Chapter 19

After leaving the family to their discussion in the study, Silas returned to the kitchen, picked up the tray of tea and coffee and headed up the back staircase to the guest room. He knocked on the door and waited a moment before opening it slightly. "I's brought your tea and coffee Miz Esmeralda."

"Come in Silas," Essie called.

Silas smiled as he entered the room and looked at the young man in the bed. He placed the tray on the small bedside table and began pouring a cup of tea for Esmeralda who was sitting in the armchair recently vacated by Victoria. "You's looking better this morning Mister Heath"

"Feeling better too, thank you Mister Silas. Amazing what a good nights' sleep can do for a body."

"It just be Silas, Mister Heath. Milk and sugar Miz Esmeralda?"

"Both thank you Silas. One sugar please."

Silas handed the cup to Esmeralda and turned back to pour the coffee for Heath, adding two sugars as he had been doing each time he had brought the young blond his coffee over the last several days. "Here you go Mister Heath, just how you's like it."

"It's just Heath, thanks Silas. There's no need to call me Mister either."

"I's thank you Mister Heath, but it just wouldn't be right for me not to call you's Mister." Silas busied himself collecting and stacking the breakfast plates on the tray before turning back to the young couple. "If I may, I'd just like to welcome you to the family Mister Heath. I know's the first time I laid eyes on you's, you's was Mister Tom's boy." Silas paused and pulled his small picture of him and a young Tom Barkley from his pocket and handed it to Heath. "Mister Tom be about your age in that picture. I can't remember where it was taken but Mister Tom gave it to me to proves I was with him if I's was questioned."

Heath studied the picture of the two smiling young men, the tall white man with his arm over the shoulder of the smaller black man. There was no sign of stiffness in either man to show that they were nothing more than two friends enjoying the chance to have their picture taken. He passed it over to Esmeralda. "I never realised how much I resembled my father until Missus Barkley showed me the pictures of him."

Silas smiled, "it be more than looks Mister Heath, though that be powerful clear but you's remind me of him in other ways too. The way you's talk, how you hold yourself and walk and ride. I swear I's was watching Mister Tom ride away yesterday morning when you left to retrieve Miz Esmeralda and…" Silas smiled. "You be just as stubborn and lawd only knows he was one stubborn man and you got that same Barkley stubbornness, just like your brothers and sister."

"I'm not their brother yet Silas," Heath pointed out with a sigh.

"It might take some time Mister Heath but you as much a Barkley as they are and Miz Barkley will not have it any other way. She is very much looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren. In fact she be down in the study right now telling them about you's. They's won't be able to deny the truth when they see the pictures and the letters. Miss Audra already loves those two children and she be tickled pink to learn they be her niece and nephew. Mister Nick might deny it but I see him look at those youngsters with a kindness in his eyes and both Mister Jarrod and Mister Gene, well they smart, once they have time to study the evidence they will accept it without reservation." Silas picked up the trays. "Well I best be getting back downstairs. I'll bring lunch up unless you's gots ideas of joining the family in the dining room Mister Heath."

"He'll be up here Silas," Esmeralda confirmed with a cunning smile. "He might think he is fine but another day or two in bed after yesterday's stunt should be punishment enough."

"Now Essie," Heath began…

"Don't you now Essie me, Heath Thomson. You had no right running around out there yesterday and you know it, so either swallow your punishment like a good little boy or I'll have Doctor Merar come back and make sure you sleep for the next week."

Heath stared wide eyed at his wife, under no illusion that she would carry out her threat if he didn't comply, after all it wouldn't have been the first time he had tried to bluff his way around one of her threats, with unpleasant consequences for him. He couldn't help the twitch of his mouth as he tried to contain the smile threatening to burst forth and he just knew the words he was about to utter were going to drop him further into the tub of hot water he was sitting in but…"I just love it when you're angry Missus Thomson."

"Lawd have mercy," Silas muttered, shaking his head. He may have only met Miz Esmeralda the day before but from what he had already seen and heard from Mister Jarrod and Mister Nick, she was every bit as formidable as Miz Barkley with her dander up. Yes sir; there was no denying the truth of the matter, the young blond in the bed was surely another Barkley son.

"Silas," Heath called as the houseman picked up the trays, "Would you mind going out to our wagon? There is a picture under Leah's pillow; it's the bed on the right side of the wagon. I told Missus Barkley I would get it for her but…" Heath looked sheepishly at his wife.

"Not to worry Mister Heath, I'll find it and give it to Miz Barkley right away."

"Thank you Silas."

BV

Nick stormed through the foyer and out the front door, allowing the heavy oak door to slam shut behind him. He paced angrily across the wide verandah, his spurs jingly frantically to keep up with his momentum. Snorting derisively the big rancher stomped down the stairs from the verandah and headed towards the corrals and the big bay stallion moving restlessly within its confines. He stared at the horse, HIS horse, HEATH'S horse, his BROTHER'S horse. Nick slammed his black gloved, fisted right hand down on the top of the corral post, ignoring the sharp sting of pain that coursed up from his hand to his shoulder. He watched the big horse move fluidly around the corral, remembering the way it and its rider had moved across the range the previous day and the odd feeling of familiarity watching the blond had brought him. He closed his eyes and let his memories wander, remembering watching his father astride his horse, moving in the same easy, fluid way as though horse and rider were one unit, much like the Centaurs of Greek mythology that his father used to describe to him in stories at bedtime all those years ago. Nick cast his mind back, he only had fleeting memories of that time when his father had gone away and Jarrod looked after him because their mother was always upset. He remembered the book that his father would read to him about the centaurs and other mythical creatures before he went away, the book that Jarrod thought was silly and wouldn't read to him. He remembered throwing it in his toy trunk in a fit of rage after Jarrod refused to read it. Nick turned and looked back at the house and up to the attic. He would have to go up there and find his old trunk and the book, perhaps young Tommy would like him to read him some of the stories.

Tommy. Nick dragged a gloved hand through his thick black hair and sighed deeply. If he believed all he had heard and seen, Tommy was his nephew. The boy looked just like the picture of his father Heath and his grandfather, Thomas Barkley at the same age that he had seen in the study no more than five minutes ago. Damn you father, how could you do this to Mother, to us, to HIM? Nick glared up at the clear blue sky and orange ball of fire steadily marching across its expanse in a mocking silence. There would be no answers forthcoming from that direction, in fact there would be no further answers, excuses or apologies forthcoming ever again.

Nick lent back against the corral fence and despite the anger he felt towards his father, he smiled. Tommy and Leah were his nephew and niece and he was their uncle. Uncle Nick, he had to admit it did have a nice ring to it but… Nick sighed, how could he accept Heath Thomson as his brother and his brother's family without acknowledging his father's actions? Nick turned back to watch the big stallion quietly grazing on the mound of hay beside the water trough. He thought on the two letters Jarrod had read out. The one telling Leah Sawyer his father didn't regret their time together but he loved his wife and children, loved HIM, and hoped she would find happiness in the future because she deserved it but he couldn't be in that future. Nick snorted in disgust, he knew what he would do if his father was standing in front of him right this minute.

And the other letter from Leah Sawyer, never sent because she missed the mail run and the opportunity to tell the great Tom Barkley about his unborn child. What must she have thought upon reading his father's letter? Well that was obvious wasn't it? She had kept her son's…his brother's birth from his, no…no their father he corrected himself angrily and this family, choosing to bring up his brother, alone in a mining town. The town gossips tongues were wagging. I just bet they were, he thought bitterly, under no illusions as to what those vindictive tongues would have been saying. All thanks to the great Thomas Barkley Esquire. "Damn you to hell father, how could you?" Nick muttered under his breath.

"Mister Nick, Mister Nick," Tommy shouted excitedly as he ran out of the barn, hesitantly followed by his sister and Frank Sawyer. "I gots to pat the foal, its mama let it come to the gate today." Tommy beamed at Nick "and Leah really liked the little ginger kitten with the white belly. I like the black kitten. Do you think Miss Audra would let us have two kittens?"

At the first call of his name Nick sucked in a deep breath and turned to watch Tommy running excitedly to him. This was his nephew and niece, he reminded himself, coming towards him. Crouching down, Nick gathered Tommy into his arms and lifted him up as Leah watched from the safety of Frank's legs. "Well now young man, I'm sure my sister would be more than happy to let you have two kittens, I know I would, it'd be two less mouths I'd have to feed but…

"But Mister Nick, you don't feed the kittens, the mama cat does."

Frank laughed, "He's got you there Nick."

Nick threw a sideways glare at Frank, "But your Papa might not want two kittens Tommy. I think you best ask him and your mama first."

"But I want the black one, it's as black as night when the moons hiding." Tommy pouted. "Leah says the black one is dark and scary, that's why she wants the ginger one. It's bright and colourful and happy. Girls spoil all the fun."

Nick sat Tommy on the top rail of the corral, making sure to keep a good hold on him. "Now Tommy, maybe the black kitten reminds your sister of the dark and scary nights she spent with your mama and the bad men before your papa found them."

"You found them too Mister Nick and Mister Jarrod and Uncle Frank."

"Yes we did Tommy, we all found Leah and your mama." My sister-in-law.

Tommy looked at Nick earnestly, thinking on what he had just said, "I guess it would have been scary for Leah and mama." He looked down at his sister who was still tucked in behind Frank's leg, her large green eyes watching him carefully. "Alright, Leah can have the ginger one." Tommy announced.

Nick grinned at the young, blue eyed blond in front of him, marvelling at how much he looked like that picture of a six year old Tom Barkley. "I tell you what Tommy, if your Papa says you can only have one kitten, I promise I'll talk to him for you."

Tommy's eyes lit up before the light faded in his eyes and he sighed. "Mama says Papa can be awfully stubborn at times."

"That's alright Tommy, I'm pretty stubborn myself; it runs in the family." Nick admitted before realising what he had just said. He looked sharply at Frank who was standing only a couple of feet away, an amused expression on his face.

"Come on Tommy," Frank said as Nick lifted him off the corral rail, "I think Nick has some more contemplating to do and it's time you went up and visited your Papa."

"What's contenting Uncle Frank?"

"Contemplating! I'll explain later; take your sister's hand and no running in the house." Frank ordered. "I'll be right behind you."

Frank watched the two children walk towards the house before he turned back to Nick. "Children are a great equalizer aren't they? Whatever you feel Nick, those kids and Heath aren't to blame, none of them had any say in the machinations of the past."

Nick nodded in response as Frank turned and headed towards the house. "It's really true isn't it Frank; my father and Heath's mother."

Frank stopped and turned back to Nick, studying the tall rancher. It was easy to see the turmoil and anger in the hazel eyes. "Yes Nick, it's true, every last word. Heath doesn't lie and I'm damn sure your Mother doesn't either. Don't hurt that fine woman and your Brother out of spite for your Father, Nick. The way I see it, this family has already lost enough and doesn't need to lose any more." Frank turned and continued on to the house, leaving Nick standing by the corral. The big rancher would have to come to terms with his Father's behaviour on his own terms and nobody else's.

BV

Victoria took a sip of the now cold tea, grimacing at its unpalatability before replacing the cup on the saucer. "Heath only found out five years ago Gene. His mother told him on her death bed and made he and Esmeralda promise to never contact this family. Apparently she thought nothing good would come of it and she didn't want to upset me."

"The promise she made Father," Jarrod nodded, remembering Leah Sawyer's unsent pledge their father. I will honour your unspoken wish that you do not want our child to know who his or her father is. It is a promise that I will take to my grave. This I pledge to you. "She was a strong woman, Heath's mother to live by that unsent pledge all of her life."

"Yes she was Jarrod, just as Heath and Esmeralda have been strong all these years to honour their promise to her." Victoria paused, "you know, I think had the circumstances been different and we had met, become friends, I would have liked, even admired Leah Sawyer for her courage and scruples in face of the diversity she had to endure."

"Mother, how does Heath feel about all this, now that the secret is out?" Audra asked. "Does he want to get to know us, be part of our family?"

Victoria's fingers brushed the album resting in her lap and she smiled. "I believe he does Audra, now that the secret is out. He told me, he originally was not going to tell us who he really was, just live as neighbours…"

Gene laughed. "That would have only lasted until the first time you saw him Mother, then the cat would have been out of the bag."

"I dare say you are correct Eugene, but it wasn't just myself who recognised Heath and his connection to this family either. Both Silas and Duke knew who he was, or at least who his father was the moment they laid eyes on him."

"Could he really have lived just as our neighbour though, Mother?" Audra asked.

"No dear I don't think he could have. Not once he met all of you. He told me that when he was searching for Esmeralda and Leah yesterday, that it had felt right having his brothers riding at his back." Victoria smiled at Jarrod. "I also believe his resolve to honour his Mother's promise had been wavering for quite a while, or at least ever since he was injured in that bank hold up three years ago. I think he started to worry about the what if's that could happen to his family if he died. Gyorgy and Rosetta weren't getting any younger and that would have left Esmeralda and the children, or god forbid, just the children to fend for themselves."

"Do the children know who we are Mother?" Gene asked.

"No I don't believe they do and we will not say anything to them. That will be up to Heath and Esmeralda, provided of course all of you," Victoria paused and looked at each of children in turn, "are prepared to accept Heath as your brother."

"Oh yes Mother, I can't wait to welcome Heath and Esmeralda to the family and Tommy and Leah. I have a sister-in-law to go dress shopping with now. We must organise a trip to San Francisco."

"Audra dear, I think your shopping trip will have to wait. There are more important matters to attend to first. Namely the funeral for Rosetta and Gyorgy and the birth of Esmeralda and Heath's third child."

"Oh, how awful of me, poor Esmeralda, losing both her parents like that." Audra exclaimed sadly. "What can I do to help Mother?"

Victoria turned to Jarrod and Eugene, "what are your views on the matter of Heath."

Jarrod pursed his lips and steepled his fingers on the desk. "I felt a connection to Heath, almost from my first meeting with him when he signed the papers for the Rogers place and it only grew the more time I spent with him. I would like the opportunity to get to know my brother."

Victoria nodded her head, "Eugene I know this is probably more difficult for you than Audra, Jarrod and Nick as they have all had the advantage of meeting Heath and Esmeralda and I'll understand if you have reservations about this."

Gene shook his head, "Strangely Mother, I don't have any real concerns even though as you say I haven't met him. From what Audra, Nick and Jarrod have told me, and what I have heard from you this morning, I think I would like to get to know this brother too. And my niece and nephew."

Victoria released a grateful sigh and smiled warmly at her three adult children. That of course only left Nicholas but somehow she knew that he would accept Heath and his place in this family. "Thank you all for your understanding. I know it will be a great relief to Heath and Esmeralda, as it is for me that you are all willing to welcome them to the family. Now we have a funeral to plan. Heath is in no condition to make another trip to his ranch. Jarrod would you mind very much hitching up the buggy and escorting Esmeralda to their new home. She needs to choose a plot of land to bury her parents. I'll send one of the hands into Stockton to ask the undertaker and Father Joseph to come out this afternoon to make the final arrangements with Heath and Esmeralda."

"I'd like to go too Mother, Esmeralda shouldn't be on her own," Audra said.

"And I'd also like to go. I can help Jarrod mark out the plot and then take a couple of hands back to dig the hole. Besides it will give me a chance to meet Esmeralda." Gene added.

Victoria nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Esmeralda and Heath will appreciate your help." Victoria stood and gathered the letters and pictures lying on Jarrod's desk. "I'll let Esmeralda and Heath know what is happening. I should think she will be ready in an hour Jarrod."

After Victoria had left the room Audra turned to Jarrod. "Do you think Nick will come around Jarrod. I mean if we have all accepted Heath as Father's son and our Brother, surely Nick can too."

"Well honey, of all of us Nick was probably the closest to Father. They worked together running this ranch and when Father died, well Nick felt it was his duty to honour Father by putting him on a pedestal. In his eyes Father could do no wrong so hearing that the man he looked up to, the man on who he based his own moral code wasn't quite the man he thought he was, thought he knew, is a bitter pill to swallow. I'm sure given time Nick will see the truth in what Mother has told us and what he has seen and felt himself and will come to accept Heath as his brother."

"So Heath is really like Father, Jarrod?" Gene asked.

"Very much so Gene. You were too young to remember Father as we do so you may not see the resemblance as Mother, Silas and Duke do, or feel the similarities that Nick and I felt but there is no mistaking that he is Father's son, now that it has been pointed out."

"What's he like? I mean not in looks, that seems obvious but in other ways." Gene shrugged, "I guess I'm just wondering what to expect when I meet him."

"That's hard to say Gene, I've only known him for a couple of days and really only spent an hour talking to him that first day. Yesterday we just followed behind while he tracked his wife and child and the kidnappers but I would say he is quiet with an inner strength, he's a thinker, studies the situation and then makes a decision before acting on it. He has a temper, we saw glimpses of it yesterday but he keeps a tight rein on it. I can say I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end if he ever did lose it. He's determined, to the point of been pigheaded and stubborn." Jarrod smiled, "a definite Barkley trait and he puts the welfare of his family ahead of his own."

Audra giggled. "You do realize Jarrod you just described you and Nick and even Gene."

Jarrod laughed. "Yes I guess I did. He's all of us and his own man as well. I think he'll fit right into this family."

BV

Victoria closed the study door behind her and lent against the door frame with a relieved sigh. That had gone better than she thought it would with three of her four children prepared to accept Heath as their brother. Now she only needed Nick to realize the truth of what had been shared. Pushing away from the wall she started up the long staircase only to stop as Frank made his way down from the first floor. She smiled at his raised eyebrow and nodded.

"That's wonderful Victoria, I knew your family would find it in their hearts to accept Heath, just as you have."

"Yes well that just leaves one hurdle Frank, Nicholas. He is every bit his father's son too and just as stubborn."

"I wouldn't concern yourself too much about that Victoria. I think you'll find Nick will come around sooner than you think."

Victoria raised an eyebrow at that statement and searched the craggy face of her newest friend for answers.

Frank chuckled, "to quote my earlier comment to Nick, let's just say that children are a great equalizer, especially those two young rascals upstairs. He's seen what he could be missing out on and he's not ready to lose that Uncle status just yet."

"The children…"

Frank shook his head, "Are currently none the wiser but…" and he looked solemnly at Victoria, "They should be told soon. It's not fair to keep them in the dark much longer, especially as they have just lost the only grandparents they have ever known. Learning that they have an aunt, uncles and another grandmother will go a long way to helping them recover from this ordeal."

Victoria patted Frank's arm. "I'm just about to go up there and officially welcome Heath and Esmeralda to the family but it will be their decision as to when they tell the children who we are. I imagine they, Heath especially will need some time to accept this latest turn of events. Jarrod, Audra and Gene are going to accompany Esmeralda out to their new property so she can choose a place to bury her parents." Victoria looked pointedly at Frank. "Perhaps Heath could use some company while she is gone."

"I'll be around." Frank agreed.

BV

Victoria hummed as she arranged the roses she had just cut from her garden in the white china vase on the table in the foyer. She fingered the delicate pink petals of her favourite rose, a gift from her husband, her happiness at Heath's agreement to talk with the family was tempered by a feeling of melancholy as she thought of Esmeralda and the sad duty she was currently engaged in. She made a mental note to ask Esmeralda what Rosetta's favourite colour was and she would have Silas make a wreath of roses for the coffin. Victoria was still standing by the vase of flowers, thinking of all the things that would need to be done over the next few days and didn't hear the front door open. A small wake for Gyorgy and Rosetta would be held at Heath and Esmeralda's new ranch, so she would need to organise for Silas to provide food. After that Nick and the men would be tasked with getting the property into a liveable and workable order for the family to move into. The two gypsy wagons would have to be driven back there too.

"A penny for your thoughts Victoria?" Frank said. "You'll make me a poor man if I have to pay you each time I find you standing lost in thought."

Victoria smiled. "I'm sorry Frank, I didn't hear you come in. I was just thinking about what needs to be done before and after the funeral tomorrow. Heath won't be able to do much work around the new property for another four to six weeks, so I hope he and his brothers will use the time to get to know one another while they help him to get the ranch into order."

Frank pulled his hat off and looked at Victoria. "Well I'll tell you right now Victoria, Heath isn't one to ask for help, even when he needs it. In fact he can get right ornery about it so I hope those sons of yours are up for the challenge."

"He's a Barkley, Frank. They're all stubborn to a fault, but eventually they see reason," a glint came into Victoria's eye, "usually with the help of my wooden spoon."

Frank laughed, "Between you and Esmeralda and her wooden spoon, I think the boys just may be beaten." Frank sighed, "I'd like to stay and watch but I need to get back to Spanish Camp so I'll be leaving day after tomorrow; that is if I can prevail upon your hospitality for another two nights."

"Of course Frank, and please know you are welcome here anytime. Does Heath know when you are leaving?"

"No. Thought I'd go visit with him now for a bit; after I clean up that is. I tell you Victoria that fool horse of his is just as stubborn as he is. Thought I'd go out there and give him a brush. Heath can spend hours brushing that horse until you can see your face in his coat, but do you think the fool animal would let me get more than a couple of strokes in before he'd go and roll and I'd have to start over again. Too stubborn for their own good, the pair of them."

"And you wouldn't have it any other way though, would you Frank?" Victoria laughed.

Frank shook his. "No I can't say that I would. It's that stubborn streak that has kept them both alive this long." Frank turned and headed towards the stairs and then paused at the foot of them. "Perhaps you would do me the honour of a night cap tonight Victoria."

Victoria nodded, "I'd like that very much thank you Frank. I'll be up in a few minutes to collect Tommy and Leah, they were keeping Heath company; that way you and Heath can talk without any interruptions."

Victoria checked her vase of flowers one last time as Frank ascended the stairs before she moved across the foyer to follow, however a noise from the study caught her attention and she moved in that direction to investigate. There should not have been anybody in the room as she could hear Silas in the kitchen, Frank, Heath and the children were upstairs and Jarrod, Gene, Audra and Esmeralda were on their way to the Thomson ranch. Quietly she opened the door.

BV

After watching Frank and the two children head up the steps of the house, Nick turned and made his way into the barn. Picking up a curry comb and brush from the bin of brushes by the door he moved down the aisle to his horses stable. Opening the gate he moved into the stall, securing it behind him. "Well old boy," he murmured as he patted the dark golden neck, "I have a lot of thinking to do." With that sentiment voiced he began currying the horse's coat as he thought over the mornings revelations. Everybody it seemed, believed that his father was Heath's father also, which made the boy his brother. And shockingly, he was beginning to believe it too. There were just too many coincidences for it to be not be true, so where exactly did that leave him. If he truly believed that Heath was his brother, then what did he still believe about his father? The man who had raised him from a baby, nurtured him, taught him all the fundamentals of life. How to ride, to shoot, to drink, to run the ranch, to show respect for others and turn the other cheek before reacting. Nick snorted, well maybe he hadn't learnt that lesson all that well considering the number of times Jarrod had had to bail him out of the Stockton jail over the years. And how to treat a lady with respect. Another explosive snort left his lips. Obviously his father preached better than he practiced or they wouldn't be in this mess now. His thoughts were interrupted as Jarrod and Gene entered the barn. Nick slipped back into the shadows, he wasn't ready to face his brothers just yet. He watched and listened as they collected the buggy horse and gear.

"So what do you really think Jarrod? Is father really Heath's father also?"

Jarrod took a moment to slip the headstall over the horse's head before replying. "Having second thoughts Gene? I thought you accepted the evidence that Mother showed us?"

"I did, I do. I don't know. I guess…"Gene sighed, "I haven't had the advantage of having spoken to or even met Heath yet, not like the rest of you. I mean you and Nick, you rode out there yesterday with him, you watched, you saw him, you saw father in him. I mean Nick has doubts…"

"Nick doesn't have doubts Gene, he saw the same things as I did. He felt the same things as I did. That familiarity, the rightness of being there with him, backing up our brother. Nick's problem is father and his image of what he believed father to be, and not the man he has shown us to be. Once Nick comes to terms with his feelings for father he'll accept Heath as his brother too."

"I guess."

"You know Gene, it's not just us who is finding it difficult to come to terms with all this. Think about Heath for a minute. He grew up his entire life not knowing who his father was. I can't imagine life was easy for him or his mother in a mining town. To then suddenly find out that you have a family, brothers and a sister but you are forced to promise to never contact them and then find yourself in the situation Heath did, needing his family to help him and yet try to maintain that promise only to have it inadvertently broken."

"You're right Jarrod, Heath didn't ask for any of this to happen, it just did. We shouldn't and Nick shouldn't lay the blame on Heath, after all it wasn't even Heath's fault that he was born."

"No it wasn't," Jarrod agreed as he lead the horse from the stable, followed by Gene with the set of buggy harness.

Nick moved out of the shadows once his brothers had gone, their words tumbling around in his head. He sat down on an upturned bale of hay in the back of the stall, ignoring his horse's indignant snort and rested his head in his hands. Jarrod was right, he did feel all those things and more. Despite the blonds attempts to keep him at arms-length he had felt a camaraderie with the man. He'd felt as though he was right where he should have been, riding at the blonds back. Gene was right too, Heath couldn't be held responsible for his birth, it happened, he had learnt to live with it and so would they.

Nick was startled out of his thoughts by the voices outside the barn door. This time it was Audra and Esmeralda along with his brothers helping the two young women into the buggy. He heard the creak of leather so one of them must be riding he thought. He moved out of the stall, with a fleeting pat to his horse's neck and headed for the barn door just as the buggy, driven by Jarrod drove out of the yard, followed my Gene on horseback. It took him a moment to realize that they must be taking Esmeralda to the ranch to choose a burial spot. Suddenly his problems felt selfish, compared to what Esmeralda was about to face on the morrow. Dropping the brush and comb in the bin, Nick headed to the house via the French doors.