Victoria Barkley rarely suffered from headaches but after listening to Nick she had one, a horrible one. She immediately knew something was wrong with her middle son when he returned quietly and so early in the evening and told her he needed her help. She knew Nick's Friday night consisted of adult entertainment as he put it but he was so upset with what had happened between him and his older brother he came straight home.

Victoria rubbed her temple willing her headache to go away. Silas had fixed her the headache concoction and did not care for it and wondered how Jarrod stomached that dreadful taste. She sighed heavily as she thought over what Nick had told her and how to make things right with Jarrod. She did however know she needed to see Phil Archer to find out whatever possessed him to tell Nick about Jarrod's private business. She suspected she already knew but she needed to hear it from him.

Up until yesterday Victoria had no issues with Phil or his work but now she had some doubts. Nick had been extremely pleased with Phil's work to this point as the attorney was willing to meet him anywhere and just about at any time. Before she went in search of her eldest son she would go speak to Phil to find out his reasoning in revealing Jarrod's private matters to Nick and how he came about that information.

The thought of her eldest brought another frown to her face. Jarrod had not come home last night which did not surprise Victoria given what had transpired between the brothers. Victoria knew how fiercely Jarrod protected the women in his life and was not shocked when Nick had told her what had happened. Of all her sons she knew Jarrod's temper was the worst when pushed the wrong way as evident when he went after Cass Hyatt. Victoria surmised the only thing that had saved Nick from Jarrod's wrath was due to the fact they were brothers.

Victoria got up to fix another cup of coffee as she waited for her children to come down for breakfast. Normally Heath was the first up followed by Nick and usually Jarrod and Audra would come down later. But Heath and Audra knew something was wrong when Victoria and Nick went to his bedroom to talk quietly. Unfortunately for Victoria she did not get much sleep the night before and her patience was extremely thin and fragile at the moment.

As Victoria was sipping her coffee she heard the front door open and close and wondered if Heath had snuck out without her realizing it.

Jarrod entered the dining room looking disheveled. He was shocked to see his mother sitting at the table at this hour of the morning. He raised his eyebrows at her and said, "Good morning Lovely Lady." He walked to her and kissed the top of her head.

Victoria noticed Jarrod's appearance immediately as her eldest was very fussy about his appearance at all times. His tie was hanging loosely around his neck, his hair was uncombed and his shirt looked like he had slept in it.

"Jarrod. Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee?"

"No mother. I just came home to get a few things and then I'll be leaving again." Jarrod turned to leave.

"Jarrod," Jarrod froze in his spot knowing what that tone meant. "Please sit down we need to talk."

Jarrod sighed as he turned around. "Mother there is nothing to talk about."

Victoria sighed as she rubbed her aching head again, "Nick told me what happened yesterday."

Jarrod folded his arms refusing to sit down although he wanted too because he was exhausted. "He told you everything, including what he said?"

"Yes, he told me what he said and he feels horrible about it." Victoria motioned to the empty chair next to her. "Please sit down Jarrod, I'm simply too tired to argue with you at this very moment."

Jarrod blew out a breath as he looked at his mother, "And I'm exhausted and not in the mood to talk to you or Nick about what happened yesterday." Jarrod paused as he put his hands on the back of the chair, "Mother what he said was completely uncalled for. Sam has done nothing to him and hadn't even met him until yesterday."

Victoria looked at Jarrod and could see how upset he was, "I know that Jarrod and Nick does too."

Jarrod snorted, "Hmph, after you talked to him?"

"No. When we talked last night he was disgusted at what he had said to her. He knows it was wrong and wants to make things right with you and Miss Harris."

"It's not that easy mother."

Victoria sighed as Jarrod was showing his Barkley stubbornness. "I'm not making excuses for your brother but he was egged on by Phil Archer."

Jarrod spat, "I know that and trust me I'll have a talk with him today."

Victoria stood up and placed her hand on Jarrod's, "Would you please at least listen to your brother?"

Jarrod looked at his mother and shook his head, "No. Now if you'll excuse me I need to get some clothes and head back to town."

"Jarrod," Victoria called as Jarrod walked out of the dining room.

Jarrod stopped and sighed as he turned around, "What mother?"

"Never mind Jarrod. Please let me know if the invitation Miss Harris gave us is still open."

Jarrod smirked, "Yes it is."

"So I won't be seeing you until Monday night I take it?"

"You take it right mother, unless you come to town before then." Jarrod turned and went up the stairs to his room leaving Victoria alone.

Jarrod had been gone for well over an hour before the rest of her children made an appearance at the table. She shocked them all when she said Jarrod had already been home and left before they had gotten up.

Nick asked quietly, "Pappy still pretty upset at me?"

Victoria nodded, "Upset does not begin to explain how he feels right now. It was probably for the best you did not see him this morning."

Nick frowned, "Why?"

"Trust me Nicholas your brother is still extremely upset and would not even talk to me about what happened."

"Oh."

Audra asked, "So what do we do now?"

Victoria sighed, "First of all Nick you need to avoid your brother at all costs. You need to give him time to cool down before you approach him. Secondly the invitation to the Emporium is still open which shocked me but goes to show you what kind of young lady Miss Harris is."

"I've heard she's a looker," Heath said.

Nick snorted, "That's putting it mildly. The woman is beautiful. Her smile could take your breath away." Nick shook his head, "And I need to make sure she doesn't punish Jarrod for my stupidity."

"I don't think you have to worry about that Nicholas. I have as yet to meet this young woman but from your description and what Jarrod has said I believe your brother is quite taken with her and would not let your big mouth interfere with his courting of her."

Heath and Audra laughed at Victoria's statement.

"In the meantime I need to go to town and see Mr. Archer and find out why he's suddenly your brother's keeper." Victoria looked at all her children and spoke sternly, "Who your brother has as clients is none of our business, is that understood?"

Audra giggled and asked, "Even Big Annie's?"

Victoria glared at Audra, "All of his clients, UNDERSTOOD?"

All of her children nodded their heads yes. Victoria got up and said, "Now if you'll excuse me I have some business to take care of." Victoria glided out of the room.

"Audra, what do you know about Big Annie's?" Nick barked.

Audra shrugged her shoulders, "One of the girls Jarrod helped came to the church wanting a fresh start and we talked."

Nick and Heath rolled their eyes not wanting to know what the young lady had told their baby sister about Jarrod or anything else.