SB4SB

Saturday

Guthrie looked around unhappily. Adam and Hannah were at the Old School to officially receive the property for Hannah's Preservation Society. Crane was…somewhere. Brian, Daniel, Evan, and Ford were here at the Derby. Heath said he would be too…but he wasn't. His other family was probably at the school 'cause they'd kinda been helping Hannah. Heath lived with the Barkleys now, and he probably figured his place was with them. Guthrie glanced around again, hoping anyway.

Brian wrapped his arms around Guthrie from behind. "You ready, shrimp? How's that frog? Remember I got a hundred bucks on her legs."

Guthrie didn't want to let Brian down. He didn't have a hundred bucks to lose. Guthrie put on his game face. "We're ready."

"What's wrong?"

Guthrie hoped Brian wouldn't see how upset he was. "Just looking for Heath."

"C'mon, partner. You know he'd be here if he could."

"Probably with his other brothers."

"Hey, you think he loves them more than you?"

"He lives with 'em."

"We don't have room for him. You know the couch isn't that comfortable. Plus, they need him there."

Guthrie rolled his eyes in disbelief. "They have a humongous ranch with a bunch of cowboys working for 'em. They don't need him."

Brian kneeled down so Guthrie couldn't avoid looking at him. "Think about it, Guth. We've known and loved Heath most of his life. Since before you were born. The Barkleys, they just met him—and him them. They need each other right now. It doesn't have anything to do with how much he loves us. Especially you. Most of the time, he sits like a bump on a log, but you bring him to life." Brian searched Guthrie's face. "If he can get here, he will. And if he can't, then we'll go find him after. Okay?"

Guthrie weighed it all. Much as he wished Heath was around full time, Guthrie could see that Heath was happier now. Probably 'cause of his new family. Guthrie liked all of them. Miz B was fun like some girls could be. Jarrod was smart but didn't talk down to Guthrie even though he was still a kid. And Nick was just fun, but tough like Brian. Guthrie knew if he had to pick another family for Heath, they'd be it. Guthrie glanced back at Brian and nodded. "Okay."

"Chin up, twerp. You gotta beat that Bancroft kid. Loser's twice that measling little frog she's got."

Guthrie grinned at Brian's confidence and pride. Better get to it.

BV

Standing in the trees, Heath looked over the Old School once more…everything seemed all right. After their talk last night, Crane finally went in the house, hopefully in a better frame of mind. Heath had made noises about coming in later, but he'd never had any intention of actually following through. When the house finally settled down, Heath pushed off the Cherokee and popped the clutch a hundred yards down the ranch road. He'd searched the county for hours, looking for Eckworth without success before coming back to the school. He'd been creeping around the school house and grounds since then. He just couldn't shake the feeling that Eckworth wasn't done.

BV

The official presentation of the Old School to the newly incorporated Historic Preservation Society of Carbon County was scheduled for eleven a.m. Victoria, Jarrod, and Nick met Hannah and Adam…and a whole bunch of other folks…on site. The crowd was getting bigger by the minute.

Hannah was a bundle of excitement and nerves. "Oh, Victoria! I'm so glad you could be here. We're gonna officially receive the property from the county, and then they want me to say a few words. I thought that's when I'd announce that your land will become an adjoining park. Is that all right?"

Victoria nodded, "Certainly. That'll be fine."

"And you have to be there with us. We couldn't have done it without you."

"Fine." She glanced around, looking for Heath. "Adam, did Heath go to the Frog Derby?"

Adam looked unsure, "Well, maybe. He wasn't at the house when we got up this morning. Kinda thought he might be with y'all."

Victoria glanced at Jarrod and Nick, both of whom seemed a bit disturbed by the news. "Well, I'm sure he'll turn up." She smiled briefly and hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Heath had been playing this business very close to the vest; he did that when he was trying to protect people. She glanced around again, hoping to see him among the numerous people milling about the site.

BV

After a final look around the second floor of the school building, Heath went back to the first level. Another glance through those rooms showed nothing out of place, but his internal radar was pinging louder and louder. Out one of the windows, he saw the TV truck arrive, and Tom Redfield and his crew got out to cover the event. Almost time for the presentation. A jittery urgency pushed Heath to move; he just didn't know where to go. His nerves had him on edge.

He walked through the main hall to the rear entrance of the school. There wasn't anyone back there, so Heath was able to exit the building unseen. He stayed out of sight by the back corner of the school and eyeballed the growing crowd which included half the women in town, the mayor, and the clerk's office staff. As he scanned the milling and still-arriving people, the ranch truck drove up, and the rest of the McFaddens joined Hannah, Adam, and the Barkleys on the steps in front of the school. The Frog Derby must be over. Heath hoped Guthrie would forgive his absence.

Looking once again at the growing crowd, Heath searched for anything that felt out of place. Smiles, laughter, hugging, back slaps. Seemed like Hannah had been almost alone in her fight for the school, but half the county was going to take advantage of the good publicity afforded by the Stockton TV station. And…then he glimpsed it—between people, a small red light blinking on the underside of the wooden staircase up to the front door. Heath flashed on his army training. Could be a bomb! A construction company would certainly have explosives to spare.

Heath didn't waste time. He let out a piercing whistle. "Get away from the school! Get off the stairs! Get away!" He burst from the corner and started pushing people aside as he tried to get to the front of the building. "Get off the stairs!"

The crowd reacted much too slowly to suit him. They looked around in confusion, wondering which way to go.

Heath kept shoving, "Get away from the school! Run! Everybody off the steps! Hurry!" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Crane climb out the passenger side of an unfamiliar pick-up. The people Heath loved were still on the stairs!

BV

Nick Barkley glanced around, trying to figure out what was going on. First, his little brother was missing again with no good reason. They were definitely gonna have a serious talk about his communication deficits. And over the rumble of the excited crowd, Nick could detect the beginnings of confusion and discontent. He looked around, but there were so many people on and around the steps of the Old School, he couldn't see what was happening.

People were starting to move and shove. Whatever was going on was beginning to feel like panic which could turn into a stampede. Nick glanced at Jarrod and Adam. Both of them were trying to see what was happening as the confusion continued to grow.

Faintly, "Get off the steps! Hurry!" People were starting to climb down as the voice reached them. It sounded a little like…Heath?

Then, "Mother!" That was definitely Heath. No doubt whatsoever. And he was yelling for…

Victoria's head whipped around, searching frantically.

Nick scanned the crowd on the ground that was finally moving away from the steps and the school. Except for one man, pushing his way through. Heath!

"Get off the stairs! Get away from the school! Move!"

The crowd on the stairs finally started climbing down. Panic was making them move faster, and the McFaddens and Barkleys were finally able to head in that direction. Nick strained to see where Heath had gotten to, but in the pushing and shoving of the crowd, he'd lost track of him.

Nick, Jarrod, and Adam and his brothers herded the crowd away from the building. Nick kept looking for his little brother. Where was he?!

Crane popped up beside Adam, looking frantic. "Heath!"

Nick turned to see what Crane was looking at…and saw his brother climb out from under the staircase. He had something about the size of a football in his hand as he sprinted in the opposite direction from the crowd. Nick watched, bewildered, as people around him started calling Heath's name. Crane pulled at Nick's arm, and the two of them broke from the crowd and chased after Heath.

About a hundred yards from the school, he chucked his burden as far as he could and turned back toward them. Maybe a hundred feet away, whatever he'd thrown exploded, the concussion knocking Heath to the ground. Nick startled and turned his head to protect his face from the dirt and debris.

"Come on!" Crane sprinted forward, Nick right beside him.

Heath had been thrown ass over elbow by the blast which had blown itself out like fireworks. Nick slid in beside him and leaned over his brother. "Heath?"

Crane opened one of Heath's eyes, then started checking for broken bones. "C'mon, Heath. Wake up."

The rest of the family and some of the crowd came running up. "Is he okay? What was that? Heath?"

Heath's eyes fluttered and finally opened. He glanced around, finally settling on Victoria. "Everybody okay?"

Nick hadn't realized he'd stopped breathing, but Heath's question allowed him to exhale again.

Victoria wiped teary eyes and smiled. "Fine. Are you?"

Heath blinked and looked down at himself. "Okay, I think. Hurting all over, but that's how I feel whenever Nick puts me to work."

Relieved, Nick fought a grin, "Can't imagine why. All you do is sit around and pick your teeth."

Heath's lips twitched, but his eyes showed humor. "Help me up."

Nick took one hand, and Crane grabbed the other. Together, they hauled Heath to his feet. A siren was echoing as Heath shook his head and blinked a few more times. Nick imagined that blast had rung a bell or two.

The Sheriff's car drove into the field, and a large man in a uniform climbed out. "Adam? What happened here?"

Adam looked over, but he kept Hannah close beside him. "Hey, Charlie. It was bomb or something. You remember Heath Thomson?"

Heath stuck out his hand, "It's Heath Barkley now."

The sheriff had an easy grin, "Sure, Heath. It's been a while. You okay?"

Heath nodded and took a deep breath. "I found a bomb under the front steps of the school. I pulled it out and threw it over there." He pointed out in the field where a crater testified to the power that was about to be unleashed under the school steps.

"A bomb? Why would anyone—"

Crane interrupted, "I think I might know." He looked at Heath, "After our talk last night, I went to the Far Valley Ranch this morning. I saw Darrell Loveday."

Heath nodded like he knew him. Nick just waited.

"He said things weren't going so well over there. Gossip kicking around the bunkhouse is that Wheeler overextended himself on those last bulls he brought in. He was counting on getting our semen contract to pay for them, and when that didn't work out, he's been scrambling to meet the payroll."

Nick eyed Jarrod who was following the tale closely. So was everybody else.

Crane continued, "Darrell said Stan Eckworth was at the ranch several times the past few days. There was a loud argument in the big house last night, and Eckworth and his flunkies left about nine or ten. Wheeler's gone too."

The sheriff eyed Crane, "You saying Russ Wheeler had something to do with this?"

Crane shrugged slightly, "Jarrod?"

Jarrod introduced himself to the sheriff and explained his investigation of the construction company. "I bet if we dig far enough, we just might find that Mr. Wheeler is the owner. If he was looking for new revenue to keep himself afloat, this project with the plant would fit the bill."

"Well, it's not proof—yet—but it's a good start on the investigation." He glanced at Heath from head to toe, "You okay?"

Heath shrugged a bit, "Think so."

"I'm gonna need a statement. You come by the station later?"

Heath nodded.

Guthrie squeezed through the crowd and handed Heath his hat. "Here."

"Thanks. How'd Loser do?"

"She won. She jumped clean off the platform."

No crooked grin on Heath this time. It was a one hundred kilowatt show stopper. "All that training paid off. You did it, Guth! Sorry I missed it."

Guthrie wrapped himself around Heath, "You didn't miss that bomb, Heath. You saved everybody."

Heath returned the hug, "When a guy grows up an only child, he learns to take care of the people he loves. I can't afford to lose nobody."

Nick swallowed and blinked hard. Only the kid coulda gotten Heath to admit that. And with the words spoken, Nick remembered he couldn't get along without his new brother either.

A reporter came running up with his cameraman, "Can I get an interview? Hannah, who's our hero?"

"Tom, not now."

"Hannah, I've got footage of this guy saving the lives of everybody out here…the mayor, you and your family, who knows how many people? My station manager is gonna go nuts over this!"

"Tom, I can't talk about this right now." She was fighting tears as she clung to her husband and kept a hand on Ford's shoulder.

"Do you realize how much publicity this will generate for the school? You can't buy this kinda PR."

Adam stepped in, "Listen, my wife is trying to be nice. You helped her with the school. But the sheriff is starting an investigation, and I'm sure he doesn't want us to comment right now."

"Hannah!"

Adam went on like the reporter hadn't interrupted. "We're leaving. No comment."

"You can't stop the press!"

"I believe we can." Nick got in the guy's face. Brian was right beside him, and the two of them formed a solid wall between the TV crew and the rest of their family.

Redfield stared at them stubbornly, "We'll just go around you."

Brian folded his arms and started to answer, but...

"Yeah? You and what army?" Marie from the café was standing behind Nick and Brian, looking very determined.

Nick took a quick glance and found about twenty defiant people screening the T.V. crew from where the Barkleys and McFaddens were leaving. Nick felt pretty proud of his little brother and the people in his hometown. He shared a look and faint smile with Brian and turned back to face the reporter. They stood there silently until their family was off the property.

Epilogue – A couple months later

Nick sat on the opera rail of the corral and watched his brother put the gelding through his paces. While Heath had always been good with cattle, he was only decent with horses when he first arrived on the Barkley spread. Which was fine; a fella couldn't be good at everything. But Heath had taken it upon himself to become a real wrangler. On his own, he'd worked with Joshua Watson and some of the other horsemen, and he'd developed his skills till he could now count himself among the best on the ranch.

Heath rode up to where Nick sat. "Hey, I'm thinking of heading up to Murphys later. That okay?"

Nick didn't crack a smile, but he had to fight it. Like he had any control over what Heath decided to do. Still it was fun to pretend. "What if I say no?"

Heath studied him a bit. "Then I'll ask why."

"And I'll say, 'Cause we got too much to do.'"

Heath bit the inside of his lip for a moment then looked away. "Then I'll go some other time."

Since Heath wasn't watching, Nick let his grin break through. Heath was pretty savvy. He knew Nick had been a little jealous of his relationship with the McFaddens. He was giving Nick the right to veto. "What if I want to come with you?"

"Do ya?"

Nick thought about it. Be nice to get a few days away. But… "Nah. Another time."

Heath's grin was barely noticeable. "Any time. I'm family. They take me, they take the people I'm part of."

Nick grinned. That sentiment went both ways for Heath. He was a member of both families, and they all accepted that fact. Couldn't get one without the other. "Next time then. You go on."

Heath led the gelding into the barn. Nick grabbed Coco's reins and followed them. In the slightly cooler barn, they started untacking their horses.

"How's the Old School coming along?"

"Hannah's group has done a lot of work. They're supposed to open in a few more months."

"That soon? They've only had it…what? Two months now?"

"About that."

Nick's brows furrowed in thought. "Hey, did the Carbon County sheriff ever find that rat, Wheeler?"

A slight sigh, "No. Jarrod told me they finally found proof that he owned Far Valley Construction. And a bunch of other 'Far Valley' businesses. The guy was building a whole 'Far Valley' empire. Looks like Wheeler, Eckworth, and Toby Gargan disappeared before there was enough evidence to arrest them. But warrants are out. Jarrod said they were even indicted. Sad thing is that Wheeler left his wife and daughter behind. Everything he owned has been seized, so they got nothing…except for the hard feelings of the whole county." He brushed the gelding with a bit more force. "I feel bad for 'em."

Coco was practically purring under Nick's rhythmic strokes. "Not like you're responsible."

"Still…" Heath paused a second. "Mrs. Wheeler was always nice. Not her fault her husband was a weasel."

True enough. But Nick needed to get Heath in a better mood. "Everything okay with the family? Nothing wrong, is there?"

Heath smiled, "They're fine. Just want to see 'em." He caught Nick's eye. "Really, Nick. You're welcome to come. They ask about you every time I call."

Of course, they did. Nick was a loveable guy. He glanced around the barn, checking to see if anyone was around who might overhear. "Might be fun to play hooky for a couple days."

One brow lifted on Heath's face. "You're the boss, Nick. Who's gonna fuss?"

How was it possible that Heath had lived with them a year and didn't understand the basics of life? "Jarrod. Mother. Iris!"

The skepticism melted away. Then Heath brightened, "We could leave 'em a note."

Nick's grin and laugh erupted.

"You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family."
― Trenton Lee Stewart; The Mysterious Benedict Society

Big Valley references:
Anything relating to Rachel Caulfield and Abigail James (her name on 'The Big Valley' is Hannah, but I changed it to Abigail to decrease confusion): Boots with My Father's Name – SEASON 1
Heath's Uncle Matt and Aunt Martha Simmons: Boots with My Father's Name – SEASON 1
Barkley-Sierra Mine: Heritage – SEASON 1
Tom's letter to Heath's mother: Boots with My Father's Name – SEASON 1
Heath being in the army: The Guilt of Matt Bentell – SEASON 1
Assassination: Palms of Glory – SEASON 1
The death of Tom Barkley: Palms of Glory – SEASON 1
Land dispute with the railroad: Palms of Glory – SEASON 1
Heath's lady friends: Winner Lose All – SEASON 1, Days of Grace – SEASON 2
Joshua Watson: Joshua Watson – SEASON 4
"I'd do anything for you.": Boots with My Father's Name – SEASON 1
Nick and Heath's early relationship: Forty Rifles – SEASON 1, Boots with My Father's Name – SEASON 1, many other episodes—SEASON 1
"Yeah? You and what army?": The Brawlers – SEASON 1
The entire Big Valley portion of the story was loosely based on The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner – SEASON 1
Also, Alice Barkley's husband is never named. I named Uncle Peter after the sweet and talented Peter Breck aka Nick Barkley

Sadly, I couldn't figure a way to appropriately include the Barkleys houseman, Silas. His sweet temperament and personality on the show just didn't fit with 1980s reality. So I switched him to Iris. I hope any BV fans approve