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 Thirty-Three

Victoria stepped out from the living room when Jarrod walked in the front door. He looked a bit anxious and worried. "Did you talk to him?" she asked as Jarrod shut the door.

"Yes." Jarrod slid his hands into his pants pockets. "They'll seriously consider it. He's supposed to let me know in the next couple of days." He was praying like mad his sister and brother in law would accept the offer. He hated the idea they'd just got her back to Stockton only to watch her leave again.

A part of Victoria wanted to find her son in law and make sure he knew how much they needed Audra to stay in Stockton for at least a few more months. Land sakes, they'd just been reunited with her! Then again, she knew a couple, any couple, had to make their own choices. It was hard to let go and hope for the best though, especially when what one thought was best might not really be what was needed.

As if he could read his mother's thoughts, Jarrod sighed. "Nick and I can offer him work, Mother. We can't force him to accept it."

"I wasn't expecting you to," Victoria said as she went back into the living room to finish dusting; their housekeeper was down sick so the chore was left up to her. While she kept herself busy in the house, Audra and Brigham had taken the buggy and went for a ride.

By the time they sat under underneath one of the peach trees, eating sandwiches and discussing Jarrod and Nick's proposal, the breeze that was blowing was a soft and gentle one. Audra knew what a struggle her husband was having. He didn't want to take her away from her family and California, but he admitted he felt a lot of loyalty towards Mr. Jenkins. After all, the man had helped him out time and time again over the years.

"There are always two sides to a story, two ways of looking at things, girl. Which side you choose to see and hear will make a world of difference in your life." Her late father's words came back to her. "I'll be fine in Colorado if you really want to go work with Mr. Jenkins. As long as we're together, I'll be okay."

Brigham didn't doubt that, he wasn't questioning her ability to adjust in the least. From where he sat, he could see Nick and one of the new hands having a bit of a heated discussion. Okay, so Nick feeding his fist to the man's mouth put a question into the discussion part. Out of the blue, he looked at Audra. "How on earth did Nick keep from coming at me with both fists? He had every right to."

Audra smiled as she watched Nick send the man packing. She wasn't surprised by it; the man had not attempted to change his unacceptable work ethics, or lack of them. "He is an amazing man. He does have the capability of controlling his temper, when he wants to bad enough." All right, that didn't happen very often she had to admit, still, he could do it.

Brigham watched as Heath rode up to his brother. It was only a matter of minutes before the two were riding off together. He stood up and helped Audra to her feet. He might feel loyalty to Mr. Jenkins, but loyalty to Audra came first. Quitting the bounty hunting, and other things, might make it so he wasn't coming and going as much, but it didn't necessarily take away the danger. After all, even a private investigator had to take huge chances at times.

"What will she do if someone you're investigating decides to take it out on her? She may have spunk, but that won't always give her the upper hand. Who will be her back up?" The questions flashed through his mind and sent shock waves through him. No one would protect her like her own brothers should that happen, and they couldn't protect her in Colorado. He put his arm around her waist as they headed for the buggy. "We're not going, anyway. I'm working for both your brothers. How big of a house did you say you wanted and where exactly where did you want it built?"

EPILOGUE

Music rang throughout the yard as Audra helped Silas pass out the refreshments. At her mother's insistence, Brigham had to deal with a huge crowd and the party that brought them to the Barkleys'.

"After everything that's happened, you can at least consent to having a proper wedding with all of us present and reception." Victoria's words rang in his ears. He had never been big on huge gatherings, but for the sake of his wife and her family, he'd dressed up in a nice suit and hadn't argued.

"You look like you're suffocating in that thing." Nick walked up to him and handed him a glass of scotch.

Brigham grinned and replied, "Feels like it too." He watched as Audra stood talking to her mother and some friends. She was still wearing the long flowing wedding gown she and her mother had purchased in San Francisco the week before, though she had removed the veil and long train. "But I'm not complaining. It's only one evening, and I have her for a lifetime."

Nick smiled as the man put down his glass and headed for Audra. He lifted his own glass up and said quietly, "Here's to you, sis. May you and Brigham have many long years together." He drank down his drink and went to find himself a dance partner.