Chapter Twenty One

A gentle breeze was blowing through the air as Jarrod and Heath rode up to the Myers' ranch…Christine had left for the ranch an hour before them. They could see the black haired beauty Nick called Sissy playing with a child in a nearby field full of flowers while Nick was sitting on the ground with his back towards them. While they were not close enough to distract the child and her 'aunt' from their play, the two brothers could still see Melissa Ann very clearly. "She's the spitting image of her mother." Jarrod practically whispered. He could say that because he remembered a picture of Melissa and Julia as children, one that had been sat on Julia's dressing room table when he visited Julie at the theatre she was working at.

"That's what he says." Jarrod and Heath whipped their head sideways to see Anna Myers standing outside the door; her eyes were polite enough to Heath, still they were throwing darts towards Jarrod. He figured that meant Nick or Christine had told them just who was coming and why.

"We're not here to hurt him, ma'am." Jarrod spoke politely, somehow knowing he'd better be on his very best behavior.

"You'd better not be." Anna's voice was stern as she made no attempt to hide her annoyance.

"Mother," Byron stepped out of the house and spoke in a chastising tone of voice, and then turned his attention to the visitors. "You'll forgive my wife, only we look upon Jonathon as a son. We simply don't want to see more grief piled on top of everything else he's been through."

Jarrod looked at Heath as if to say 'Can you believe how protective of Nick everyone we meet is?", and then dismounted his horse-as did Heath. "As I just said, we wish him no harm. We….no…I simply want to reconcile with him. Mother would, eventually, like to make peace with him as well. We were both deeply in the wrong; we've known it for years." His muscles relaxed when he saw a smile appear on Mrs. Myers' face.

"I am sorry for reacting badly. It's like my husband said, I just care about Jonathon." Mrs. Myers told him.

"Jonathon said he had a mild panic attack last night, and that was why the three of you did not finish talking. He said you were meeting this morning at his request." Byron said, not that he doubted Nick. He didn't. He just wanted to see what Jarrod and Heath had to say about it.

Still shaken by the fact that his presence might have caused Nick's episode, Jarrod didn't answer for a moment. Then, just as Heath was about to reply, Jarrod started talking. "Yes, but rest assured, if he has another one-due to my being here-I will turn around and go back to California. I would never wish to endanger his health in any way."

He saw any remaining stiffness leave the Myers and smiles spread from ear to ear. "If he has another one, I do not think it would be wise for the two of you to be pushed away, or walk away." Byron put his arm around his wife. "Anna here has said more than once how much he needs you and your family. I just hope…" he turned and looked towards Jonathon-who was now down all his hands and knees in order to give his daughter a 'horseback ride. "I hope you can convince him of that." He then encouraged Jarrod and Heath to talk some more with Nick.

After the two brothers were out of earshot, Anna quietly asked, "Do you think they can? I mean, convince him he has a place on their family ranch?"

Byron frowned slightly. Only a part of the talk he'd had with his 'son' the night before was about the Barkleys and the past, the other part was about the Myers' ranch and the request they had made of Nick before they knew his brothers were coming. "I was serious then, I am serious now. Yes, I'm still willing only, Jonathon," Byron clamped his hand down upon 'his son's' shoulder. "Please, think about it very hard before making any final decision. As you've already said, your brothers have come many miles to find you so Jarrod can make peace with you. That should tell you something.'

Had his words been heard or was his son destined to live miles away from his family? Byron had no clue only turned around and, upon insisting Anna go with him, disappeared back into the house.

While Byron and his wife had been talking with his brothers, Nick had seen Jarrod and Heath from out of the corner of his eye. Inwardly, he sighed. A part of him was elated they'd found him, the other part wished they hadn't. When they started walking towards him, Nick helped his daughter off his back and stood up, keeping her in his arms.

"John?" Christine laid her hand on his arm when he started to tense up.

He took a deep breath and told her he'd be okay. "Got to find a way to relax," He smiled, grateful she'd come. He might not need her to hold his hand, but the support felt great to have.

"Nick," Jarrod addressed his brother once he and Heath were standing a few feet from Nick. "Thanks for inviting us." The invitation had given Jarrod much needed hope-as he'd been half afraid his brother's 'sister' was going to ask them to leave the night before.

Nick would have made some sort of reply only he was once again shocked beyond measure as Melissa Ann started wiggling like crazy and leaning forward, stretching her arms towards Jarrod as she did so.

Jarrod smiled and, stepping closer, looked at his brother. Not wishing to assume anything, he asked Nick, "May I hold her?"

Nick, who was just as surprised as when his daughter went to Heath without ever meeting him, could only nod as he let Jarrod take Melissa Ann into his arms. He, Christine and Heath then watched in amazement as the young child wrapped her arms around her uncle's neck, wrapped her feet around his chest and laid her head on his shoulder. However, all four went into shock as the child who had never shown any signs of having much vocabulary, whispered, "You came. Mama said you would."

Those two sentences filled the area with a stunned silence. Jarrod and Nick looked at each other as if they didn't know what to think. Finally, Nick shook his head. "Guess we really do need to talk."

Jarrod started beaming as he nodded. "I'd say you're right."