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

Blindsided

Chapter Seven

The sun was just coming up when Sonora came into view. Brigham pulled up on Ladino's reins. He didn't like it, but he was going to have to give Miss Barkley a little bit of information before they met with the men who were waiting for them. After all, she was abound to overhear things anyway. "Go on ahead, Jack; check out the trap and warn the men I have Miss McKinley with me." His voice then grew colder than Audra had ever heard it, as he wrapped his arm around her waist; he'd had her sit in front of him when they started their journey. "Warn them what will happen if they even think about layin' a hand on her. Also, get me a horse."

Audra didn't miss the confused look that came upon Jack's face, but it was quickly replaced with a nod and a "Yes, sir!" He spurred his horse around and left, leaving Brigham alone with Audra.

As soon as his partner was out of sight, Brigham released his hold on Audra and dismounted. Before she could even begin to dismount, he was leading her horse towards a clump of trees. Once they were in the shade, Brigham shocked her by handing her the reins; he then walked over and leaned against the tree with his back towards her.

If there was a time to escape, this was it. He was handing it to her, or so it seemed. So it seemed, there lay the problem. He was sending confusing messages again and she didn't like it. Dismounting Ladino, Audra kept a hold of the reins, walked up beside him and looked straight ahead. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a small smile come upon his face.

In all his experiences, Brigham had learned a true black sheep of the family would high tail it way from a 'bad situation' the moment they were given a chance, even if their family had been threatened. He'd just given her the best opportunity to escape, hence the reason for telling Jack to 'check the trap'. For years, that sentence spoken by one partner told the other one to get out of sight, and earshot, but to keep an eye on the one speaking for at a few minutes. If nothing unusual happened, they were to continue on with their business. Brigham knew the request would confuse Jack, even make it so he had to convince the man that the young woman wasn't available all over again. She hadn't tried it though; here she was, staying with him. He could see that he could start giving her bits of information.

He started talking. "I know those men who were following you; that is, I know their type," he said as he held his hands behind him, "they would have had their way with you if I hadn't stepped in." He was sure she'd figured that one out the moment he'd mentioned them; still, it needed to be said.

"You could have let me go afterwards." That was the part that had really got to her. Once the danger was gone, why keep her?

"No, princess," Brigham said as he shook his head, "you'd seen us. You knew what area we were in." He sighed. "Not havin' all the facts, ya would've talked. That is, you would've, eventually, heard things and descriptions. What with not having the true facts, you woulda talked. Later," he sighed, "I didn't know if I could trust you or not. For the first time in years I panicked okay? I panicked, and I messed up royal. I don't expect you to forgive me right now. Someday, maybe, but not now." What else could he say? It was the truth.

Not having all the facts? Audra turned on him, fury hotter than any coals in a fireplace ever thought of being blazed in her eyes. "Then give them to me! All the facts that is, make me see why I should keep my mouth shut! And stop calling me princess! My name is Audra, or Miss McKinley as you insist on!"

"I can't do that," Brigham answered as he turned to face her, "everyone who knows me knows I have, and use, nicknames for everyone I meet or care about. If I didn't give you one, and use it, there are those who would not hesitate to use you. After all, they'd know I had no claim on you." He took her hand and started walking. She would have pulled her hand out, but she'd fast realized the only time he made advances of any sort, it meant only one thing, that someone was watching.

"I told you once I would tell you everything when I could." Brigham stopped and faced her, keeping a hold of her hand, only he wasn't really looking at her. She could tell he was actually looking past her, towards town. His eyebrows turned downward. It made her nervous. "I can't tell you everything right now; however, I will tell you this much. There are people bent on making trouble in Nevada, and they'll get their way if we don't stop them."

Nevada! If they didn't stop them? Having seen no badges, Audra knew the men weren't sheriffs or Marshalls. She'd been told Pinkertons worked in pairs, but Brigham and Jack were meeting up with other men. What had she done? Landed herself in with a bunch of vigilantes? She didn't like the sounds of this. "That's the law's job, to stop troublemakers."

"So people say, but don't worry. Me and you, we're stayin' in Strawberry. Jack will be taking the men into Nevada." It was the only honest thing he could think of to say. He again started walking slowly to town.

There was something about the way Brigham talked, the way he held himself; there was something but she couldn't put her finger on it. "You sure have a way of either picking them or falling in among them, girl." She talked only to herself. She was brought out of her thoughts when Brigham started speaking again.

"You're going into the telegraph office and sending two telegrams for us, should say one for us and one fer me. I'll get us a room after that, but," he hurried to add, "I'll take the floor again."

Again, Audra would have pulled her hand out of his, but by that time they were in Sonora and she could see Mr. Kilgore talking to a couple of strangers. She heard one of the men let out a low whistle and had to hold in a laugh as she saw Jack Kilgore, who had left his hiding spot after nothing had happened, plant his elbow in the man's abdomen. "If he hadn't done that, I would have," Brigham whispered under his breath as he glared at the man now doubled over in pain.