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.

Blindsided

Chapter Nine

Audra did her best to calm her nerves as she worked on cooking the stew needed to feed eleven men. They'd stopped and made camp for the night and she couldn't help but be concerned that she'd get very little sleep, due to wondering if any of the men would try anything. Her concerns only grew when Brigham left off talking to the group and walked over with another, slightly heavy built, fellow to where Audra was cooking.

"Let Bryant take over; he's done enough cookin' in his life." Brigham took a hold of her upper arm. "You and I are goin' for a walk." One look in his eyes and she knew something serious was up. She handed the wooden spoon to the gentleman and walked away with Brigham, noticing the looks some of the men were giving her as they did so.

Brigham led her out into a clearing, where there were no trees, rocks or anything to hide behind. He knew he was taking a chance, but he had to make sure he could talk freely and see anyone that might be coming. From where they stood, they could still be seen by the men. He took a hold of her upper arms. "What did I tell you about us and other people?" He kept his eyes on hers; it made her more uneasy than she already was.

She didn't have to wonder what he was talking about; she knew. "They had to be convinced we were together." Audra answered bluntly.

"Exactly," he barked softly, "and here yer callin' me mister all the time." Ouch, Audra knew she was guilty of that one. He continued laying into her. "You've been walkin' around with ice in yer eyes. That is, more than usual! That may be okay with some of the other men; they will expect no less from the woman I'm with, but to do it to me? What are you tryin' to do? Get them to see an openin' in the door and take it? Sure, let them see the spunk you have, but make it clear the door is shut!" He knew she wasn't trying to send any wrong messages; only she had to be made to see how imperative it was that she played the part too.

Audra had held up well so far, but the situation was finally catching up to her. Tears started rolling down her cheeks; she couldn't stop them. Brigham felt his heart go out to the young woman. She hadn't asked for this; he'd brought it on them both by allowing himself, for the first time in years, to panic. He lifted his hands up and wiped away her tears. "Let it out, Miss Barkley," he whispered kindly, "just let it out." Without thinking, he pulled her close and stroked the top of her head.

Audra didn't want to let him hold her, she didn't want to cry, but she couldn't stop either one. She found herself holding on tight and doing just that, letting it out. When Brigham could tell she had enough control back, he stepped back just enough to enable him to look into her reddened eyes. "Now, don't be afraid to show yer spunk, just get it together and act the part you need to. Believe me when I say, a part of these men would never lay a hand on you, but the other half? If they truly believe yer available? You bet yer bottom dollar they would! My name is at least Brigham to you, understand?" He surprised her by speaking with compassion; of course, he'd pulled the rug out from under her when he called her by her real name, allowed her, no, encouraged her to let it out, and held her in such a secure and gentle embrace.

"I understand, Brigham." She smiled slightly; she was still a bit shaken by her outburst.

"No more icicles? Not least my way?" He looked at her with a gentle rebuke in his eyes. He didn't want her to be scared of him, some of the men yes, but not him. He'd never intentionally hurt her.

"No more icicles your way." Audra relaxed and smiled. With the men watching from a distance, she didn't fight Brigham when he pulled her close again and lowered his head. What shocked her beyond measure was to find herself not wanting it to end! End it would, she knew it would, for he was only doing it to convince the men everything was okay between them. Besides, what future could she hope for with a man who not only had to be around Jarrod's age, but one who was bent on taking matters into his own hands as well?

Sure enough, Brigham pulled back and, letting go of her arms, slid his hand over hers. "If anyone says anythin'," he said as they headed back, "just tell them we've been secretly quarrelin' and just made up. "

"All right, Brigham." She put a smile upon her face and entwined her fingers around his.

Jack grinned as he saw some of the disappointed looks on some of the men's faces. "I told you," he said as he headed for his bedroll, the sun was just starting to settle, "I told you Brigham wasn't going to let a woman like that slip out of his hands." Not one of the men said as thing, how could they? What with Brigham and Miss McKinley kissing like they did, and walking towards the camp hand in hand talking and laughing? The ones who had begun to think they could steal her away from Brigham gave up that hope and, one by one, started to settle down for the night.

Brigham led Audra to their bedrolls which lay side by side. Soon she was lying on her bedroll, with Brigham's arm draped over her. It felt strange to sleep with this arrangement, but they'd talked about it on the way in from the field. They knew it was the one way to add 'insurance' the two of them had. That is, one way to ensure the other men would not try anything. "Thanks," she whispered as she fell asleep.

Only after she was asleep did Brigham open his eyes and gaze upon the young woman. "I'm crazy, just flat out crazy," he whispered as he too fell asleep.