A/N: Everyone was pretty frustrated with Heath for not making a connection in the last chapter. Given that he's been sleeping poorly, think we should give him a little understanding here.

Let's see how confused you all will be after this chapter...

Yawning, Ryan knocked on his sister's door. "Ryan!" He gave a start at hearing her voice hiss at him from behind and not through the door like he'd been expecting. He turned to find her climbing the stairs, and her eyes were wide. Her sketchbook was clutched to her chest. "Did you know that Heath Thomson lives here and that he's actually Gene's brother?"

Groaning, Ryan grabbed her arm. "Pack up all your things, Natalie darling," he urged, his tone slipping into a southern twang. "We're going to get on the train as soon as we can, alright? We're going back to Boston."

Surprised, Natalie stared at him. "Ryan, what are you talking about?" she demanded, keeping her voice low. "Why do we always have to run at the first sign of someone knowing us? The Barkleys are our friends now. I'm sure if we told them everything, they'd-"

"Sis, you know why," Ryan interrupted. He opened the bedroom door and pushed her towards it. "What happened yesterday wasn't an accident or a coincidence. We can't let any more people get hurt over this. Now, pack your things. I'll make an excuse to the Barkleys and then we're going back to Boston."

"Ryan? Natalie? Is there a problem?"

Flinching, Ryan turned to face Victoria Barkley. "Sorry, ma'am," he said. His nervousness was clear from the strange southern accent in his voice. "Natalie and I are going to have to get to the train station as soon as possible. Something has come up that we have to deal with 's the nature of business, you know."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Victoria said, frowning in puzzlement and concern. "After breakfast, Jarrod will drive you into town. I'm sure he'll be sorry to see you go, though."

Natalie face screwed up with a scowl. "I hate you so much sometimes," she snapped at her brother. She grabbed the door and slammed it shut.

There was a second of silence. "She doesn't enjoy traveling," Ryan said to Victoria by way of explanation. "Please forgive her."

Her frown becoming deeper, Victoria nodded slowly. "Two long train rides in so short a time period would upset anyone, I suppose," she acknowledged. "Perhaps you will walk me down to the breakfast table now?"

"Are you sure you should be on that foot, Mrs. Barkley?" he asked, offering her his arm. The accent had left his voice as he spoke with his usual precision. "I know a snakebite is no trifling matter, even if it was a dry bite."

"Now, I don't need another man fussing over me. I've had enough of that from my sons. I'm fine."

They descended the stairs and went to the dining room, Victoria only limping slightly. Heath and Jarrod both stood up as she entered, whatever they had been discussing so intently dropped. "Ward," Heath greeted. He bent down to kiss Victoria's cheek as she neared him. "Good morning, Mother. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you, Heath. You're up early and have already been hard at work, I see," Victoria commented with a smile. She moved around the table "It seems most everyone is up early today despite all that happened yesterday and last night."

"Well, I haven't seen Audra or Eugene yet," Jarrod said, pulling out the chair at the head of the table for his mother. "I believe they are both taking advantage of having been up late last night by sleeping in this morning."

Heath frowned. "What exactly happened yesterday?" he asked in concern.

"Nothing that will affect us today, I believe," Victoria told him quickly.

The answer did not sit well with Heath, but before he could pursue it any further, Nick came into the room, shrugging into his black vest. "Good morning, Mother," he greeted, nodding at his brothers. He eyed Ryan with suspicion. "Where is Gene and Audra? If we're going to have to wait for them-."

"No, I think it's best if they get their rest," Victoria assured him as she placed her napkin in her lap. "It was a long night, Nick."

Looking relieved, Nick slipped into an open seat as Ryan spoke up. "It will be a shame if Natalie and I cannot say our farewells to Audra and Eugene," the young medical student commented as he took a seat as far from where Heath had been sitting. "Natalie will never forgive me for it."

Jarrod raised an eyebrow. "Are you leaving already, Ryan?" he asked. "I thought the plan was for you to stay several weeks."

"Perhaps, but I'm afraid that Natalie and I will be unable to do so," Ryan answered, a note of steel in his voice. "I've had word of family business that only I can attend to. We must return to Boston as soon as possible."

"Gene will disappointed, I'm sure," Victoria said, glancing among her sons. Both Jarrod and Heath were frowning at the news. "As I said, Jarrod will drive you into town. You are going in to your office, aren't you, Jarrod?"

The lawyer nodded. "I'll be happy to be of service," he said. "Are you certain this business isn't something you can handle from here, though?"

Ryan hesitated. "It would be best if we were to leave," he answered, keeping his eyes on his plate. "It is what it is. I am sorry for putting your family to such trouble."

Silas entered, carrying two platters of hot food. "Good morning, Silas," Victoria said. "This smells delicious."

The man grinned as he set the platters down. "You're going to Boston, and not Atlanta, Ward?" Heath asked abruptly, making no move to take any food. Looking up swiftly, Ryan stared at him. "That is where your family is from, isn't it? Georgia?"

"Heath!" Victoria exclaimed, her tone tone appalled.

"It's none of your business where my family came from, Thompson!" Ryan snapped. He paused, as though realizing what he'd just said. He turned towards the head of the table. "Forgive me, Mrs. Barkley, for raising my voice like that. There was no call for it." He tossed his napkin down. "I have no appetite. Please excuse me. I have to finish packing."

"What happened to Nat?" Heath asked bluntly.

Ryan stopped in the middle of rising from his chair and an expression of complete grief appeared on his face. "Why do you even care, Thompson?" he demanded, his voice tight with emotion. "He was my brother. It's not like he ever had anything to do with you."

"Now hold on just a minute here!" Nick snapped, taking offense on behalf of his brother.

"What are you talking about?" Heath countered angrily. "The way I remember it, Nat spent most of the time we were on the trails following me. Who do you think saved his hide when he got separated from everyone else in the trees? Who do you think made sure he stayed away from the worst of the fighting every time we ran into a confederate troop?"

The rest of the table was silent, looking between the two. Ryan's face was flushed with anger. "It wasn't Nat," he snapped. He seemed to pause and his eyes closed. He raised his hand to his face. "Maybe it was. If you really must know, Nat caught a bullet in the head and he died."

Heath's face filled with shock. "How?" he demanded after a moment. "He was nowhere near the fighting when-."

"Well, that's where he ended up, and thank you for reminding me just how much I failed my brother," Ryan said sharply. He shoved his chair back and stalked from the room.

There was a moment a complete silence. "Well, that was unexpected," Nick remarked, speaking first. He reached for the platter of steaks.

His half brother sent a scowling glare in his direction. "Nick, don't be insensitive. And Heath, that wasn't very kind," Victoria chided. "Just what were you thinking?"

Heath shook his head. "I'm just trying to figure it all out," he responded defensively. "None of this is making any sense."

The conversation was interrupted by a loud knock from the front door. "I'll get it," Nick said, standing up. "Since everyone else seems to have some interest in this conversation."

"You think that the Wards are hiding something," Jarrod said to Heath as his other brother left the dining room.

"Why would they be hiding something?" Victoria asked in confusion.

"Because when I knew Ward and Nat during the war, they said they had no family left," Heath told her. "Their father and two brothers had died fighting. Their mother and sisters had died of influenza. So where did this Natalie come from?"

"Well, they're leaving now and I can't think of any reason to keep them from going," Jarrod said regretfully.

"Hey, Jarrod!" Nick bellowed. "Sheriff is here to see you."

Sighing, Jarrod folded his napkin and stood up. "If that doesn't pull Gene and Audra from sleep, I don't know what will," he answered. He hurried for the entryway quickly in an attempt to keep Nick from shouting the rafters down. "Sheriff, what can I do for you?"

Though Nick stepped back, he didn't leave. "I've identified the man who attacked your brother and his friends last night," the sheriff responded, succinctly. "From the papers on him, his name was John Disher, formerly a Lt in the army. I was wondering if that name meant anything to you. Nick here doesn't recognize it."

Frowning, Jarrod thought and then shook his head. "It's not ringing any bells," he answered. "I'll ask Heath. We're in the middle of a conversation at the moment. I'll let you know if he knows anything."

With an understanding nod, the sheriff put his hat back on and left. Jarrod followed him out before he firmly closed the door. When he turned around, he found his brother standing only a few feet away with his arms crossed. "What's going on, Jarrod?"

"I'm not exactly sure myself, Nick," the lawyer responded. "I'm working things out right now. And if I think you need to know, I'll fill you in on the details later. Alright?"

His brother regarded him with narrowed eyes. Ryan came thundering down the steps. "Have you seen Natalie?" the dark haired man demanded.

"I believe she went up to her room," Jarrod answered.

"She's not there."