I do NOT own The Big Valley nor any of the original Big Valley characters. Thanks to my Beat Reader, Lorilee, for all her help, to Martha for her answers to a lot of questions when it comes to California, towns, distances etc., and to Cynn and my sister for the hours of help they gave me get past the few walls I hit while writing this story.

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Sixteen

Patrick stood in the living room with the Barkleys while Cat was sleeping in the room the Barkleys had offered to let her rest in, after seeing how tired she looked. However, Victoria had managed to lay the family picture face down before he saw it; she was afraid it would be too much of a shock if he saw it before he was ready.

Patrick wasn't blind; he could see the fight each member of the Barkley family was having, though he didn't understand why. "I appreciate you letting Cat use one of your rooms; she tires easily," he said as he took the drink Jarrod offered him. "I don't suppose you know of anyone in Stockton looking for help or of an empty house for rent? Of course," he added as he glanced down at his arm resting in its sling, "I wouldn't be much good to anyone for a few weeks. Cat loves water, ships and other things. I promised her we'd settle in Stockton since it's a small river port."

Heath spoke without thinking, not that anyone tried to stop him; after all, they'd all been trying to think of how they were going to convince him to accept a job on the ranch from the beginning. "We need another hand around here, and there's a small two bedroom home not five miles away. Until your arm heals up, you could help around the stables and such."

Although Victoria was a woman who seldom acted, or spoke, without thinking, she was still human. Out of concern for her son and his bride, she slipped up and asked without thinking how 'Patrick, a total stranger', might take her question, or even giving him time to answer Heath, "Your wife seemed more than a bit tired out. Has she been checked by a doctor?"

The sharp and severe pain that entered into his eyes did not pass any of them by. How could it, as he very visibly stiffened the moment the question was asked. An almost angry look came into his eyes, though he didn't purposely put it there. Instantly, Victoria regretted asking, knowing she had just asked about something he probably felt she had no right to ask. In fact, she knew she didn't. No one in the family did; that is, not until he either knew who he was or, at least, had 'become like family'. "I'm sorry," she hurried to do what she could to make amends for her out of the ordinary behavior, "I was definitely out of line just now. Please, forgive me."

The upset look did not go away as Patrick put his glass down and walked over to the window. He stood looking at the vast land in front of his view. 'I could live out me days on this land." The awe Cat felt as they had arrived on the ranch could be seen in the way her eyes filled with wonder. "I 'ave never seen anythin' like it before in all me days! Though," she'd chuckled, "nice to know there's water and ships nearby."

With Patrick visibly shaken, and having his back to them not saying a word, fear now grabbed at the Barkleys' hearts. They worried that, maybe, Patrick would now turn down the job Heath had just offered him and go elsewhere. After what seemed an eternity, Patrick sighed and turned around. Not feeling comfortable talking about Cat's health problems without her permission, especially with people he didn't know, he simply replied, "She's seen one, Mrs. Barkley." He looked at Heath and glanced at the others, the angry look gone. "If you're going to offer me a job, and a place to live you might as well know I can tell you nothing about my past, not even my name is my own. Cat gave it to me after saving my life. Are you sure you still want to take a chance on me? What if I turn out to be a crook or something?"

Heath's crooked grin appeared on his face, relieved he wasn't leaving. His brother was loud, stubborn and hot tempered, also a bit obnoxious at times, but never a crook. "The job's still yours if you want it."

"I'll take it." Patrick headed for the stairs then stopped and looked at Victoria. She held herself like the lady that she was, though he could see great concern, and regret, in her eyes. Naturally, he assumed it was because of Cat, and his reaction to her, Victoria's, question. "I appreciate your concern for my wife, ma'am." He did too. He could tell the concern was sincere and heartfelt, as was the apology. "As we'll be settling down here, we'll be meeting Stockton's doctor soon enough." "Too soon I'm afraid but not now," he thought as he then turned and headed for, and up, the stairs. There was no way he was sending for a doctor right now; no way was he going to have Cat's rest interrupted.

After he'd disappeared up the stairs, Jarrod poured himself a glass of scotch and held it up slightly. "I guess we know now why she was more concerned about finding a home for the horses than anything else."

A look of horror spread over Audra's face. "Jarrod, you don't think…" She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. She hated the idea of Nick not only having amnesia but losing the only person he knew he loved.

"Nothing else makes sense." Jarrod swallowed his drink and set the glass down upon the table. "Why else would they travel this many miles just to deliver her horses to their new home if she's not? You saw how tired and worn out she looked." He hated thinking it, he didn't want to believe it, but he knew of nothing else that made sense.

Victoria walked over to the table and picked up the turned down picture and gazed upon the face of her middle son. She felt as if her heart was breaking into a million tiny, splinter sized pieces for him. "We have to be here for Nick," she said as she looked up the stairs, "no matter what name he's going by. Who knows, with Eugene coming back to Stockton next week to become Dr. Merar's partner, maybe, just maybe, the two of them can help his wife." No one argued with her as she carried the picture to another room of the house.