No Mountain That High

Chapter Eleven

Kathleen stood in the front yard underneath one of the huge trees that stood watch over the Barkley Ranch as her brother disappeared up the long drive and out of sight. Adam had not been too thrilled to discover she wasn't going with him, but he'd given her his support and thanked the Barkleys for giving her work that would provide both independence and a decent living for his sister. Of course, he hadn't left before having a rather frank talk with her.

Adam stood in the middle of the room Kathleen had been using and would be using while under the Barkley's employ. Playing the part of an overprotective brother, he had tried hard to get her to go with him. However, to his credit, he was throwing his support behind her when she planted her feet and refused to do so.

"I know the Barkleys are good people. I'm not worried that they'll try anything!" insisted Adam. "I'm just asking you to promise to be careful!" He threw his hands up in the air, turned away from her, marched over to the window and looked out. He could see men off in the distance working, Heath was with them as was Nick, who insisted on he be involved with the men and the ranch as much as possible.

"Of what?" Kathleen didn't know whether to hug her brother and tell him she'd be fine or to cup him upside his ear, as her grandfather would say, for acting like she had no brains. "I have a good job offer here and if I can be of service…" she cut her words shut and her eyes widened as she felt as if someone had pulled the rug out from under her. She didn't like the thought that had just entered her head. "Adam Henderson! You're not worried about my being involved with helping Nick Barkley, are you? That man has a heart of gold…Even if he is loud and, from what I hear, a force not to be reckoned with when riled."

Adam's shoulders slumped slightly and he turned his head. He kept seeing the way his sister's face had lit up while they had fished with their friends up at the lake just mere days ago. He remembered the way Nick had thrown his head back and laughed at some of the things she'd said while he and she ate dinner with the family. It had been four years since he seen her eyes dance like that and he couldn't help but wonder if Nick's head had also been turned. "I know all that. It doesn't change the fact that I'm your brother. It's my right to worry about you." he smirked.

Kathleen smiled as she walked over to her brother and laid her hand upon his upper arm. She followed his eyes and shook her head when she saw what he was looking at. "I overheard more than one ranch hand talking outside the barn this morning when I was working; they didn't know I was inside and could hear every word they said. They happened to be talking about Nick. You don't have to worry about him; he's a good man. Besides," her eyes sparkled as she started laughing, "I can't see Jarrod and his family offering me a job and asking me to step in and help out with Mr. Barkley's therapy if they thought there was a chance I'd wind up compromised in any way." If she had caught even the smallest glimpse of that possibility, Kathleen never would have accepted the offer. As it was, she was grateful that had not been the case; it made is so she could leave the melancholy life she'd led behind her. That blessing was something she'd always appreciate.

Adam gave his sister a hug and then pulled back. "I expect to hear from you on a regular basis; I want the peace of mind of knowing you're okay. Promise me that and I'll leave without another word or rather lecture."

Kathleen raised her hand in mock obedience and gave her brother a salute. "Yes, sir!" With that both Adam and she busted up laughing. The mock salute was actually a standing joke between them as he'd spent time in the military and even considered making it his career at one time.

"Brothers can be a bit difficult at times." Audra walked up beside Kathleen, who had remained standing where she was even though Adam could no longer be seen.

Kathleen smiled and turned around. "Yes, they can. Though, Adam was the rock I leaned on the day I lost William. After four years though, I think it's time we both went our separate ways. We're only holding each other back from living our lives."

Audra's gentle smile and affirmative nod was friendly. "I don't think they mean to hold us back in anyway, but I do think they take too much upon themselves as far as our care goes. I don't think they will never see us as grown women," she giggled.

"Oh I think they do, I think that's what scares them," laughed Kathleen. "What they don't see is that they sometimes hold themselves back. They let themselves get so engrossed with feeling sorry for us, wanting the best for us, or guilty when something bad happens to us. Other times, they are just so protective of family they don't let themselves explore that love in other ways… even to the point of ignoring their own needs." A forlorn look came into Kathleen's eyes and she stopped speaking. She wasn't about to tell Audra that she, Kathleen, felt that her brother's broken engagement from the year before was due, in a small part, to the fact that Adam had refused to turn his back on his sister and move to New York.

Audra suspected there was more to Adam story, and her heart lifted thinking on the love these two had for each other shared as siblings. It seemed to be so strong. She could definitely relate to that and took the time to silently appreciate her brothers as gifts.

The two women continued talking as they made their way back into the house. Once inside, Audra disappeared up the stairs while Kathleen found her way to the kitchen. With Silas away for a few weeks, she needed to start preparing lunch for everyone.

While she worked in the kitchen, Nick was being wheeled back to the house with the help of Jim. Heath and Jim had built a small ramp leading to the porch and the French doors to the billiard room. It made access to the big house easier than anything else. Just as Adam had suspected, Kathleen was indeed on Nick's mind.

"If you like her, say so!" Heath had slapped Nick on the shoulder before going out to see the men. "From what I can see, she's a fine gal." Nick had shrugged it off and changed subjects quickly.

"There you go, Nick." Jim pushed the chair up the ramp and opened the French doors. Nick maneuvered his chair inside and then bid Jim good bye when he turned and went back to work. Nick had headed for the house with every intention of going to the study and talking to Jarrod, but he heard singing, pretty good singing at that, coming from the kitchen. Grabbing the wheels of his chair, Nick made his way down the hallway, stopping outside the kitchen. A smile a mile wide appeared on his face as he realized it was Kathleen doing the singing. He listened as long as he could and then resigning himself to the fact the talk with Jarrod was well overdue. Nick turned his chair around and headed for the study.