Chapter 14

Becca grieved for her mother and uncle, but also knew life needed to go on. She allowed herself time to cry and spent a few days secluded in hers and Jarrod's room, only seeing her children and Jarrod. He stayed close by, trying to give her the space she needed but also being by her side to hold her when she asked. The guilt she felt was enormous. Had it not been for her, her mother and uncle would still be alive. She didn't talk about it, not even to Jarrod. He watched as she grieved but he had no idea the depths of the guilt she carried.

It broke her heart thinking about not having a funeral but Jarrod assured her that even though they couldn't be in Fresno when her mother's and uncle's bodies were laid to rest, they would find a way to celebrate their lives. He had already made arrangements to have grave markers placed. Once this was all over, they would travel to Fresno to pay their respects.

Becca eventually began to join the family again and they welcomed her with open arms. Silas and Victoria did their best to tempt her with good food, urging her to keep her strength up for her and Vi. Audra helped to keep Emma occupied while Nick and Heath helped in their own way.

During all of this, Emma's sixth birthday arrived. Heath had finished the dollhouse he had been working on which thrilled Emma to no end. Audra and Victoria made small dolls to be used. Nick, with Jarrod and Becca's permission, bought Emma small pony and promised to teach her to ride. They would go to the small corral near the house and Emma would sit atop her pony she named Blossom while Nick pulled her along. Jarrod, along with Audra's help, had purchased enough fabric for Emma and her dolly to have several matching dresses made.

As Becca watched this family celebrate her daughter, she couldn't help but feel grateful for her Uncle Frank asking for Jarrod's help to protect them. She never would have dreamed a year ago that her life would have changed so dramatically.

Still, the guilt of all that had transpired ate away at her. She went through the motions every day of spending time with everyone. She didn't want them to worry, especially Jarrod. They had enough on their plates with the threat of Elliot always on their minds.

One night, she and Jarrod had turned in early. He fell asleep quickly but sleep did not come easy for Becca. She carefully got out of bed and wrapped her robe around herself. She padded her way down the stairs and to the study, lighting one of the lamps. She sat at the large desk where Jarrod was now working each day. She wasn't sure how long she was there and was completely unaware of the tears that fell. A voice startled her, causing her to jump.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Becca. I didn't mean to startle you," Silas said softly.

Becca quickly wiped her cheeks.

"It's alright, Silas. I was just…" she wasn't sure how to explain what she was doing.

"I saw the light and thought perhaps I'd left it burning."

"I'm sorry I worried you, Silas. I'll go so you can get some sleep."

Becca started to stand and Silas waved her back.

"Grief is a heavy burden to bear," he said. Becca sat down and nodded. "But guilt is even heavier."

Becca looked at him in surprise.

"When you think you have to carry both, it's sometimes more than you can handle. Losing your mama the way you did, I'm sure you feel responsible. Thing is, you shouldn't feel that way. I've seen a lot of bad men in my life. But I've seen lots of good ones too. Mr. Jarrod is one of the finest. He fights for justice and doesn't let anything get in his way. You were doing the same thing by agreeing to testify against a man who had hurt a lot of people. I'm sure if you could talk to your mama again, she wouldn't want you to carry the heavy burden of guilt around."

Becca's eyes filled with tears. She stood and walked toward Silas and gave the older man a hug. Neither had seen that Jarrod was standing in the doorway. He listened to Silas's words, thankful he'd said something to Becca. He was about to move away to give the two more privacy when Silas noticed him.

"Mr. Jarrod. Mrs. Becca, I'll turn in now. Let me know if I can help," the dark skinned man said.

"You've already helped so much," Becca said quietly and gave Silas a small kiss on his weathered cheek. Silas smiled as he walked out of the room.

Jarrod walked over to Becca and gathered her in his arms. She sighed and held on tightly.

"Vi will be up soon to eat," she said quietly. Jarrod had woken up and realized Becca wasn't next to him. He saw Vi sleeping peacefully in the crib beside their bed so he went in search of his wife.

The two made their way up to their bedroom and heard Vi beginning to stir. Becca picked her up and fed her, thinking on Silas's words. She knew her mother wouldn't want her to feel the guilt she felt, to carry it around and possibly have it ruin her life. Becca looked over at Jarrod who had climbed back into bed but was lying on his side, his head propped up on his elbow, watching her. She smiled at him, to let him know she was going to be alright. It might take a while, but she was determined to not let her grief, guilt, and fear consumer her. Jarrod seemed to understand her look and he gave her a small smile and wink.

Vi finished eating, was burped, then fell back asleep quickly. Becca placed her in her crib. The low lamp burning in the room allowed Becca to see Jarrod was still awake. She didn't make any move toward him and Jarrod was about to ask if something was wrong. Slowly, Becca began to untie her robe, then she unbuttoned each of the buttons of her nightgown. It fell to the floor and Becca moved to the bed.

"Becca, are you sure?" Jarrod asked, his body responding to her actions.

"Vi is almost two months old. I'm ready. I've missed having you hold me…of being in your arms. I want you Jarrod. I want to feel your hands on me…"

Jarrod didn't wait and brought his wife to him. They were keenly aware of the child that was sleeping next to them yet they were able to enjoy one another thoroughly.

Becca met each day with renewed strength and purpose. She enjoyed spending her days with her children, evenings with the entire family and her nights with her husband.

As soon as John was well enough to travel, Jarrod had him transported out to the ranch. He didn't want to risk someone trying to get to him again. His injuries would take quite some time to heal before he'd be well enough to return to San Francisco.

With the Barkley Ranch on lock down, everyone was beginning to feel the strain, but Emma continued to be a bright spot. She spent much of her time in the kitchen with Silas, or out near the house with Audra. Jarrod and Becca would take her out to the corral in the evenings where she'd feed her pony. Ranch hands were always around, armed to take on any danger that appeared. In the distance, Jarrod's eyes would always wander to the treeline, knowing his Basque friends from Pinewood were there as well.

Nick and Heath weren't too sure of Jarrod's plan to bring them in from Pinewood, but Jarrod knew they couldn't sustain as they were without help.

Late one afternoon, Becca was upstairs feeding Vi while Emma was in the kitchen with Audra, Victoria, and Silas.

"I need to go get a few tomatoes from the garden," Silas said, and he moved toward the back door.

"Silas, I'll get them," Audra said. "Emma, do you want to go with me?"

"Yes, please," the young girl answered. She was eager to go outside and run around, even if just for a few minutes. "Now, Green Dolly, you stay right there and don't wander off like Blue Dolly did," Emma admonished her doll wearing her green dress as she sat her on one of the kitchen chairs. Although it had been months, Emma still periodically mentioned her doll with the blue dress that had been lost somewhere along the way before Becca and Emma had been able to reunite with Jarrod.

Audra and Emma walked outside and toward the garden. Audra looked around carefully but didn't see anyone. She was eager to get the tomatoes and get back inside. She did hope all of this would end soon and that they could go back to their normal lives.

"Emma, don't wander off," Audra cautioned.

"I won't," Emma promised. She skipped around and bent over to pick up some rocks she found. She looked over and her eyes widened.

"Oh Aunt Audra…Blue Dolly!"

Audra had just picked the last tomato when she looked over. Emma ran around the corner of the small tool shed.

"Emma! Come back," Audra said as she ran toward the shed. Just as she rounded the corner, she saw a man grab Emma and begin to run.

"Stop! Help!" Audra called out. A shot rang out and Audra collapsed.

Hendricks had been hiding for hours and was glad he finally had the opportunity to grab the child. He had kept the small doll in his possession since taking it months before. He knew it would be useful.

His plan was to get the child to a cabin he'd found just outside of town and to hide out there until he could get back to San Francisco. He didn't think one small little girl could cause any issues. Afterall, he'd taken down plenty of grown men.

What Hendricks didn't count on, was how fiercely Emma would fight. She screamed, clawed, bit, and kicked causing Hendricks to stay off balance.

"Stop it you little brat!"

Emma refused to stop. Hendricks sat her down and grabbed onto her arms, kneeling in front of her. He shook her violently thinking it would frighten her enough to make her stop. Instead, Emma landed a well placed kick between Hendricks' legs causing him to double over.

Emma ran as fast as she could, listening to the man shout at her from behind. She was terrified and running blindly, not paying attention to where she was.

Hands grabbed onto her and Emma again began to kick and scream.

"You are safe, young one," the voice kept saying over and over. Emma looked at who was holding her but she didn't recognize the man. Horses ridden by men were all over the area and Emma saw the bad man that had taken her was surrounded. He pulled his gun but was disarmed immediately.

Emma still wasn't trusting the man who held her and she continued to push away from him, kicking and hitting. The man thought if he could just get her to be quiet so she could hear what he was saying, she would calm down. He gently placed his hand over her mouth and Emma bit him hard.

Another wave of riders were headed their way and Emma recognized her Uncle Nick.

"Uncle Nick! Help me!" she cried.

Nick heard the cry of the young child and dug his heels into the sides of his horse to get him to move faster. At breakneck speed, Nick reached where Emma was. In one fluid motion he dismounted and scooped her up into his arms while she cried hysterically against him.

"I've got you Sweet pea," he kept saying over and over to her.

Heath and Jarrod arrived moments later and Emma went to Jarrod without hesitation.

"That…man…hurt…Aunt Audra," Emma cried. Jarrod held Emma close, whispering loving words.

"I know, honey. Aunt Audra is hurt but it was just a flesh wound. She's being bandaged up right now and you can see her as soon as we get home," Jarrod assured her.

Jarrod looked up to see Francisco De Navarre watching him closely.

"Thank you, Francisco," Jarrod said as he continued to hold Emma close.

"It is our pleasure to help you after all you have done for our people," Francisco responded. He looked at Emma who had calmed down considerably.

"I'm sorry I bit you," she said quietly and Francisco laughed.

"Nonsense, young one. You have shown great courage and I should not have tried to quiet you. You are a brave child."

Emma smiled shyly before burying her face in Jarrod's shoulder.

"What should we do with him?" Heath asked.

Nick knew what he wanted to do which was drag the man behind his horse but knew that wouldn't be acceptable.

What Nick didn't know is everyone else there with him were having similar thoughts.

"Let's get him back to the ranch and throw him in the tack room. Nick, I want him guarded and tied up the entire time he's in there. We'll send one of the hands for the sheriff."

Nick nodded and went over to grab Hendricks. The men who had been with Francisco had already bound the man's hands and feet. Hendricks was none too gently thrown over one of the horses and tied securely so he wouldn't fall off.

"Will you and your men come back to the house, Francisco? Emma's mother will want to thank you," Jarrod asked of the man standing before him.

"It would be our pleasure. Perhaps we can put together a celebration? I did have some of our wine brought with us for just such an occasion," Francisco replied.

"I was hoping you might," Jarrod said with a smile.

Jarrod handed Emma over to Heath while he mounted Jingo. Emma was then lifted up to Jarrod who held on to her tightly as they rode back to the house.