I do not own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters.

Weeping Willow

Chapter Twelve

Jonathon raced his horse up, down, and over the hills. His father had told him to avoid the main road if possible and to keep his eyes wide open. "If anyone stops you and asks you if you've got a problem," Zeb stood next to his son's horse looking up at his son, "Just excuse yourself and say you're late for a family reunion. It won't be anyone's business what family we're trying to reunite." Those words rang in his ears when he went to cross the part of the main road he had no choice but to use and almost ran his horse straight into a stranger riding down the road. The man's brown eyes shot bullets straight at the young man.

"I'm sorry, sir!" Jonathon stammered as he pulled up on his reins, making his horse pound the ground with his feet a few times, sending dust into the air. "I'm late for a reunion." Okay, so he left out the family bit. He had been caught off guard and left out one word, big deal!

"No reunion is important enough to run someone down! Watch where you're going next time!" The tall, already balding, lanky, thirty year old stranger was none other than the fugitive, Kyle Hannifin.

"Yes, sir!" Jonathon raced across the road and disappeared in the trees.

Kyle watched him leave and then continued down the road. He had to keep moving. He had no desire to go to prison and was determined to find his wife and son.

Audra was finally feeling good enough to be sitting up in bed. The bedroom's door stood open allowing her to see out into the living room. She couldn't help but smile at seeing ten year old Scott actually so engulfed in a book that he was being quiet for a change. For a split second, she could see Jarrod with his nose in one of his books. She quickly turned her head away, fighting to keep her composure.

"Hey, you all right? You're not getting sick again, are you?" Laura walked into the room carrying a bowl of soup and a spoon. Her patient had just gotten to the point of sitting up; she didn't expect to find Audra flat on her back again.

"I'm fine, thank you," Audra propped herself up again and took the soup that was offered and began eating. Since she'd been sick, no one had dared talked to her about any of the serious issues at hand. Now, she was bound and determined to get the ball rolling, as it were. "I thank you for your kindness, but I need to talk to Mr. Knowles. Where is he?"

Laura wasn't stupid; she knew what the young lady wanted and she couldn't blame her a bit. Only she'd just have to be patient a little longer. "He, my husband and my son are working on things. For now, you just continue to rest."

Audra was annoyed at being left in the dark. Okay, she could understand it at first. After all, it wasn't like she had been in a position to be told anything. Now was a different story and she put the half finished bowl on the bed stand beside her. When she threw the covers off, Laura went through the roof. "What do you think you're doin' young lady? You've been deathly sick for a good many days; your fever only broke last night!" Mrs. Milton might not have been so uptight, but while Mr. Hammer had been sent for he was ill himself and unable to come and get Scott. However, he had sent word back begging them to keep his grandson hidden until he was able to come and fetch him.

"It's called getting out of bed." Audra shot back, her eyes blazing with fire. She would have succeeded in getting up only Mr. Knowles stepped into the bedroom. He wore a look similar to the one Jarrod always wore when he meant business.

"Your husband needs you, Laura." He said the words as he stepped into the room and away from the door, allowing Laura to exit and go see what was needed of her.

Adam couldn't help but chuckle as Audra continued glaring at him. At least she was on the mend. He thought. He put his hands on the top of the foot of the bed and gave her a huge smile, one that could have lit up the whole house without a problem. "First off, there's no need to glare at me, young lady. I'm the guy helping you, remember? Second, you're nowhere near ready to be out of bed." His physically moved her legs, which she'd swung over the side of the bed, back up on the bed and pulled the covers up high enough to cover them.

"I remember." Audra looked at him, her glare softening somewhat, "But, I can't just lie around here not knowing a thing! If I'm to continue lying here in this bed, tell me what's going on!" She didn't care if she was still spoke a bit sharply. She only wanted answers, answers that would, hopefully, lead her home sooner than later.

"I am fully aware of that fact, Miss Barkley," Adam used, and stressed, the formal title, along with giving her a stern look, as a way to convey the message he meant business, as he pulled a chair over, "If you'll just quiet down, I will explain exactly what's been happening." He chuckled when Audra folded her arms quite emphatically and waited for him to speak.

"Mr. Hammer has been informed of his grandson's whereabouts." Adam explained, "He will come and fetch him as soon as possible. When he gets here we will talk about you. No sense to get in an uproar before then, is there?" Her muscles relaxed and she unfolded her arms. Adam was smiling as he finished by adding the comment, "If Mr. Hannifin is stupid enough to go up against the law and Mr. Hammer, once the man is well, Mr. Hannifin will deserve everything he gets. At least, Zeb claims the gentleman has such a temper that he hits first and asks questions later."

Audra couldn't help it; she burst out laughing as she thought about how many times Nick had done the same thing. As soon as she got her laughter under control she grew serious. "What about my family. It's been almost a month already. Most likely, they think I'm dead and, if that's the case, I don't want them to continue thinking it!" Her voice rose again. Every time she thought about her family thinking she'd passed on, it made her sick to the stomach.

Adam rubbed the back of his neck; he knew she spoke the truth. It was a justifiable concern and it worried him too. He told her what they'd decided on that end too. "Look, whether we like it or not that telegraph office is down right now. Should it have been fixed by now? You bet. Why isn't it? I haven't a clue. So," he stood up, "You can holler about it all you want. First things first, once the boy's in his grandfather's care, we'll deal with your end of this mess. Now get some rest!" he ordered.

Maybe it wasn't very nice of her; after all, he was helping them. Still, Audra found herself furious at the fact that he was right and she was stuck in bed for awhile longer. That being the case, she gave him a mock salute and said (even though he was the same age as Nick), "Yes, father." It only served to get her a laugh from Adam as he walked out of the bedroom.

"Men! You're all impossible!" Audra lay down and pulled the covers up to her chin. If she wasn't going to be allowed out of bed yet, she might as well get some more sleep, if she could.