It was the perfect afternoon of a perfect Sunday. A soft breeze was blowing from the north, just enough to cool down the heat that bit. Sitting on the grass, leaning with his back on a tree, watching the clear waters rush, Heath was thinking about his good luck. Victoria Barkley, his father's widow, was a fine lady, he couldn't think of one finer except for his own mother. In those few inches of a woman was an incredible amount of strength, and she was sophisticated, charming, smart, and wise. She treated him like a son, just like she treated her other sons, making him feel cared for, welcomed. Her other sons? Was he really thinking that he was a son to her? Yes, that's exactly what he was daring to think. He could feel her love, he did. It was a sweet feeling, to be loved by a mother again, it warmed his heart. But, maybe he was just seeing things, maybe she was just trying to be kind to her late husband's bastard son. Well, he didn't want to think about that just yet. For a change, he was allowing himself to believe in someone else's affection. He wanted, needed to trust other human beings again. Right now he just wanted to embrace what was coming and enjoy the moment.

He knew by experience good things didn't last long, and there were a lot of good things in his life, in this moment. So, How long would this all last? Working with Nick, he was doing what he loved the most, and he was doing it on his family's land, in what he now considered his home. It was a dream come true. He had never had anything. Now he had more than he could fathom. Indeed, Jarrod had mentioned the family had interests in different fields, but he had no idea what those fields could be. As far as he was concerned, the ranch was enough.

Nick had said that now he was one of the bosses, but he wasn't used to being one. For his brother, to be a Barkley was enough, that it came by blood, right. But, for him it wasn't that easy, was it? Nick was born to the name he wasn't. He wasn't sure he felt like a Barkley to start with. And, it was very clear that most of the ranch hands weren't sure he was a Barkley altogether. Heath could tell. He had learned the lesson soon enough, he had spent his life learning lessons.

Since that night, though, the night he had had that awful nightmare and he had bared his soul to Nick, his brother had become his shadow, always keeping him within eyesight. They spent all day together. He knew Nick was trying to keep him safe and that was a good feeling. That someone was watching over him, that someone would always be on his side. Since that night, their bond had strengthened and he knew how much Nick cared for him now, and he was grateful for that. But, he had tried to explain to his brother that he didn't fear the men, he had survived far worse. He'd fight for what he was entitled to, with his fists, if necessary.

The past week they had worked really hard in preparation for the next cattle drive. Now, he needed some time alone. He had been able to escape his brother's strict surveillance and had come to his favorite place by the stream, for some much needed moments of peace and silence. So many things had happened. He needed to think.

Heath sighed in satisfaction and pushed his hat's brim onward in order to protect his eyes from the sun then, lost in his thoughts and cuddled by the sound of the water, ended up dozing.

Nick was pacing the room, with a whirlwind of thoughts crowding his head. Why wasn't Heath home yet? He should have been back by now. Nick had felt his brother's need to be alone and had reluctantly let him go. Still he couldn't help but worry. And he had had enough waiting. Patience wasn't his strong point. He wasn't a man who waited for things to happen, he was the one who made them happen. He'd go looking for his brother.

"Nick?" Victoria was coming down the stairs.

"Oh, good afternoon Mother" Nick greeted. Darn. He should have gone already. He didn't feel like answering the questions he was already seeing coming. He hadn't the time for that, not now. Fighting the urge to run out before she could reach him, he shot her his best grin, hoping to look reassuring.

"Where are you going? Dinner is at six, you know that". Her son was visibly uneasy. Was there something he was trying to hide from her? Well, she had no doubt he would answer her questions.

"Oh, Heath said he was going for a ride, thought I'd join him. We'll be back in time for dinner, Mother", Nick offered offhandedly, already walking toward the front door. Victoria intercepted him and grabbed his wrist in her hand, searching his eyes. He sighed in resignation. She could read him like no other. The tall, tough man was like a child in her hands.

"Nick, is there something I should know?" she asked worriedly.

"No, Mother, I can't say that. Actually, it's just a feeling."

"The men are giving him a hard time. I know that Nick, don't think I don't. And, I know you care for him, and I'm so glad for that. But, but you can't keep him under your wing forever. He's a grown man."

"I just want to make sure he's alright is all", Nick replied gruffly, watching his feet.

"Nick…"

All of sudden, he realized what was his mother's worry. She was afraid Heath could have enough of them and leave. That much his brother had grown in her heart. That much he had grown in all of their hearts, in such a short time. Their lives had changed since Heath had come. It was like he had filled a void. At the beginning, he had thought it was the void his father's death had left in their lives. But it wasn't just that. Heath completed them perfectly, he was the missing piece of the puzzle. But, at the same time, it was like he was something fragile in their hands, that they could easily break. They all secretly feared to see him go, sooner or later, just like he had come.

More moved than he liked to admit to himself, Nick took the hand still holding his wrist in his own big, work-worn hand. It was so small and perfect, just like her whole person was. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it. Then, he spoke softly, trying to soothe her. "Don't worry, Mother, I won't make him run away. I'll just take a look around and if everything's alright I'll leave him alone, I promise."

She nodded with a little smile of her own and he turned to leave.

"Nick!" she called.

"Yes, Mother?" Nick turned his head over his shoulder, his hand on the door knob. Victoria smiled, trying to hide her concern.

"Bring him home".

Nick nodded smiling back at her, trying to look confident, then turned and left.

"Look who's there, Barrett, the bastard himself, taking a nap", the voice said.

"Yeah. He's not better than us. He can diddle them all he wants up there in that high house, but to me he's just trash. I take my orders from Barkleys, not from a dead man's dirt. But, I have had it with him". The voice was rough, disgusted, rising in a crescendo.

"What do you have in mind, Barrett?"

"You'll see, Chad. We'll teach him who he exactly is" Barrett said, an evil smirk on his face.