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

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Seven

Jarrod was sitting behind his desk when Heath opened the door and walked in. "McCall said you wanted to see me?" Heath sat down in the chair across from his brother hoping to hear that the Pinkertons had come up with something that would lead them to Nick, or better yet, to hear the agency had actually found him.

Jarrod sat back and fought the emotions raging inside of him. "I heard from Mr. Lee today." He looked at Heath, not wanting to have to tell him what the agency had come up with.

Heath knew his brother well enough to know whatever he was about to be told was not good. "What is it?" He braced himself to hear the worst.

"They came across a man sitting in a Carson City, Nevada, jail cell by the name of Luke Woodland. The man, while confessing to other things, let it slip he and a few friends roughed up 'a rather wealthy rancher' in California. He also admitted to shooting 'that rancher' later. No, he didn't come right out and say Nick's name; however," Jarrod sighed, "he did admit to being in the Rockville area at one time. The agency is looking into the gentleman's friends and such. They'll continue looking, in case it wasn't him."

Heath fought the rage inside of him. It couldn't have been Nick. He had to be alive! Hurt and recovering somewhere, but alive, that had to be the case! Seeing the pained look in his brother's eyes, Jarrod said, "Heath, they'll keep looking and," he paused, "I have an acquaintance in the Carson City area. I've written to him and asked he go visit the man in question. We have to face facts though, Heath. It could have been him."

"No!" Heath practically jumped to his feet. "There's an auction in two weeks, and I'm going to it! He's down there somewhere! Why he isn't home, I don't know, but he's alive! I feel it!" He turned and left the room, leaving Jarrod to pray like mad his brother was right.

While Heath was making plans to go back to Rockville, 'Patrick' was riding alongside Cat in a buggy towards the town social. Off in the distance they could see a rainbow.

"Looks like it rained someplace." Cat smiled and a faraway look came into her eye, and she laughed. "That be bringin' back memories. Me dad used to talk about rainbows and the pot of gold 'e'd find someday. 'e always thought me a bit daft for when 'e'd ask me, 'If you find the end of the rainbow, what would you be likin' to find?'," she sighed, "'e never could understand why I never said gold or some other treasure as 'e saw it."

Patrick was intrigued. Everyone he knew always talked about gold and other wealth. "What would you like to find at the end of your rainbow?"

When he turned his head and smiled at her, Cat smiled back and put her hand on his wrist. "As soon as we find a 'ome for me 'orses, I'll 'ave as much of me dream as I dare say I'll be gettin'."

"That's not an answer to my question." Patrick stopped the buggy. For whatever reason, he wanted to hear her answer; he wanted to know what she would like to find.

For a moment she didn't speak as she looked at the surroundings, and then sighed. "Just 'elp me find a 'ome for me 'orses and I'll be fine, really. We'd best be goin'. We'll be late." She turned her eyes to the front of the buggy. Truth was, she'd started having daydreams she told herself she had no business thinking. After all; she was dying and Patrick may already be married. She wanted no trouble for the man who was proving to be the best friend she'd ever had.

Patrick knew she was holding back, but knew he'd not be getting any answers by putting too much pressure on her. He would just have to give her gentle nudges here and there, and then he'd have to pray like crazy she'd open up before it was too late.

Upon arriving at the social, he helped Cat down from the buggy and led her inside. The looks Cat and he were receiving did not pass him by. It didn't bother him until he overheard a woman who sounded like she needed her nasal passage cleared whisper, "They say he's her cousin; I bet you it's more like a kissing cousin," causing Cat to start to turn to leave.

"No." Patrick stopped her and smiled gently at her. "Don't let people like that run you off. If they have such boring lives they need to gossip, let's give them something to gossip about." He winked at her as he led her to the dance floor.

"Patrick Barnes," Cat was embarrassed, but delighted, when he took her in his arms and started dancing with her, "I admit, I was wrong to right off think of leavin', but this? What will people be sayin'?"

"Does it really matter?" He grew serious. He'd been thinking long and hard the last three or four days. He'd thought even harder after her refusal to tell him what treasure she'd like to find, mostly because he'd caught a quick glimpse of longing in her eyes. "The worst thing they can say has already been said; the good folks, the ones who don't gossip, but wonder, might say your cousin is courting you, and that isn't against the law. Though I think it best if I find another place to live and continue helping you with the farm and horses. It'll give them less ammo to use against your good name."

Cat surprised herself as she quickly objected to the idea. "If nothing else, there's the loft you can be usin', but please, don't leave." Then, realizing what ideas he could justifiably get from her request, she added, "I've grown accustomed to the idea of 'avin' someone around in case…" She stopped speaking and dropped her head slightly, knowing she must sound quite selfish.

Patrick, not caring what others might say, pulled her close as they danced and tilted her head back up. "You'll not be alone." The rest of the evening the two danced and talked with each other, and the men and women who were smart enough to realize there was nothing but genuine concern and friendship between Cat and Patrick. By the time the social was over, Patrick had made up his mind. For the sake of Cat's reputation, he was moving out to the loft.