Conspiracies and Unresolved Consequences
Chapter 6
Early afternoon Friday 11th August 1876
Nick descended the trail into the valley and paused in much the same spot he and his mother had, six months previously. The valley was still green, if not the verdant green of winter, but the long hot summer hadn't burnt off the grass as it had on the range. There was no smoke coming from the chimney but there was a group of a dozen horses milling in the corrals. From where he sat Nick couldn't tell if Thomson was home or not. Kicking Coco into motion again, Nick rode up to the cabin and dismounted. He left the reins trailing as there was no hitching post out the front and stepped up onto the low porch.
"You lost again?" An amused drawl reached his ears from the corner of the cabin.
Nick turned towards the speaker, noting the lopsided grin on the blond's face. "Not this time, I'm exactly where I need to be," Nick smiled in reply.
"Do tell." Heath wiped his hands on his pant legs before moving forward and shaking the proffered hand. "Come on in. I guess you'll be wanting to stay for supper – rabbit stew."
Nick laughed as he reached for his saddlebags and bedroll, "I was hoping to bring supper with me this time but I didn't see hide nor hair of any game to be had on the trip up here. I did however bring lunch with me, compliments of the Bell ranch."
Heath nodded, "There's not much to be had around Jenny Lind anymore. The Chinese have either eaten it all or scared it all away with their firecrackers and festivals; and there aren't many places in the lower foothills for animals to find shelter. If you want to hunt you need to head higher up in the Sierras."
Nick followed Heath into the cabin. It looked just the same as when they had left six months ago, save for the addition of a low table nestled between the two armchairs. "See you've added another piece of furniture." Nick nodded towards the hand-made sturdy table, the top of which had a picture of a horse carved into it. "Nice work," Nick commented, "did you do the carving too?"
Heath turned from where he had placed a couple of plates, cups and pitcher of water on the dining table. "Yep. An old miner in Strawberry taught me how to whittle and carve. Pull up a chair and share out the food and then you can tell me why you're here." Heath had turned back to the dresser to retrieve some knives and folks and missed the nervous look Nick gave him. "How's Missus Barkley?"
Nick sighed; he had hoped to keep his mother out of the conversation for as long as possible. Heath turned at the sigh and raised and enquiring eyebrow. "Mother had a stroke Monday morning."
"I'm right sorry to hear that Nick. What does the doctor say? Will she pull through?"
Nick gave a little shrug of his shoulders. "The doc doesn't know. She has something wrong with her heart too. He thinks she either had a heart attack that brought on the stroke or the other way round. We just have to wait and see."
"Then what are you doing here Nick, shouldn't you be at home with her and your family?"
Nick reached for one of the tortillas that José had packed for him. "Part of the reason why I'm here is because Mother wanted me to bring you back to the ranch." He watched for Heath's reaction. "Mother also knows it's a working ranch and she wouldn't expect me nor appreciate me sitting around on her behalf when there is work to be done. Also, I was hoping to buy some horses from you. I have an army contract that needs to be filled the end of next month and I'm short ten horses. I was hoping to buy a string of horses and hire you to trail them back to the ranch with me. And two bulls I bought from John Bell that we'll pick up on the way home."
Heath stared at Nick in surprise. "Why does your mother want me to go to the ranch?"
Nick swallowed his mouthful of tortillas. "I think she wanted to repay your hospitality to us."
"Ain't no need for that. I didn't do anything that anybody else wouldn't have done in the circumstances. Besides your mother did all the cooking while she was here and that was payment enough."
Nick shrugged, "Well Heath if there is one thing I've learnt through the years, it's not to ignore a request from Mother. She wants you to come visit and visit you will. And besides my brother Jarrod and sister Audra wanted to meet you too."
Heath sighed, "I ain't one for fancy shindigs or anything like that."
"I can promise there won't be any fancy shindigs," Nick replied, thinking that sadly there may never be another fancy party at the ranch. "What about the horses? That mob out there, are they for sale?"
Heath nodded, "They will be but they aren't ready yet. I only caught them last week. I need a few weeks to get them all gentled. And there's twelve there, more than what you said you needed."
Nick chewed the food in his mouth and then took a swallow of water from the cup. "I'll pay you twenty-five a head as is, plus a month's wages with board of thirty five dollars and another five dollars ahead to break them in. That's..." Nick did a quick calculation…"three hundred and ninety five dollars, so what do you say? In fact I'll pay you another five to help me get those two bulls back to the ranch as well. Have I made it worth your while to come down for a visit?"
Heath nodded slowly, thinking that he was getting an extra forty for a month's work. He usually sold the horses, when gentled, for thirty a head. It meant he would be able to make an extra trip to Strawberry and take Hannah a few special treats along with her supplies. "I reckon I could live with that. When were you planning on leaving?"
Nick smiled, thinking that was easier than he thought it would be. "When will you be ready to travel? I'm guessing tomorrow is too early so either Sunday or Monday at the latest."
Heath thought, "Monday morning would be best. Will give me a chance to get things squared away here for the next month and ready the horses for the trip."
Nick nodded, "Monday it is."
"Well in that case I best get to work then if I'm going to have them ready to travel on Monday morning."
"What can I do to help?," Nick offered.
Heath thought for a moment, "Well there's a couple of boards need replacing in the lean-to. You could start with them if you have a mind to."
"Consider it done."
The two brothers worked in companionable silence the rest of that day and the next two. Every so often Nick would stop what he was doing and watch Heath working the horses. A shiver would run down his spine as the blond moved in a certain way or threw Nick that lop-sided smile so reminiscent of his father, each time he caught Nick watching him. The longer he watched Heath the easier he found it to believe his mother's words. Heath is your brother. You remarked while we sheltered in Heath's cabin how you admired his horsemanship and work ethic and how you wished you had a hand as good as him. Now is your chance Nicholas for so much more than that. Find your brother, bring him home, embrace him and let him work beside you. This is where he and his horse ranch belong.
Nick just hoped that they could convince Heath Thomson that he was a Barkley and his place was on the ranch with them, riding and working alongside him on the ranch, expanding their horse breeding activities, because if there was one thing Nick knew, it was that he didn't want to lose this new brother. Nick was careful not to ask any personal questions of the blond, content instead to just store whatever snippets of information Heath was willing to reveal about himself away in his mind. Not that Heath offered many insights into his earlier life. They worked late into the evening on the first night repairing various pieces of leather and headstalls that would be used to pony the twelve horses back to the ranch. Nick was surprised when Heath told him that the little black mare, Gal, would pony four of the horses on her own. Heath had just smiled; that maddening lop-sided smile that he had inherited unknowingly of their father and said, "Wait and see."
By the end of day on Sunday, Heath had worked out the order in which the horses would be led from the valley. He would take the four most fractious horses with his stallion, Charger. The big bay was sure footed and not one to be argued with and Heath knew the horse would keep those he was trailing in order. Gal would go next, with the four quietest horses ponying off the pack saddle. Nick would then bring up the rear with the remaining four horses. Depending on how the horses were behaving, Nick suggested he ask John Bell for the loan of hand or two to lead the bulls back to the ranch. The last thing they needed would be to have to chase a herd of semi wild horses and two bulls across the open range if anything got away from them. Heath had nodded in agreement.
BV
Morning, Monday 14th August 1876
The day dawned warm and sunny with a clear blue sky. After a meagre breakfast of biscuits soaked in the previous evening's grease from dinner, they saddled the two horses. Heath closed the door to his cabin after making sure that the embers in the fireplace were doused in plenty of water and not likely to light up if a wind should blow down the chimney. Next he made sure that Gal's pack saddle was secured comfortably for the mare before tying the lead of the horses she was going to pony securely to the pack saddle. One of horses, a younger mare tried sideling up to Gal but after a warning snort and a snap of the black's teeth, the young horse thought better of it and moved back into line. Heath led off up the trail with the four rambunctious horses in tow. It didn't take Nick long to see the wisdom of Heath leading that particular group of horses off the stallion. The big bay ignored the antics of the horses for the most part, occasionally snorting a warning or kicking out with a back leg to put the trouble maker back in its place. Once they were on the trail and the heat started to rise, the horses all settled down and trailed the lead horses sedately. With twelve horses in tow the pace was slow going. The trails in the foothills didn't lend themselves to fast travel anyway but even after leaving Jenny Lind behind them and riding out onto open range they didn't pick up the pace, keeping all the horses to a walk. It was early afternoon when they reached the Bellota marker. John Bell greeted them at the corrals and had several of his hands take the horses from the two brothers and put them up for the night before leading Nick and Heath to the house.
Nick listened with some trepidation when during the course of dinner John offered Heath a job on his ranch breaking in horses for him, telling the blond someone of his calibre was wasted in the uncertain climate of horse hunting. "You're too late John, I've already hired him," Nick had stated.
Heath had raised an eyebrow, "Only for the next month Nick," he replied before turning back to John Bell. "I thank you for the offer Mister Bell but I can't accept. I reckon I'm happy being my own boss. Besides, I have plans to buy my own spread in the future and start up my own horse breeding ranch."
John Bell raised his glass, "And I'll be your first customer Heath."
BV
Early Evening, 14th August 1876
Eugene handed off the reins of the hire horse he had picked up in Stockton to Ciego before hurrying into the house. He could hear a murmured conversation coming from Jarrod's study and hurried over to the door, leaving his traveling bag in the hallway, impatient to hear the latest on his mother's condition before he went up to see her. He opened the door, his sister was sitting in the armchair in front of the desk and Jarrod was sat on its arm, his arm draped across their sister's shoulder. "Jarrod, Audra, is Mother…" his words stuttered to a stop as Jarrod stood and Audra turned to face him, her eyes puffy from crying.
Jarrod strode across the room and pulled Eugene into an embrace. "No, Mother is still with us," Jarrod replied, feeling the tension ease in his brother's body at his words. Jarrod released Eugene, allowing Audra to throw her arms around her brother's neck.
"Oh Gene, I'm so glad you're here."
"So am I Sis." Eugene led Audra back to the chair. "Now can you tell me what happened? Your telegram didn't explain a lot," Eugene stated as he sat on the arm of the chair and looked at Jarrod, who had moved over to the cellarette to pour each of them a drink. A scotch for himself, a sherry for Audra and a whisky for Eugene. After handing off the two drinks he sat in his chair behind the desk and took a sip of his scotch before explaining their mother's current condition, but foregoing telling of the letter and their new brother to Eugene.
Eugene listened carefully as Jarrod explained what Doctor Merar had told them. "I'll go up and see Mother now. Where's Nick, I thought he would be here too?"
"He's out on the range," Jarrod replied quickly before Audra could blurt out the rest of the news. "I'm not sure if he will be back tonight." Jarrod held up a hand to forestall Eugene's next words. "This is a working ranch, Gene and Nick has responsibilities that he has to attend to. We all do."
Eugene nodded in understanding.
"Have you eaten yet?," Jarrod asked.
"No, I came straight here after I got off the train."
"Alright, I'll have Silas fix you a plate while you visit with Mother. I would appreciate it if you could come back in here after you've finished. We have something else to discuss."
"Like what?"
"First things first Gene. Go and visit Mother, then eat and then we will have a discussion."
"Alright Jarrod," Gene replied pensively before he left the room. Gene took a deep breath before knocking softly on his mother's bedroom door. He heard movement within and then the door opened to reveal the nurse Jarrod had told him about. "Nurse Carter, I'm Eugene Barkley. I'd like to see my mother please."
"Yes of course, Eugene, please come in. Jarrod told me to call you all by your first names. I hope that is alright?"
Eugene nodded as he gazed at his mother lying so still and silent in the bed.
"Your mother is asleep at the moment, but you are welcome to sit with her. I need to stretch my legs anyway. Just call if you need anything."
"I will, thank you."
Eugene moved quietly across the floor as the door softly clicked closed behind him. He sat down in the chair beside the bed and tentatively took his mother's hand in his. "I'm here now Mother. I'm sorry it took so long to get here." He waited but there was no response from his mother.
BV
Late Evening, Monday 14th August 1876
Jarrod and Audra silently watched as Eugene read and then re-read their mother's letter and stared at the picture of his father, to whom this new brother, according to Nick, supposedly was a twin. Gene looked up at Jarrod, "Do you believe this? You do, both of you and more importantly Nick does too, doesn't he? He's not on the range is he Jarrod? He's gone after this Heath Thomson, to bring him back to the ranch like Mother wants."
"I was seven when Father left for Strawberry. I remember some of that time, the fights between Mother and Father, the way Father dotted on Nick and myself on his return." Jarrod nodded, "Yes I do believe this to be true but more importantly Gene, Mother believes it and I, for one, am looking forward to meeting Heath."
"So am I, Gene," Audra added. "According to Nick he and his mother had such a hard life, all because of Father and Mother."
Eugene sighed, "When are Nick and this Heath Thomson due to arrive? And what happens if Nick can't find him?"
Jarrod pursed his lips. "I'm not sure Gene, tomorrow at the earliest if Nick found Heath at his cabin, if not it could be a week or more if Nick has to search for him. Nick will find him."
"Then what happens Jarrod? Do we just accept him, bring him into the family or what?"
"I can't say Gene. That will depend on what Heath decides. We will just have to wait and see. Now it's getting late so I suggest we all get some sleep. Tomorrow will come around soon enough."
Eugene lay in bed, his mind to active to settle into sleep. He recalled his mother's words to him once again.
Eugene,
I find myself apologising once again, this time to you. I am sorry that your cherished memories of your father have been tainted in some way. You of all our children struggled the most in losing your father at such a young age, before you and he could find that common ground that would define your relationship. Remembering your struggles and questions will help you to understand Heath's feelings. Your father would have been so proud of the young man you have become Eugene.
Were his struggles and feelings really the same as Heath's, he wondered. He at least had had the opportunity to know his father, to know his love, to go on hunting and fishing trips with him; listening to his stories at bedtime and even feeling his ire when he did something wrong. Not only had he known his father but even after his death, he hadn't been alone; he had had Jarrod and Nick to turn to for comfort and guidance. But what did Heath have? He never knew the love or guidance of a father or brothers. No-one to answer his questions, help him navigate his growing years. Mother had said that Father would have been proud of him, but was he still proud of his Father?
Eugene he is struggling to find his place to belong, like you the youngest are doing and he is doing it alone.
Well, if Jarrod, Nick and Audra were willing to accept Heath as their brother, then he too would help this new brother find his place to belong, not alone, but as part of a family.
BV
Early afternoon, Tuesday 15th August 1876
A few fluffy white clouds dotted the horizon as the four men led the dozen horses and two bulls across the range. Bell had been more than happy to lend a couple of men to Nick to help get the small herd and bulls back to the Barkley ranch.
"So when do we reach the ranch, Nick?" Heath asked they rode side by side leading their strings of horses.
Nick smirked, "We've been on the ranch for the last two hours Heath." He then laughed at the startled look the blond gave him. "We're about a half hour from the house now."
Heath gazed around him with a shake of his head. "I had heard you had a big spread, but I didn't realize it was this big."
"Close to thirty thousand acres of prime beef grazing, plus we have orchards and grape vines, make our own wine, a small horse breeding enterprise as well as timber and mine holdings. Say I don't suppose that bay there would be interested in helping out the breeding side of things."
Heath tipped his hat back, "Well now, he might be if the price is right and the fillies are pretty."
"Top quality feed and board, and his choice of the prime fillies in the paddock."
Charger snorted and nodded his head.
"Well then Nick, I guess you have your answer," Heath laughed.
True to Nick's word they rode into the yard a half hour later. Heath pulled Charger to a stop and stared at the white double story mansion rising from the hard packed earth of the yard. "Boy howdy Nick, you actually live in there? My mama could only dream of a place like this. Sometimes a traveller would bring a newspaper with him from back east and Mama would show me the pictures of the fancy houses and tell me stories of what we would do if we lived in one of them."
The smart retort Nick was about to make died on his lips as Heath continued to speak. He looked at the façade of the only house he remembered living in; guiltily the thought of the cabin Heath was residing in and the one he imagined Heath and his mother lived in, in Strawberry. Even the old ranch homestead, which their foreman and his wife now lived in, was bigger than anything Heath had ever had the opportunity to call home. "Come on; let's get these horses and bulls squared away." After handing off the horses to several of the hands with orders to put them in the two larger corrals with hay and water, the bulls placed in another corral, and the Bellota hands taken to the bunk house for the night, Nick showed Heath two empty stalls in the barn that he could use for his horses. The two men spent some time caring for their horses in silence. Nick had no words to respond to Heath's observation about the house, other than to rail silently at his father for what he had not done all those years ago. With their horses seen to, Nick clapped Heath on the shoulder. "Come on, grab your saddlebags and then you can meet the rest of the family.
Heath hesitated as Nick tried to guide him towards the house: "I ain't dressed to go in there."
Nick stopped and stared at Heath and then down to his own trail dusty clothes. He shrugged, "That's alright because I'm not either, but I promise you nobody's going to notice." Nick continued on, pulling a still reluctant Heath with him. Nick opened the front door, letting it swing back with a bang before pushing Heath over the threshold. "Jarrod, Audra," he bellowed, "I'm home and I brought company."
"Boy howdy Nick, didn't Missus Barkley ever tell you not to yell in the house?," Heath asked.
"Every day, Mister Thomson," Jarrod replied coming through the door of his study and holding out his hand as he moved across the entry hall to greet Nick and his visitor, followed closely by Audra and Eugene.
"Heath, meet my brothers Jarrod and Eugene and our sister Audra," Nick introduced as he wrapped Audra in his arms and then grabbed his youngest brother's hand.
"Pleased to meet you Mister Barkley, Mister Barkley, Miss Barkley."
"I think Jarrod and Eugene or Gene will suffice Heath. All those misters will get very confusing."
"And I'm Audra," Audra added as she held out her hand to Heath.
"How's Mother?" Nick asked.
"No change I'm afraid, Nick."
Nick nodded, "I think I'll go up and see her."
"She was sleeping Nick, so be quiet," Jarrod cautioned before turning back to Heath. "Come and join us in the study for a drink Heath and then we'll get you settled into a room."
"There's no need of a room Jarrod, I can stay in the bunkhouse. That's usually where the hired help stays."
"Nonsense, Nick may have hired you but you are also a guest of Mother's and she will insist that you stay in one of the guestrooms while you are here."
Heath sighed, it would be impolite to refuse the offer; his mother and aunts had taught him that. "Well if you're sure."
"Good, now that that's settled, you can leave your bags here and come in and have a drink, wash down some of that trail dust you swallowed on your ride here."
Heath placed his saddlebags by the door and then followed Jarrod into his study with Gene and Audra bringing up the rear. "Have a seat, Heath," Jarrod indicated as Audra took a seat in one of the armchairs with Gene sitting on its arm. "Whisky, Heath, or are you a scotch man?" Jarrod asked moving over to the cellarette.
"Whisky is fine, thank you Jarrod," Heath replied as his eyes roamed around the room, resting on the large bookcase overflowing with books behind the desk. "That's a lot of books. Have you read them all?"
Jarrod handed Heath his drink before moving around to sit in his chair. "Most of them. Do you read Heath?"
"Some, when I can find a book worth buying. I've got a couple at my cabin that my aunt gave me but I'm usually too busy to read anyway."
"Feel free to borrow whatever takes your fancy while you are here Heath."
"Thanks for the offer but I reckon Nick is going to keep me pretty busy breaking in those horses for the next month." Heath let his eyes continue their wander around the room, stopping at the large portrait hanging above the hearth.
"That's our father, Thomas Barkley," Audra offered as she watched this new brother slowly take in his surroundings. "He died six years ago, killed by the railroad."
Heath nodded, "Sorry for your loss."
There was a knock on the door and Silas entered carrying a tray of cups and a coffee pot. "Mister Nick said we have a visitor so I added an extra cup, Mister Jarrod. Mister Nick will be down shortly."
"Yes we do, Silas. Come and meet our house guest for the next few weeks, Heath Thomson. Heath this is Silas; anything you need and one of us isn't around, just ask Silas."
Heath turned to greet the Barkley houseman, "Right pleased to…"
Silas staggered backwards and dropped the tray he was carrying, "Oh my lord, Mister Tom!"
The three siblings and Heath all leapt to their feet as the tray clattered to the floor, smashing cups and spilling coffee, cream and sugar over the now stained floorboards. Heath stood, not sure what to do as Gene steadied the elderly houseman.
"I'll get some cloths and a broom," Audra said as she hurried out the door.
Jarrod moved to stand beside Silas and Gene. "I'm sorry Silas; I should have thought to prepare you for Heath's arrival. Let Gene help you to your room. Audra and I will clean up in here."
Unsure of what else to do, Heath looked around for something to use to start mopping up the spilt coffee when a picture sitting on Jarrod's desk caught his eye. He reached out and picked it up staring in dumbfounded confusion at the picture of himself and a man he had never met before. He turned around to find Jarrod watching him carefully. Heath held up the picture, noting the guilty look on Jarrod's face. "I think you had better tell me what's going on here, right now." Heath
Authors note.
The average wage of a farm labourer in the US in 1875 with a contract and board was $13.53 per month. In California the average wage with board was $28.60. If hiring per month by the season with board in California the wage was $31.22 per month. Information supplied by The University of Missouri Library – Prices and wages by decade 1870 – 1879. Nick was been generous with his $35 for the month.