I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley Characters.

Once In a Lifetime

Chapter Nine

Scene Sixteen

Cynthia rode alongside Heath. He'd talked her into going riding with him after her work was done. It had rained earlier in the day and the air was still fresh; she loved it. It reminded her of the many rides she'd taken with her friend, Marie, when the young woman would visit Cynthia's grandparents' ranch. Inwardly, she sighed. That was one friend she had to admit she missed.

"You okay?" Heath looked at Cynthia with concern in his eyes. She looked so far away; then again, maybe she was.

"Just thinking, don't worry though. I'm fine." She smiled at him. Heath hoped he hadn't made a mistake in asking her to stay. She seemed to read his mind as she added, "I don't regret deciding to extend my stay, even if I don't understand how the blazes I got here in the first place." She worried about her friends, but she didn't know what she could do about it.

Heath chuckled, "I'm glad you did. Let's enjoy the rest of this ride without worrying about where you're from or what I'll have to do once the ride is over."

"Ranch work never ends," she smiled, "and neither does my job. They'll be waiting for us when we get back. Life doesn't stop for any man. "

"Tell me about it, but I need to convince Nick of that. Ever since the Hanks offered to work in the mine for half the cost you'd think it had to run twenty four hours a day."

Cynthia felt shock waves go through her as she pulled back on her horse's reins. Mines! What had that blasted historian said about the Barkleys' mines? She cursed inside her head; the man had said something vitally important and she couldn't remember it?

Heath stopped his horse, growing alarmed at the mixed look of shock and concern on her face. "What is it Cynthia?" He didn't like it, as her reaction to Mr. Mills was still very fresh in his mind.

Slowly she shook her head, "I can't rightly say, trying to remember all that blasted historian was telling me, but please, for now tell Nick to be careful when it comes to that mine, and all the men working in it."

Heath wasn't about to argue. If, by coming back in time, she was going to help them avert some situation that could prove costly, or deadly, in any way, he'd do as she asked! Of course, he'd just have to tell Nick that Cynthia had one of her 'funny feelings' again.

Scene Seventeen

Cynthia had to bite her tongue as she took the casserole out of the cook stove. Jarrod had taken Miss Peggy to San Francisco with him and Victoria and Audra had left for the orphanage that morning, which left the chore of making sure supper was ready for Nick and Heath to her and Silas. It was a good thing she'd used her grandparent's old-fashioned cook stove in the cabin that stood on their Montana ranch on occasion, or she'd have looked like a complete fool trying to fix supper.

"Best be careful, ma'am," Silas said as the young woman almost burnt her hand on the stove.

Without thinking, Cynthia chuckled, "Georgia Lee used to say the same thing." As soon as it was out of her mouth, she chastised herself and went back to defensive mode. She needn't have bothered. Silas only gave her a quizzical look, but said nothing. He'd never been one to push anyone for information they did not wish to share.

When they heard the front door open and slam shut, Cynthia grinned, "They're home, or at least Nick is." Sure enough, when she carried the casserole out to the table Nick and Heath were in the dining room entrance way talking.

The delicious smell rising from the casserole drifted throughout the entire room. "Smells good," Nick started for the table only to find Cynthia blocking his way.

"First the two of you wash up, then you can eat."

Nick was tired and hungry, and she wasn't his mother or his wife. "Look here…" he began only to find Cynthia putting her hands on her hips and planting her feet. Heath could see trouble coming and intervened.

"Come on brother, you know full well we'd get told the same thing no matter who was doing the cooking."

For a moment Nick did not budge then broke out in a grin, laughing as he turned to go wash up. Once they were out of Cynthia's range of hearing, Nick looked at Heath and said, "Did you have to find someone as stubborn as a Barkley to bring home?" That statement only got a chuckle out of his brother.

"Anything happen at the mine today?" Heath looked at Nick, still thinking about what Cynthia had asked the day before.

Nick shook his head then paused, as he thought on William Hanks and his cousin. The two confused him. They helped anyone out they could if they made the first move, if someone else made it they did seem to get defensive. He said as much to Heath, "You think they're up to something?"

Heath shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know, but Cynthia's feelings have been validated once already; I'm keeping my eyes and ears wide open." Neither one said another word as they finished washing up and headed for the dining room.