Chapter Two

Nick was not happy that he found he and Heath had to take the alternate road between Abbottsville and Jim Barkley's ranch. A harsh rain storm that had hit Abbottsville the week before, which meant the regular route was impassable. Nick had never cared for the alternate route; it was supposed to be the same distance as the other way, but no one could convince him of that. It had to be at least two or three miles longer. He glanced over at Heath and sighed as he again remembered all the harassment his new brother had been enduring due to other people's bad attitude towards one who was not only illegitimate, but had a disability to deal with…a fact that had only been driven home once more as Mr. Giles had an all too familiar look come into his eyes when Nick had referred to Heath as a brother, or the way the man had glanced down at Heath's leg…even though his pants and boot covered his prosthetic leg. It told Nick that someone, most likely Jim, had told the man about the loss of Heath's leg. Which meant only one thing…the man's "surprise" at hearing Nick referring to Heath as brother was all an act.

"Don't let it bother you, Nick." Heath turned his head slightly and shocked Nick. How on earth did the boy do that…he could read him like a book.

"You're just as good as he is." Nick growled ever so slightly. "You're the Barkley just the same as me; there was no reason for him to look at you that way!" He didn't think he needed to add the fact that Mr. Giles had turned and watched Heath walk towards the horse that was waiting for him, as if he expected Heath to fall on his face or something. It infuriated Nick, and he would have said something, only he just wanted to get to Jim's ranch.

Heath was taken aback just a little. Even with Nick backing him up on firing Barrett, Heath hadn't been totally convinced Nick really considered him a Barkley. After all, Nick hadn't been overly friendly to him over the past couple of months and, while Nick was loud around everyone else, he wasn't all that hard on Heath's ears. Also, Heath had seen Jarrod talking to Nick moments before Barrett approached Heath. That being the case, Heath had just figured Jarrod had something to do with the support Nick had shown. Now, with Nick's words and angry tone directed at Mr. Giles, Heath didn't know what to think.

"Like I said," Heath told Nick as he, Heath, ducked to avoid a low hanging tree branch. He had been fighting a slight headache all day; he didn't need a whack from a tree branch to add to it. "Leave it alone. Can't do a thing about men like that, just got to live your own life."

Nick could think of a few things he could do to men like that…if he wanted to land in jail…but, he chose to change subjects instead. By the time he and Heath reached Jim's ranch, both were more than ready to simply sit and relax.

~oOo~

Jim Barkley leaned against his new built corral, one that would soon hold a couple more horses. He hoped it would anyway. As he thought on the horses; his mind turned to the blond haired nephew he had yet to meet, along with his hot tempered nephew. Jim sighed as he thought back to the time when Tom had shown up on his doorstep, shocking him by asking if he could have a room and then confessing what he'd done.

"I've begged Victoria for her forgiveness, but told her I wouldn't force my way back into her life. I told her I'd be here until she decides what she wants." Tom stood staring into Jim's fireplace, though no fire was burning. Jim could see the immense amount of pain and regret in Tom's eyes.

"She must have been something to distract you from Victoria." Jim said after coming out of shock.

Tom gave him a sad smile and told him how he, Tom, had been attacked and robbed. He told of how Leah and Hannah had found him and taken him to their home. "I was hurt pretty bad and remembered very little. Leah was kind and tended to my wounds and made sure I had a roof over my head while I recovered. However," Tom sighed and shook his head, "I might not have remembered my family, but I still had my wedding ring on. I knew I must be married. I never should have let myself take a second look."

"You sound as if you're blaming just yourself." Jim said after his brother quit speaking. "And, no, before you ask, I'm not saying this Leah bares all the blame either. It sounds as if it was a two way street."

"Doesn't matter," Tom replied with genuine sadness and regret in his voice. "I betrayed Victoria and I love her dearly. If she'll give me a second chance, I'll never look back and I'll never look at another woman besides her."

"Well, dear brother," Jim looked upwards as he thought on his long deceased brother. "I guess you know now you have another son, a rather brave, stubborn and-from what I hear- full of more guts than anyone I know. I know I can't judge you for not looking back after Victoria consented to take you back; you were terrified of losing your wife and family. However," Jim shook his head and stepped away from the corral. "From what Jarrod writes, you sure missed out on a lot by not checking to see the results of your actions." Jim turned and headed back towards his house.

Upon entering his home, Jim looked first to a desk near the window. A young fair skinned, dishwater blonde young woman sat behind it as she read a book. Jim's eyes then turned towards the sofa that sat in his living room. A red headed boy, who had just turned ten years old, sat on the couch reading a book. Jim sighed as he wondered how justified he'd been in writing only about the horses he wanted Nick to look at; he might as well have admitted he wanted to meet Heath. Though, he wondered what they'd think if they knew the other reason he'd asked both Nick and Heath to come to Abbottsville. Most of all, he wondered if he was wasting everyone's time.