Part V – Four Weddings and a Grandchild
October 1882- July 1883

Chapter 17
Promises and a Surprise

The grassy rolling knoll that overlooked the rippling lake was the perfect spot for a late October picnic. Audra Barkley was basking in the warmth of the sun and the soft breeze that kissed her pale cheek. Next to her, lounging on the blanket spread beneath them was Clarke Hansen, his thick blonde hair falling in his eyes as he stared out at the lovely sight. "It is beautiful," Audra breathed.

"It is," he replied, but he wasn't looking at the lake now. Audra failed to notice. "I'm almost finished with building the factory," he said, almost absently. He had spent many hours going over how he should go about what he wanted to say to Audra. They had been spending every available hour, minute, second together when he was not working on the factory.

And now, he was almost finished and was about to purchase a house in town. He did not want to make the purchase without consulting Audra first, because he wanted this to be the place that they made their home. "Audra, would you…would you be willing to live in town? In Stockton?"

Audra's head slowly turned toward him a small smile curving her lips. "Oh Clarke I would love that!" she exclaimed, throwing both arms around him.

He laughed and unclasped her arms from around his neck. "Silly girl," he teased. "I haven't even proposed to you!"

"You don't have to!" Audra breathed. "Yes, yes and yes!" her smile broadened.

"Well, I'll ask anyway. Just for the fun of it." And he bent down on one knee and pulled out a small black box, he opened it revealing a small diamond ring. "Audra Barkley," he intoned. "The sun in my life rises and sets with you in it. Will you be my wife?"

It was a blustery mid-November morning when Scotty Scott pushed Ben in front of her. The young man she called her son was taller than she was, broad shouldered and muscular and he was going in the direction she pushed unwillingly, but Ben would never have considered resisting her. He might not like the idea of facing the young Barkley doctor, but he had too much respect and affection for the woman he considered his mother to have pulled away from her guiding hand.

"I'm jes' fine Ma," he told her for the millionth time. "My fever's gone down quite a bit." He might be going where she led, but he still could try to convince her that he had no need of the doctor's services. He had a few weeks earlier cut himself badly on a piece of wire, but had dressed the wound himself and kept it from Scotty. By the time she had discovered it, it as already infected somewhat, but she had done her best to fight the infection, knowing her son's dislike for doctors. But now it had gotten worse and she would not hear of him staying away any longer.

Eugene glanced up as she entered and knew immediately that the young man was ill. After hearing what Scotty told him he began at once to doctor the wound. After a while he came out and sighed. "He's quite stubborn I'm afraid," Eugene shook his head. "Perhaps if he'd come in a few days after the infection began it wouldn't have been so bad."

Scotty's forehead creased with worry. "Is he gonna be all right?"

"Oh yes!" Eugene's face softened. "I didn't mean to worry you. He just wouldn't have had to go through all of this if he'd had it dressed properly in the first place. If you'd have discovered it a few days earlier and administered to it he would have probably been okay." Scotty shook her head.

"Whale it can't be helped now. Can ah take 'im home?"

"Sure," Eugene had been washing his hands at a basin and now wiped them on a towel Mai had just brought in from the back room.

"Have you seen Leah lately?" Scotty asked casually as she walked with Gene back to the room where Ben was buttoning up his shirt. Gene glanced down at the petite woman with a puzzled expression.

"Well, yes I saw her just yesterday."

"Is she doin' any better?"

"Yes, she's going to be just fine."

Scotty nodded. "The nine month's cure, then."

Gene stopped mid stride and turned to her. "I can't give that information out. Not even Heath knows yet!"

Scotty laughed and shook her head. She glanced at Mai who was now arranging doctor tools on one of the counters in the examination room. "You Barkley boys cain't see what's right under yer noses." She laughed again, but at a personal joke of her own. "Come on Ben, lets git home."

Eugene watched Mai as she moved gracefully around the room. She had fit into her job as nurse quite well. He liked having her near and with him every day. He had not considered what life might be like without her. He took for granted that she was there. He took for granted that she would stay out at the ranch, so when she announced that she would soon be getting a room in town, he was shocked. It still shocked him and he just couldn't figure out why he felt the way he did about it.

Nick, Scotty, Jon and Ben were repairing one of the fences on the Scott ranch. Nick had been spending a lot of time on the Scott ranch these days. He and Scotty were not openly courting, but every one already considered them a couple, especially within the Barkley family. Scotty and the children spent several days a week at the Barkley ranch as well.

It was one afternoon while Jarrod was in San Francisco, Gene at his office in town, and Audra out with Clarke on one of their many excursions these days. Nick was home alone with Victoria. She, possibly more than anyone else, had noticed the changes in Nick's relationship with Scotty and was not terribly surprised when he walked into the parlor that afternoon and announced that he wanted to marry her.

"If you're asking for my blessing Nick, you have it," she told him.

"Well, sort of," he shrugged. "I was just wondering about the ring. I hadn't bought one yet."

"I always intended for you to have mine, Nick," she said rising from her seat on the sofa. "You can have it polished and sized for her."

"What about Jarrod?" Nick questioned.

Victoria smiled. "I have other things to give him."

So two days later Nick arrived at the Scott ranch and told Scotty that he wanted to take her riding. She was a little surprised. Most of their time spent together had been working on the ranches, or with the children. They had had a few moments here and there that they were alone and they had discussed their futures together in those times, but this was the first time he had asked specifically for her time alone.

Luke saddled her mare and the two rode out along the pasture lands that connected the two ranches together. Before long they came to the spot where they had first met at the disputed watering hole. It was here that he proposed and Scotty accepted. Her manner was much more reserved than Audra's acceptance had been, but she was no less excited.

Leah Barkley loved her new home. It was small but cozy and she shared it with her Heath. She had no regrets in her month and a half of marriage. And now that she knew why she had been feeling so lethargic the past several weeks she was excited. She was preparing Heath's favorite meal and planned on sharing her good news with him. She was so pleased and she knew that he would be too.

Thanksgiving had arrived and three of the attending couples had news they planned on sharing on this very day. None of them knew of the other's announcements and all three were brimming with excitement. Besides the Barkleys, Jarrod, Nick, Eugene, Heath and Leah and Mrs. Barkley, there was Clarke Hansen, Mai Borden and Scotty and her brood gathered around the table.

The matriarch had caught the mood of her children and knew that something was about to take place. But even though she did not know exactly what each one's news would be she had a suspicion.

They had eaten their meals and were about to retire to the parlor when Nick stood up and cleared his throat. "I've got an announcement to make." He told them loudly. "I'm going to get married."

"Well, little brother," Jarrod said teasingly. "Aren't you going to tell us who the unlucky woman is?"

Nick smiled broadly. "Scotty!" he told them and congratulations were showered upon the couple.

"I suppose then," Clarke now stood up. "This is the best time to add that I have asked Audra for her hand in marriage and she has accepted." Jarrod and Victoria had beamed knowingly when he had stood up.

"Well," Heath drawled slowly when another round of congratulations had been received. "It's time for me and Leah to make an announcement."

"You're going to remarry her?" Nick teased. "Ow!" he complained, glaring at Scotty.

"Nope. But we are going to be adding to the Barkley family." And everyone was excited about the future niece or nephew and grandchild that would brighten the days of the Barkley family.

(To be continued…)