Man of Justice
I do not own The Big Valley nor any of the original Barkleys.
Chapter Three
Rain was falling hard as Tom hurried to shut the barn door. He'd hoped to be done with his work before the storm hit, but one thing after another had delayed him; everything from his horse being spooked and knocking down a fence post in the process; thank goodness he'd been able to stay in the saddle, to having to go the rounds with Mr. Coleman. The man was causing him problems over the water rights Tom had recently successfully obtained. Coleman claimed they had been obtained them illegally. If the sheriff hadn't happened along and verified that he'd personally helped Tom with claim and verified all the procedures were properly done, the man would probably still be at it. Tom secured the barn door, then ran for the front door of his home.
"Tom!" Victoria hurried out of the kitchen to help her husband take his coat off. "You're drenched!" Not that she was surprised, it was a statement made more out of concern for her husband's health.
"I know." he gave her a quick kiss and went to throw another log on the fire. He could see Nick standing at the top of the stairs looking down at him. Tom grinned and waved for his youngest son. Nick accepted the invite with smiles and ran down the stairs, two at a time, only to be stopped by his mother.
"Back up those steps young man! You know better than to come down in such a manner as that." Victoria and Tom suppressed a giggle as their ten year old son screwed up his face and walked back up the stairs. Overall, the child might have patience, but he could be impetuous when he was excited, typical of most children his age. Bolting down the stairs to greet his father was always one of those times. In truth both Tom and Victoria reveled in the repetition of it.
When Nick came down the stairs the second time, he walked up to his father and asked, "When are we going to go on the cattle drive?"
Tom chuckled as his son climbed up beside him and waited until the lad had settled down before he answered him. "It won't be for another month yet. You are eager to go, aren't you?" He winked at the son he was sure would be his second cowboy, actually, probably more of a cowboy than Jarrod for that matter. Oh, sure, Jarrod's eyes lit up when he talked about ranching, but Nick's whole being came alive when he did it. Tom was sure that it meant his second son was destined to become a rancher who would make a name for himself someday.
"Sure am! I'm gonna show you I can do the job just as good as Jarrod!" "Maybe, better" was a thought he added only to himself. He knew how his mother and father felt about their sons bragging. "Do I get to help with the branding too? I'm old enough; I know I am!" Nick sat as straight as he could as if to stress the statement he was making. It made both his parents smile.
"Yes, you are, and we'll be branding all the cattle in a few weeks, shortly before we go on the drive. You can start learning then. In between Jarrod and me, we'll have you brandin' that cattle faster than you ever thought possible. Do you think you can wait patiently for those few weeks?" Tom threw a grin his son's way. He wasn't surprised by the answer he received.
"I will wait, might not want ta, but I will!" Nick slid off the couch and ran back up the stairs. "Gonna go tell Jarrod we get to work together! This is gonna be great! I get to work with my brother on the ranch!" He was out of sight before either of his parents could bat an eyelid.
Victoria started to say something when Audra, who had been put in her bassinet for a nap earlier, started crying. "Good thing, dinner is in the oven." She headed for the room she shared with Tom and, for the moment, their infant daughter. "I think Audra needs some attention."
His daughter wanting attention? For a split second, Tom imagined Audra as a young woman and boys coming to court her. He quickly shook the thoughts off; he wasn't going to ask for that to happen anytime soon. He stood up and walked over to the desk that sat in the corner of the living room. He picked up an envelope that had arrived at the Stockton post office the day before; it was addressed to both he and Victoria. With everything he'd been trying to get done the past few days, it had remained unopened, as he'd forgot to tell Victoria about it. The letter was from an old friend of theirs, Rose Michael. Walking around the desk, Tom sat down, opened the piece of mail and began reading.
Dear Tom and Victoria,
We hope this short note finds you well. My husband has asked me to write to you and tell you we will be passing through the outskirts of Stockton. We are going to be coming by and see you. Jacob is guiding a small wagon train and the families to the border of Oregon. He says he NEEDS to talk to you. Would you please make some time for us?
Sincerely,
Rose Michael
P.S. He would have written himself, but he is busy organizing supplies and maps for the trip.
Tom folded the letter back up, his eyebrows turned down. Jacob had often led wagon trains to various destinations so that part of the letter was not unsettling. Only, leaning back in his chair, Tom wondered what did the man want from him that was so urgent? He had to want something or Rose would not have put the word needs all in capital letters. He was still deep in thought when Victoria walked out of the room carrying Audra in her arms.
Victoria, looking at the expression on her husband's face, became alarmed. "What is it Tom?"
"I'm not sure, Torie." He handed her the letter and then went to work on some papers he had on the desk, "but I guess we'll find out soon." He said nothing more as his wife took the letter and Audra over to the couch and sat down.