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

I am doing this story on request by a friend-after a conversation we had. I will say up front the story is inspired by a real life event that happened years ago-when I was still in my teens (though not to me and the person was actually thrown from a jeep not a horse); along with a few other events that have affected people I've seen though out my life.

Roses and Thorns

Chapter Ten (Hope and a Decision)

Scene Nineteen

Heath sat beside the house watching the sun as it poked its head over the horizon. Nick and Anna had announced their engagement the night before; Nick had asked him to be the best man. Without thinking Heath began rubbing the top of his legs. He was so deep into his thoughts he did not hear the door open nor realize Victoria was beside him until she spoke.

"What's the matter?" her hand rested on Heath's shoulder. The smile she wore shown her concern and her love for her son.

Heath shook his head, "I"d say nothin' but you wouldn't accept that answer."

"No, I wouldn't," Victoria pulled a chair that had been inadvertently left outside the night before away from the side of the house and sat down, "Out with it. What's got you so upset." She was good at seeing into his eyes and sensing when he was troubled.

Heath sat up as straight and kept his eyes on the beautiful picture being painted by the sun as it continued rising in the air. "It's not that I'm really upset by anything I..." he turned his head and looked at her, "I just can't help but wish I could be standing next to Nick when he and Anna get married; not stuck in this thing." he tapped the arm of the wheelchair with this finger quite forcefully, "I keep telling myself to be patient; that I've only been home five weeks. Who knows, maybe, I'll be walking by the time they actually get married. Know I got to get my mind off of it though. Too many times a body wants somethin' so bad they miss the mark altogether by workin' too hard."

"I'd say you're absolutely right on that one," Victoria thought back on the people she'd met through the years; and a few things in her own life, where that's exactly what had happened. People missing the mark simply by trying to hard, "and I'd say you have plenty in your life to worry about without thinkin' 'bout a wedding that' not going to take place until summer anyway. Come on in for breakfast."

Heath didn't argue as he turned his wheelchair around and followed Victoria back into the house.

0000

"You need to get out just as much as I do. Say you'll come with me." Heath talked as Lilly took off the towels that had been setting on his legs and helped him sit up. The Barkleys were going into Stockton for a Christmas social and the last thing Heath wanted to see was Lilly stuck at the house. In his eyes she deserved better- and besides he'd finally admitted to himself she'd really caught his eye.

When Lilly started to turn away Heath took a hold of her shoulders and turned her back. "I asked you a question. I would like an answer."

Remembering the visit he'd had from one Sarah Campton just that morning she looked at him with a bit of irritation in her eyes, "Won't Miss Campton have a problem with that one?" After all the woman had done nothing but talk about how good it would be to see Heath at the social saying 'we'll have plenty of time to catch up on things'...and she'd winked at him as she said it!

Heath's eyes narrowed as he spoke ever so sharply, "Miss Campton is an overbearing, arrogant woman who cares for nothing but herself. We have nothing to catch up on as it was she not me who was, and is, doing the chasing. You, however," Heath wrapped his arms around her and pulled her as close to him as he could-not hard to do considering the table he sat on wasn't setting that high up in the first place, "are a breath of fresh air. Say you'll come with me."

Lilly couldn't believe Heath was actually holding her as close as he was nor could she believe the feelings that came over her. She was only supposed to be his friend; a friend helping his doctor with the treatments now-looking into his eyes she realized things had changed; only-when had that change taken place? "It would be nice..." she never finished her sentence as his mouth covered hers.

"Guess this means I tell Silas he doesn't have to worry about fixin' supper for our guest?" Nick stepped into the room and grinned as Lilly jumped backwards and Heath shot him a glare.

Scene Twenty

Lilly sat in the front room as Jarrod and the others sat down. Per her request Silas had come up with an excuse to take Heath into town. They all wondered what was up as she looked quite nervous. Once they were all seated the young woman began speaking.

"First off thanks fer yer time. I know yer all very busy." Lilly took a deep breath. She was nervous and it showed as she rubbed her palms together.

"Is something wrong with Heath?" Victoria asked afraid of what the answer might be, "I mean more than what he's dealing with now?"

Lilly gave her a small smile, "Oh no, in fact he's actuall' begun showin' the first signs of hope...I mean, he's actual'y gettin' some feelin' back in that right leg of his. I was beginnin' to wonder if he'd ever walk again and now? I think the chances just went up." That news excited the family and it showed in the smiles that spread across their faces; all but Jarrod's-he'd been paying closer attention to Lilly's body language and knew she had something else on her mind. Well, that and the fact she'd asked Silas to get Heath away for while.

"So what's wrong?" Jarrod leaned forward and asked.

"Nothin' ye need to get riled up 'bout. I've talked to the good doctor and I'm gonna be helpin' him in town after I show Audra and yer mother how to do those hot water treatments and exercises. I'll still come out and do the massages three or four times a week . And, yes, I have no intention of stop seein' Heath despite Miss Campton's wishes." Lilly was talking fast and she knew it but she was having a hard time keeping her resolve.

Shock shone on all their faces. The way Heath and she had been acting? They thought for sure they'd be hearing that not only was Heath going to be the best man at Nick's upcoming summer wedding to Anna but that, maybe, Nick would be his. What was going on?

"Why are you doin' that?" Audra was the first to ask the question.

Lilly smiled, "I ain't blind, Audra and Iain't in the middle no more," she did her best to relax, " Let's put it this way," she smiled at all the Barkleys, "befer I was jist a woman doin' a job-takin' care of an injured stranger then an injured friend. Now? It ain't safe fer me to be in the same room with Heath if'n we're alone and he's mmmm not quite presentable?

That started them all grinning or chuckling. "Heath doesn't know does he?" Victoria asked once she stopped chuckling.

"No, ma'm. I told him I was thinkin' 'bout it. He didnt' want me to go but, like I said," she smiled, "I think it best if I at least take a few steps back. After all; I really have no desire for either one of us to fall over the edge. Heath's too good of a man fer that and so am I too-even if a lot of folks want to mess with my talkin'."

From day one Lilly had been unintentionally earning more and more respect from the Barkleys. With that one statement the respect grew even more.

0000

Heath was sitting on the porch when Lilly walked out the door. Nick was carrying her bags. Heath took a hold of Lilly's arm while Nick went to put the bags in the buggy. "I still don't want you to go." he kept his eyes on her.

She knelt down beside his chair and ran her fingers down the side of his face, "Honest? This is the hardest thing I've ever done but unless yer gonna sit there and say yer ready to put a ring on my finger? I cin't stay under the same roof as you for now. My goodness, Heath. I'm only human and so are you."

Heath smiled and pulled her to him, "You better show up on time come Wednesday."

"Do I need to take someone to town or not?" Nick walked up and grinned as the two again jerked apart.

"Do you get some delight out of doing that to us?" Heath looked up at his brother with a lop sided grin on his face and his blue eyes laughing.

"Yep," Nick stepped aside and let Lilly pass, '"someone has to keep the two of you in line." he laughed as he walked away.