Jarrod was sitting in his office going over some briefs for the case he had to fight the next day. Edna was staying at the ranch and Don Alfredo had gone back to his house.

When Katie had heard that Edna was staying at the ranch it was all she could do to keep the despair out of her face and voice.

Jarrod's heart nearly broke for his little girl. He knew that she found Edna tiresome. Jarrod found the woman tiresome, but he tried to refrain from being rude and telling her she couldn't stay at the ranch.

A light tap on the door broke Jarrod's train of thoughts. "It's open," Jarrod said.

The door opened and Katie walked in. The despair he had seen was written all over her face. He wasn't wrong when he had seen it before.

"Papa, am I bothering you?" Katie asked.

"Of course not. I have a case tomorrow, but I never minded a little break from work," Jarrod said.

Katie came up to the desk. Jarrod stood up and walked with her to the couch.

"Now, Katie, you want to tell me what's bothering you?" Jarrod asked.

"How do you know anything's bothering me?" Katie asked.

"I'm your father. If I didn't know then you really are not my child," Jarrod said, his tone light.

"Papa, I wanted today to be so wonderful, but it's like Mother ruined everything," Katie said, her voice broken and splintered.

"I know, Honey. I wanted today to be perfect too. Because today my baby girl was supposed to be happy," Jarrod said.

"Papa, why did Mother belittle me in front of you? I never felt more humiliated in all my life," Katie said.

"Sweetheart, it doesn't matter what she says about you. I am your father and Maria is your mother. And to us, my girl, you are beautiful," Jarrod said, pulling his daughter into his arms and stroking her long black hair.

"Papa, I love you," Katie said, burying her face in her father's chest.

"I love you too, Katie. Do you like your gifts?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes Papa. I love the brooch you gave me. When I go to school in September I'll be able to take it with me. When I miss you I'll just open the brooch and look at your picture," Katie said.

"How'd you like to go to school here in Stockton instead of going to boarding school?" Jarrod asked.

Katie raised her head from her father's chest and looked at him with a joyful expression.

"Papa, are you serious?" Katie asked.

"Yes I am. I've talked it over with your mama and I can't take the idea of you living apart from us ever again," Jarrod said.

Katie's tears turned to happy ones. "Oh Papa, I'd love to stay!" Katie said, hugging Jarrod again. Jarrod smoothed back his daughter's soft black hair.

"Now, young lady, I better get back to work. And I believe it's almost your bedtime. So go get ready," Jarrod said, standing up.

"Yes Papa," Katie said. Jarrod kissed Katie's forehead and watched her leave the room. Now since Jarrod had made that decision about her education he felt right about it.

Jarrod had finished his paper work and joined his family in the parlor. Edna sat next to Victoria, talking stiffly about life in Philadelphia.

The woman was unaware that Victoria had been born in Philadelphia and that was where she had met Tom Barkley.

Jarrod poured himself a glass of brandy and sat next to his wife.

"What did you say to Katalina, Jarrod? When I went to go wish her good night she was happy," Maria said quietly to her husband.

"I just told her that she would not go to boarding school this fall and that we didn't want her to go," Jarrod said.

"Mr. Barkley, what kind of schooling will the child have then?" Edna asked, breaking into the conversation.

"Maria and myself have said she will go to the school in Stockton. I just got her back. I can't bear to watch her leaving us again," Jarrod said.

"Counselor Barkley, she is ten years old," Edna started.

"I am well aware of that. But Mrs. Stallingforth, I am her father. Maria and myself make the decisions regarding her education," Jarrod said.

"I am also well aware of that, Mr. Barkley. But what about your promise to return her to Philadelphia this summer?" Edna asked.

"I made that promise because I knew how hard it would be for Katie to adjust to us! And also because that would only happen if Katie were unhappy," Jarrod said.

"Well, I happen to have a few of her letters that she sent. I'll let you read them," Edna said.

Jarrod took out a letter. The date was April 10th of that year.

Dear Mother, how are you? I'm not so good. I want to come home, but I don't think Mr. Barkley will let me. I can't blame him for not wanting me to go, but honestly, I'm not a baby! Also I find it very annoying when Mr. Barkley and Maria call themselves Mama and Papa in front of me. Mother, please come get me.

Love, Abigail

"This letter doesn't mean how Katie feels now. This was written a few weeks before she accepted us as her parents," Jarrod said.

"Counselor Barkley, you don't honestly think that children can be happy out here in the west," Edna said.

"My daughter is. She has accepted who she is. I think when she first came here she was lost and didn't know who she really was. Do you know that now she goes to mass and speaks Spanish better than the nun who's teaching her?" Jarrod said.

"Spanish? When she went with you she was learning French and Latin at the school in Connecticut," Edna said.

"Well, I've been told that if you study those languages it's not hard to learn another one like it," Jarrod said.

"Señora Stallingforth, our daughter cannot go with you back to Philadelphia. She is happy here and we think that she has become a part of this ranch and this valley. She is a Barkley even though you don't want her to be," Maria said.

Edna took a deep breath of air. "I'm going to bed now. Good night," Edna said, stiffly.

Edna went upstairs. Katie was standing on the landing, hearing every word that every one had just said.

"So what do you think, Abigail?" Edna asked.

"I don't know. I like Philadelphia, but I think I like Stockton better. It's not as big as Philadelphia," Katie said.

"What about your father and myself? Don't you care about us?" Edna asked.

"I do care. You and Father took me in when I was a baby when Papa and Mama lost me. I'll always love you, but don't ask me to make a choice between you, Papa, Mama, and this family. I won't be able to do it," Katie said.

"Well then good night," Edna said stiffly.

"Good night, Mother," Katie said.

Katie went back to her room and went to her window seat. Katie looked up at the stars in the sky, trying to figure out why her mother was making things confusing.

Katie woke up early the next morning. After quickly changing into a dress of Spanish make, Katie went down the stairs to the breakfast room.

Everyone was seated at the breakfast table, including Edna.

"Good morning, Papa," Katie said, kissing her father's cheek.

"Good morning, my dear," Jarrod said.

"Good morning, Katalina. I trust you slept well," Maria said.

"Yes Mama. Papa, may I go for a quick ride on Guinevere before you take me to my lessons?" Katie asked.

"I suppose that's okay. As long as you are not late coming back," Jarrod warned.

"I won't be, I promise," Katie said.

Before you go eat something first," Jarrod said, pushing out her chair next to him with his foot.

"Yes Papa," Katie said.

Edna was quiet this morning. She had hoped she could talk Katie into leaving this place, but Katie seemed to be enjoying herself in Stockton.

She had even learned to ride a horse. At one time she could have sworn her daughter was terrified of horses, but here she was saying she wanted to ride!

"I thought you hated horses, Abigail," Edna said.

"Not really. I only didn't like horses then because a horse jumped with me on its back one fourth of July. My horse here is gentle. Uncle Heath broke it and gave it to me when I first came here," Katie said.

"What kind of horse is it?" Edna asked.

"It's a bay. I call her Guinevere. Uncle Nick says that if you can learn to take care of animals it's the highest form of responsibility. That's why Uncle Nick got me all that stuff yesterday for my birthday," Katie said.

"I suppose every child here learns to ride a horse at a young age," Edna said.

"I guess they do, except Tommy. He's too young," Katie said.

"Do you love this place then?" Edna asked.

"Yes. It's all part I guess of being a Barkley. You can't be a Barkley if you don't love this land or the valley," Katie said.

"What's so important about being a Barkley?" Edna asked.

"The day I arrived here I asked Papa the same question. Do you want to know what he told me?" Katie asked.

"No. What did he tell you?" Edna asked.

Katie stood up and walked to her father. A fierce pride was in his eyes as he looked at her. "He said, that everything is important in being a Barkley. It is who I am. You can't forget who you are, Mother," Katie said.

"I suppose that was what happened with you until this year," Edna said.

"Yes. If it weren’t for that lawyer I would have grown up here where I was supposed to. Mother, have you told the police about the law agency that kidnapped me?" Katie asked, a slight whimper entering her voice.

"No not yet. I think they work in Pittsburgh. A friend of ours recommended us to them," Edna said.

Katie's face turned pale. Did that mean that other girls had been kidnapped too? Jarrod looked up at his daughter. Her eyes told him just what she was thinking. Other girls may have been kidnapped just like her.

Katie sat next to her father on the buckboard into town. Jarrod's face looked like he was mulling over something.

"Papa, are you all right?" Katie asked.

"No. I'm thinking about that lawyer that kidnapped you and gave you to the Stallingforth's," Jarrod said.

"Papa, is there anything we can do about those lawyers that did that?" Katie asked.

Jarrod stopped the buckboard and stared down into the bright blue eyes of his daughter. Since she had come back he hadn't ever lied to her about anything. He loved her as much as he did when she was a baby and she had the colic.

"I think we can do something about it. Katie, it'll mean taking those people to court. Also I have this feeling that those people may have kidnapped other children," Jarrod said.

"What can we do, Papa? Would a place like that keep records about the children they've placed in adoption?" Katie asked.

"Honey, I deal with adoptions all the time. If these lawyers function like all lawyers should, they should have files on your adoption,” Jarrod said.

"Hmmm, I think John Stallingforth showed me my adoption papers one time when I was 6 years old," Katie said.

"Do you remember the law firm that handled it?" Jarrod asked, putting his hands on Katie's shoulders.

"I think it was Samuel Eaton and Burke. I remember when Father died they came out and read the will to us," Katie said.

"Well, I suppose that we should have the police look into that law firm," Jarrod said, pretending to ignore the fact that Katie used the term "Father" on John Stallingforth.

Jarrod started up the buckboard again. Katie looked up again at her father. He looked upset at something, but Katie didn't know what he could be upset about.

"Papa, are you angry with Mother and Father about something?" Katie asked.

"No. What makes you think that?" Jarrod asked, his eyes on the road.

"You're faking a cheery tone," Katie said.

"Well, now that you mention it, there is something wrong," Jarrod said.

"What is it?" Katie asked.

Jarrod stopped the buckboard and turned to look at his daughter.

"It's about what you call John and Edna Stallingforth," Jarrod said.

"What? Mother and Father?" Katie asked, a puzzled look in her blue eyes.

"Yes. Katie, I've tried not to force you into being a Barkley, but Honey, John is not your father. I am," Jarrod said.

"I know, but he was my father since I was a baby," Katie said.

"I know and I'm grateful that they took good care of you when I couldn't. But Honey, it's time you faced the truth. I am your father and I love you," Jarrod said.

"I know. I love you too. Tell you the truth John Stallingforth didn't even want to adopt and as soon as he and Edna got me he was always yelling at me for nothing," Katie said in a small voice and looking down at her hands.

Jarrod pushed her face back up and looked into her eyes. "Honey, I won't yell at you. Haven't you noticed that I only get upset at you if you give me a valid reason?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes Sir. I'm sorry if I hurt you by calling John and Edna "Mother" and "Father," Katie said.

Jarrod smoothed back her long black hair and gently kissed her cheek. "I love you, Honey," Jarrod said.

"I love you too. And I'll try to refrain from calling Edna and John that," Katie said.

"Here, you want to try driving the buckboard?" Jarrod asked, handing the reins to Katie.

"You're going to let me drive the buckboard?" Katie asked.

"Of course I am. Now here's the reins," Jarrod said. Katie took the reins out of his hands and shook them lightly.

The buckboard moved forward, the horses snorting abruptly.

Two weeks later Katie entered Jarrod's study. Jarrod had spent his time since the day after Katie's birthday trying to locate the law agency.

Edna had gone back to Philadelphia three days after Katie's birthday, but not without some feeling disappointment. Katie knew Edna thought Stockton was not as good as Philadelphia, but she also knew that Edna was hurt over the fact that Katie didn't call her "Mother" any more.

Katie opened the door. Jarrod was sitting at his desk; he had a mountain of paperwork and was wearing his wire-rimmed spectacles.

"How's the work coming, Papa?" Katie asked, putting her arm around Jarrod's shoulder.

"Tedious. I thought you were with your mother," Jarrod said, removing his glasses and rubbing his face with his hand.

"I was. Have you found anything about the agency?" Katie asked.

"I'm getting there. Katie, I love having you with me-" Jarrod started.

"I love being with you too," Katie said.

"Let me finish, Honey," Jarrod said, a slight reprimand in his tone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt, Papa," Katie said.

"As I was saying, Katie, I love having you with me. But right now I need you to leave. I'll let you know if I find anything about the adoption agency," Jarrod said.

"Papa, I'm curious. Can't I please stay in here? I promise not to bother you again," Katie begged.

Jarrod took one look at his daughter's blue eyes and felt himself giving in. Coward. I can't say no to blue eyes, Jarrod thought amused.

"All right, but I'm holding you to your promise," Jarrod said.

Katie squealed for joy and wrapped her arms around Jarrod's neck. "Thank you, Papa!" Katie exclaimed, kissing his cheek.

She bolted out of the room and upstairs to her room. She grabbed her book of "The Scarlet Letter" and ran back downstairs to the study.

Jarrod looked up as his daughter ran back into the study and plopped onto the couch.

"Katalina Barkley, you be careful with how you sit down on furniture," Jarrod said, strictly.

"Yes, Papa," Katie said, opening her book.

For the next two hours Jarrod went over his paperwork and Katie read her book. Every so often Jarrod would look up at her and smile at her, but Katie was lost in her book.

Katie once looked at her father as he was writing out something. As when she entered the office she was curious if he had found out something, but she had promised not to bother him.

After two hours Jarrod put the papers away and folded his glasses into his vest pocket. Jarrod looked up at his daughter. She was still intently reading her book.

Jarrod walked over to her and gently pulled her long black braid.

Katie looked up at her father. He had a teasing grin on his face. "Very funny, Papa," Katie said, yawning as she stood up.

"I know. That's what papa's are for," Jarrod teased his daughter.

"Did you find out anything, Papa?" Katie asked.

"I wrote out a wire to the Pinkerton Agency. They wrote me and said that three or four agencies kidnap the children of wealthy families out west and give them to wealthy eastern couples," Jarrod said, Wrapping his arm around Katie's shoulders.

"Why did the agency want me? I was only a baby and also I probably didn't leave the house much unless it was to go to mass," Katie asked, her forehead wrinkled with confusion.

"No, you didn't go out much. But the day of your birthday I took you out to the corral where Nick and Heath were breaking horses. Whoever kidnapped you, probably was there that day. And when they saw a one-year-old girl they figured they could take you from your crib that day," Jarrod said.

"You going to tell Mama about this, Papa?" Katie asked.

"Not yet. I haven't gotten all the facts worked out yet. So I don't want you to tell your mother about it. Don't even tell your grandfather," Jarrod warned.

"I won't tell, Papa. I promise," Katie said.

Jarrod kissed his daughter's forehead. "I'll hold you to that promise, Katie," Jarrod said, stroking her thick black hair with his fingertips.

Katie yawned again. Jarrod looked up at the clock on the mantel. "Katie, it's time for bed! Go upstairs and get ready and your mama and myself will be up to kiss you good night in a few minutes," Jarrod said.

"Yes Papa," Katie said, leaving Jarrod's study. As Katie walked out of the room she wondered if Jarrod would be able to find that place that took her. She hoped so. If other children had been taken, like her, they might be able to return them to their parents.

Katie was sitting in her grandmother's rose garden reading a book when Jarrod rode up on his horse a week later.

Jarrod dismounted and handed the reins to Ciego. He went to the bench where Katie sat reading.

"Katie, I need to talk to you," Jarrod said, touching her ear slightly with his fingertip.

Katie looked up at her father. "Oh, hi Papa," Katie said, good-naturedly.

"Katie, I think I found something about the agency that kidnapped you," Jarrod said.

"You did? Where are they, Papa?" Katie asked.

"I think they have moved their offices to Philadelphia. No you told me that John Stallingforth had a lawyer named Samuel Eaton," Jarrod said.

"Yes. When my father died he was the one who read the will. Why do you ask?" Katie asked.

"Could you identify the man if you saw him again?" Jarrod asked.

"Probably. I haven't seen him since the day that Father's will was read, but I think I can," Katie said.

"We'll have to go to Philadelphia. Your mother will talk to Sister Rosita tomorrow," Jarrod said.

"Papa, are we going to stay at Mother's house?" Katie asked.

"No. We are going to stay at the hotel that we stayed at when we came and got you," Jarrod said.

"Papa, do we have any proof that these are the people that took me?" Katie asked.

Jarrod cupped her face with his large hands and looked into her bright blue eyes. "We will stop at Edna's house to pick up your adoption papers. That should be proof enough," Jarrod said.

"Papa, I hope we find them," Katie said.

"I hope we do too, Honey. Those people tried to hurt my family by kidnapping my little girl. I don't want another father to worry about his daughter like I have," Jarrod said.

Jarrod wrapped his arm around her and hugged her. "Papa, I love you," Katie said.

"I love you too, Honey. Now get inside and pack your clothes for the next few weeks. I have a feeling this is going to be a long trip," Jarrod said wearily.

Katie stood in front of her grandfather's front door, waiting for his maid to answer it.

"Buenos dias, Señorita. Your grandfather is in the sala," the maid said.

"Thank you, Francesca," Katie said.

Don Alfredo stood in front of the sala's fireplace. He looked up as Katie entered the room.

"Welcome, Katalina. How are you doing today? Don Alfredo asked.

"I am fine, Grandfather. I just wanted to tell you that I'll be gone for a few weeks," Katie said.

"Where are you going?" Don Alfredo asked.

"Papa found a lead on the people that took me when I was a baby. We leave this afternoon," Katie said.

"I thought Jarrod Barkley might. Does your mother agree with this course of action?" Don Alfredo asked.

"Yes. Papa and Mama talked about it to the whole family. Grandmother says we should. Uncle Nick says that it was in the past and we should forget it. Aunt Audra and Aunt Dora side with Grandmother and Uncle Heath always agrees with Uncle Nick. What do you think, Grandfather, should we?" Katie asked.

"I am not your mother and her husband. That is their decision whether or not they try to find the people that took you and turn them over to the police," Don Alfredo said.

"That's what Papa said. But Grandfather, what about Edna? If these people go to jail for kidnapping would she go too? I mean, she didn't know that she and her husband were kidnapping me," Katie said, sounding afraid for the woman that raised her.

"I'm sure she won't go to jail. She didn't even know that you were not an orphan," Don Alfredo said.

"I hope not. She's been through enough pain. She's already lost John and me. I don't want her to be punished for something she didn't do," Katie said.

"I'm sure that Señor Barkley will talk to the police and she won't get in trouble for your kidnapping," Don Alfredo said.

"I have to go. I have a few more things to pack before I leave," Katie said.

"Que pase un buen día, Katalina," Don Alfredo said.

"Igualmente, Grandfather," Katie said, walking out the door and going back to the Barkley ranch.

Katie had forgotten how long the trip to Philadelphia was. Last time she was too upset and depressed to notice anything. Heath and Dora had decided at the last moment to come with them, and Heath tried to make the trip less boring with card games and the checkerboard.

Jarrod knew his daughter was bored, but what they would find at the end of the trip would help them understand why she was taken.

Jarrod was a little bit worried about what this trip could also mean to Katie. She was coming face to face with the people who took her and he didn't know how his daughter felt emotionally about this trip. He could see the worry and anxiety written all over her face and in her eyes.

Jarrod reached across and squeezed his daughter's hand gently. Katie's hand trembled in his from fear.

Jarrod looked into his daughter's eyes and tried to give her a reassuring smile. Katie attempted to give him a smile in return, but the smile didn't quite make it to her eyes.

"Are you all right, Honey?" Jarrod asked, concern in his deep voice.

"No Papa, I'm not all right. I'm scared," Katie admitted, her voice shaking like her hands.

"What are you afraid of? Those people are not going to kidnap you again," Jarrod said, cupping her face with his hands.

"When I was little John had Samuel Eaton come by the house often. Samuel would revise wills or sue somebody. You know, lawyer things," Katie said.

"That's not something to be scared of, Honey," Jarrod said.

"I know, but Papa, I have never trusted John's lawyer. I felt that there was something about him that was dishonest. When I went to Polly, the cook, she told me that lawyers just give you that impression," Katie said.

"I'm deeply hurt," Jarrod said, his tone amused.

"Papa, I trust you. When I first met you last January you didn't strike me as the type who swindled people," Katie said.

"Thank you, Honey, but sad to say there are plenty of lawyers out there that do just what you said Eaton did," Jarrod said, pulling his daughter into the seat next to him.

"Why do they, Papa? I mean, you are not dishonest and you are a lawyer?" Katie asked.

"Yes, I am. But Katie a lot of lawyers try to become important and they hurt a lot of people just to do it. Myself, I never wanted to do that. I couldn't stomach kidnapping a man's daughter so another couple could be happy. Like myself, the man who had the daughter could end up miserable because he lost her," Jarrod said.

"Papa, when did you decide to be a lawyer?" Katie asked.

"When I was about 15 years old. Your grandfather was fit to be tied about the whole thing. He wanted me to be a rancher like your uncles, but I said I was not a rancher like Heath or Nick," Jarrod said.

"Why did Grandpa want you to be a rancher, Papa?" Katie asked.

"Because I was the first born son and your grandfather couldn't see that I had to live my own life," Jarrod said.

"Papa, have you ever wished that you could have been a rancher?" Katie asked.

"Sometimes. But I am happy with my life now. Your mother's a wonderful woman and I love her very much. I have two beautiful children that I am privileged to have as my own and a wonderful mother, sister, and brothers. I don't have a thing to complain about," Jarrod said, wrapping his arm around Katie's shoulder.

"What about Grandfather? He still hates you. He called you Señor Barkley when I told him we were leaving today," Katie said.

"I know. Your grandfather has never accepted me as your father or as his son-in-law. But he has accepted you as his granddaughter. So I'm not going to complain how much he dislikes me," Jarrod said.

"Papa, I'd like to read now if that's all right," Katie said, picking up the book of Spain from her seat across from her.

"Sure go ahead. I have some paperwork I need to do," Jarrod said, kissing her forehead. Katie and Jarrod spent the rest of the time in silence lost in their books and paperwork, feeling a little bit better about the task that waited for them in Philadelphia.

....Continued