I'm back sorry for the delay but I've got a major writer's block even though i knew what it was going to happen I simply couldn't find the right words, but no worry right now I'm writing part 17 and some plot bunnies are waiting that I'm finish this story. Thanks to my beta Anita
After a restless night spent in the guest room, Tom Barkley checked on Heath in his room, and as before he found him in the kitchen chatting with Silas. He took his small hand in his and lead him into the dining room, where the rest of the family has just arrived for breakfast. Heath was still amazed on the large quantities of food served for breakfast, after serving himself a small portion of everything he started to eat, keeping his eyes fixed on the plate trying to ignore the stares from Nick. Victoria's mother instincts started to kick in when she saw the small quantities of food Heath has placed on his plate, but a glance from her husband refrained her from saying anything. It was nearly at the end of breakfast when Tom realized how late it was.
"Quick, it's getting late for school."
Heath looked at his father, wondering what he was supposed to do, he wasn't entirely sure that he was allowed to attend school.
"Heath, today no school for you."
Heath looked deflated at his father, he had hoped to attend school, but it seemed that also in Stockton his kind wasn't welcomed in school.
"I can't allow my son to go to school with some hand me down, today we will go to town to buy clothes, boots and more important a saddle."
"But Papa, what's wrong with these clothes?"
"Yes 'Papa' what's wrong with his clothes?" said Nick mimicking Heath.
"Nicholas, I'm warning you, that you're stretching my patience, maybe you don't recognized them but they are your old pants and shirt; Nicholas you wear hand me downs only for doing your chores but when you go to school you wear new ones, it's fair that Heath is treated in the same way."
"But, Father didn't Heath have clothes when he arrived?"
"No, Nicholas, all he had were some rags and no shoes."
At these words, Nicholas blushed and went to his room to collect his books and slate, while he was going upstairs he started to ruminate on what his father had told him the previous day and few minutes ago and he was slowly realizing that maybe he had been wrong, treating Heath in that way but he was too stubborn to admit, even to himself, so he decided that he would simply ignore the brat.
Heath was in the dining room when he realized that he was alone with Mrs. Barkley, he was sure that she didn't want his husband's bastard alone with her so he hastily left the room, heading for the kitchen by doing so he completely missed the look of disappointment on Victoria's face.
After a couple of hours, Heath and Tom were on a wagon heading for Stockton, Heath was a little antsy and worried; he wasn't sure how to behave with strangers and he wasn't sure that his papa wanted to call him so in front of strangers.
"Heath today is your day, you need everything, you will meet a lot of people, but don't worry I will be always near you."
"But Papa, do I really need all those things?"
"Yes, you are a Barkley and I'm proud of you. Your brothers and sister have plenty of clothes and other stuff and it's only fair that you have the same."
They rode in silence for the rest of the trip, finally they entered in Stockton, and Tom hitched the wagon in front a big mercantile.
"This will be our first stop, clothes!" Said Tom while he helped him down from the wagon.
Heath wasn't sure what to do, when he was in Strawberry he wasn't welcomed in any of the stores, and it was vivid in his memory his experience in the candy store here in Stockton, Tom was nearly at the entrance of the store, when he noticed that Heath hadn't moved, he turned around, and squatted down to be at Heath's eye level.
"What's wrong?"
"Back in Strawberry, I wasn't allowed to enter in any stores." He replied with a small voice.
It took all Tom's willpower to stay calm, every single day he was to discover something more about Heath's past and he was pretty sure that there was so much more to discover.
"Heath, what I said before? I will always be with you and if someone say something about you, I will punch him." He was well aware that violence wasn't always the solution, but he wanted Heath to understand that he would always protect him no matter what. He took Heath's hand in his and entered in the store.
"Good morning, Mr. Barkley, how can I help you?" asked Mr. Smith, the owner.
"I need some clothes for this young fellow."
"What a nice boy, I reckon it's a relative of yours, the resemblance is stunning."
"Yes, actually he's my son, his name is Heath."
Mr. Smith opened his mouth as to add something, but he closed a few seconds later when his brain caught the meaning of Tom's words. He was a practical man and as long as a customer had money for the merchandise, he didn't care about his background moreover he loved children and considered them as a gift from God even thought they were born out of the wedlock.
Heath was stunned his papa had recognized him as his son in front of a complete stranger and more important, Mr. Smith didn't looked down on him as like the others had in Strawberry.
"Heath, I think the best way to start is to tell me your favorite colors..."
Heath was stunned of the amount of clothes that were piling up on the counter, for several times he had tried weakly to tell his papa that he had more than enough pants and shirts, but Tom's reply was adding something more on the growing pile. Heath simply couldn't understand why he would need so many clothes in his mind all he needed were a pair of pants and shirt and a spare, and all those fancy pants and shirts, 'when I will use them?' he thought. Finally after a couple of hours, Tom realized that he had bought more than enough clothes and asked to a very delighted Mr. Smith to pack everything and took the hand of a very relieved Heath and went out.
"Heath I think a little break is in order, we're gonna have a quick lunch and there we have something more to buy."
"You mean we aren't finished yet?" asked an horrified Heath.
"No, I left the most important things for the afternoon, but don't worry it won't take long."
They lunched at the Cattleman's club, and Tom introduced Heath to everyone he knew, the majority part of the people accepted Heath with no problem but the little boy noticed a look of distaste in some of his papa's friends, he wasn't sure if his papa had noticed the looks, or the whispers behind their backs or that he simply chose to ignore them.
The first stop after the Cattleman's club was the saddle shop.
"But, Papa I don't need a saddle." Said Heath while entering the store.
"Heath, as I said before, I'm sure you are a good rider but you still need a saddle to be more stable on the horseback."
"But, I've never used one when I worked in the stables in Strawberry."
"Son, I reckon you ride the horses in the corral next to the stables," when he saw Heath's affirmative nod he continued, "exercising horses in a corral is much different than riding a horse when he gallops."
"But why do I need a saddle, I can use some of the old ones in the tack room."
"No Heath, you can't for two reason, you need a saddle right for your age, and I want the best for any of my children, YOU included."
Finally they entered in the last store, Heath was overwhelmed on how much his papa had spent so far, he was used to wearing used clothes, and going around with no shoes but today his father had bought enough clothes to last a lifetime.
"But Papa, why do I need a new pair of boots, I have only one pair of feet?"
Tom didn't reply and simply pointed out some boots and shoes that in his opinion would fit Heath's feet.
"There's one last thing, a cowboy hat! For sure you can't go around bareheaded, chose the one you like most."
Heath wasn't used to making choices, he observed for some minutes the selection of hats and at the end chose the one that in shape and color resembled most the one Tom wore.
"Good choice," said a smiling Tom. "now what about some treats?"
As they approached the store, Heath realized that they were going to the candy store, he still remembered the harsh treatment he had received and he knew he wasn't welcomed there.
"Please Papa, I'm tired, can we go home?" He said lying with pleading eyes.
Tom was puzzled, he knew that every kid loved candy, but he decided not to press the matter, after all it had been a tiring day so he decided to head home.