I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Big Valley characters.

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Five

Victoria stood on the verandah watching the sunset. 'We looked for him as long as we could." Jarrod's voice rang in her ears, the haunted look in Heath's eyes remained on the stage of her mind. "We finally had no choice but to talk to the law and come home'. She knew her sons well enough to know they spoke the truth. "Where are you, Nick?" She looked out at the darkening horizon. "What happened?" Like her sons and daughter, she held out hope for Nick's return.

"Mother?" Audra walked up beside her. "He'll be found; you'll see, he'll be found or come home on his own." The young girl not only tried to sound convincing for her mother's sake, but her own as well. She kept telling herself that this was his ranch, and that he just had to come back.

Victoria took a deep breath and smiled softly. "I know, but the waiting is what's hard, waiting and wondering where he's at and why the delay in coming back to us." It was too; the wondering was hurting like crazy.

From where Jarrod and Heath stood inside, they could hear their mother and sister talking. The guilt they felt for not finding Nick was only intensified, though they'd never admit it to Victoria or Audra. After all, their mother had stated bluntly they were not to blame themselves. However, that was hard to do.

"What did the Pinkertons have to say?" Heath looked at Jarrod, half way hoping to hear they were worrying for nothing, the other half knew better than to expect news so soon. He was right.

Jarrod shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "They'll start searching." He looked at Heath. "And we keep our own eyes and ears open."

Heath turned and started walking away. "If they haven't found him by next month, there's another auction being held." He didn't know that it would do any good, but it couldn't hurt either.

Jarrod said nothing as he headed for his study. He had to keep busy or go crazy, and he had plenty of work to keep him occupied. 'Where ever you are, Nick, remember we are a family. You belong here with us.'

While the Barkleys were wondering where Nick was, 'Patrick' was standing on the porch of his new home growing less concerned with who he was and more occupied with the idea of helping find Cat's horses a new home, along with the idea of making sure she didn't die alone.

"Mornin' be early 'round 'ere." Cat walked up beside Patrick. "You be goin' to be 'atin' life if you don't be gettin' yourself to bed soon."

Patrick turned to face her and grinned. "I have a funny feeling I've hated to see more than one morning come. Besides, I couldn't sleep. I had my mind on those horses of yours."

Cat wasn't surprised; she'd seen the look that appeared in his eyes the first moment she'd told him of her condition and her concern for the horses. "And?" She sat down on a nearby chair; he did the same.

"If it helps ease your mind any, I'll promise that as long as I'm able, I'll stick around until you find them a home. If something happens to you before we find a place for them, I'll take care of them until I can find good people to take them."

A smile spread across her face as she laid her hand upon his wrist. "You be a good man, no matter what name you be usin'. If it'll not be a burden, I'll be takin' you up on your offer. I'll 'ave me peace of mind knowin' the 'orses be taken care of." She might have said more, but both of them heard the horses start to make a ruckus. Patrick took off running while she retrieved a rifle out of the house, and then hurried to join the man.

They were both furious to see Matthew Miller trying to get one of the horses out of the corral. "Stop!" Patrick barked as he ran towards the man. Unfortunely, the man was able get to his own horse and get away. Patrick was furious; there was one sheriff that was going to get a visitor.

Cat knew what he was thinking as she had the exact same thought. "Can't be doin' anythin' about it now, might as well go get some sleep. We can 'ead into town first thing in the mornin'."

Patrick would have argued and insisted on staying up, only he was just too tired; he hoped the man would stay away and let them get some sleep. Once inside the house, Patrick turned to Cat. "I have to ask you. Why buy another horse when you know you're dying?" He couldn't understand being worried about the horses and turning around and buying another one.

Cat smiled. "I didn't buy that one for me, 'is new owner is comin' tomorrow, a mate of mine, one Charles Smitt. But," and she pointed her finger at Patrick, "be rememberin' your promise. No word 'bout me condition. The bloke is good enough in some ways, but give 'im somethin' like that and 'e'll find a way to be turnin' it to his advantage."

That made Patrick's stomach turn. "Don't worry," he headed for the room he now used, "I'll keep my promise."