"Jarrod," Dr. Russell said, "you’re very lucky that there wasn’t any damage done to the optic nerve."

"Thanks doctor," Jarrod replied.

"Well Jarrod," Nick told him as they were getting ready to leave the office, "we’re very happy for you. But Heath and I have to get back to work."

"Can you boys use an extra hand?" Jarrod asked.

"Boy howdy," Heath said, "we sure can."

"Well," Jarrod replied, "I’m your man."

"You," Nick told him, "with those lily white hands?"

"Well," Jarrod said, "I won’t look any sillier digging a post hole than you must have looked in that courtroom."

All right counselor," Nick replied, "you’ve got a deal."

"Fine," Jarrrod told him. "When do we leave?"

"In the morning," Nick said as the family left the doctor’s office and headed for home.

When the family arrived at the ranch, Victoria and Audra went inside to begin to clean up the mess that Jarrod had made when Joshua T. Cunningham and his two men, Mason and Corel, had tried to kill him the night before.

"Audra," Victoria said as they walked into the house, "we have to replace all the lamps in the parlor and the foyer. Jarrod placed Cunningham and his two men on his level. Since he was blind, he made them blind and it worked. Luckily, your brother was able to stop Cunningham before he could kill Jarrod."

"I know mother," Audra replied. "I cringe at the thought that Jarrod could have been killed two different times by that awful man. You remember he killed Jarrod’s best friend, Jim Scanlan and Jarrod watched him die. We were very lucky that he wasn’t."

"We were indeed," Victoria told her. "Your brother could have been hurt a lot worse in that explosion that ruined his office. He was blown halfway across the room. I am glad that Nick stayed with him that night. He and Heath saved your brother’s life. I’m glad he decided to rebuild his office. His law career here is really keeping him busy. I know somewhere down the road he will probably head for San Francisco and live there but for now he’s still here and I’m grateful for that. You and I will go into town next week and pick out some draperies for his office windows and a new desk and chair. Jarrod won’t have to worry about a thing but just enjoying himself. He can go with Nick and Heath for a couple of weeks and then when he returns home, his office will be ready."

"I hope so mother," Audra said. "I would love to help pick out the decor for his brand new office."

Out in the barn, Heath, Nick and Jarrod were getting their supplies ready for the trip.

"Where exactly are we going?" Jarrod asked.

"We’re heading up in the north pasture to check the fence lines," Nick answered. "If any of the fence is down, we’ll repair it. Then if we have time before you have to be back, we’ll right up to Modesto and look at some horses a rancher has for sale."

"Sounds good to me," Jarrod said. "Well, we better turn in early if we want to get an early start."

"Are you sure you want to go with us?" Nick asked. "You could take a couple of weeks off and go fishing or camping."

"I know," Jarrod answered. "But I’d rather spend this two weeks with you and Heath. We haven’t had hardly any time to spend together for a long time. My practice in Stockton keeps me very busy and when I’m not busy here, I’m in San Francisco. I think it would be fun to spend these two weeks together and enjoy each other’s company."

"I agree," Heath said. "Besides Nick we can use the help."

"All right," Nick replied. "I know when I’m outnumbered."

The three Barkley brothers went into the house. Their mother and sister met them.

"Are you all ready for your trip?" Victoria asked.

"Yep," Heath answered. "Everything is packed. We were going to turn in early."

"All right," she said. "I’ll see you in the morning."

The three boys headed up to their rooms and went to bed. As Jarrod was getting ready for bed, he thought over the events of the past two weeks. First, he had watched his friend, Jim Scanlan shot to death in his own home; then Cunningham had tried to kill him by throwing dynamite into his office through the window. He had only been blinded. Finally, Cunningham and his two men had come to the ranch to take care of Jarrod but he had been able to outsmart the man.

Nick began to think about his older brother and the rough two weeks he had had. He knew Jarrod needed this time to relax and enjoy himself. After watching his best friend shot to death, Nick knew that Jarrod was still hurting inside.

Victoria sat down in the parlor and began to think about her three sons. Each one was different. Jarrod was a lawyer, smart and sophisticated. Nick was quick to anger and solved his problems with his fists. Heath was quiet. Finally, Victoria walked upstairs and went to bed. She wanted to be awake when her three boys left.

"Heath!" he hollered, "Get up! Time’s awastin’."

Heath came out of his room fully dressed. He looked at his older brother and shook his head.

"Boy howdy Nick," he said, "you’d wake up the dead. I’ve been up for an hour. Why don’t you go wake up Jarrod?"

"I bet that lawyer brother of ours is still sawing them off if I know him," Nick replied and walked toward Jarrod’s bedroom door.

As Nick prepared to bang on Jarrod’s door, the door opened and Jarrod walked out.

"Good morning Nick," Jarrod said. "I hope you slept well. I did and I’m ready to start our trip together."

"Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind?" Nick asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "I told you yesterday I was going and that’s final."

"I just wanted to give you a chance to back out if you wanted to," Nick said.

"I need some time away," Jarrod replied. "Besides it will be at least two weeks before my new office is ready. So I decided to spend it with you and Heath."

"All right Jarrod," Nick told him. "If you would rather spend time out in the dirt and grime rather than pick out new furniture and lamps for your office. Sometimes Jarrod you really surprise me. Let’s go. Time’s awastin."

"I’m right behind you," Jarrod said and smiled.

Heath, Nick and Jarrod walked down the stairs carrying their bedrolls and other items that they would take with them. After laying them in the foyer, they walked into the dining room to have breakfast. To their surprise, their mother was already sitting at the table waiting for them.

"Good morning boys," she said as her three sons walked into the dining room and filled their plates with food. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yep," Nick replied. "All we have to do is eat and we’ll be ready to hit the road for two weeks."

"Boy howdy," Heath told them, "I can’t wait to get back into ranch work. Being your aide in that courtroom was a little bit too much for me. I’m not used to seeing that many people at one time nor wearing a fancy suit."

"I understand Heath," Jarrod said. "I want you to know that I really appreciate what you and Nick did. Helping me to memorize the courtroom, standing beside of me while I tried to prove that Cunningham killed Jim Scanlan."

"Jarrod," Victoria replied, "your brothers were glad to help you. They didn’t like what Cunningham tried to do to you."

"That’s right," Nick told him. "Cunningham and his men tried to take you away from us but you showed them they couldn’t. I’m very proud of you big brother."

"Thanks Nick," Jarrod said and smiled.

"You know right after you were blinded I tried to give Cunningham a beating he would never forget but Mason and someone else gave me the beating," Nick replied. "I still want to get Mason back for that."

"Yeah," Heath told them. "And Corel kept a gun on me but I got even with him. I knocked him plum into next week."

"You sure did Heath," Nick said and smiled.

The three brothers ate their breakfast and then bid their mother goodbye.

"You take care of yourselves," Victoria said as she hugged all three of her sons. "I’ll look forward to seeing you in two weeks."

"Don’t worry mother," Nick replied. "We’re going to check some of the fence lines in the north pasture. Then if we have time, we’ll ride up to Modesto and see a rancher about some horses he has for sale."

"That’s right," Heath told her. "We’ll be having a good time."

"Yeah," Jarrod said. "Being that my office will take a couple of weeks to rebuild, I’m looking forward to the vacation."

"You boys be careful," she replied. "Jarrod, I’m glad you’re all right."

"Thank you mother," Jarrod said.

"We will," Nick told her.

The three brothers picked up their gear, loaded up and headed off. They didn’t realize that they would be riding toward big trouble.

Heath had ridden up to this very fancy, white, two-story home with its four columns and the three men who met him on the porch after their sister had told him how to get there. She was a wild one and his shoulder still smarted from the whip marks.

"Something I can help you with?" Nick wanted to know.

"Small world ain’t it?" Heath asked.

"Sure is," Nick answered.

"I’m looking for Mr. Barkley," Heath said as he looked at the three men.

"Take your pick," Nick replied and gestured at his two brothers.

"I was told Nick does the hiring," Heath told them.

"Of what?" Nick asked.

"Cow prod, jingler, hay waddy," Heath answered. "You name it I’ve done it."

"Where are you from?" Nick asked.

"West of the divide," Heath answered.

"How west?" Nick asked.

"Pretty much all over," Heath answered.

"What’s your name?" Jarrod asked.

"Heath," Heath answered.

"I was on that train today," Jarrod said. "Nice race."

"No contest," Heath replied, "not the way those cabbage stacks come off the turns."

"Hire him on Nick," Jarrod said.

"To what," Nick replied. "We’re full."

"He did me a little favor today," Jarrod told him. "Hire him on."

"Take your gear over to the bunkhouse," Nick said. "See McNally. Tell him I said to hire you on."

Heath nodded and rode off. Nick had come into the bunkhouse that evening after Heath had gone to bed. He clamped a hand over his mouth and threw his shirt to Heath.

"Get dressed," Nick said.

Then the two had ended up in the barn.

"You name the tune and I’ll try to hum," Heath said.

"Corning," Nick replied. "The last place you worked."

"What about it?" Heath asked.

"That’s over a hundred miles away," Nick answered. "You usually travel a hundred miles between jobs with a dozen likely spreads along the way? Who sent you boy?"

Nick began to punch Heath.

"The railroad? Crown? Jordan? Who?" Nick asked.

"Nobody sends me anywhere," Heath answered.

Heath began to punch back and the two became embroiled in a fight.

"Who sent you boy?" Nick asked. "I want to know. What are you doing here? Who are you?"

"Your father’s bastard son," Heath answered.

Nick was shocked. He brought Heath into the house.

"Jarrod!" Nick yelled. "Jarrod! Eugene! Get down here!"

As Jarrod and Eugene left their bedrooms and headed downstairs, Audra walked out of her room and down the stairs where she could hear what was going on. As Jarrod and Eugene walked into the study, Heath grabbed a liquor bottle and broke it as he looked at the three brothers.

"I’ve had me a day," Heath said. "I’ve been dunked in a stream, and nearly run over by a train. This is going to be peaceful now you hear."

As Heath looked around, he saw the picture of Tom Barkley above the mantel.

"Well so this is what its like." he said, "I wondered. Well, the old stud himself."

Jarrod had to grab Eugene and hold him back.

"I bet he was buried in those clothes," Heath said. "With his boots all polished and the honey bees busing. Well they buried my mama but it weren’t in refinement and no thousand people weeped over her grave. But in a potter’s field because her stinking husband got drunk and drowned in some creek. Until he came."

"When was this?" Jarrod asked.

"Twenty-four years ago," Heath answered.

"What happened twenty-four years ago?" Jarrod asked.

"I was born," Heath answered. "In a rotten mining camp up the Stanos Thaws."

"What mining camp?" Jarrod asked.

"Strawberry," Heath answered.

The three Barkley brothers looked at each other.

"When did you find out about this?" Jarrod asked.

"A month ago?" Heath answered.

"What happened a month ago?" Jarrod asked.

"My mother died," Heath answered. "I was working on the climate when I received word that she was sick. She told me there was something she wanted me to know before she died. There was a bible lying on the table and she told me to get it. She said to turn to the last page. And when I did this fell out."

Heath pulled out a newspaper clipping from the pocket of his shirt and handed it to Jarrod. The newspaper clipping stated Tom Barkley Dead, Whole Valley Mourns.

"I read it," Heath said. "And when I turned back to her she was gone."

"Confessions on a death bed," Nick replied.

"Nick, that will be enough!" Jarrod told him loudly. "You’ve told us a touching story. No matter. Even though it’s a lie I’m willing to pay. How much? One hundred, two hundred? How much will you take?"

"What I’m entitled to," Heath said. "A name, a heritage, all of it."

"Listen boy," Nick replied, "I want you packed and off of this place. Eugene, get his horse. If I ever catch you around here again, I’ll finish what I started tonight."

Heath looked at the three brothers and walked out of the house. Audra watched him leave. Unknown to the brothers, their mother had been listening also. Audra had ridden into Stockton and was brutally accosted by some of the railroad’s hired guns. Heath saved her. Finally, he had been accepted into the Barkley family.

Anyway, Heath came back to the present. This family had accepted him and taken him into their hearts.

Jarrod, who was asleep at school in San Francisco, woke up with a dreadful feeling. He knew his brother, Nick, was in real trouble. He got up and dressed, then borrowed a horse from the livery stable and road all night. He arrived back at the ranch early the next morning to hear the dreadful news. Nick was trapped in a mine.

"Father," Jarrod said, "we have to rescue Nick and those men."

"I am working on it son," Tom replied. "We have to be careful that the rest of the mine doesn’t come down on them."

"I need to see Nick," Jarrod told him.

Jarrod was very adamant about it.

"Son," Tom said, "calm down. By the way, aren’t you supposed to be in class?"

"I woke up during the night with a feeling of dread," Jarrod replied. "I knew that Nick was in trouble."

"I thought there was some kind of bond between you two," Tom told him. "You’ve both known at the time when the other one is in trouble."

"Please father," Jarrod said. "I need to get to Nick."

"All right," Tom replied. "Let’s go. You’re not going to relax until you know."

The two of them rode out to the mine. Jarrod walked to where the men were clearing rocks and began to dig himself. Tom didn’t try to stop him. Jarrod had to find his brother. When the rescue party had finally broken through, Jarrod rushed in and went in search of his brother. He found him a short time later.

"Nick," Jarrod said as he walked over to his injured brother, "can you hear me. It’s Jarrod. I’m here Nick."

Nick’s eyes opened and he smiled at his brother.

"I knew you would come," he said. "You knew."

Nick’s eyes closed and Jarrod freed him from under the debris. When Nick had recovered, Tom sat down with his two sons.

"Nick," Tom said, "you are a very lucky boy. You could have easily been killed. Jarrod, I don’t know how you knew but I’m glad you did."

"I can’t explain it father," Jarrod replied. "It was a dreadful feeling. I woke up and my heart was pounding very hard in my chest. I just knew something bad had happened to Nick."

"I’m glad you did," Nick told him. "If you hadn’t come, I’d probably still be laying in that mine shaft."

"You’re safe son," Tom said and smiled at both his sons. "Jarrod, I think it’s time you headed back to school."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I guess I had better. I’m glad you’re going to be all right Nick."

"Thanks Jarrod," Nick told him.

Nick’s thoughts returned to the present. He knew that he would really enjoy spending the next two weeks with his brothers.

The Barkley family had ridden up to Sky Meadow for a week of relaxation. The oldest son, Jarrod, was only six. His younger brother, Nick was only three. Tom and Victoria loved coming here. They set up camp.

"Jarrod," Tom said, "I want you to go down to the stream and catch some fish."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied.

He picked up his fishing gear and headed off. He went to the water’s edge and threw his line into the water. He stuck the pole in an old log that had a hole in it. Jarrod decided to do some exploring while he waited for a nibble. He began to walk along the bank of the stream. He came across a tree that had blown down during a fierce windstorm. It was lying across the stream. Jarrod decided to walk across it to the other side. He wasn’t that high up, only about ten feet above the water. The water was fairly deep below and there was a strong current. He began to walk across the log. As he moved, the log began to shift. The recent rains had caused the mud around the bank to become soft and the tree began to shift. He didn’t realize that the log was inching its way toward the edge of the bank. He was halfway out when the log began to fall. He tried to hold on as tightly as he could. He screamed as loud as he could.

"Father!" he cried. "Help!"

The log continued its drop toward the raging water below. When the log hit the water, Jarrod ended up under it. He was completely out of breath. Somehow, he managed to grab onto the log and tried to hold on. The fast current soon carried him downstream.

Tom, who thought he had heard his son yell, became concerned and went to look for Jarrod. Victoria and Nick went with him. They found the fishing pole still in the log. Tom looked around the bank of the stream and finally saw Jarrod’s boot prints. They began to follow them.

"Papa," Nick said, "Jay hurt."

"What do you mean Jarrod hurt?" Tom asked him.

"Jay hurt bad," Nick answered.

"Tom," Victoria said, "somehow he knows. Maybe he can find his brother."

"Nick," Tom asked, "do you have any idea where Jarrod is?"

"Jay in water," Nick answered.

"That means he probably fell into the water," Tom said.

The three of them began to walk faster. They searched every inch of the bank. Then in the distance, Nick caught something in the water. He pointed.

"Papa," Nick said, "Jay."

Tom followed his son’s pointed finger and saw what looked like a shirt in the water. Tom started running. Victoria and Nick were close behind him. They came to a stop and the realization finally hit. There was Jarrod lying over a log. He wasn’t moving. Tom quickly jumped into the water and swam over to his son. He grabbed hold of Jarrod and swam back to the shore with him. Victoria and Nick met them at the edge of the water. When Tom carried Jarrod out of the water, they could see the cut over his right eye. The boy was unconscious. They carried him back to camp.

"Tom," Victoria said, "lay him by the fire. He’s soaking wet. I’ll pull his wet clothes off and you put on his extra pair of long johns and wrap him in a blanket. We don’t want him to catch a cold."

"All right," Tom replied.

They pulled off Jarrod’s wet clothes, put on his dry pair of red long johns and then wrapped him in a blanket. Victoria cleaned the cut over his eye and put a bandage on his head. Nick walked over to his brother and sat down beside of him.

"Jay," Nick said, "Jay play."

"Jarrod can’t play Nick," Tom replied. "Jarrod is a very sick boy."

"Jay hurt bad," Nick told them. "Stay Jay."

"Yes you can stay with Jarrod," Victoria said.

After they had him warm and dry, Jarrod began to wake up.

"Son," Tom asked, "can you hear me?"

"Yes," Jarrod answered and started to cry. "What happened?"

"It’s all right son," Tom said. "You’re going to be fine. Did you fall in?"

"I was exploring the stream bank," Jarrod replied through his crying. "I saw a log lying over the stream. I was walking across it when it fell into the water. I don’t remember anything else."

"You’re a very lucky boy," Tom told him. "If it hadn’t been for Nick you might never have been found."

"Nick?" Jarrod asked. "What do you mean?"

"He knew you were hurt," Victoria answered. "He told us you had fell into the water."

"How did he know?" Jarrod asked.

"Me feel Jay hurt," Nick answered.

"You felt it?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "Me scared."

"I know you were and so was I," Jarrod said. "Thanks Nick. "I’ll never forget what you did."

"Glad Jay fine," Nick replied.

The two brothers hugged. That was the first time that they knew when the other one needed help. But it wouldn’t be the last.

Jarrod came back to the present. He had never forgotten what his younger brother had done. He owed his life many times over to Nick.

A young man was sitting on his horse on a small hill above the pasture. He was wearing a blue shirt and tan pants. He had brown hair and brown eyes. The eyes were glued to the fence line. He was waiting on his prey to come to him. Then he would take care of the man who let his brother get killed five years ago after promising to protect him. He had trailed his prey all the way from the Barkley Ranch. It wouldn’t be long now.

"All right," Nick said, "here’s what we’re going to do. "Heath you take the section heading east about a quarter of a mile; I’ll take the section heading west a quarter of a mile and Jarrod you take the section heading south for a quarter of a mile. If you see any breaks or poles down fix it. We’ll meet back here in two hours and have lunch. Then we’ll take another section this afternoon. Tomorrow, we’ll work on another area. It will take at least a week to check it all."

"All right," Jarrod replied and headed off to check his part of the fence. "Nick, I hope Silas packed enough food. You and Heath both have hearty appetites."

"Yeah," Heath told Nick and rode off to check his part. "Jarrod, I’m sure he did. He knows how much Nick can eat."

"Oh very funny you two," Nick said and laughed.

Nick looked at his two brothers as they rode off to check the fence and smiled. He was happy that Jarrod had decided to come with them. He knew his brother preferred being a lawyer to being a rancher but once in a while Jarrod would lend a hand to his brothers. He rode off checking his section. Nick’s section didn’t have any breaks in it and so it didn’t take him but an hour and a half to check his. He went back to the grove where he was going to meet his brothers and waited.

Heath checked his section of fence and noticed a couple of breaks, which he was able to repair with the tools he had, and rode back to the grove where Nick was a short time later.

"I see it didn’t take you long to check your section," Heath said as he sat down beside of Nick.

"Nope," Nick replied. "No breaks."

"I had a couple," Heath told him. "But I was able to repair them."

"Good," Nick said. "I hope Jarrod doesn’t run into any problems."

"He won’t," Heath replied. "And even if he does he’s able to handle it."

"I don’t know Heath," Nick told him. "You know how Jarrod is about dirtying his hands."

"Yeah," Heath said and smiled.

Jarrod was riding along checking his section of fence. He didn’t realize how much he was enjoying himself. Getting away from his office and his responsibilities was wonderful even if it was only for two weeks. He dreaded the thought of going back to work but he knew he had to. The young man sitting up on the small hill watched as his prey came into view. He pulled his rifle from its case and smiled. It wouldn’t be long now. Anyway, as Jarrod was riding along, all of a sudden, his horse reared up and bolted due to a gunshot placed right behind the horse in the dirt. The young man just watched as his prey tried to slow the horse down but couldn’t. Jarrod was also riding very close to the barbed wire fence. When the horse came to an abrupt halt because of the fence, Jarrod’s momentum sent him flying off the saddle and toward the wire fence. He tried to shield his face with his arms and hands as he saw the fence coming toward him. He landed in the wire fence and it rolled up on him. He was trapped. Luckily, there was nothing broken. The wire had caught in his mouth, face and neck as well as his arms and legs. His chest and back were also being cut. The more he tried to fight to get loose, the more the wire cut into his body. Luckily, he was wearing his gun belt. He gingerly reached down with his right arm and removed his pistol. He tried to turn it to the sky and fired two shots. Then his arm fell back to the ground. The movement had cut his arm even more. Because the wire was in his mouth and throat, he couldn’t holler at his brothers even if he saw them. He hoped that they heard the shots and would find him. His lips and gums were also cut. In fact, he couldn’t utter a sound right now. The pain was unbearable and he prayed that his brothers heard the shots. The young man just smiled as he put away his rifle and rode away after seeing his prey trapped in the barbed wire. His job was done.

"Did you hear something?" Heath asked.

"Yeah," Nick answered. "It sounded like three gunshots from the area where Jarrod went."

"Maybe we had better check it out," Heath said.

"Let’s go," Nick replied.

The two brothers mounted up and rode along the fence line where Jarrod was supposed to be working. As they got closer, Heath spotted Jarrod’s horse.

"Look," Heath said, "it’s Jarrod’s horse. He’s got to be around here close."

They rode on a little further and that’s when Nick saw him.

"Look," Nick replied and pointed. "It’s Jarrod."

The two brothers jumped down from their horses and ran over to their brother. Jarrod was still conscious. But he was cut and bleeding badly.

"Jarrod," Nick said as they came closer, "can you hear me?"

When Nick didn’t get a response, he hurried to Jarrod. When he and Heath looked at their older brother they saw that he was trapped in the barbed wire fence.

"Heath," Nick said very worried, "he’s trapped in the wire. He’s also cut up pretty bad. We’ve got to free him. It looks like he hit it from the air and it rolled up on him."

"Nick," Heath replied, "look at his face."

Nick looked at Jarrod’s face and that’s when he saw the wire cutting his mouth and throat. He cringed at the sight.

"Bring the wire clippers," Nick said as he made his way over to his brother. "Jarrod, we’re here and we’re going to get you free. Just hang on."

Nick began cutting the wire loose. Heath then took the wire and pulled it away from Jarrod’s body. Jarrod cringed at the pain he had to endure by shutting his eyes, which was made worse when Heath pulled the wire away from his body. When he got to Jarrod’s face, he knew it was going to cut him more when he removed it. The wire was embedded in his skin. As he worked it loose, Jarrod closed his eyes to the intense pain he was in as Heath pulled the barbed wire from his face, neck, body, arms and legs. The young man who had turned back to see if his prey was still trapped saw the two men trying to free his prey. He made a promise to himself that Jarrod Barkley would never continue his law practice. Even if he had to kill Barkley to stop him. He would get even with the man who had caused the death of his brother. The young man finally rode away but it wouldn’t be the last time he would be seen in the valley.

"I know it hurts Jarrod," Heath said. "But I’ve got to get it loose. You’ll be all right once we get you free."

Jarrod nodded as they kept working until finally after a couple of hours, Jarrod was free. He was cut all over and bleeding very badly. His blue shirt and pants were covered with blood and were also cut up. He was somehow still awake but in considerable pain.

"We’ve got to get him back to the ranch," Heath said. "He’s got too many cuts. Infection can set in at any time."

"I know," Nick replied. "We’ll make a litter for him."

They began the task of building a litter to carry Jarrod back to the ranch on. When they moved him onto it, he tried to scream but no sound would come out. Heath realized that he had two very deep cuts on his neck.

"He’ll bleed to death Nick if we don’t get a move on," Heath said.

"I know," Nick replied.

Nick wrapped a blanket around Jarrod and they slowly began the trip back to the ranch.

"Heath," Nick said, "hold up."

They stopped and Nick dismounted. He walked to Jarrod and knelt down beside of him. He put a hand on Jarrod’s forehead. It was extremely hot.

"Heath," Nick said as he covered up his brother with the blanket, "he’s running a fever and having chills. We better hurry."

"Right," Heath replied.

They continued toward the ranch. When the three brothers arrived back at the ranch a couple of hours later, Nick found one of the hands working near the barn and sent him into town for the doctor.

"Bishop," Nick said as they rode up with Jarrod, "go to Stockton and bring Doc Merrar. Jarrod has been hurt bad. Hurry."

"Yeah boss," Bishop replied, mounted up and rode off toward Stockton.

The two brothers eased Jarrod up into their arms and carried him toward the house. Jarrod couldn’t holler but he was still in severe pain. Every movement was painful. He tried to close his eyes to the pain but it didn’t help.

"Nick," Victoria asked, "Heath, what are you doing back?"

"Mother," Nick replied, "it’s Jarrod. He’s been cut badly. Somehow he became entangled in the barbed wire fence. He has cuts all over his body. He also can’t talk."

"Take him to his room," she told them as she followed them upstairs. "What about the doctor?"

"Mother," Heath said, "he also has a fever and is having chills. Bishop is riding to get him."

"Good," Victoria replied as she followed them to Jarrod’s bedroom. "Let’s get him settled."

Jarrod was still shivering as they laid him down on the bed. He tried to scream out at the pain but couldn’t. Victoria reached over and removed Jarrod’s shirt, pants and boots so the doctor could see all the cuts. As she examined her son, she saw the two long slits along his neck and the marks all over his mouth. The doctor arrived shortly afterward and began to examine Jarrod. By the time he was finished, he was shaking his head. He looked up at the anxious mother.

"Victoria," the doctor said, "he has a multitude of cuts and bruises all over his body. Some of them are very deep. He’s having chills and he has a fever. I’m going to have to sew up some of the deeper cuts. The rest I’m going to medicate, bandage them and then give him some medicine to help prevent infection and for the pain as well as something to help him rest. Due to the fact that his mouth is cut badly, I’m going to inject the medicine into his system. I don’t think he could swallow anything right now. What we have to do now is get the fever down and keep him as warm as possible. Another problem is going to be dehydration. His mouth is cut up so badly that he won’t be able to drink anything for a while. I want you to put a spoon full of water in his mouth every few minutes. This will help the dehydration."

"All right doctor," she replied. "Will he be all right?"

"I think so," the doctor told her. "But it will take time. He’s going to be in a lot of pain for at least a week. The cuts have to be cleaned to help prevent infection. Will you help me clean and medicate the cuts?"

"Of course," Victoria said.

The doctor and Victoria began the task of cleaning all the cuts Jarrod had sustained. It took them several hours to clean, medicate and wrap all the cuts. The ones on his mouth and throat were very deep. The doctor had to sew up several of them. After the doctor and Victoria had finished wrapping the cuts, he gave Jarrod an injection for pain, infection and something to help him rest. Jarrod’s eyes closed and he slept.

"He should sleep for several hours," the doctor said. "I also want to give him a blood transfusion. He lost a lot of blood during the trip here from the north pasture. Will Nick been the donor?"

"Yes," she told him. "I’ll get him."

Victoria left the room and walked down the stairs to where Nick and Heath waited in the foyer. They looked up when she walked down.

"Mother," Nick asked, "how is he?"

"He’s cut up pretty bad," she answered. "The doctor wants to know if you will give your brother some blood."

"Yeah," Nick said and followed his mother upstairs. "Heath, you wait for Audra and tell her."

"All right," Heath replied.

They walked into Jarrod’s room and Nick looked over at his brother. He was covered with bandages. Nick sat down in the chair beside the bed and rolled up his sleeve. The doctor began the transfusion.

"I want the water to be given to him every five minutes," the doctor said. "He needs it to keep from getting any more dehydrated."

"All right," Victoria replied. "Is there anything else?"

"Yes," the doctor told her. "His neck and mouth have been badly injured. Right now he can’t utter a sound. I’m hoping that will heal and his voice will come back. In the meantime don’t let him try to talk. He needs to rest."

"I understand," she said. "What if his voice doesn’t return?"
"Well," the doctor replied, "we’ll cross that bridge when we have to. Right now I want to keep him from getting any worse. The fever is high and there is a possibility of infection setting in because of the many cuts he sustained."

"Jarrod was out working with his brothers in the north pasture," Victoria told him. "I wonder what happened. He’s a very good horseman."

"I don’t know mother," Nick said. "But something caused him to end up in the barbed wire fence."

When the transfusion was finished, the doctor covered Jarrod up in the blanket. He was still shivering and his fever was quite high. Nick’s concerned look made the doctor speak.

"Nick," he said, "he’s got a very good chance for a complete recovery. I know it looks bad right now but he’s strong."

"Doc," Nick replied, "I don’t know exactly what happened to him. Heath and I found him like that. He was entangled in the barbed wire."

"I know Nick," the doctor told him. "You and Heath did the right thing in getting him here as quickly as you did. I know you saved his life."

"All right doc," Nick said. "Can I sit with him?"

"I’ll be back in a couple of hours," the doctor replied. "I have to check on another patient on the other side of Stockton and then I’ll come back. I’ll probably stay the night because when he wakes up he’s going to be in excruciating pain and more than likely need more pain medicine. Certainly, you can stay with him. He might get better sooner if you stay with him. Try not to worry. He’s strong and he’s young. Try to keep him calm if he wakes up. Getting upset will only make it worse."

"Thank you doctor," she told him as he left.

Victoria sat down on the bed and looked down at her oldest son. His entire body was just about covered with bandages. She knew he would be in intense pain when he came to. She also began the task of feeding him water every few minutes. He swallowed the water but winced when his injured mouth was affected. Nick continued to sit in the chair beside his brother’s bed and he couldn’t take his eyes off of Jarrod. He couldn’t help but blame himself for Jarrod’s accident. Victoria knew Nick was blaming himself and she said so.

"Nick," she said, "it’s not your fault. You didn’t cause the accident. Jarrod’s going to be fine. You have to believe that."

"I’m trying," Nick replied. "But I can’t help thinking that I shouldn’t have asked him to check that fence. If he hadn’t he wouldn’t be lying there hurt bad."

"I know son," she told him.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I know you’re in pain. But you’re a Barkley and Barkleys never give up. You remember that saying from when father first told us that as boys. It was the first time either one of us was hurt. So I want you to get better and when you are I’ll take you to Stockton for the biggest steak you’ve ever had."

"Nick," Victoria replied, "your brother is going to get better. He just had an accident and got hurt. I wish we knew what spooked his horse."

"Heath and I didn’t see anything around where Jarrod landed," Nick told her. "Mother, it was terrible. He was lying on the wire and somehow he had become entangled in it. It’s no wonder he was cut all over. One other thing, Heath and I both heard three gunshots."

"Nick," Victoria said, "it’s all right. It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. You and Heath did the right thing by bringing him home as quickly as you did. He’s going to be all right."

"Will he mother?" Nick asked. "You heard the doctor. He may never talk again."

"Don’t talk like that," Victoria answered. "Your brother is going to be fine."

"Yes ma’am," Nick said. "But what if he can’t talk? What about his law career? Will he have to give that up? It’s not fair."

"No it’s not," she replied.

But Nick couldn’t get that statement out of his mind. What if Jarrod never spoke again? What would he do? Could he continue to be a lawyer? He couldn’t answer those questions right now. He tried to think positively.

Heath walked upstairs with Audra after she had returned home from Stockton. She had been shopping. As he told her what happened tears began to flow down her face. When they walked into Jarrod’s bedroom, she gasped at the sight of her big brother.

"Oh Heath," she said. "He’s so cut up."

"Yep," Heath replied. "But he’s going to make it Audra."

"I certainly hope so," Audra told him.

Nick was still sitting beside his brother. He began to talk to Jarrod.

"Jarrod," Nick said, "do you remember when we were boys we were always together. I know I followed you everywhere you went when I was small. I believe that father called me your little shadow because everywhere you were I was right behind you. I know I got on your nerves but you were never mean to me. You were my big brother and you always looked out for me."

"Nick," seven-year-old Jarrod said, "why do you always want to follow me around?"

"Jay," three-year-old Nick replied, "you my brother. Me love you."

"Nick," Jarrod told him, "I appreciate the compliment but I have friends now that I do things with and I don’t have as much time to spend with you."

"Jay mad at me?" Nick asked and started to cry.

"No," Jarrod answered. "I’m not mad at you. How can I be? I made a promise to you on the day you were born. I promised that I would always be there for you and look out for you. I love you too. I’ll spend as much time as I can with you and my friends. Deal?"

"Deal," Nick said and smiled.

"And you spent every free minute you had with me," Nick said. "You taught me so much while we were growing up. Father was gone a lot but you were always there. You’re going to get well and we’re going to spend some more time together. Maybe we’ll even go fishing. I bet you would enjoy that."

"Nick," Audra replied, "I remember when I was a little girl this great, big brother I had. Jarrod was almost thirteen when I was born. He was practically grown or at least to me he was."

"Audra," Victoria told her, "Jarrod was a great help to me when you were small. You and Gene were only two years apart. It took all the energy I had to keep up with you both. Jarrod and Nick were only four years apart. I didn’t get quite as tired with them as I did with you two. What I’m saying is that with your father away on business a lot of the time, Jarrod was like a father to you. And especially after your father was killed by the railroad. He loved his little sister. Of course, he loved his brothers too. He helped me tend to you and Gene. Once in a while he even helped me discipline you although it was hard for him to do it."

"Jarrod," Victoria said as Jarrod walked into the his mother’s room to see his new baby sister, "this is Audra. She’s your sister."

Jarrod walked over to the small crib and looked down at the blond haired baby girl. He smiled at her and she smiled back at him. He sat down in the chair, picked her up and she smiled again at him.

"Audra," Jarrod said, "I’ll always be there for you. If you ever need me, all you have to do is tell me. I prayed that I would someday have a sister. I’m going to protect you. Nothing bad will ever happen to you as long as I am here."

"Jarrod," Nick replied as he walked into the room to see her too, "you’ll have to stand in line. I’m going to protect my sister. No one is ever going to bother her."

"Jay," Gene told him, "Me love sis too."

"All right," Jarrod said, "you don’t have to gang up on me."

"We’re not," Nick replied. "We can all take care of her."

"Right," Jarrod told him.

"So you see Audra you were loved the minute you came into this world," Victoria said. "Your brothers have always looked after you. Even Heath after he came to live with us."

"I know mother," Audra replied. "Sometimes too much."

"Well it was for your own good," Nick told her and smiled. "I remember the time you fell in love with that Lloyd Garner. He had that pack of marauders and was bleeding the valley dry for so called protection."

"I remember what my three brothers did to him too," she said. "I was never more furious at the three of you in my life. It was my decision to make and you three had no right to treat him that way."

"All right Audra," Nick replied.

"Sorry," Audra told them. "This is not the time to rehash old wounds."

"You’re right Audra," Victoria said. "It isn’t the time."

The family stayed by Jarrod’s bedside waiting for him to wake up. The doctor came back and checked on his patient.

"I see he’s still asleep," the doctor said. "His fever is still high and he’s still having chills. Keep him warm. Have you been feeding him the water every few minutes?"

"Yes," Victoria replied. "Most of the time Jarrod winces when the water hits his raw mouth."

"That’s to be expected," the doctor told them. "He’s cut all over. But I want you to continue to give him water. At least he won’t get dehydrated."

"Jarrod," she said, "you don’t need to be moving around. You’ve been cut pretty badly. You need to rest."

Jarrod tried to say something but nothing would come out. He was getting very frustrated. He punched the bed with his right fist and pain shot up his arm.

"It’s all right son," she said. "Your neck has a couple of bad cuts and so does your mouth. You’ll be able to talk when they heal. Besides, the doctor doesn’t want you to even try for a few days."

Jarrod nodded and looked around the room. Nick was sitting beside the bed. Heath and Audra were standing at the foot of the bed. He tried to smile at them but his mouth hurt too much. He again tried to get up and felt strong hands holding him down.

"Just where do you think you’re going?" Nick asked. "You’re to stay in that bed boy. You are in no condition to be running around the house. You tangled with a barbed wire fence and unfortunately the fence won."

Jarrod looked at Nick and winked at him.

"That’s better," Nick said. "For a lawyer sometimes you don’t think. Now you know with all those cuts you can’t get up and run around."

Jarrod nodded. But he also winced at one word Nick had used, lawyer. Right now it didn’t look promising that he would be able to be a lawyer any longer.

"Do you need anything son?" Victoria asked.

Jarrod thought about the question. Then he tried to tell his mother. He again became frustrated because the words wouldn’t come out. He slammed his fist down on the bed again and cringed when pain shot through his arm.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "listen to me. If you don’t stay calm you’re going to break open all those cuts again. Now, do you need anything?"

He made gestures to indicate he wanted a pen and paper. Audra handed them to him. Jarrod wrote out what he needed. Victoria read it.

"He wants to get out of bed," Victoria said. "He wants a juicy steak. I’m sorry son but you can’t have either. For one thing you’re not up to eating solid food because of the cuts all over your mouth. For another reason you’re not strong enough to get up yet."

Jarrod nodded.

"Jarrod," Nick asked, "what happened?"

Jarrod thought about the question. Then he wrote an answer. Nick read it.

"Heath," Nick said, "listen to this. Jarrod said he was riding along checking the fence when he thought he heard a noise close by. It sounded like a rattle or bang but he wasn’t sure which. Everything happened so fast."

Jarrod was nodding in agreement as Nick read his response.

"He said that his horse reared up and then bolted," Nick said. "As he was trying to stop it before something happened to the horse or him, the horse just stopped dead in his tracks but Jarrod kept going through the air. He saw the fence coming toward his face and put his arms and hands out to protect his eyes. The next thing he knew he was completely tangled in the wire. Nothing was broken luckily. The more he tried to free himself the more he was cut by the wire and the more trapped he became."

"That sounds about right," Heath replied. "He was sure embedded in that wire when we got there. It took us two hours to cut him out of it. I’m sorry I cut you more but there was no other way to get you loose."

Jarrod wrote a response.

"He said that he understood," Victoria said. "He’s not angry with you."

"Thanks Jarrod," Heath replied. "By the way how many shots did you fire?"

Jarrod nodded and thought about the question. He was able to raise two fingers up.

"You’re sure you only fired two shots?" Heath asked.

Jarrod nodded. Heath looked at Nick.

"How many shots did you hear Nick?" Heath asked.

"Three," Nick answered.

"Something’s not right here," Heath said. "If Jarrod only fired two shots where did the other one come from?"

Jarrod jotted something down and handed it to his mother. She read it and looked at her sons.

"He wrote that the sound he heard could have been a shot right before his horse spooked," Victoria said. "But he’s not sure. It all happened so fast."

"Who would want to hurt Jarrod?" Audra asked.

"I don’t know sis," Heath answered. "But somebody sure caused this. Why?"

"I am going to find out," Nick said.

Jarrod shook his head. Then he wrote something down and handed it to his mother.

"He says that it’s too dangerous," Victoria replied. "We’ll tell the sheriff and let him handle it."

"The sheriff," Nick told them. "What can he do?"

"I don’t know," she said. "But he can check the area for a shell casing."

"That’s possible," Heath replied. "There is a small hill above where Jarrod was that would have been perfect for an ambush. But who would want to hurt him?"

"Any number of people Heath," Nick told him. "You know Jarrod has made a number of enemies over the years with his law career."

Jarrod winced again at the mention of his law career. Victoria noticed the way Jarrod reacted to the mention of law or lawyer. She knew her son was worrying about the possibility that his law career might be over. She would talk to him about that when he was stronger. He began to wonder who would want to hurt him but he couldn’t think of anyone right off the bat. Besides he was getting tired.

"Son," Victoria said, "it’s time you got some more sleep. You still have a fever. We can discuss this later when your brother is up to it. Here let me give you some more water. When your mouth heals a little more, I’ll mash up some food for you. The doctor wants you to get plenty of rest and build up your strength as you heal."

Jarrod nodded. His eyes were beginning to get heavy and he let them close as his head fell on the pillow. Victoria propped him up a little more to make him more comfortable and then covered him up. She sat back down in the chair and rested. Nick, Heath and Audra left the room to go to their own rooms and get some sleep. They stopped out in the hall.

"Jarrod is going to be all right," Audra said but she was crying as she said it.

"I know little sister," Heath replied. "You get some sleep. If mother needs us she will let us know."

"All right," Audra told him and walked to her room.

"Nick," Heath asked, "do you really think someone deliberately tried to hurt Jarrod?"

"It sure sounds that way," Nick answered. "Maybe tomorrow we can scout around that area and see what we find."

"All right," Heath said.

Nick and Heath also went to their rooms.

"Son," she said, "calm down. It’s all right."

He couldn’t get the intense pain to stop. Victoria made a decision.

"Nick!" she called. "Nick!"

Nick was in the room in short order.

"What’s wrong mother?" he asked.

"Your brother’s in a lot of pain," she answered. "Have Heath go get the doctor. He’s in one of the guest rooms."

"Right," Nick said and he left the room.

"Easy son," she replied.

Nick returned a few minutes later. He saw that Jarrod wouldn’t stay still and that his mother was having a time keeping him down. He went over to the bed and held his brother down.

"Easy big brother," Nick said. "You’re only going to hurt yourself worse. Calm down."

Jarrod began to relax slightly as he heard his brother’s voice. He was still in a great deal of pain.

"I know you hurt," Nick said. "The doctor will be here soon."

Jarrod nodded and closed his eyes to the pain. Victoria could see that tears were sliding down his cut face. She knew that the pain he was enduring was very bad. She stroked his hair and talked to him.

"Jarrod," she said, "mother’s right here. I’ll do everything I can to help stop the pain. You’re going to be all right."

The doctor walked in and went over to his patient. He pulled out a syringe and put medicine in it. Then he injected Jarrod with it. Not too long afterward, Jarrod began to relax. His eyes closed and he fell asleep.

"Thank you doctor," Victoria said. "I know he was in a lot of pain."

"He will be until those cuts heal," the doctor replied. "His fever is down. That’s a good sign. I see he still can’t talk."

"Not yet," she told him. "But he will."
"I’m sure he will," the doctor said.

Victoria sat back down in the chair beside the bed. She wouldn’t leave her son.

"Victoria," Merrar said, "why don’t you go get some sleep? He’s going to sleep for a while. You’re exhausted."

"No," Victoria replied. "I wouldn’t be able to rest. I’ll be fine right here beside my son."

"All right," the doctor told her. "I’ll be back in a little while."

"Mother," Nick said, "Heath and I are going to ride up to the north pasture and look around. If there was someone else there yesterday, we’ll be able to tell. And if there’re wasn’t anyone there, we’ll know that too. We’ll be gone several hours. Will you be all right by yourself with Jarrod?"

"Yes," she replied. "You boys be careful."

"We will," Nick told her and left.

The doctor left the room. Victoria looked over at her son and all the cuts he had. She wondered what would happen if he was unable to talk. Would he still be a lawyer? He had overcome the obstacle of being blind with his two brothers’ help. Would he be able to overcome this? She didn’t know.

"Jarrod," she said, "calm down. I know you’re frustrated because you can’t talk and you hurt but causing more pain is not the answer. You have a level head on your shoulders and I want you to use it. Use that reasoning ability that you have."

Jarrod just looked at her. He opened his mouth to try to talk and when he saw her face, he closed it and nodded at her.

"That’s better," she replied. "The doctor doesn’t want you to try to talk for a few days. Do you understand?"

Jarrod nodded and reached over for the paper and pen. He jotted something down and handed it to her. She read it. It said.

"Thanks mother," he said. "I really appreciate everything you have done to help me. I’m sorry I get frustrated and angry."

"It’s all right son," she replied. "I can imagine what you’re going through. You’ve got a right to be angry."

Jarrod nodded and his eyes began to close. Before he could write another word, he was asleep. Victoria covered him up and sat back down in the chair.

"See anything?" Nick called to him.

Heath had dismounted and began to search when he saw something shiny. When he walked over to it and picked it up, he realized that it was a shell.

"Yeah!" he hollered back. "I found a shell! Looks like from a rifle!"

He mounted up and rode back to Nick. He showed him the shell.

"Heath," Nick said, "someone caused this accident. Someone wanted Jarrod hurt. Someone will pay for this."

"I know," Heath replied. "But without more to go on, how are we going to find out who?"

"I don’t know," Nick told him. "But one thing is for sure. Jarrod is not to be left alone. Whoever it is may try again. We are going to have to protect our brother from any more harm."

"Right," Heath said. "Maybe when he gets better he can come up with someone who wanted to harm him."

"Maybe so," Nick replied.

They headed back to the ranch to tell Jarrod and their mother what they had found. When they went into the house, Victoria met them in the foyer.

"How’s Jarrod?" Nick asked.

"He’s asleep," she answered. "He’s still in a great deal of pain. I came down to get a bit to eat and was headed back up to Jarrod’s room. How did it go with you two?"

"Mother," Heath said, "we found a shell on the small hill above where Jarrod was injured. There were three shots fired. Somebody shot at Jarrod and spooked his horse on purpose. Somebody wanted him to be hurt or die."

"Who?" she asked.

"I don’t know," Heath answered. "Maybe Jarrod will have some idea when he wakes up."

"Maybe," she said. "But I don’t know whether it would be wise to tell him now with all the pain he’s in. He’s already angry. This will make it worse."

"He’s got a right to know that it wasn’t an accident," Nick replied.

"You’re right," she told him.

The three of them walked upstairs to Jarrod’s room. He was still asleep. Victoria sat down in the chair.

"What kind of shell was it?" she asked.

"From a rifle," Heath answered. "The shooter aimed at the ground right behind Jarrod and his horse. He knew that the horse would bolt."

"I think I know the reason the horse stopped so suddenly," Nick said.

"What?" Victoria asked.

"The barbed wire fence was right in front of Jarrod," Nick answered. "When the horse saw the fence, it stopped but the momentum caused Jarrod to leave the saddle and land in the wire. Then he tried to free himself and as he struggled, he became even more trapped. No wonder he was cut up so badly. It’s a miracle he wasn’t killed."

"The shooter probably wanted to make it look like an accident," Heath said.

"That sounds reasonable," Victoria replied. "The next question is who and why?"

"We don’t know," Nick told them. "Maybe Jarrod will have some idea."

"Maybe he will," Victoria said.

When the three of them walked into his room, Jarrod was still asleep. He needed the rest and she knew that until all those cuts healed he would be in a lot of pain.

Victoria noticed that Jarrod had begun to move in the bed. She knew he was dreaming and as he became more violent, she moved to the bed and tried to hold him down.

"Jarrod," she said, "it’s mother. Calm down son. You’re all right. It was only a dream."

Finally, his eyes opened and he looked up at his mother. He tried to say something but again no sound came out.

"Take it easy," she replied. "You’re going to break open your cuts if you don’t calm down."

He nodded.

"Nick and Heath examined the area where you were injured," Victoria said. "They found a shell from a rifle. Someone wanted you to be hurt. Do you have any idea who?"

Jarrod thought about it. Then he jotted down an answer. He handed it to her. It read:

"The list is long on people who are angry at me," he said. "I’ll have to think about it to see if I can come up with someone."

"That will be fine," she replied. "In the meantime I want you to rest and get better."

Jarrod nodded at her. He began to concentrate on who might have wanted to harm him. In his many years as a practicing attorney, he had made enemies. Keno Nash vowed revenge but luckily he forgave Jarrod and had even rescued him from a trap. Jake Kyles and his sons were a possibility because Jarrod was unable to prove that Korby had not killed Col. Ashby. Of course, Korby was in prison but his father and brothers were still around. Billy Joe Gains was another one because Jarrod had convinced his girlfriend, Maybelle Williams to stand trial. He had brought Maybelle home to spend Christmas at the ranch when Gains showed up and held he and Silas at gunpoint. Jarrod had not been able to stop Maybelle from leaving but in the end she had returned to stand trial. Judge Ben Coulter, who was very angry when all three of the Barkley brothers shot and killed his nephew, Matt. And there were others.

Victoria could tell that Jarrod was desperately trying to figure out who had tried to kill him. She knew it was too soon after being injured for him to start concerning himself with figuring out who it was.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "I don’t want you to concern yourself with who it was that hurt you. I want you to concentrate on getting better. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

Jarrod nodded at her and laid his head on the pillows. She smiled at him.

"Do you need anything?" she asked.

He thought about it and then shook his head no. He didn’t feel like eating anything. The medicine had made him a little bit sick and he was having trouble keeping it from trying to come back up. She continued to give him water every few minutes. At least that kept his throat moist. His eyes began to close and he was fighting it. Victoria noticed that he was fighting sleep and put her foot down.

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley," she said sternly, "you close your eyes and rest. You need the sleep. Don’t try to fight it. Do you understand me?"

Jarrod nodded and let his eyes close. Victoria reached over and covered him up. Then she sat back down in the chair beside his bed. Maybe in another day or so she would be able to leave him alone but not yet. He was still hurting and she wouldn’t leave him as long as he was in severe pain.

"Jarrod," the doctor said after the examination, "you are improving. If you continue to improve, you can start moving around by the end of the week. You are not to do anything strenuous. But you can walk and check on the progress of your new office."

At the mention of his office, Jarrod winced again. The doctor noticed his reaction.

"Jarrod," he asked, "is something bothering you?"

Jarrod nodded. He reached over and picked up the pen and paper. He wrote down what he wanted to tell the doctor and handed it to his mother. She read it aloud to the doctor.

"He’s afraid that without his voice he will not be able to continue on as a lawyer," she said. "A lawyer needs his voice to convey his thoughts in court and to his client. Without it he would be completely lost."

"Jarrod," the doctor replied, "there is a very good possibility that you will get your voice back after all your cuts heal. You had some pretty bad ones around your mouth and on your neck. Let’s give it some more time."

Jarrod nodded. His mother laid a hand gently on his shoulder. As Jarrod was lying there, he began to get very sick on his stomach. He couldn’t tell his mother what he needed. He tried desperately to tell her but he couldn’t. Finally, she noticed his face.

"Jarrod," she asked, "is something wrong?"

He tried to tell her he was going to vomit.

"I believe the medicine is making him sick," the doctor replied.

Just then Jarrod began to throw up. She grabbed his head and held it as he vomited. He was so sick. The doctor pulled out a syringe and put something in it to stop the vomiting. He injected Jarrod with it and finally he stopped. His mouth was bloody where some of the cuts had opened back up. The doctor cleaned them and medicated them. Victoria finally laid his head on the pillows. Jarrod was completely exhausted.

"The medicine will stop the vomiting," the doctor said. "It was a reaction to the pain medicine. He’ll feel better when he can get off of it."

"All right," she replied.

"I’ll check back in a couple of days," the doctor said. "If he has any spells with severe pain give him a spoonful of laudanum every four hours."

"All right doctor," she replied and the doctor left. "Do you think you could eat something very soft son?"

Jarrod shook his head. He wrote down a response and handed it to her. It read:

"No mother," he said. "I’m still sick and nothing would stay down."

"That’s the medicine the doctor gave you," she replied. "When it wears off completely you’ll feel a lot better."

Jarrod nodded. His eyes were getting heavy and he let them close. Victoria covered him up and sat back down in the chair. She had noticed that the fever had returned slightly. That was enough to make him feel bad. He woke up several hours later and looked around the room. His throat was sore and raw from the vomiting. When Victoria noticed that he was awake, she walked over and sat down on the bed.

"Son," she said, "take it easy. You’re going to be all right."

Jarrod nodded even though he didn’t have hardly any strength. As he tried to move, he winced in pain. Victoria put her hands on his shoulders and tried to keep him still.

"Jarrod," she said, "calm down. You are cut badly and you are not ready to try to get up."

Jarrod calmed and looked at his mother. He knew she was right but he was so frustrated because he still could not talk. He made a decision. He sat up in bed and swung his legs over the side. His mother tried to stop him but he pushed her away. He had to find out who was behind this. He stood up and nearly fell over. When Victoria realized that Jarrod wouldn’t listen to her, she called for Nick and Heath.

"Nick!" she yelled. "Heath! Please come to Jarrod’s room!"

Jarrod was trying to put his clothes on and she was trying to stop him when Nick and Heath walked into the room. They grabbed Jarrod gently just as he fell. They got him back in the bed and covered him up. He was out.

"Mother," Nick asked, "what happened?"

"He just got up and started to get dressed," she answered.

"He’s unconscious now," Heath said.

"He is completely exhausted," Victoria replied. "He needs to rest and continue to heal."

"You’re right mother," Nick told her. "Don’t worry. He will be fine."

"Thank you son," she said and smiled.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "you can get up and move around but I want you to continue to take it easy."

Jarrod nodded as he got up and dressed.

"Remember nothing strenuous," the doctor said and left.

He had begun to eat soft foods. He had also begun to make sounds so he was beginning to believe that he would be talking very soon. He walked downstairs to the study and sat down at the desk. He got out a piece of paper and began to jot down names of people who possibly held a grudge against him. Victoria walked into the room and saw him sitting at the desk.

"Who gave you permission to get up and run all over the house?" she asked.

"Docto," was all Jarrod could get out. "Sai I coul ge u."

"Don’t try to talk too much son," she said. "I know you can say a little but you need to continue to rest so you can get stronger."

"Ok," he replied and smiled.

"I’m so glad you’re going to be all right," she told him. "You were very lucky."

"I know," he said.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

He showed her the list of possible suspects he was compiling. She looked at the names and shook her head.

"I never realized that so many people could be angry with you," she said.

"Me too," Jarrod replied.

"Don’t do too much," she told him and left him alone.

After sitting at the desk a while, Jarrod decided a walk outside was what he needed. He stood up and walked out to the barn. He was thoroughly enjoying himself when he heard a voice he recognized from behind him.

"Hold it right there Barkley," the young man said. "I’ve waited five years to get you. I thought you were finished when you were tangled in that fence but you’re tougher than I figured."

Jarrod turned and looked into the face of Chance Taylor. Jarrod had been hired by Chance to clear his brother of embezzlement charges and someone had shot and killed Ernest Taylor right in front of Jarrod. Chance had blamed Jarrod saying that he had set his brother up. Jarrod hadn’t paid that much attention to what Chance said at the time but here he was.

"What you want?" Jarrod asked.

"What do I want?" Chance repeated and laughed. "I want you to pay for what you did to my brother."

"You brother stole from wrong people," Jarrod said.

"So what?" Chance asked. "Does that give you a right to set him up to be killed?"

"I no kill him," Jarrod answered.

"Yes you did," Chance said and walked over to Jarrod. "Now I’m going to finish the job I started."

Jarrod instinctually took a step backwards. Chance grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

"No hurt," Jarrod said.

"Are you begging Barkley?" Chance asked. "If you are you should be down on your knees."

He pushed Jarrod down to his knees. Jarrod winced as the dirt dug into his healing cuts.

"I think I’ll let your horse finish the job on you," he said.

Chance walked into the barn where Jarrod’s horse was and brought it outside. He put a burr under the blanket and put the saddle on it. Then he grabbed Jarrod by the hair and sat him up on it. The minute Jarrod’s weight was on the horse, it began to buck and kick. Jarrod fought hard to stay in the saddle. He knew if he fell off, his cuts would be opened up again. Chance watched with a smile on his face. Jarrod was beginning to hurt as some of his cuts were being broken open again. He tried to grit his teeth to the pain but he also had to hold on tight.

Nick and Heath were returning to the ranch after working out in the pasture all day. Nick was the first one to spot Jarrod. He rode fast as he made a beeline for his brother. When he rode up he noticed the stranger standing beside the corral fence. He jumped from his horse and charged right into him. They began to punch each other. Finally, Nick got the upper hand and knocked the guy out. Then he turned his attention to Jarrod. By this time Heath had rode up and was trying to calm Jarrod’s horse. After several minutes of coaxing, the animal finally calmed and stopped. Heath helped Jarrod down and then Jarrod fell to his knees. His arms were bleeding as was his legs. He had bitten his lower lip. Nick rushed to his side. He helped Jarrod walk into the house as Heath took care of the man. As they walked inside, Nick called to his mother.

"Mother!" Nick yelled. "Mother!"

"What is it Nick?" she asked as she walked into the foyer.

Then she saw Jarrod and went to his other side. Between the two of them, they got him upstairs and on his bed.

"What happened?" she asked as she began to clean, medicate and then bandaged the open cuts.

"When Heath and I rode up," Nick answered, "Jarrod was on his horse which was bucking. I don’t see how he managed to hang on."

"How do you feel son?" she asked.

Jarrod looked up through pained eyes and shook his head.

"No good," he said.

"You rest," she replied. "Here, I’ll give you some laudanum for the pain."

She gave him a spoonful of medicine and he closed his eyes. Then she looked over at Nick.

"Who put him on the horse?" she asked.

"A young man," he answered. "Heath is taking him to the sheriff. Is Jarrod going to be all right?"

"I believe so," she said. "He’s just had some of the cuts open up again. I’ve bandaged them and given him something for the pain. He’ll sleep for a while."

"All right," Nick replied. "I’m glad he’s going to be all right."

"Me too," she told him. "If you and Heath hadn’t come home when you did, he might have been killed."

That evening Jarrod woke up. He was a little woozy. He tried to sit up but he felt soft hands holding him down. He looked up into the eyes of his mother.

"Easy son," she said. "You had a rough time earlier. You need to take it easy."

"What?" he asked confused.

"You were injured again son," she replied. "Do you know who put you up on your horse?"

"Yes," he answered. "Chance Taylor."

"Ernest Taylor’s brother?" she asked.

"Yes," Jarrod said.

"So he blamed you for Ernest getting killed?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"I understand now," she said. "I want you to stay in bed a couple of days till we can get those cuts healing again."

"Yes mother," he replied.

He laid his head on the pillow and closed his eyes. She knew the nightmare was over. He would be all right now.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "I’m glad you decided to rebuild here in Stockton rather than moving to San Francisco."

"Stockton is my home mother," he replied. "I wanted to show everyone that Joshua T. Cunningham didn’t put me out of business."

"I’m proud of you son," she told him.

"Thanks mother," he said and smiled.