Chapter Epilogue One

A/N Thanks to all who stuck with the story, for the comments and gold nuggets. I had someone question Cass's hatred of all the Barkleys, especially since Nick stopped Jarrod from killing him. The explanation is in Part Two of this epilogue.

A/N Never thought I'd do a two part epilogue only this one was simply too long.

As the Stockton train station came into view, Jarrod couldn't help but smile and look at the letters he held in his right hand, one from his mother and one from Nick, along with a telegram that was in his left one. Since his 'death', his 'lost brother' had been living on a ranch in Wyoming under the assumed name of Jonathon Gyver-that was something all but Audra had learned when they'd received the first of many letters from Nick. Ten years, ten long years of simply writing to his hot tempered brother-writing his alias on the envelope in order to keep their secret- and slipping in a quiet visit once a year. Those first few letters and the first quiet visit had been used to iron out any ill feelings that had ever existed.

Now, finally, Nick was going to be on the Barkley ranch again. Of course, Elizabeth-who had regained her eyesight within a few months after being grazed by the bullet- and their children would be with him. He then looked at the telegram that had started it all. It was from Tyler Rice, a friend of his who had kept his eyes and ears wide open at the request of Jarrod, Heath and Victoria-who had indeed given Jarrod and Heath an earful when she'd learned the truth (Silas had given them a piece of his mind as well, though he'd assured them he understood).

He could still see himself in his office two weeks ago. His secretary had brought in the telegram. He'd opened it and felt a ray of emotion as he read the six short words Tyler had sent. 'Cass Hyatt died in prison yesterday'. Jarrod had wasted no time in confirming the message and then sending a message to Nick. He would have continued dwelling on the time only his train had stopped, and he needed to get off.

Jarrod wasn't surprised when he stepped off the train and headed for his office only to have friends of the family, along with others, approach him. One after another, they started rattling off statements and questions.

"I heard Nick is alive! Is that true?" "I heard he and his bride were rescued by a captain on a ship but, due to his tight schedule, the captain had no choice but to have two extra passengers for quite awhile. Where have they been all this time? Why haven't they contacted you before now?" "I heard they're on the ranch." "I heard…." Jarrod didn't even try to reply to any of the statements or questions until Fred, who had just recently retired, stepped out of the sheriff's office. Fred's nephew was the new sheriff, and his uncle had been visiting him.

"If you'd all back off and give Jarrod some breathing room, we might get some answers!" Fred snapped just as loud as he had in the past. Instant silence was the result.

Fred, who still remembered the memorial service held ten years before for Nick and the bride no one had ever met, looked Jarrod in the eye.
"Is it true? Are Nick and his wife alive?"

Jarrod nodded. "Yes, he and Elizabeth are very much alive. They, their four children, along with their deaf stepdaughter and her fiancé arrived at the house late last night. At least, they were supposed to. As you know, I've been in San Francisco and wasn't supposed to be home until next week." Even as he spoke the words he thought on his only sister. As much as she'd matured through the years, she still didn't keep a secret very well. For that reason, she'd been led to believe that Jonathon Gyver was simply a good friend Heath and Jarrod had made when 'they'd had a business matter to take care of in Wyoming'. For that reason, she'd never pushed to go on the yearly trips that Jarrod and Heath, or Jarrod and Victoria would make. He could only imagine what Audra's reaction had been.

Fred started beaming. He'd liked Nick a lot -even if he had been loud and obnoxious; the day he'd had to tell Nick's family about the stagecoach wreck had been one of the worst days of his life. He couldn't help but wonder if time had changed Nick in those areas. "You know, you're going to be getting a lot of visitors to the ranch. Ones who will want answers."

Jarrod beamed from ear to ear. "From what Mother said in her letter, she's planning on a huge party on Saturday. I expect to see you there. When it comes to questions, as far as Mother and I are concerned, Nick can satisfy everyone's curiosity at that time. Now," he put his hat on his head, "if you don't mind, I'm going to the livery stable, get my horse which Heath promised would be waiting for me, and then going straight home."

Fred grinned and moved out of Jarrod's way. "Tell Nick hi, and that I'm eager to finally meet his wife and children. See all of you on Saturday."

Jarrod wasted no time in getting his horse and going straight to the ranch -even if it meant doing his best to politely push aside any other questions that came his way. By the time he reached the ranch, he could see Nick's children playing with Heath's three children; the blond haired cowboy had married *Sharon Callahan two years after Nick's "death". Jarrod suspected his own wife (he'd remarried a woman by the name of Laura Hill Jameson five years ago) children, along with Heath and Sharon were inside visiting his mother. His marriage had given him four step-children. Since he and his wife had been blessed with three children of their own, they had seven children in their home. Though, that would change once his two stepdaughters (twins) and stepson had their weddings-they were all to be married in the next few months.

Jarrod wasn't surprised to see Audra and Will Marvin walk out of the house. The couple had married four years ago, but had not been blessed with children yet. As he drew even closer to the house, Jarrod was surprised to see Eugene step out of the house as well. The good doctor had never married and was, as far as Jarrod knew, living in Europe. It didn't really matter. Jarrod was excited that, after ten years, they were actually going to have the whole family together for a few days.

"Jarrod!" Nick yelled as he and McColl walked out of the barn. Jarrod whirled around and hurried over to Nick-embracing him with all he had. "We were just talking about you. Wondered when you'd make it back here, thought that business you had to deal with might keep you away for a few more days."

Laughter filled his eyes as Elizabeth, who had left the house to find her husband, walked up beside Nick. "And miss listening to you explaining your miraculous reappearance to our friends after all these years? Not on your life!" That caused McColl and Elizabeth, who had already offered to be the one to give any sort of explanation only to be told by Nick to leave it to him, to start laughing.

Elizabeth and McColl walked away. Elizabeth due to fact that one of the children had called out to her-saying Tabitha needed her; McColl because he had other things to do. When the two had left, Nick looked at Jarrod and grow serious. "I am sorry Elizabeth and I felt it was necessary to listen to Cliff and do what we did, and that you were pulled into the deception as all. It couldn't have been easy for all of you to keep quiet, especially to Audra." Nick rubbed his ear as if to convey just how much yelling Audra had done, though there was also a small grin on his face too. "I wish we could have figured something more than sending letters under assumed names to you as well. It's just that when the rest of you started getting married, and all of us started having children…." His voice trailed off.

Jarrod grasped his brother's upper arm, a look of understanding in his eyes. "Children talk and none us knew who-like Tabitha-could keep quiet and who wouldn't. None of us could risk that. Right or wrong," he glanced towards the house where Tabitha and Elizabeth were signing to each other, "I'm glad Cass didn't live to a ripe old age."

"Me too," Nick then scratched the back of his neck. "That party Mother's planning, you sure you don't want to be the 'guest speaker'?" There was laughter in his eyes as he asked the question.

Jarrod's eyes mirrored the laughter-as a grin as huge as the Pacific Ocean spread over his face. "No way, dear brother! The privilege of facing our friends with this escapade of yours is yours to keep, and yours alone!"

"Thanks," Nick's voice had the sound of a bit of sarcasm in it, though his eyes were laughing. He then grew serious. "You know, we're going to have to talk to Audra, you and I that is. She's still pretty upset…at both of us."

Jarrod didn't have to ask why he and Nick were both in the hot seat. "Guess she didn't appreciate finding out I insisted that she be kept in the dark."

"Nope," Nick couldn't help but grin just a little. "Let's not worry about it right now though, we need to get washed up before Mother starts hollering."

Jarrod said nothing. When he agreed, why should he?

A/N *Sharon Callahan is from the episode The Brawlers.