I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters. Thanks to my Beta Reader, though all mistakes are my own.

To Catch a Falling Star

Chapter Four

Jarrod held the telegram in his hands, his eyebrows furrowed. From where he sat in his buggy, he could see Audra and Deborah standing next to the corral fence talking and laughing. The fact that his wife would soon bless the family with a new addition was now showing as clearly as the noon day sun. He read the telegram again.

Nick married a twenty-five year old widow, Abigail Miller, this morning. She and her two small children, Richard and Barbara, will be arriving on Wednesday's stagecoach. Barbara is three years old and blind. Richard is five. Nick doesn't want any questions asked until we get home. He will answer them at that time. Heath.

Once more Jarrod looked at Deborah. History couldn't be repeating itself could it? Sighing, he put the telegram in his pocket and climbed out of the buggy. His sister and wife were walking toward him. "What is it, Jarrod," Audra eyes shown her concern, as did Deborah's, "What's in that telegram you were reading? It isn't bad news is it?"

Jarrod took a hold of Deborah's arm and looked at his sister, "I hope not, come into the house and I'll read it to mother, too." That got more than one raised eyebrow as the women let Jarrod lead them into the house. Victoria was just coming down the stairs when they entered. One look at her son, his wife, and Audra and Victoria knew something was up.

"Jarrod?" Victoria asked as he pulled out the telegram, "What is it?"

"I have to go meet the stage tomorrow," he replied then read the telegram that Heath had sent from Rockville. Shock ran through each of them and it showed in their widened eyes.

"Married? He only left here on Thursday! After everything he's said to you," Audra was flabbergasted, "how can he do this?"

It was only then that Victoria remembered her son's words on the train back from Cheyenne. She couldn't help but shake her head and thought, 'He said never.' Outwardly, she started smiling, "I guess we best get the children's rooms ready, and I'll tell Silas to make double sure anything sharp is put up. The last thing my new granddaughter needs is to accidently find anything that will hurt her."

Only after Victoria and Audra left did Deborah look at her husband concern was in her eyes as his face still showed his own ponderings, "You think he may have had to have a shotgun wedding per se?" she asked. The idea made her heart sick. After getting to know Jarrod's family so well, the last thing she wanted was for any of them to go through the adjustment she and Jarrod had had to go through.

Jarrod shrugged his shoulders not knowing what to think and put the telegram back in his pocket, then laid his hands on his wife's very swollen abdomen, "Maybe, Maybe not. Time will tell, now I thought the doctor told you to take it easy?'

Deborah rolled her eyeballs, "I am taking it easy," she wrapped her arms around his neck, "that doesn't mean lying in bed all day though. He hasn't ordered me there yet." Jarrod laughed and kissed his wife. He may not have asked for the marriage, but he was definitely in love with her. He sincerely hoped, for whatever the cause of Nick's sudden marriage, his brother would be as happy as he and Deborah were.

0000

Abigail woke up from her unintentional nap as the stagecoach drove into Stockton. Soon the driver had the coach stopped. Jarrod opened the door and looked inside. Since the only passengers were a black haired woman and two children, one who was very much sightless, he figured he was meeting Nick's family. "Abigail?" He smiled politely.

"Yes," she handed him Barbara, hoping the child would not start crying. She was shocked when her daughter simply laid her head on the man's shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Well, I'll be." Then again, maybe she shouldn't be so surprised. Her daughter had taken right to Nick too. Abigail took hold of the hand her new brother in law offered her as she stepped out of the couch. Richard was on the ground before either of them could say anything.

"Mother, my sister Audra, and my wife Deborah, are waiting for us out on the ranch," Jarrod said as they walked to the wagon he'd driven to town. Once again, Richard had climbed into the wagon before anyone could offer to help. Jarrod had to chuckle as he sat Barbara down beside her brother. "Independent isn't he?"

Abigail shook her head, "Too stubborn if you ask me; then again, I am his mother."

Jarrod couldn't help but laugh, "Well, I'd say he got the right stepfather then. Nick's not exactly a pushover himself. For that matter; none of us Barkleys are known to be pushovers." The fact that his new sister in law was uncomfortable wasn't something she was succeeding at hiding. He felt his heart go out to her.

"Don't worry, my wife will tell you, we don't bite that hard," Jarrod smiled as the wagon moved through the streets of Stockton. His comment brought a small smile upon the woman's face.

More than one head turned. "Must be Nick's new wife and step children. He sure married fast, I wonder what his story is?" could be heard more than once, or something akin to it was. Again, Abigail looked as if she wanted to disappear. Jarrod did what he could to get out of town as fast as possible.

"Are you my Uncle Jarrod?" Richard was standing up and holding onto the back of the buckboard.

'Uncle Jarrod'. He had to laugh; he'd never thought he'd be an uncle before he was a father. All he could do was grin and answer, "Yes, I am."

"Mama said I had aunts and a grandmother too; are they at the ranch Mr….Father and mama has talked about?" The boy's face was full of earnest curiosity.

Again Jarrod chuckled, "Your Aunt Audra, Aunt Deborah and your grandmother have gotten your rooms ready." When the lad started to climb up front, Jarrod started moving over only to find Abigail firmly placing her hand upon her son's shoulder.

"You do NOT go climbing up here when the wagon is moving and you know that! And, even when you do, I've taught you your manners, use them!" her voice was not cruel, but it was slightly raised and held a tone of authority in it. It was one that her son knew well.

"Sorry, mama, Uncle Jarrod," The boy quickly put his feet down and remained standing, "Do I have any cousins?" he looked at Jarrod.

"Not yet, but you soon will," Jarrod smiled from ear to ear.

"Nick said he was going to be an uncle soon," Abigail turned to look at Jarrod, "I will assume by that grin upon your face, it is your wife that is expecting?"

Jarrod nodded, "Better be, Heath and Audra aren't married yet." The rest of the trip was made in silence as Richard had laid down and curled up in the corner of the wagon leaving both his Uncle Jarrod and mother to their individual thoughts.