I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters. Thanks to my Beta Reader, though all mistakes are my own.

Blind Sided

Chapter Two

Nick was standing outside the front door watching the sunset. He was growing more anxious by the minute; where was his sister? He turned his head when he heard more than one footstep behind him. Sure enough, his mother and brothers had all joined him. "She's never been gone this long!" The guilt Nick felt for having driven his sister away in the first place could be heard in his voice.

"It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault." Victoria was quick to do what she could to reassure her middle son of that fact. "While I know something is not right, I also know whatever it is should not be laid at your feet."

He heard the words, but his heart ignored them. If only he'd had a chance to break the news to Audra some other way she'd be home with them. Instead, she was out there somewhere, but where? "If she's not back by morning," Jarrod spoke up, "we can start looking for her." He wanted to start that moment but it was fast growing dark.

"I'm starting now." Nick started to walk away only to be blocked by his mother. He knew he was in trouble the moment he looked into her angry eyes and saw her doubled up fists on her hips.

"Nicolas Jonathon Barkley!" Victoria planted her feet and shot him one of her 'Don't you dare ignore me' looks. "It's going to be dark within a half hour; you won't be able to see a thing!" She choked a bit as she fought the tears that wanted to come, "You'll get what little sleep will come and start looking first thing in the morning, as we all will!" She wasn't about to just sit home and wait for them to find her only daughter, as it was that 'little sleep' she'd mentioned was something she'd be lucky to get, if she got any.

For a moment, it looked as if Nick was going to ignore his mother, but finally his shoulders relaxed slightly. He didn't like it, but he knew she was right. Searching for Audra in the dark would be a waste of time, even if he wanted it to be different. "Yes, Mother." He turned around and went back inside without another word.

Only when Nick and Heath had disappeared into the house did Victoria look at Jarrod. "She's in trouble and she's not. I know that sounds crazy, but I can feel it in here." She pointed to her heart. The mixed up feeling was strong and it scared her.

Jarrod nodded his head slowly. He'd been getting the same feeling for some time, only he'd been trying to convince himself he was being an overprotective brother. "I know. Anything I have to do tomorrow can either be postponed or delegated out to someone else. I'll be ready to join a search party as soon as I delegate those matters out." He held out his arm to his mother and escorted her back inside the house.

The Barkleys may have been doing what they could to get what little sleep would come, but Audra stood next to the window she was now stuck by and looked out at the night sky; too bad it was too small for her to climb through. Still, she could see the stars shining down upon the earth. How many times had she stood on the verandah or by her own bedroom window looking up at the stars? She'd never once thought she'd ever find herself in a situation like this one, stuck with two men who were obviously wanted outlaws. When the door began to open, she whirled around, grabbing her crop as she did so.

Brigham shocked her when he shut the door, sat down on the chair and pointed to the crop in her hand. "Don't ever stop that, keeping yer guard up that is. Yer goin' to be needin' every bit of the spunk I see in ya. Now sit down and listen to me and listen good." He nodded to the bed, as it was the only other piece of furniture in the room. His tone was once again one that held no room for argument.

Once Audra was seated, the gentleman started talking. "You don't want to be here; I don't want you here, but you are here. We both have to deal with it. We're riding long and hard tomorrow; however," his voice turned cold, "there are times I will have to be gone. On those occasions, you will be with Jack waitin' for me. Don't worry 'bout him though," he quickly added knowing full well why the young woman before him stiffened, "he knows full well what I will do if he touches you in any way; I've already made myself quite clear on that point. Remember, he thinks yer with me. However, he does have a temper when one goes against what they've been told. I told him yer were clueless to what we were doin' right now, but you'd given yer word to do as I say as long as I let you in later. That bein' the case, don't go tryin' to escape. I can always find out where you live and send some visitors to your home." He leaned back in the chair smiling at the defiant look that was upon her face. "I will tell you everything, as soon as I can safely do so."

"How do I know that?" Audra was angry at being held prisoner by the two men. If they'd hold her captive, how was she to trust him to tell her anything? She pulled slightly back as the man called Brigham stood up straight with a look in his eye that only a man sure of himself could hold. "I am a man of my word, princess. Jack will not hurt you and I will tell you everything later."

For now, this man may have her over a barrel in one way, but she wasn't going to just sit by and not say a word. "If he proves you wrong and lays a hand on me, I'll not just roll over!" Audra barked not caring what the man thought. Again, she was taken a back as he let out a roar of laughter and turned to leave. "Like I said, princess, don't let go of that spunk. You'll need it." 'We can't have her around distracting us.' His partner's words rang in his ears as he turned his back on Audra and left the room. Maybe not, but if he hadn't stepped in, she'd have been attacked by men he wished he had time to take care of himself, but he didn't. He couldn't let her go either; she'd seen them and would talk up a storm if he did. After everything was over, he'd have to find a way to get her back to her family.