functioning, as did his vocal chords. All he could do was stare with admiration.
Please note: It was common practice for east coast haberdasheries to send representatives out to the mining towns, to take advantage of the newly rich miners.