Chapter 11

The names that Jarrod and Sarah had picked out before didn't seem to fit now. It seemed that Tori was destined to go without a middle name. They had talked about it most of the evening, during Tori's night feedings and again in the morning, but nothing seemed to fit. Jarrod went down for their breakfast, bringing back up a tray for them both. Tori was sleeping in the small cradle next to their bed, completely unaware of her parents' trouble in finding her a middle name.

Jarrod helped Sarah to the chair and table then sat opposite her. They began their meal in silence, each thinking through their list of names again.

"What about Beth?" Sarah finally asked. Jarrod had been drinking his coffee and slowly put the cup down.

"That wouldn't bother you?"

Sarah thought for a moment. "No," she answered slowly. "I don't think it would."

Jarrod took Sarah's hand in his and kissed it. "Thank you. But I don't think I want to use the name Beth."

Sarah leaned forward and touched Jarrod's face, caressing his cheek.

"What about your mother's name?" he asked.

Sarah shook her head. "I didn't know her, Jarrod. I don't know anything about her, and I want Tori's name to mean something. The name Victoria is special to us both because of your mother. I'm sure there's another name we can come up to go with it."

Jarrod returned to his breakfast. He was going through names again when suddenly it hit him like a train.

"I've got it!"

Sarah looked up, waiting for whatever name Jarrod had thought of.

"What about: Victoria Nicole. After all, if it hadn't been for Tori's Uncle Nick, she might not be here."

Sarah smiled. "I like it. When should we tell him?"

"Tonight at dinner. I know he'll be pleased."

Nick was pleased to know that his niece was named after him. He was still somewhat shocked over being the one to deliver her, but that shock was receding. The whole family seemed energized by the newest Barkley and Thanksgiving promised to be one of the best.

Christmas was soon upon them as was Audra's and Malcolm's wedding. The family gathered for one last Christmas together before Audra and her new husband would move to St. Louis. The wedding was held Christmas Eve and was the most elegant and beautiful wedding any had ever seen. Audra looked stunning as she walked down the aisle on Jarrod's arm. Jarrod then took his place beside his brothers and watched as Audra became Mrs. Malcolm Meadows.

Christmas Day was full of festivities that six week old Tori mostly slept through. Each family member took turns holding her as they gave her a present and each pretended she loved what she had been given. Audra and Malcolm bid everyone a good night and headed to Malcolm's parent's house for their Christmas celebration. They would then board the afternoon train the next day and begin their new life together. The entire family, Audra's and Malcolm's, met them at the station and bid them tearful good-byes. Nick stayed close to Victoria, knowing she would feel the sorrow Audra's departure the most.

Tori had been moved from Jarrod's and Sarah's room to the nursery which was where Sarah found Jarrod later that night. He stood over her crib, watching her sleep. Sarah put her arms around her husband, sensing something was troubling him.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

"Just thinking about the future."

Everyone had been worried about Victoria and how she would react to Audra leaving, but it appeared Jarrod was having the hardest time dealing with it. Maybe it was because of Tori and his paternal instinct was going full force, but he was wishing to turn back the clock a bit. Audra had always been special to him.

The couple watched their daughter sleep for the next few minutes, then Sarah whispered something warm and intimate in Jarrod's ear. He smiled and told her he would join her in their room in a few minutes.

Jarrod reached down and gently patted his daughter's bottom and whispered, "Promise you won't grow up too fast, Tori."

Jarrod then walked down the hallway to his waiting wife.

Life around the Barkley Ranch was beginning to develop into a routine. Heath and Nick were busy with the ranch and Cassie was a frequent visitor. She loved to hold Tori and visit with Victoria and Sarah. Jarrod was kept busy and traveled back and forth between San Francisco and Stockton. He missed his girls when he was away and a few times they had been able to accompany him.

By Spring, the foundation had been laid for Jarrod's and Sarah's house. Sarah hated the thought of leaving the big house. She loved Nick and Victoria, but also knew it would be nice to have a place of their own.

Audra wrote often of her life as a rancher's wife. They were close enough to St. Louis that she was able to have lots of friends and yet far enough away to ride her horse in the open fields. She had begun working at an orphanage a few days a week and enjoyed the children there.

Victoria was planning a visit to her daughter around the middle of May. She would be accompanied part of the way by Nick who was going to check out a new breed of cattle and visit some cattle auctions. Victoria thought it would be good for Nick to get away for a while. Although anyone who didn't know him well would think he was still the same old Nick, his family knew there was something different.

Nick wouldn't have admitted it to anyone, but he did think about Emma often. He would relive the events of Heath's wedding day in his mind. Teaching her to dance while they were in the barn, watching her walk down the aisle in Cassie's bridal party, dancing with her at the wedding. What he wouldn't give to turn back the clock and say the things to her he had wanted to say. He wished he knew where she lived so that he could send her a note. Ask her how she was doing, how her family was doing. But Nick didn't know how to get in touch with her. He didn't even know where she lived. He had never thought to ask Jarrod and Sarah even though Jarrod had bought her train ticket.

Mother and son made their way East on the train. They enjoyed each other's company and Victoria was glad to have Nick with her even if it was just going to be for part of the trip.

A few days after their journey began, Nick disembarked in Denver, Colorado. He kissed his mother good-bye and asked her to tell Malcolm and Audra hello from him. The train moved on toward St. Louis and Nick sought a hotel room. He would then take a stage the next morning to Boulder. There was going to be a cattle auction that sounded promising. Nick checked into the small hotel and went in search of some dinner. The saloon was going to be his best bet the hotel clerk informed him and gave him directions.

The food at the saloon wasn't the best he had ever tasted, but it was filling. Nick was pretty much left on his own, though a few of the girls inside did offer him some attention. Normally, Nick wouldn't have minded passing the time with one of them, but he was tired and hadn't slept well the night before. He paid for his meal and exited the saloon. He reached his hotel room and fell into a restless sleep.

The stage was, surprisingly, on time the next morning, a fact that made Nick happy. The driver told him they would be in Boulder by noon the next day and to sit back and enjoy the scenery. There wasn't much to look at to Nick's way of thinking, but he did enjoy the new terrain. The trip was uneventful, and Nick was soon at his destination. There were signs everywhere for the cattle auction which would take place in two days. Nick saw the hotel and paid for three night's stay. He decided he could use a drink and went in search of the local watering hole. He was about to enter when he heard someone call out his name. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn't believe his ears. He turned around and there standing behind him was Emma.