Beloved Son
Ghost
of the Three Paths -- Story Two
Halloween
Challenge
by Lindabrit
Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program
"Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and
have been used without permission. No
copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.
Three witches are known in legend for the disaster they brought upon a
house, a loyal subject, and a king. Three witches who will now bring their
lunacies and prophecies upon a house in the new world and the West. The house
of Barkley and one loyal man
a Barkley son
will be the subject of their
spells. That Barkley son is
Nick
The path running up through the Barkley vineyards led from the south, Ten days
ago, Nick Barkley had headed down to Sonora on a horse buying trip and now he
was headed home again. He had bought a good few horses, all of whom should by
now have arrived at the Barkley ranch, in the charge of top hands, Ace Rogers
and Clem Hanks.
Nick himself had stayed on playing poker with a few like-minded men and after
an initial winning streak his luck had turned and he had lost a large amount of
money. Consequently, he was in a far from amiable mood as he rode homewards.
Nick didn't know that his two brothers were similarly headed home on the other
two paths that led to the Barkley ranch. The dark-haired rancher squinted up at
the stormy sky, with the run of luck he'd had lately, it would probably
commence raining any minute! He frowned at the eerie, drifting mist that seemed
to shroud the path ahead of him, what the devil was it? His handsome mouth
twisted in a wry grin, it was Halloween tonight, maybe that was what was
spooking him and his big stallion Duke.
The figure rose up before the powerful horse and Nick had to bring him under
control with an iron hand. For a few seconds he was fully occupied with the big
horse and then he turned his wrathful gaze on the man blocking his path. As he
turned it was as though his heart skipped a beat and the hairs on the back of
his neck stood up. He knew an impulse to scream but managed to suppress it by
sheer force of will.
Slowly, unbelievingly, his voice a mere croak, Nick said, "Father?"
Tom Barkley's merry laugh erupted and he said, "what's the matter Son,
haven't you ever seen a ghost before?"
"Nick came out of his saddle, he was recovering rapidly and managed to
retort, "I never heard tell of a ghost that could talk!"
"Well you know me Nick, I was never one for keeping quiet now was I."
Nick didn't answer, his heart was too full, he stared at the man he had
worshipped all his life. Tom smiled at his rancher son with great tenderness.
Eventually Nick managed to say, "can...can I touch you?"
Tom Barkley held out his arms, "I'd be hurt and disappointed if you didn't
Son."
Nick reached wordlessly for the father he adored and felt himself enfolded in
those strong arms, it brought back powerful memories of past times and tears
pricked the backs of his eyelids, squeezing out of his closed eyes and rolling
unheeded down his face. Tom hugged Nick for long seconds then held him at arms
length and smiled gently at his distressed son.
Tom brushed tears from Nick's lean cheeks, "my Nicholas, what a fine man
you've become, I always thought you would, if I managed not to murder you when
you were growing up!"
Nick managed a shaky laugh, "I never thought I'd see you again Sir."
"Just this once Nick, this will never happen again, but I had to see you
and talk to you, just this once."
Nick shook his head, "I don't understand father."
"I wanted to tell you something and to answer a question for you Son,
something you've had buried deep in your gut for far too many years now."
"What did you want to tell me Father?"
"I wanted to tell you that I'm very proud of you Nick, I love the man that
you've become, just as I loved the boy that you once were. When I was looking
down that gun barrel and I knew my life was over, I hoped you and Jarrod could
cope with taking everything over, but deep inside I knew that you could."
Nick laughed and shook his head, "well Jarrod did, I just trailed along
behind is all."
Tom gripped his son's arms hard, "no Nicholas, that's the question you've
carried around in your heart all these years, the question I've come to
answer."
"Sir?"
"You've always wondered whether you measured up to your brother in my
eyes, it's a question you never voice to another living soul, but it's one that
you ask yourself all the time, isn't it Nick?"
Nick didn't reply, but his vulnerable hazel eyes betrayed the truth of the
ghost's words.
Tom Barkley took his son's face between his hands, "I understand your
feelings, Jarrod was always so clever, right from a little boy, but Jarrod
isn't you Nick and he never could be. From the day of your birth, you were the
blessing of my life, my companion, my friend, my beloved son. I couldn't be
prouder of you my Nicholas, believe it!"
The ghost was gone on the final word, leaving Nick alone on the path, the warm
imprint of his father's hands still on his face. Nick whispered, "goodbye
Father," in a broken voice and turned away to find his horse. He took big
Duke's reins in his shaking hands and swiftly mounting, he rode forward along
the path, from which all trace of the mist had now cleared.
THE END