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

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Twelve

Patrick paid the man in Holt's livery stable, throwing in a few extra dollars after the man agreed to put a couple of guards on the horses. "I'm not positive," Patrick had told the fellow, "but I think there's a chance an old 'friend' of ours may try to take them. He wasn't exactly happy with Cat's refusal to sell." He then led Cat out of the liver stable and down towards the sheriff's.

"You be thinkin' Mr. Matthew be the one followin' us?" Cat had surprised Patrick, though not necessarily shocked him, when she had come right out and said someone was following them.

Patrick nodded, "I think there's a chance of it." He opened the door to the sheriff's office and held it open for Cat.

The lawman, Sheriff Michael, was going through some wanted posted and other mail including a letter from the Pinkerton Agent given the job of finding Nick; the agent happened to be a good friend of the sheriff's. Before he could say anything he got another shock as Patrick introduced himself and Cat. "Are you all right, sheriff?" Patrick thought for sure the man was having a heart attack on him.

"I'm fine," the lawman hurried to put his mail in a pile and pushed it aside. Having only heard about the famous rancher, but never having met him, Sheriff Michael told himself this was simply a case of someone having the dumb luck of looking like someone else. "What may I do for you?"

Patrick explained the situation, "I'm sure it's Mr. Matthews following us. I just want you to be aware of everything as, if he comes at Cat, the horses or myself, I won't be leaving my gun in its holster." Doing that, in his eyes, would be insane. He then added, "Who in this town has the right to marry two people?"

"The preacher lives just down the road. First house you come to on your left and, don't worry, I'll keep my eyes open for your 'friend'. I don't care for troublemakers coming into this town." Sheriff Michael answered, and then watched the couple leave.

"Guess my friend should know Mr. Barkley has a twin," the sheriff stood up as he decided to head to the telegraph office.

Making their way to the preachers' house, Patrick knocked on the door. It wasn't long before he and Cat were standing in Reverend Howell's living room. "Do you have any witnesses?" the Reverend asked, thinking maybe the couple had someone waiting nearby.

"No," Patrick was surprised to feel great pain shoot through the very center of him, as if someone was trying to tell him he had people more than willing to witness his marriage. Knowing he had no way to tell anyone from his past what was going on, he simply shook his head and finished, "Her family is back east and I have no one besides her." Cat, sensing his pain, automatically slipped her hand into his.

The good reverend felt bad for the couple and turned around, "my wife and children love a good wedding, just wait right here." The man disappeared out of the room.

"We could be waitin'," Cat looked up at him with compassion in her eyes, "we're sure to make friends in Stockton sooner or later."

Patrick knew that. He also knew he couldn't take a chance, not with the way things stood, "No." He wrapped his arms around her. "We best marry as soon as possible." 'The sooner we marry the better, can't risk you dying and your family burying you outside this state." That was a thought that came into his mind, one he kept there. His smile wrapped itself around her making her, once again, grateful he'd come into her life.

The sound of the reverend's two daughters and three sons bursting into the room broke the couple apart. Mrs. Howell, obviously carrying another child, handed Cat a bouquet of poppies she'd gathered while on her walk only hours before, "I was going to keep these wild flowers as a table decoration for a few days, but every bride oughta have flowers."

"As we gather…" the reverend began talking, Patrick and Cat were listening close enough to be able to exchange the vows without make fools of themselves but, once the ceremony was over, they wasted no time in thanking the family and making their way to the hotel.

Once inside the room, Patrick held his bride close. "I'll do me best to make sure you never 'ave reason to be sorry for askin' me to marry you." Pepper said as she returned the embrace tears running down her face.

"Hey," Patrick tilted her head back, "no tears today. They're not allowed; that is, not any negative ones. We'll deliver these horses to the Barkley ranch tomorrow, and then we'll go see the docs, the boats, the river, and anything else you want to see. Understand?"

Cat eyes shone bright through her tears, "I understand." She answered as slid her arms up his chest, giving him a look that sent tremors through every inch of him.

"Are you sure, Cat? Are you up to it?" Patrick had no desire to put his own needs and desires above what was best for his wife; he hadn't married her for such selfish purposes.

"I go through me cycles I admit, but I'm fine for now," she assured him as she again ran her hands up and down the front of him, "but 'eaven knows 'ow long until I go through another spell or 'ow long it be lastin'. I be wantin' and needin' you Patrick Barnes at least this once, please, don't be denyin' me out of fear." Her words, along with the longing in her eyes, did it. He pulled her close.

Patrick lowered his head and covered her mouth with his as he felt the fire she'd stirred up inside him begin to rage. "She's not dying from anything contagious; I can guarantee you that." Patrick's kisses went for gentle to ones with more urgency and passion in them as the doctor's words rang in his ears. As he felt her melting in his arms, her words repeated themselves; "I'm fine for now." He started unbuttoning her dress. He needed her, and she needed him. Was it the kind of love he'd heard people only dream about or were they just two people thrown together through circumstances beyond their control? He didn't know for sure but, as her dress fell to the floor and he laid her down, Patrick knew it didn't really matter. For better or for worse, they belonged to each other.

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