Chapter Nine

Jarrod, who sat behind his desk in the study with a look of confusion on his face, looked at Barrett and asked, "Do you know what they want?" Barrett had just told Jarrod that Heath had sent Barrett to tell Jarrod that his presence was requested at the Brighton's home, and that Heath would also be there.

"I didn't ask and Heath didn't say anything more than Steve and he would appreciate it if you got over to Steve's place as soon as possible." Barrett answered as he twirled his hat around in his hands. "If I might have asked what was going on only those two seemed uneasy and anxious to get on their way."

Jarrod thought for a second and then began putting away the papers on his desk. He might still be getting to know Steve; however, he did know Heath. His blonde haired brother wouldn't have sent for Jarrod in the middle of a work day if it wasn't extremely important. "All right, this can wait. Go ahead and get back to work."

"Yes, Mr. Barkley." Barrett turned and walked out of the room.

~oOo~

While Heath sat on the couch in the Brighton's living room, Steve sat on the edge of the bed he and Lily used. He was holding the book Adam had told him about; Steve had it open and was looking at the words inside once more. The names that kept jumping out at him were Tom, Victoria, Jarrod and Nick Barkley; along with, Jack, Maria, Tommy and Susan Alders. In the two and a half months he and Lily had been in Stockton, they had gotten to know a few families. However, Alders was a family they had yet to meet. The book made it sound as if the two families had done a lot together. It made him wonder where the family was…and which, if any, he belonged too. At the same time, Steve was starting to feel more than anxious and a bit afraid. Maybe he had made a mistake in admitting to Heath he knew the items were Jarrod's.

Lily, who had walked into the room after she'd looked out the kitchen window and saw Jarrod off in the distance, saw the turmoil her husband was in. She might have been tempted to apologize to Heath and his brother, saying that all of a sudden Steve was feeling rather ill and could they meet another day, but she knew it would not be a benefit to anyone.

She sat down beside her husband and clasped her left hand over his right hand, which was still holding a part of the book in his lap. "Jarrod is almost here." She felt sorry for what he was facing, but was doing all she could to support him; Steve could hear it in her voice and felt it in her touch. He was grateful for that, more grateful than he could put into words. "Maybe I made a mistake. Maybe I could find something else to say and send them on their way. After all, the job is only for six months. We could leave with none the wiser."

Lily was shocked by her husband's words…and the fear she could hear in his voice. The man she had fallen in love was not a man who scared easily or ran away. Once he made up his mind, even if he was wrong, there was generally no way to turn him around. She knew if he did that now, he would never be the same. That was an idea she could not stomach. That being the case, she spoke firmly and with more conviction than she ever had before, and did it in French. "Ne changes pas d'avis maintenant!Dis leur tout ce dont tu te rappelles, tout ce dont tu sais!"

Unaccustomed to hearing his wife speak in French with such force, Steve turned his head sharply and looked at Lily. He was surprised to see the look in her eyes matched the tone of her voice. A few of his father-in-law's words came back to him full force, ones he'd spoken to Steve before Steve married Lily. "She's a good one, Steve, seldom talks back to me. Though," Lily's father chuckled, "when she does, I sit up and listen."

"I'm afraid." He admitted as he heard Heath answering the door and heard Jarrod asking the blonde haired rancher why he, Jarrod, had been sent for.

Lily removed her hand as Steve shut the book. "And you have every right to be only you've never run from anything before; don't start now. Whether you're their brother or not, they deserve to be told everything…even if it changes nothing."

Steve knew why his wife stressed the word everything; it wasn't just Adam, the book and the few memories of his younger days he would need to talk to the Barkleys about. He looked towards the door sighed before standing up. "Let's go out there before I change my mind." He held the book under his left arm and held out his right hand.

Lily smiled and, taking her husband's outstretched out, stood up.

~oOo~

Hearing the Brightons enter the room, Heath and Jarrod, who was sitting on the couch also, turned their heads. The two brothers felt their hearts skip a beat as they saw the old brown book Steve carried. They might not have had that reaction only on the spine of the book Heath and Jarrod could see the words T Barkley and C Alders 1853.

Jarrod, who held the pocket knives in his hands, couldn't help but start examining Steve closer than he ever had. If only the gentleman didn't have all that facial hair, Jarrod was sure he would be able to see if Steve resembled either family. "Where did you get that book?" Jarrod asked as he managed to find his voice, and then held up the knives and asked the same thing Heath had asked earlier.

Steve didn't answer until he and Lily sat on two chairs that sat near the fireplace. "It's a long story that started years back." Steve answered as he adjusted his seating and did his best to relax.

"We've got all afternoon." Heath answered. "I turned everything over to McColl, and Jarrod's put his day on hold as well."

Steve nodded and then, slowly, he began telling them his story, finishing with the few memories that had returned while he was fixing the house up. "I don't want you to get me wrong." He said as he looked upon the stunned expressions on Heath and Jarrod's faces. "I'm not trying to claim I'm your long lost brother. I don't know which boy I am." He paused as he glanced at his wife who simply nodded, encouraging him to go on. "However, if I'm Nick I might know where to find Tommy….or vice versa. Though," he added quietly, "I would like to ask what happened to the Alder family. I haven't heard that name since I arrived in town."

"Mr. Alder died of a heart attack shortly after our father was killed by the railroad." Jarrod answered, feeling as if he was still in shock. "Mrs. Alders moved to Modesto to live with her daughter and son-in-law." He then leaned forward, his eyes turning slightly hard as he then said, "Keep talking."

Translation: Don't change your mind now! Tell them everything you remember, everything you know!"