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.

*Gene going off the deep end is, with Tuffydog's permission, a reference to her story. Thanks Tuffydog. (This is on another site)

Blind Sided

Chapter Three

Audra was sitting on the bed, still disgusted at the size of the window. It was very early morning and she was trying to relax as much as she could. That, relaxing, wasn't easy as her mind was on her family. The tears and laughter they'd shared through the years played out on the stage of her mind. Jarrod's steadfast guidance, Nick's over protectiveness at times, Gene's loyalty, *until he went off the deep end somewhere along the line, and Heath. It still amazed her how much that brother had brought into their lives. How she wished she could just walk out the door and go home!

When the bedroom door opened, she whirled around with her crop still in her hand. The sight of her standing defiantly crop in hand put a smile upon Brigham's face. She was a feisty one; that was good. He didn't need to be playing nursemaid to some female who thought she had to be taken care of every minute of the day. He shut the door and sat down upon the chair that sat next to the dresser.

He pulled out a cigar out from his vest and lit it up. "If it makes ya sick," he said as he looked from the cigar to his unexpected 'guest', "I can do this later."

"I'm fine. Who are you and what are you doing on my family's ranch?" Audra demanded. Brigham was glad she was only talking loud, not yelling. He'd have been in trouble if Jack knew he was lying about actually knowing the young woman first hand.

He couldn't help but smile. "Name's Brigham McCallister, that fellow out in the kitchen, is Jack Kilgore. We do have you a bit rattled, don't we? Reckon, I can't blame ya though." Brigham stood up and walked over to the window. Audra automatically clutched her crop tighter. It didn't bother the stranger as he pointed out the window. "Come here; take a closer look. We're not on anyone's ranch."

Audra stood up, walked over, and studied the scenery before her closer. She gasped. How? She knew she'd been on the ranch…she stiffened as she realized the path they took did indeed lead away from the ranch, but she'd been too unsettled to notice it at the time. She could clearly see they were not far from the border of the ranch from the window. "Who are you and what do you want with me?" she asked, a bit more subdued than she'd been.

"Answer me somethin' first." Brigham had been a bit unsettled when she accused him of being on her family's ranch. That was one thing he hadn't wanted, to involve any member of any family that owned any ranches in the area… that could draw unwanted attention. "Who are you?" He figured he best make sure he was right about whose ranch he thought they were nearby.

Audra stood erect and straight. With her head held high and her eyes full of honor, she replied, "Audra Barkley. My family…" She never finished her sentence as the man's face looked as if someone had taken their hand and slapped him with it; he was right! His hand flew over her mouth and he barked softly, "You will never say that name again. As far as yer concerned…" He paused, knowing what he had to say. Good thing they were just passing through! Still, he couldn't risk meeting anyone who might have knowledge of the famous Stockton family either, especially with the things they had to be doing in the near future. "Yer name is Audra McKinley. Yer not from any actual town. You've lived miles out of Merced your whole life. Yer parents are dead and you have no siblings or other relatives." It was his mother's maiden name and the only one he could come up with on the spur of the moment. Also, if Jack was convinced she was alone in the world, he wouldn't be checking any references. He paused again, and then added, "Unless you want me to send that visitor to your family's home. Do you understand?" His eyes narrowed as he finished talking, knowing they'd now have to ride twice as hard as before just to get out of the area. He had to make sure her mouth would stay shut.

Sure enough, shock and fear entered into Audra's eyes. "Why didn't I just go back over the river? Why didn't I listen to Nick's cry?" Audra knew full well she couldn't start the day over, but she could protect her family. She nodded her head slowly. He let his hand drop. "What's yer name? Where are from and do you have any family?" he asked keeping his eyes on hers.

For a moment, she said nothing. Finally she answered, "Audra." She paused, braced herself and answered again. "Audra McKinley. I've lived outside Merced my whole life and have no family now." Her mouth said the words softly, but her eyes spoke louder than anything he'd ever heard. The look was one of defiance, one that said, 'This is not over by a long shot; you just wait and see!"

He had to hide his grin. If she felt that way now, wait until she heard what else he had to say. "We're leavin' here anytime now. Jack believes you to be my gal; others will be told the same thing. Therefore, if I go to hold yer hand or do anything else," he said as he made sure the tone of his voice sent a crystal clear message to her, one that said 'I am very serious about this', "do not fight me. I will never do anything to dishonor or shame you that much I can promise. Do you understand, Miss McKinley?" He was not surprised by the look of horror that spread across her face. He repeated himself, though the question was asked with a tad bit more force. "Do you understand?"

Audra hated him. She hated what he was making her do, but what choice did she have? His words, "…send a visitor to your home," still rang in her ears. "I understand."