A/N I hope this answers the question of Audra and the Cartwrights meeting. Eventually, they will but it will take a while to get there. I hope I'm not going too slow on the story but a lot of things to get through as this is a Heath/Audra story more than a Barkley/Cartwright one. Thanks for the wonderful responses.
Chapter 14: I Need Him Too!
"How are you doing, Audra?" Heath walked up behind Audra. He placed his hands on each of her shoulders then ran his hands up and down her arms.
"I'm fine." Audra leaned back to rest her back against his chest. It seemed to becoming a habit of leaning into Heath for comfort. "I was going to talk to Mother about meeting the Cartwrights. Now, I don't know how to even bring it up with all of this."
The funeral for Rose Barkley had only been three days prior. At the funeral, Heath had fidgeted uncomfortably due to being so near his father's grave. It reminded him of missed years due to him being a secret. It was Audra who noticed Heath's uncomfortable stance. Thus, it was Audra who made her way to try to ease him.
Now they stood alone by the corrals looking at the horses frolicking. A large black stallion pranced around letting the other horses know he was boss. Nick said the horse was unbreakable and not worth the effort Heath was putting into him. However, unbeknown to Nick, Heath had broke him enough for other well trained men to ride. Audra and Heath watched the horse a while in silence.
They both felt a lot like the stallion. Heath felt he had to fight his way onto the Ranch to belong. He had to prove his worth. Audra felt she needed the freedom from the ranch at times. Both unsure of the next step in breeching a gap that was starting to form between the two of them of being familial or of being something different due to the truth of Audra's birth parents.
"I think Ben Cartwright has every right to know, Audra." Coming back to the subject, Heath rubbed up and down Audra's arms. "He's been missing out on a daughter way too long. I know how I wish I had known all of you a lot earlier."
"Especially Nick." Audra teased knowing the closeness the blonde cowboy shared with the dark rancher.
"Yeah." Heath chuckled as he remembered Nick's bellowing out about needing a fence mended a few days ago.
Heath remembered it wasn't much of a need as Nick's way of making it a day of the two of them spending time together in their usual brother routine. Audra and Heath had spent so much time together lately that Nick was missing his blonde brother although Heath had still spent most of his hours with Nick. Even Eugene coming in for the funeral didn't make Nick miss Heath less. Therefore, Heath had spent the last two days fixing a fence that could wait to be mended. Heath had to admit. He had missed Nick as equally as Nick missed him. It was usually just the two of them off buying cattle, working the ranch, or camping somewhere. Now Audra had taken some of Heath's time from Nick for herself. Usually, Audra's time with Heath had been confined to card games or checkers after supper. Now she eagerly awaited for Heath's work day to be over before she latched onto him.
"When do you think I should tell Mother, Heath?" Audra asked as she placed her hands over Heath's hands.
"I was thinkin' that someone needs to ride and get Rose's things from the train depot. Jarrod said he received a telegram from the Canwell Station saying Rose had some things needed picked up. One of the rail workers had noticed the bags and Rose's satchel after a few days. They apologized for not sending her stuff when Rose's body was transported. That station is on the way to Nevada."
Audra snapped around as she stared at Heath. "What are you saying?"
Heath shrugged. "I think you need a trip to clear your head. Is all."
"Nick will throw a hissy fit." Audra stepped away from Heath before perching herself on the corral fence. "Because you have to be the one that goes with me. I don't want the others going. I don't want undue pressure of having to prove anything as I do with the family."
"Eugene is in for a few weeks. His break in classes was coming any way." Heath propped his elbows on the white wooden fence.
Audra grinned revealing her dimples. "I remember him stating he cleared things with the professors in order to come back early and stay on the ranch a while." Audra swung her booted legs slightly in a back and forth pattern. "He seems a little jealous of Nick wanting you around all the time. Eugene was Nick's only little brother before you came and stole Nick away."
"I didn't steal.." Heath chortled slightly. "I guess Eugene could use some time with his big brothers without the newest brother taking up their time. Mother could also use some time to make over Eugene if we go on this trip."
"I think it is a great idea." Audra's smile crept off her face. "But should we tell Mother of our plan to go meet the Cartwrights?"
"That's up to you." Heath tilted his white Stetson hat back. "She'd want to come along to try to explain to Ben Cartwright."
"I don't want her too." Audra admitted. "I don't think I want him to know who I am until I decide. I want to meet him first as a stranger."
"Sometimes that doesn't work out." Heath raised an eyebrow as he winked at Audra. "But I don't suppose one of your Cartwright brothers is going to drag you out of bed to beat out the truth from you."
"True." Audra, with the help of Heath, got down from the fence. She kissed Heath's cheek. "I'm terrified but so excited."
Eugene had been watching from the window in the house. Heath and Audra seemed very close. Eugene also had noticed Nick brooding when Heath wasn't around. Jarrod was close to the new brother as well. However, it was more like a brother relationship than it was the "Pappy" persona he had with the other Barkley children.
Nick's relationship with Heath seemed special. They bonded as brothers but also as best friends. Eugene even noticed that his mother was drawn to Heath as if he were her own son. However, Audra and Heath were different compared to how she was with each of her other brothers. They seemed to also share a special bond even if he couldn't quite think of what the bond was.
"It's their shared secrets." Victoria touched her youngest son's arm.
"What?" Eugene still kept his eyes on his sister and brother.
"They're close due to similar shared secrets." Victoria's voice cracked slightly. The family had already revealed to Eugene of Audra's birth. Eugene reassured Audra that she was still his pesky little sister.
"Oh. That's what it is." Eugene allowed the information to sink in. "Heath seems extra protective of Audra's feelings."
"He knows what it feels like. Heath fears she is hurting as he did." Victoria squeezed Eugene's upper arm. "She doesn't though. I can tell. Her life was full of love and joy of a family. Heath had more painful than good times. Oh but that boy was loved by his mother. Sometimes, love doesn't take away all the pain though."
Eugene and Victoria settled down after walking back into the house. Nick came in bellowing out that he was starved. Jarrod came in from the study stating in a much lower voice that he could use some food too.
Before long, all the Barkleys were gathered around the dinner table. Audra glanced over at Heath, who was at her side. To give her encouragement, he secretly squeezed her hand under the table.
"Mother, I'd like to go get Rose's things from the depot." Audra spoke up quickly fearing she would let it slide if she didn't.
"Excuse me." Jarrod narrowed his eyes on his little sister. "The depot can send her items. I've already told them it would be easier that way. Why buy a train ticket to only go after what they can send for free? It was the train station's fault."
"Please, Mother." Audra begged ignoring Jarrod's remark. "They haven't had time to send her items. I really..no I desperately need to get away from here a while. I need to think about things." She could see her mother look at her worriedly. "Oh, Mother, it's not a sad thing. I just need to have some time. I don't want a train ticket. I want to take a stage coach and horses for part of the ride."
"Now wait a cotton pickin' minute!" Nick bellowed. "That's a long trip! It is a dangerous one too. NO way is my little sister going to take a trip like that! NO WAY!"
"I was planning on ridin' with her." Heath grimaced knowing the next words to come from Nick's mouth. However, he went right back to eating.
"NOT HAPPENIN', BOY!" Nick stood up and threw down his napkin. "I need you on the ranch with me!" Nick didn't men the last part to come out. He lowered his voice slightly. "I mean I need you on this ranch."
"You meant what you said the first time!" Audra stood up in the same manner as Nick. She had her hands placed on the table angrily. "You only want Heath all to yourself! I need him too, Nick!"
Eugene watched with a furrowed brow as his sister and brother fought over Heath's time. He glanced at Jarrod then to his mother. Both seemed to be rolling their eyes at the outbursts. Then he looked at Heath, who was eating his food as if there was nothing going on. Heath looked up at Eugene and winked then nodded his head towards Nick.
Eugene took it as a hidden cue from Heath. "I could help with the ranch while they're gone." Eugene realized that Heath must have caught on to his jealousy of Nick's and Heath's close relationship. Heath realized that Eugene needed time with Nick too. "I'd really like to spend some time with my big brother out on the range like we used to, Nick."
"Well. I would like that too." Nick settled down back to his seat. He grunted still not liking the idea of his little sister traveling on an unneeded trip. He was even more irate that she was taking his blonde brother away with her.
"Mother, may I?" Audra bit her lip anxiously before continuing. "Heath will be right there. We can take the train there. We'd ride most of the way back on the train too. But I want some time on the horses." She glanced at Nick. "I've been to Rome, Nick. I think I can travel across country without getting into too much trouble. Besides, Heath will be with me."
"I think it would be a lovely trip for you, Audra." Victoria squeezed her hand. "I think we could all use a break from the tension. You don't mind going with her, Heath?"
"Not at all, Mother."" He stated before looking at Nick. "I got the unbreakable stallion broke. The rest the men can handle."
"I can help break some." Eugene said doubtingly. He had never helped break the horses.
"Not like Heath." Nick pouted. Then he added quickly so not to hurt Eugene's feelings. "None of the men, and that includes me, can break a wild horse like Heath. But you don't have to. I need you working with me on some branding."
"It's settled." Jarrod spoke up. "I'll ride into town first thing in the morning to make sure the station keeps Aunt Rose's things."
"When do you plan on leaving, Audra?" Victoria hated to see Audra leave. However, Victoria also needed a break from the tension of worry that had built around them since Audra knowing the events of her birth.
"I'd like to leave first thing in the morning. Right after breakfast." Audra beamed.