He on occasion still would get headaches that only sleep would take away. His appetite was back and though he still had many restrictions, he toyed with testing his limits hoping to get Doc Merar to allow his life to get back to normal. He couldn’t ride but at least he could walk to the stable and visit Charger.

Most mornings after breakfast, the family would find him heading to the barn. His stride still shaky, and his endurance not where he willed it to be, Victoria would watch from the parlor window until he would disappear into the barn.

Jenna had been back to the ranch once a week to visit and on those days Heath was impossible to keep down. Though Victoria would insist and give him a hard time about being downstairs the entire day, it pleased her to watch his spunk and those strong defiant looks return.

Jenna’s visits brought all the Barkleys a better perception of just why Heath cared about her so much. She was bright, funny, positive and talented. She seemed to understand and handle Heath in a way that made him more confident, more satisfied. She was the kind of girl that might go unnoticed, she wore nothing fancy, didn’t get to town much and when she did find herself in a crowd, she tended to stay to the outside edge as an observer, rather than part of the group’s center.

They were a handsome couple, her soft brown hair, those bright green eyes and his blonde features with his azure blue eyes, both so expressive and when they looked at each other, anyone could see the love they shared. When they stood together, her height came to the top of his shoulder, allowing her head to rest in the bend of his neck. They spent quiet afternoon visits sitting together on the swing off the back porch, until the chilly air would force them inside.

From his bedroom window, Heath watched for Nick to ride in with Audra, after another day volunteering at the orphanage, another he had missed. He was happy that Nick was willing to go in his stead, but Heath longed to be back with the kids himself. He just yearned to have life back to normal, getting up each morning, working a hard days work and excited to do it all over again the next day.

He worked his way down the steps and out the door. He wanted to talk to Nick and preferred it to be just the two of them. Stepping into the barn, he heard his brother talking in Cocoa’s stall.

“Who you talkin’ to Nick,... Cocoa?” Heath smiled.

Nick turned and greeted Heath with a wide grin, he missed his brother by his side, seeing him up and about brought him satisfaction that soon...Heath would be back to work.

“Well, seems Storm’s Mama has takin’ a liking to old Cocoa here. I was just telling her that her son was getting good an spoiled by all those kids at the orphanage. I was there two hours and I never saw the cat take one step. He was carried everywhere and seemed to like it just fine. He’s gonna be one fat cat, if he keeps being carried from place to place.”

“I don’t know Nick, kittens, kids, dolls...I think some of the guys in Stockton would like to hear about this softhearted side of old Nick.” Heath teased.

“Boy, if you open your mouth, I swear you’ll end up takin’ a bath in the trough.” Nick pretended to sound threatening.

“Where’s Audra?” Heath wondered.

“We rode separate, she was staying awhile longer to help Jenna with a dress she’s making to wear for Thanksgiving. She’s pretty excited to be celebrating the day with you.” Nick informed, giving Heath a wink.

“By the way, Jillie has finally taken to her new doll. Jenna said she still wouldn’t give up Molly, but she keeps her on her bed. Today she carried the new one around all day. She told me she named her Nickie.” Nick told, rolling his eyes.

Heath’s laughter filled the barn, echoing up into the rafters. “Stop Nick, your making my side hurt.”

“Women!...Little Brother it’s not just the adult ones I don’t understand, seems I don’t understand the little ones either. Now explain it to me, she has a brand new doll and still wanted to hang on to that tattered old thing.” Nick shared as he waved his hands in the air, making his way over to the hay bales to sit beside his brother.

“Nick, she’s had Molly since she was a baby. It’s hard to let go of something, someone you’ve shared so much life with.” Heath explained.

“How’d you get so smart about women?” Nick questioned his younger brother.

“Growing up in a small house with three women teaches a boy a few things.” Heath resolved.

The two grew quiet, Nick seemed to sense that Heath had come to the barn for a reason.

“Heath, was there something else you needed before we head to the house?”

“I was just wondering if you ever think about getting married and having a family?” Heath watched his brother for a response.

“Sure Heath, especially when I have a girl that I see steady, so far none of them have turned out to be what I’m lookin’ for in a Mrs. Nick Barkley. I want to get married and I’m pretty sure I want some kids. Why?”

Heath fumbled with the sling holding his left arm, a surrogate for the shirt sleeve he normally would play with to relax. A sure sign he was slipping into one of his quieter, more sensitive moods. Nick had learned to read him and waited patiently as Heath sorted out his thoughts.

“I guess...it’s Jenna. I am so happy when I’m with her. I can’t imagine finding someone I’d ever love as much. I just don’t know much about being a husband and someday a father. What if I’m not cut out to be ...”

Nick interrupted his brothers doubting thoughts. “Heath, now why do you do that to yourself, you’re always puttin’ yourself down. You’ll be a good husband and an even better father. If you think that growin’ up in what you’d call a normal family makes you better husband material...I guess I just don’t agree. There are lots of men out there, several I’ve grow up with and bein’ in a home where they could see a husband and father first hand didn’t seem to make them any better at it.”

Nick stood, he wanted to be sure that Heath was not only listening, but hearing what he was trying to say. Looking for Heath’s eyes to respond to what he was saying, he continued.

“In my opinion, you are the one with the advantage Little Brother.” Nick told with a smirk. He had Heath’s attention, seeing the confusion in his brother’s blue eyes he explained.

“You have no preconceived notions on what a husband and father should be. You do know what you missed and wanted in a father. You seem to understand and respect Jenna, at least that what she tells. Heath, life is like a poker hand, you take the cards you’re dealt and play ‘em the best you can. Sometimes you make a bad judgment, but the more you play...the better you get. And besides, you’ll have all of us to backing you up.” Nick smiled, something he had said must of made sense to Heath, the grin and eyes told him so.

“Nick, now I guess I have to add philosopher to that list of new found traits.” Heath teased.

“See, Jarrod’s not the only one in the family!” Nicked laughed.

“So when might you be plannin’ to ask Jenna to marry you?” Nick questioned, nudging his brother as he sat back down beside him.

“Oh...not sure, maybe New Year’s Eve or possibly as Spring begins, or most likely Thanksgiving.” Heath thought out loud. “I want to talk to Mother, maybe later tonight. She still comes to check on me before she goes to bed, I tell her I’m fine...guess she just wants to see for herself.”

“Heath, that will please her. I can just see Mother and Audra now...planning a wedding with Jenna, I’m not sure we’ll be able to stand it.” Nick shared, shaking his head.

“Won’t need to be nothin’ big or fancy. I mean, our families...that’s who we’d want there.” Heath said warmly. “Jenna considers the folks at the orphanage her family.”

“I’m sure Mother will see to it that it’s just the way you and Jenna would want it. We all care a great deal for Jenna, she’ll be a fine addition to the family, Heath.” Nick assured, slapping his brother on the back and standing once again.

“We’d better get up to the house for dinner before Mother comes lookin’ for you.” Nick funned.

As they walked toward the house Nick slowed his pace to match that of his healing brother.

“You know Heath, one more thing needs to be said. If you are going to become a married man and someday have children, we need to talk about these fool hearted things you do...tryin’ to prove something to all of us that you care.” Nick’s thoughts consumed him and as he talked, pointing at some invisible object in the air to make his point, his pace quickened and soon Heath trailed behind him, shaking his head.

From the parlor window, not visible to her sons, Victoria watched. She could tell that Nick was giving a lecture, as Heath struggled to keep pace with his long legged brother. She watched as suddenly Heath stopped dead in his tracks, groping his sage colored jacket that had fallen from the shoulder of his broken arm. The jacket draped across his back ,the sleeve almost touching the ground as Heath tried to reach around his neck to pull it back over his shoulder with his good arm. Nick was still bantering when he realized Heath was not just behind him, turning he saw Heath’s fighting the jacket and quickly stepped back and pulled the coat around his brother, giving him a pat on the back and then continuing his speech.

The scene made Victoria smile, she loved to watch the two of them together. Whatever Nick was saying, Heath was listening and here and there a nod would come in response.

Victoria walked back to her chair and picked up her menu notes for Thanksgiving dinner. Smiling to herself she thought of the up coming holiday, and the blessings they would celebrate. This would be Jenna’s first Thanksgiving with the family and if her Mother’s intuition was correct...it would be the first of many.

Hearing the front door close and Nick calling out if dinner was ready, took her from the picture she was painting in her mind.

“Yes Nicholas, dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes.” Standing she gazed at Tom’s picture,

“Tom, what a family...maybe not perfect in every way, but certainly perfect to me.”