I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Big Valley characters. Thanks to my Beta Reader for all her help, especially with Cat's speech. I've never even attempted Cockney before, just knew this young woman downright insisted on speaking it.

*Holt, California may, or may not, be in between Rockville and Stockton. I wasn't able to find out. For the sake of the story, it is.

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Eleven

"'ow much farther?" Cat hated asking, but she felt very tired and needed a rest.

Patrick nodded towards some nearby trees. "Couple more miles to Holt, and then seven more to Stockton, but we can rest over there." Again, he found himself praying the trip wasn't going to prove the young woman's undoing. Once they were by the trees, Patrick secured the horses to the trees while Cat sat down and leaned against the tree. He wasted no time in joining her. Try as he might, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her; she had to make it to the ranch okay, and she had to live for a few months at least.

"Stare at me long enough and your eyes will be fallin' out." She turned her head and smiled at Patrick. "I'll be fine. Give me time and I'll have all lthe strength I be needin' for a while." She grew quiet as she tilted her head and looked up into his face and added softly, "You be somethin' else, Patrick Barnes, better than a pot of gold any day."

Patrick swallowed hard and fought to control his composure as he looked into her dark brown eyes. He thought on everything she'd told him about her family, especially how crazy her brothers had been in insisting on transporting their parents back east after they'd died so they could bury them there, even though her parents loved California. He knew how much she loved California, how much she was looking forward to see the small river port. All she'd wanted was a place for her horses, to be near a dock and water, and to have a cowboy who cared. He thought about the talks they'd had, the way she smiled and the music she was able to make come out of the flute, along with a numerous other things. No, he couldn't let them take her out of California. He knew he loved her enough to want to see her wishes respected, and he knew of only one way to make sure he had the legal power to fulfill them. He lifted her hands to his chin and looked her in the eyes. "Call me crazy or whatever; it's not like I can promise you the world, but marry me."

Cat's mouth fell open; she was in love with him it was true, but what did she have to offer him? She'd be gone within a year and a half, it wasn't like she could bear him any children and it wasn't like she had any sort of dowery to give him. "Marry you…" She bit her lip and fought to control her heart. "Why would you be wantin' me to be marryin' you? What can I give you in the short time I 'ave left, besides an earache?"

Patrick let out a roar of laughter, knowing she was talking about the effects of her singing upon his ears, "You," he smiled as he let go of her hands and laid his hands upon her cheeks, "you can give me your time, your love, you can give me you, even if it means keeping plenty of cotton handy for my ears." He lowered his head and began kissing her for all he was worth. Cat stiffened at first, and then relaxed and held onto him tightly; she couldn't believe this was happening. She was afraid it was all a dream and someone was going to wake her up.

After what seemed an eternity, Patrick had to literally pull himself away from her. "First thing we do when we get to Holt is find us a preacher or somebody who can marry us." He looked at Cat and half hesitated, afraid to ask the question that had just popped into his head but he had to. "Or do you not wish to marry someone without a past or his right name?"

Cat started laughing and crying at the same time. "I want to be gettin' married! I'll 'ave you as me 'usband. Who cares what name you be usin'? As far as your past goes, I won't be carin' about that. As me mum would say, 'It's what a person be now that's important'." She threw her arms around his neck, sheer joy in her face and in her voice. After resting and talking for about an hour, the two started back on their journey.

From where he sat on his horse, Matthew Miller was furious. He had had all the help he needed to get those horses, until they'd gotten to the farm and found the place deserted. Without the horses, the men with him refused to track them down, saying, 'Five horses ain't worth it'. Well, it was worth it to him. He started to lift his rifle, figuring he'd shoot the man and keep the girl for himself, when he saw two wagons come into view. He let out a string of cuss words and put the rifle away when Miss O'Brian and her friend headed for the wagons, as the people were heading in the same direction as they were.

"You're welcome to travel with us to Holt, Mr. Barnes," Mr. Adam Tyler, a man with a heart the size of Texas, said once he found out where the couple was heading, "that is, if you're interested."

Patrick might have said no but, the moment he and Cat and mounted their horses, he'd felt someone watching them. He didn't know if the person was watching them, or these good people, but he was watching someone. That was keeping him on the alert. "If you don't mind, we'll do just that." At least that way, whoever was being followed would have some help for a few miles.

Inside the wagon Mr. Tyler was driving, his niece, Anna Bronson, sat listening to the conversation. Nick had courted her for a small spell only to have to accept that he could never give up his ranch, and she could never give up the city. The young lady had left California to go help her aunt, uncle and their many children move out to California. She'd been sitting in surprise as Patrick began talking, looked out the flat and gone into shock once she realized the man was serious. "Well, Mama always said everyone had a twin, but this is downright insane. Though, I best not worry about that," she thought, "the least I can do for Nick and his family is to send a telegram to the Barkleys when we get to Holt. They deserve at least a warning it's Nick's twin delivering those horses!" She had to smile and start chuckling softly. Too bad she had to stay with her aunt and uncle; she'd have loved to see Nick's face when Patrick and his fiancée rode up.