Early the next morning, Heath headed out after talking to Nick about his plans. When Nick mentioned that Gabby would be leaving in a week, Heath's response was an indifferent "I'm aware," as he mounted up. The door opened and Jarrod exited, watching as Heath rode away.

"Where's he off to at this early hour?"

"Going to the Bar Q ranch to look at some horses." Nick's answer seemed distant bringing his brother's concerned eyes to rest on his face.

"Against Mother's orders not to travel alone?"

"Hopefully he will be fine."

"Care to talk about it?"

Shaking off the doldrums, Nick replied. "I just don't understand women. Maybe I'm not cut out for marriage."

A light slap on Nick's shoulder preceded his response. "First of all, none of us understand women, so don't worry too much about that. And second, I know how much Nora loves you. Remember, she is going through a lot right now and she is pregnant. Give her a little time and maybe some space if she needs it. She'll come around."

"Thanks, Pappy. I'm sure you're right. I'm starved. Let's go have some breakfast."

###

Gabby tried to hurry her toilette, but her injury slowed her down; then she heard a knock.

"Come in."

"Sis, what are you doing? I was coming to help you," Nora said coming near to help with her buttons.

"I was hoping to do this on my own, but I can't seem to reach back without pain. Thank you."

"Why the all-fired hurry?" Gabby had to smile at the term Nora used as she was sure it came from spending time with Nick.

"I wanted to talk to Heath. He and I had... words... last night."

Nora's silence brought her sister's gaze to her face. "Heath went on a trip to a breeder. He won't be back for a few days."

Flopping down on the chair, and immediately regretting it as she winced, Gabby sighed. "Oh," she said quietly. "Then I guess there is no hurry for me to get downstairs."

Taking in the disappointment on Gabby's face, Nora decided not to pursue the conversation. "Come on, stand up. Let's finish your buttons," she said, a smile forming on her face.

###

The next few days, the Worthingtons spent much of their time at the ranch, getting to know their granddaughters. When they asked about the oldest sister Valerie, Gabby could only shrug. "Val is much older than us, Grandmother. We were practically babies when she left home and went to England." It always saddened the two when they thought of the sister that they didn't know and yet missed, so they rarely spoke of her.

When things would grow quiet, Gabby couldn't help but think of Heath. He had left without a word of goodbye which made her sad and mad all at the same time. Nothing had been mentioned about a trip before their disagreement, so she was certain he left because of it. No matter, she was leaving in a few days and probably wouldn't see him again anyway.

She knew Nora didn't want her to go, but she believed this was something she had to do. Gabby only wished her younger sister could travel along with her. After all, they had only recently found each other. Perhaps she would come back before Nora had her baby, she would like to be here for that.

And while she was a bit nervous about the trip and all it entailed, she had to admit she was also excited. Boston was a busy city where she could easily find a stage. It had been nice to rest a few days, but she missed performing and was ready to get back to it. The theatre helped keep her mind occupied and off her sad personal life and she needed it for therapy.

Especially now.

###

The trip so far had been uneventful and yet fruitful for Heath as he began making his way home to Stockton. He not only managed to get a beautiful mare, but she had foaled a few months ago and he had acquired her colt also. He had been a little on edge as he had ridden out that day from the ranch, but no one had bothered him.

While the owner of the Bar Q might know something about breeding, he wasn't a very patient man. The mare had become difficult to manage once her colt was born and he decided she wasn't worth the effort. However, he didn't want to part ways with her offspring- a fine young stallion- but Heath had been persuasive and got them both for a good price. The Barkleys might make another trip north in a few months to purchase more of his fine stock, but for now, Heath was headed south with just the two.

The unplanned trip had given him many hours of time to think. The further he rode, the more he realized that he should have simply told Gabby how he was feeling. Perhaps it would have saved a disagreement that should have never happened. His affections toward her were stronger than he first believed, and he hoped to convince her to stay in Stockton. Maybe they could have a future together- if she was starting to feel the same, that is. Of course, traveling with two animals in tow slowed him down but hopefully, he would make it back before she left.

As he neared the Sacramento River, he glanced over at a cabin he had noticed on his way north. When he had passed it the first time, a woman had waved at him, but Heath was in a hurry to get where he was going and hadn't stopped. Now, things appeared abandoned, and the door was standing open.

Just as he was about to cross the river, something told him to go back and check on things, so he turned toward the cabin and rode in, securing his horses out front.

"Anyone home?" There was no answer, and yet Heath heard a muffled sound from inside. Slowly entering the house, he looked around, not seeing anyone, and once again heard something that sounded like crying. He continued into what appeared to be a bedroom and was saddened by what he found.

There was a woman lying on a bed, possibly deceased, and a small boy sitting on the edge of the mattress weeping.

"Hello." Heath's voice was soft and soothing, and the child looked up. The wetness on the youngster's cheeks broke his heart, but at least he didn't seem to fear a stranger.

"Mama won't wake up." The words were spoken clearly through his tears.

"May I look at her?" The small nod brought Heath to the bed. A quick check was all it took to confirm his suspicions. Kneeling, Heath gently touched the boy's arm. "My name is Heath. What's yours?"

"James Alexander Carter."

Heath couldn't help the small smile that appeared at the introduction. "It's nice to meet you, James Alexander Carter. That's an awful big name for a young 'un like you."

"Mama always called me Zander. Is she going to be alright?"

"Zander, your mama has gone to Heaven."

"You mean, she's not coming back?" Tears began to well in his eyes again.

"I'm sorry." No sooner were the words spoken than the boy launched himself at Heath, his small arms enfolding around the man's neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Heath embraced him and as soon as he stood, the boy's legs wrapped around his waist. Walking around for a few moments, Heath held him close, trying his best to soothe and comfort the child. He entered the front room and found a chair to sit in. Once he sat, Zander leaned back and stared at him. "Where's your father?" Heath asked.

"He died a few weeks ago."

"Do you have any other family?"

A shake of the head was his answer. "No grandparents or aunts and uncles." Looking down, another tear ran down his cheek before he made eye contact again. "Please don't leave me here alone."

Heath placed his hands on the grieving boy's shoulders. "I'm not going to leave you alone, Zander. But we do need to bury your mother. Can you help me with that?"

Raising his arm, he wiped his sleeve across his face and slid off Heath's lap. "I can do that. Mama always said I was her helper."

The boy seemed to be quite mature for one so young. "How old are you, Zander?"

"I'm five. I'll be six in a few months." He was quite articulate for one so young.

The duo went in search of a shovel and found a nice spot near a tree that Zander said his mother liked to sit under. Heath did most of the shoveling, but Zander insisted on helping which slowed the job down quite a bit. There was no way he would deny the boy helping though. Heath carefully wrapped her body in a blanket and carried it outside, slowly placing her in the hole, before both of them covered the grave.

"Would you like to say a few words?"

"She was a good mama. I'll miss her."

Heath managed to make a cross from some broken timber nearby and pounded it into the ground. Looking at the sun getting low in the sky, he knew it was best for them to remain here overnight and get an early start tomorrow. Most likely he had missed his chance to see Gabby before she had left on the train, but he couldn't worry about that at the moment. Right now, he had to figure out what he was going to do with a sad little boy who had no family.

###

"Are you sure you have everything?" Nora's words were a diversion from what was going through her head and Gabby knew it.

"Yes. And I'll be fine. I plan to come back in a few months before the baby is born." Leaning in she whispered in Nora's ear. "It's not so long."

The train whistle blew, and Nora realized she had to say goodbye. "I'll miss you and I'll write." She held her chin up and blinked her eyes, noticing that Gabby was now biting her lower lip.

"Gabrielle, it's time to leave. Leonor, we will keep in touch." Elvira's words were clipped as she and her husband stepped up into the passenger car.

"Goodbye, Nick. Take care of her for me." He leaned in and kissed Gabby's cheek and then stepped back.

The sisters' hug was brief after Grandmother's words, neither one wanted to cry there at the station. Nora backed away, noticing Gabby looking around before boarding the train, then they both waved as she disappeared from view, reappearing in the window when she sat down.

One more look between them, and the train began moving away, Nora standing there with her arms crossed until it was out of sight.

"Are you ready to go?" Nick spoke softly, Nora's only answer was a silent nod. She walked alongside him back to the wagon where he helped her up. When he climbed in next to her, he glanced over to see her lip trembling.

"What can I do?" The helpless feeling overwhelmed him as he waited for her reply.

"Drive me home, please." Her words were curt, and Nick knew the ride home would be in silence. Releasing the brake, "yah" he called as he snapped the strings, and they made their way back to the ranch.

###

Gabby hated to admit that she watched for Heath to show up before she departed. When he didn't, she shook her head at her foolishness.

Did she really expect him to come riding in on a white charger? And if he had, what would be her response? It would only be hurtful to him if he had done so.

Grandfather had already dozed off as the train moved along. As much as Gabby wanted to be close to the man, she knew she needed to guard her heart as he seemed quite frail and she didn't know how much time he had. Her gaze went to her grandmother, who sat tall and straight in the seat as she looked out the window. Gabby wondered how comfortable that was and how long she would be able to keep that posture before she relaxed a little.

Missing Nora was something Gabby would have to deal with, but she was excited about the trip and couldn't wait to arrive in Boston. She would have to figure out how to leave her confused feelings behind in Stockton.

###

Eugene had finally moved his things into the small apartment in town yesterday and was now organizing some supplies at the infirmary downstairs. He was in one of the two examining rooms when he heard the front door open. Doc Jones was out on a call, so he headed for the lobby to see a woman with her back turned.

"May I help you?" As she spun around, Eugene recognized her and stiffened. "Priscilla Smith," he said with a nod. The two didn't really know each other well, although they were acquainted. And Gene was quite aware of her gold-digger status.

"Eugene Barkley?" It was more a question than a statement. It was at this moment that he noticed she was holding her forearm tightly in the grasp of her other hand. "I... seem to have injured myself."

"Come with me," he replied, leading her to the back where he helped her get seated on an examining bed. "Let me take a look." When she released her arm and removed the handkerchief she had been holding, he saw a gash that he knew would require stitches. "What happened?" he asked as he gathered the supplies he would need to clean the wound and suture it up.

"I tripped with a knife in my hand. Didn't land well. I guess you are a doctor now."

"This will sting a bit and you might want to turn your head," he replied, ignoring the statement. He noticed she barely flinched as he poured the antiseptic on and carefully cleaned the cut. "I apologize in advance, but the sutures will hurt. Would you like a shot of whiskey?" He wished for some ice to help numb her skin, but none was available.

"I'll be fine." She closed her eyes briefly as he began, then took a deep breath and watched him work. Many men wouldn't even do that, so he was impressed by her strength. When he was tying off the last suture, Priscilla spoke again. "How is Heath doing?"

Not wanting to be distracted, Gene finished his work, placing a strip of gauze on the top, then wrapping a couple of layers around her arm. "I need you to keep this clean and dry and come back in three days for me to check it. If it becomes inflamed or more painful sooner than that, come immediately because it might be infected."

"My father will be in to pay you," she replied as she slipped off the bed. "And you didn't answer my question about Heath."

"My brother is well. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get busy."

Following her to the front, he opened the door, but before she exited, Priscilla spoke again. "You need to work on your bedside manner, Dr. Barkley," she said and then flounced out the door.

###

In the night, Heath awakened to the patter of feet on the floor. He was sleeping in the bed that Mrs. Carter wouldn't need anymore, and soon felt the small boy climb in beside him. He hadn't been around a lot of small children in his life but had taken care of a baby before, so it was a comforting yet unusual feeling for the warm body to snuggle up against him.

Bless his little heart, he didn't deserve the hand he was dealt, and Heath still wasn't sure what his plans were to do with the child. As he lay there, he felt Zander's breathing level off as he dropped back to sleep, leaving Heath to ponder things again. A small whimper escaped the sleeping lips, Heath placing his hand on Zander's back, and feeling him settle once again.

Home. I'll take him home. Mother will know what to do from there, he finally thought before drifting back to sleep himself, his hand still resting on the boy's sleeping form.

###

The trip was slow going riding double with Zander and leading two horses, but definitely not boring. The boy was at a very inquisitive age, and asked a lot of questions, although he wasn't one to constantly babble. He would listen to Heath's answer and then ponder on it quietly before coming up with yet another inquiry.

They had stopped briefly for a quick lunch which consisted of jerky and water, but were soon on their way again with only a couple of hours left before they reached the ranch.

"Are we getting close, Mr. Barkley? To your ranch, I mean?"

"We are indeed."

"What is to happen to me then?" It was a valid question, and one Heath couldn't answer yet.

"Well, the first thing will be to give you a bath and then it will be time for dinner." He didn't want to go any further than that, because the future was uncertain.

"Will I go to an orphanage?"

"That's a big word for a young 'un. Where did you hear it?"

"My mama was raised in one. She told me about it." By the sound of his voice, Heath could tell it hadn't been a good experience for her.

"How about let's just focus on today, and we will deal with tomorrow when it gets here."

"Okay."

They rode in silence for a long while and soon the Barkley sign came into sight. "This must be it," Zander said, excitedly pointing at the sign. "It has your name on it."

"You can read?"

"Of course! I'm not a baby."

And with those words, they soon came to the house.