I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Barkley Characters. This is only one scene- it turned out longer than I expected.

Once In A Lifetime

Chapter Six

Scene Eleven

Cynthia sat on the church pew, along with the Barkley family. She was having a hard time listening to the sermon though. Her mind kept wandering back to the fact that she had, inadvertently, changed a bit of history. While she was glad Mr. Mills had not been able to rip the people of Stockton off, she was also very troubled. What else might she change, or create, by being 'out of time'? It was frustrating, especially since it wasn't like she'd asked for it.

"There a reason for everything…" the words spoken at the pulpit seemed to jumped out and grab her. She couldn't help but sit a bit straighter. What reason could there possibly be for her coming back in time, other than stopping the loss of thousands of dollars due to Mr. Mill's actions? There had to be more, if there wasn't why was she still in the nineteen century?

Cynthia was more than ready to leave the church building when the closing prayer had been said. All she wanted to do was get on a horse and ride, riding always helped her think. As soon as the family got back to the ranch Cynthia headed for the stables. Sundays was her one day off and she meant to take it today.

"Something's troubling her," Audra watched as the young woman disappeared into the stable. "Did you notice how nervous she got during church?"

"Whatever it is," Victoria headed for the house, "we cannot force her to talk about it. All we can do is make sure there is no reason for her to think she can't open up to us."

While the others went back into the house Heath headed for the stables. He still hadn't gotten the answers he wanted, the ones he just knew Cynthia had. Their newest friend was saddling her horse when he stepped inside. "Mind some company?" he asked as he began saddling Charger.

A part of her wanted to scream at him to go away, but she didn't. "Your choice," she said as she led her horse outside, mounted him, and took off in record time.

The sun sent down its greeting as the two rode. Its rays seemed to follow the pair down the road they were traveling on, as if to say 'Don't leave me out'. A nice, gentle breeze kept the sun's heat at bay. It was a good day for riding and might have been enjoyed had Cynthia and Heath's minds not been already occupied.

If she thought to get away from Heath it did no good. It didn't take him long to catch up with her. "Some people might say you were trying to lose me." Heath gave her a lopsided grin as they rode over the ranch.

'Some people might be right' Cynthia thought, but only smiled, "I didn't try hard enough." she slapped the reigns against her horse making him run like lightening. Heath only laughed and spurred Charger onward.

It took a bit of doing only Cynthia actually got out of Heath's sight. She would have kept riding only the sight that in front of her eyes caught her off guard. What looked to be a huge mural stretched out in front of her only it was sparkling and the people and things were actually moving. What was more shocking was that she recognized what she was seeing…Stockton the day she left the café! Excitement filled every inch of her and she headed for it only to have it disappear.

Jumping off her horse she ran to where what had to be the opening to the separate time frames had been. "It will be back," a man's voice startled her and she whirled around, a man standing near six feet tall with a ponytail that hung to the middle of his back was speaking, he wore a nice looking blue suit, "it will be back two more times, in two weeks from today and seven months after that. You can return either time, as long as you get here before ten o'clock at night. If not you'll be stuck in the nineteenth century for good."

"Who are you? Why am I here?" Cynthia shot back, finding herself angry at things she could not control.

The man only smiled and answered only the second question, "Weren't you always told to be careful of what you wish for?"

Cynthia was furious and yelled, "I didn't wish for this!"

The man's eyes sparkled as they danced around, "Oh, but you did," he laughed, "Well, not with the exact words 'I wish', but you did! I must say, I am pleasantly surprised how well you're adapting, and the good you've already done." He smiled then disappeared before she could say anything else. She was still standing and looking at thin air when Heath found her.

Her losing him had only convinced him he was right; she knew more than she was letting on. He stepped in front of Cynthia determined to make her talk only to be shocked by the tears that were streaming down her face. "What is it, Cynthia?" He took a hold of her shoulders, "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, "I didn't ask for this! I didn't!" she broke away and mounted her horse, "I'm going back to the house." She turned her horse around and took off. Heath quickly followed.