A week after Mary Ryan had been found, life at the Barkley Ranch had gotten back to normal. Jarrod was in San Francisco on another case, Heath was working hard running the ranch, Audra was planning a benefit for the orphanage, and Victoria was overseeing the house and preparing for her second born son to return home.

Victoria went outside to work in her rose garden. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than to work in the garden and the scent of roses and being outdoors always lifted her spirits. It was probably the last time she would be able to be in her garden, as cold as it had gotten, until spring. That made her sad, but the change in seasons was once again upon them.

"Good Mornin' to you, Mrs. Barkley." Kathleen's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Why Kathleen! It's wonderful to see you." Victoria went over to the young woman and gave her a big hug. "How are the girls?"

"They're fine. I brought you some Irish Soda Bread. I can never thank you enough for your help, but I thought this might show our appreciation for all you've done." Kathleen was in a happy mood this morning.

Victoria took the gift saying, "Nonsense! We were happy to help. I think it is your sister who you should be thanking. I don't know how she knew where Mary was."

Kathleen hesitated for just a moment before lightly remarking, "Rhianna has the luck of the Irish, I guess."

"Oh, I don't think it was luck, Kathleen." Victoria looked at her visitor appraisingly. "Have you seen her?"

"No, but I won't see her until she is ready. When my mother died, Rhianna was just a few days old. Our father…" Kathleen hesitated for long moments before continuing. "He left the raising of her to our oldest brother, Keenan, and me. Keenan was already serving in the army by then. We did the best we could, but to keep her safe, we had to put her under the army's protection when she was five." With sadness in her voice, Kathleen continued, "She's slept on the ground more than she's slept in a bed."

"At five years old? No child should be there." Victoria was astounded, though it explained why Rhianna wouldn't stay in the house after Mary had been found.

"Mrs. Barkley, don't pity her. She knows no other way. I wish things could have been different, but if we hadn't sent her to the army she'd be dead. She'll come to us when she is ready. Until then, she watches and waits. It is important." Kathleen stopped speaking quickly before she said something she would regret later.

"I know Heath has said he catches glimpses of her every now and then. He keeps trying to find her or her camp. I think he took it as a challenge, my dear. I'm sure she'll be back soon." Victoria had a sudden idea. "We really need to celebrate Mary's safe return. I am planning a welcome home dinner for Nick. Why don't all of you come and we will make it a double celebration? Please come."

"I don't know, Mrs. Barkley…" As Kathleen looked at Victoria she saw the determination in her face. She wanted to go and she wanted a chance to properly thank Jarrod and Heath. She continued more decisively. "We'll be there. I'll talk to Jack and we'll make sure Rhianna's there."

"I'm sure you will." Victoria put her arm around Kathleen and the two women went looking for Audra to make plans for the celebration.

~Big Valley~

Heath Barkley sat on a rise overlooking the upper pasture. Nick will be pleased, he thought. The herd of horses was large enough to support the contract with the army and still build up their breeding stock at the same time. He hoped when Nick returned home, he brought more stock. Heath was looking forward to his big brother's return. He knew he could handle the work without Nick, but he much preferred to have his brother, his partner, by his side. He also missed the bantering. It was much too quiet without Nick. He heard a rider approach. Looking up he saw Jack Ryan.

"How's the count, Jack?" Heath inquired casually.

"Good…well, better than good. I think we'll have a good number this year. Maybe you and Nick…look, Heath." Jack broke off the conversation as he spotted something.

As Heath looked to where Jack was looking, he could see a lone rider off in the distance. The rider stopped and watched them for many long minutes before raising a hand in greeting as he turned and rode away.

Jack was the first to speak, "There she is. You know, it's you she's greeting don't you?"

Heath looked over in surprise, "Me? She's your sister-in-law. Why would she be greeting me?"

"She's much more to me than that." As Heath looked at him with mild curiosity, Jack paused realizing he shouldn't have said that. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, he continued, "She considers you an equal. You earned her respect and not many do. You will always have her loyalty." Jack took off his hat and sighed. "The O'Briens are a complicated family. I love my wife and her family but they would try the patience of a saint! They take honor and duty to another level."

Heath nodded. "I saw a lot of that during the war, honor and duty."

"Not like them, trust me. Rhianna is the worst of them, and stubborn? When it comes to her family, she trusts no one. Heath, I can't tell you why she's here, but, believe me, it is important. I also know in time she will tell you."

"I hope so; Jarrod is getting restless. Mother has kept him in check so far, but the counselor wants answers. Once Nick returns, he'll want answers, too. Two against one." Heath laid out the situation as he saw it.

Jack looked Heath square in the eye and said seriously, "Heath, I wouldn't bet against Rhianna in that contest. She'd rather die than betray her people or her family, and she will see it like that. In many ways, the O'Briens are a lot like the Barkleys. All of you will protect your family at any cost."

Heath and Jack turned to go back to the ranch. Heath would spend the rest of the night thinking about what he had learned about the O'Briens. Victoria, too, spent time thinking about Rhianna. Both Heath and Victoria knew the confrontation was coming, but were hoping it could be avoided. Heath, though, thought he saw some other possibilities for Rhianna and the Barkleys, if he could only get Nick to agree.