Disclaimer: I do not own The Big Valley or its characters. I am making no money from this story.

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Chapter 14

Tom Barkley went outside to the bunkhouse and asked for volunteers to ride out to the neighboring farms and ranches. When the men were the reason why, nearly every one of them volunteered. Tom graciously turned down most of the help. There was a lot of work to do in the morning so it was no use keeping all of the hands out most of the night.

Tom settled for sending out 3 hands. He would have on head west, one east and another south. Tom planned to head north himself. As soon as four horses were saddled up Tom and the three hands rode out.

At supper Jarrod merely picked at his food. The empty chair where Nick usually sat took away Jarrod's appetite.

Victoria had lost her appetite as well, but ate her meal anyway so as not to alarm her oldest son. "Jarrod, don't pick at your food dear."

"I'm sorry Mother, but I'm not hungry. I miss Nick," Jarrod said as he took a gulp of milk.

"I understand Jarrod, but it won't help Nick if you don't eat," Victoria reasoned. "Please eat your meal."

Jarrod sighed and ate a small forkful of carrots. He still wasn't hungry, but he ate his dinner for his mother.

After dinner Jarrod went up to his room and buried himself in his schoolwork. That was normally something he did, but this time the boy wanted to try to take his mind off of Nick's absence. As he worked on his lessons Jarrod kept looking up, half expecting Nick to walking in asking for help with his own lessons. When Victoria went upstairs and told Jarrod to get ready for bed, he begged his mother to let him stay up a little while longer until Tom and the hands came back.

"You need your sleep honey. You still have school tomorrow. I'll wake you when your father gets home," Victoria assured as she kissed him lightly on the forehead. Now get ready for bed."

"Okay Mother, but I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep until I know Nick is safe," Jarrod said as he closed his books.

Victoria understood she wouldn't be sleeping until Nick was safe back home either. "I know honey, but try to fall asleep anyway."

After putting on his nightshirt and completing his nighttime ritual Jarrod hopped up onto his bed. Shortly afterwards Victoria came by and tucked the boy under the covers.

Tom Barkley returned home an hour later, minutes behind one of the ranch hands. A simple nod of the man's head told Tom all he wanted to know. Tom dismounted and handed his horse off to the ranch hand to be put back in the stable for the night.

Victoria had been trying to occupy herself by darning some Tom's socks when she heard the commotion outside. She promptly put the knitting down and made her way to the front door to greet Tom.

Once again Tom had arrived back to the house alone, without Nick. Victoria nearly broke down, but then realized that the rest of the hands hand not yet returned. There was still hope.

***

Nick woke up and found himself with his arms tied behind his back. The boy opened his eyes but only saw darkness. Nick could feel something around his head and guess it was a blindfold.

Nick could hear somebody breathing and then heard footsteps. The footsteps came closer and stopped in front of the young boy.

"It's about time you woke up," a voice muttered, inches away from Nick's face.

"Who are you and why am I here?" Nick asked

The stranger laughed at Nick's question. "Don't be stupid kid. I wouldn't tell ya anything like that."

Nick tried to undo his bonds but it was useless. They were tied too tightly. "Let me go!"

"Not a chance brat. I'll let you go when I'm good and ready," the stranger replied with a grunt.

Nick could hear the stranger walk away. The boy became afraid. He didn't want to be left alone. "Where are you going? Don't leave me alone!"

"Don't be such a fraidy cat kid. You'll be okay. I'm gonna get you somebody to keep you company."

A lump formed in Nick's throat. Even at his young age he knew what the stranger meant. The man was going to get Jarrod too. "You leave my brother Jarrod alone! My father is gonna find me and when he does you'll be sorry!"

The stranger let out a laugh. "Oh I'm really afraid kid. What are you gonna tell your big bad pa, huh? You don't even know who I am. I put the blindfold on you to make sure of that."

"You're still gonna get caught mister," Nick vowed.

"You keep on thinkin' that kid. I'll see ya later," With that the stranger left Nick alone.