by Livvie
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.
Prologue
Dreams, everyone has them, only sometimes no one can
understand just why. That was just 15 year-old Brittany's problem. The same
dream occurred every night about someone in her life. She had never met him, as
she couldn't figure out his name or anything, but yet she recognized him. She
had told her mother about this once, but she just laughed and said it was all
ridiculous. But Brittany couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't telling her
something.
Her Mother was a real piece of work, unpredictable and strange. She could be
calm and sweet as a summer breeze on moment, and dark and dangerous as a
hurricane the next. As for her Father? He was another story, she had never met
him. According to her Mother, he had never even known she existed as he left
before she was born.
To Brittany this didn't seem fair, here she was in the most boring place in
California, possibly the world, twenty dollars to her name, no job and no
Father. Adding to the fact that she was illegitimate just made matters worse.
She no friends because of that very reason, people in Strawberry weren't very
friendly. She longed for the day when she could leave this dustbowl, she also
wished her Father was there. Her life was just so unfair.
****
She lay awake staring at the ceiling again that night. She had had the dream
again, and she was so sick of it. What she really wanted was to discover the
meaning of it, and if she was really brave, find her Father. Then an idea
popped into her head, and a slow smile spread across her face at the thought of
her own cleverness. She would just travel until she found him, maybe he could
help her with her dreams. She leapt out of her bed and threw on some clothes.
She didn't own a dress and had never worn one, and wouldn't if she could
possibly help it. Unless it was a suit, if I boy wore it, so did she. Jeans,
vests, long sleeved shirts, etcetera.
She pocketed a picture of her and her Mother together that was just taken last
year. One of the only ones that she had. She then tip-toed into the kitchen to
sack some food for the trip. She didn't bother to write a note telling where
she was going, she didn't want anyone out looking for her, besides, her
handwriting was messy anyway.
She didn't have a horse so she walked. It was November and very cold, but
fortunately for her there wasn't any snow. The moon lit the path with an eerie
glow as she trudged past the deserted streets. Just as the first signs of dawn
appeared over the horizon she came to the first road sign. An arrow pointed
behind her towards Strawberry. She knew what was back there, and it was nothing
she wanted. The other arrow pointed right toward Stockton. She turned right.
She didn't know what was in store for her in Stockton, but it couldn't be any
worse than Strawberry. Could it?
The sun was high overhead when Brittany arrived in
Stockton, and her shirt was soaked through with sweat. She was incredibly
thirsty, all her food was gone, and had been gone for hours now, and her
stomach rumbled fiercely. She quickly found herself somewhere to sit and cool
down. Outside of a saloon of course, but right now she didn't care.
A young man came stumbling out of the saloon doors, stopping when he saw the
tired figure.
"What have we here?" he asked eagerly.
"What are you staring at you pig?" she croaked. Her throat was dry
but there was no mistaking her annoyance. However it was a huge mistake on her
part.
"You ever get arrested for impersonating a guy?" he slurred.
"No, you?" she sneered, after all, enough was enough. She got up and started
to leave when he grabbed her arm.
"You have exactly one second to get your tentacles off of me," she
said, her voice low.
"Come on now sweetheart, don't be a brat," he challenged pulling her
closer.
"Maybe I didn't make myself clear, LET ME GO!!!!" with her free arm
she backhanded him across the face and took off before he could catch her
again.
****
She knew he wasn't behind her, yet she kept on running, she needed to run. She
didn't even notice where she was going until she crashed head first into a man
that was coming out of a building. He grabbed her arms to steady her.
"Whoa there miss, are you alright?"
"LET ME GO!!!!" she screeched, she was still more than a little
spooked.
"Hey, easy, I was just trying to help, unless you wanted me to let you
fall."
She relaxed and smiled, a little sheepishly at her rudeness.
"I'm sorry sir, I just had a little trouble back there is all."
The man eyed her sleeve, it was ripped.
"You call that a 'little' trouble?" he asked suspiciously.
She followed his gaze.
"Well what do you know? I didn't even notice it until just now."
"Obviously."
"Look Mr....."
"Jarrod Barkley, attorney at law."
"A lawyer? Well aren't we special? Mr. Barkley, I'm just passing through.
I just need a good night's sleep and a bite to eat. After that I'll be
gone."
"Look Miss, if you don't mind my asking, how old are you?"
"Fifteen. Why?"
"Fifteen, now you probably don't want my opinion but I think that is way
to young to be traveling on your own."
"You're right, I don't want your opinion."
Jarrod smiled.
"Why are you traveling?" he asked.
"Look, I've had a very hard life, I figure if I find my Father it might
change a few things."
"Well family is very important."
"Yes it is."
"Who was your father?"
"I don't know, he left before I was born, didn't even know I
existed."
"That sounds familiar."
"Yeah right, listen I gotta go."
"Wait, if you're looking for somewhere to stay, I can arrange it for
you."
"And where would this place be?"
"The Barkley ranch."
"YOUR place, sorry I don't think..."
"Oh, no it's not like that, my family lives there too, my Mother, Brothers
and sister."
"Sounds like a full house."
"There's plenty of room, and as long as my sister isn't cooking it's a
pretty safe bet."
"Look, I'm poor."
"What of it?"
"I don't take charity."
"It's not charity, it would just make me feel better if I knew you were
safe. You never know what could happen."
"Oh that makes me feel a so much better," she said sarcastically.
"You really shouldn't be out alone."
"You're not the first person who's ever told me that. And I think for an
expensive lawyer you give out some pretty cheap advice."
"Well, you're not the first person, who's ever told ME that. Let me make
you a deal. alright? I'll give you money for your stay in town tonight. In
exchange, you'll work for me in my office."
"I don't know anything about being a lawyer."
"You don't have to. Now do we have a deal?" he held out his hand to
her.
She hesitated before shaking it.
"Deal."
"Now before I trust you, I'm going to need some information,"
Jarrod said.
"You are? Like what?" Brittany asked.
"Oh, I don't know, your name, and where you came from."
"Okay, but stop being sarcastic, that's my job and you're not good at
it."
Jarrod looked at her pointedly.
"Alright already, enough with the evil eye, my name is Brittany
Carter."
"Alright then Brittany, where are you from?"
She shifted uncomfortably, and kicked a patch of dirt.
"Do you really need to know that?"
"Yes."
"Geez, you're worse then my mama. I'm from Strawberry alright? Now are you
satisfied?"
"Strawberry? What a coincidence, that's where my brother's from."
"Oh. la dee da, that's just so great isn't it? And I'll bet he was just as
anxious to get out of there as I was."
"More or less. Now listen, I need to get home, are you sure you don't want
to come?"
"Yes," she said flatly.
"Suit yourself," and with that he climbed on Jingo and rode away.
****
When Jarrod finally arrived, everyone else was already eating.
"Hello everyone, sorry I'm late," he apologized taking his place.
"Don't worry Jarrod," Victoria reassured.
"Really, I apologize, I had a situation in town."
"What did you do? Rescue a damsel in distress?" Nick asked.
"Well Brother Nick, if that's the way you want to put it, yes I did."
"Who was it this time? Cinderella or Snow White?" Heath teased.
"Cute. For your information Brother Heath, it was a teenager. She was
being hassled and crashed into me while she was making her escape."
"A teenager huh? A little young for you don't you think Jarrod?"
"Oh come off it Nick, all I did was give her a little money for food and a
place to sleep in exchange for a little work at the office."
"So what's her name?" Audra asked, curiosity piqued.
"Brittany Carter, and believe it or not Heath, she's
from Strawberry."
Heath choked.
"Strawberry? You're kidding right?"
"No, in fact, her story is similar to yours."
"What do you mean?"
"You know, father left, never knew she existed."
"You're right it does sound kinda like me," then under his breath he
added, "A lot
like me."
Part 3
Brittany sat playing with her food in the town restaurant, only her thoughts to
keep her company. That fancy pants lawyer must
have thought I looked a sight, shirt all ripped, I probably looked like the
town drunk.
However, she did use some of the money he gave her to
buy a shirt and pants. And she still had plenty of money left over for dinner
and a motel room across the street. She couldn't believe that she had to stay
in town for several days. She guessed she should be grateful she wasn't out on
the street tonight, but even as she turned out the light in her room to go to
bed that night, she was scared. The last thing she thought before she fell
asleep, was that she hoped she would survive working for Jarrod Barkley the
next morning.
****
She woke up just as the sun was rising. She figured she would clean herself up,
after all, Jarrod wanted her help, not her smell. After her bath she wrung out
her hair and piled it under her hat so it would stay out of her face. She
didn't care HOW much it made her look like a boy. When she was ready around 9
in the morning she walked down the street to his office and knocked. He answered,
and after a greeting ushered her inside. She let out a low whistle.
"Nice office you got here," she admonished.
"It's not that big a deal," he said modestly.
"Whatever, can we just get this over with so I can leave? What do you want
me to do?"
"Just filing if that's okay?"
"Yeah fine."
****
Several hours later she was still working, she had seen so many names and such
that if she saw one again she swore she would throw up, and her back was stiff.
Finally she had the last one put away and she went into the main office.
"I'm done Mr. Barkley, is there any other torture you want to put me
through?"
"Yes actually," he said reaching under his desk and producing another
large stack of files. "You can file these."
She slapped a hand to her forehead, and reluctantly made her way toward the
stack of files. She heaved them off the desk and glared at Jarrod.
"Oh you're just loving this aren't you?" she asked, dripping with
sarcasm.
He just winked.
****
Halfway through the stack she stopped to rub her eyes. After today , if she
never saw another file, it would be too soon. A door opened and shut loudly, causing
her to jump about a foot in the air. A tall man with dark hair and a leather
vest marched in.
"JARROD!!! ARE YOU HERE, JARROD!!!" then he noticed Brittany.
"Oh, I'm sorry fella, did I scare ya?"
She shrugged and turned back to her work.
"What's your name boy?"
She ignored him.
"You hear me boy? I asked you something."
She turned around and glared at him. She removed her hat and her blonde hair
spilled out and cascaded down her shoulders, his jaw dropped.
"You're a girl?"
"Bingo. And how long did it take your one brain cell to figure that one
out?"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, unless you're as deaf as you are stupid."
"Now wait just a minute missy, I don't wanna fight with you. You look like
you could use some help."
"Sure you can help me," she said sweetly," by shutting that hole
you call a mouth!"
Nick was starting to lose his temper.
"You know I never hit a girl, but I think in your case I can make an
exception."
"Go ahead, knock yourself out, before I do it for you."
"Why you...."he said moving toward her, temper flaring.
She moved back fists held out, ready to strike if necessary. Fortunately for
Nick, Jarrod walked in just then.
"Brittany, how are the files coming?"
"Fine, now if tall dark and handsome over there would go away it would be
just perfect."
"Whoa, THIS is Brittany, Jarrod you didn't say she was a vixen."
She took a step toward him but Jarrod put a restraining hand on her shoulder.
"Brittany this is my BROTHER, Nick."
"HE'S your brother?"
"Yes."
"Boy Howdy do I feel sorry for you!"
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Nick asked.
"Well you might have got that if your brain wasn't pea sized."
Jarrod stared at her, something suddenly clicked, she looked so familiar.
"Brittany, what did you just say?"
"I said I was sorry that you're related to this ape."
"No, you said 'boy howdy'."
"Yeah … so? I always say
that."
"You look familiar, like someone I know, are you sure you don't know who
your father is?"
"Isn't that what I told you?"
"Jarrod did I miss something?" Nick asked puzzled.
"You mean to tell me you don't know anything about your father?"
"What does he have to do with anything?"
"ANSWER ME!!!!" Jarrod was starting to lose his patience,
"Just his initials."
"Jarrod what is going on?" Nick asked again
"What are they Brittany?"
"You're starting to scare me Mr. Barkley, but if it will make you feel
better, his initials were H.B."
"H.B.? As in Heath Barkley?"
"Wait a minute Jarrod what are you implying?" Nick asked, he was
losing patience too.
"I don't know! Leave me alone!" She ran but Nick grabbed her arm. She
whirled around lifting her leg to connect hard with his stomach. Nick doubled
over. She left.
"Jarrod what was that all about?" he grunted.
"I'm not sure."
"What do you mean you're not sure? You started it!"
"I have a bad feeling Nick, in the pit of my stomach."
"Does it hurt as bad as mine?"
Brittany sat hunched in the corner of her room. She had a
lot to think about, it's not that she wanted to, but know matter how hard she
tried her mind kept wandering back to it. Could Heath Barkley really be her
father? Was it just a coincidence they had both came from Strawberry? These
questions and more raced through her mind at maximum speed.
Jarrod Barkley seemed to think so, he was the one who had jumped on her about
it after all. Nick of course, was clueless, it's
amazing he can even dress himself, she thought,
amused in spite of herself. This was weird, but the worry that Jarrod might be
right introduced her to more questions, questions that made her both scared and
angry. Why didn't he stick around to make sure that Mama wasn't pregnant? And
if he knew, why didn't he stick around to watch her grow up? Why didn't he at
least visit?
A knock at the door interrupted her train of thought.
"Who is it?" she asked more irritably than she had meant to.
"Jarrod Barkley."
"What do you want?" her eyes narrowed at the door.
"I want to talk to you."
"Go away."
"Brittany, may I please come in?"
"Why? So you can treat me like one of your clients and yell at me?"
"I don't yell."
"And your brother Nick is a gentleman," she shot back.
She could hear Jarrod sigh.
"I'm sorry I put you on the spot, now may I please
come in?"
"You just don't know when to go away do ya?" she muttered under her
breath.
She went to the door and opened it for him.
"You could have come in anyway, it was unlocked."
"Now what kind of manners would I have if I had done that?"
"The same as your brother's."
He smiled.
"You're not going to kick me are you?"
"No, I'll save those for your brother."
"That's not funny."
"I wasn't joking."
He figured it was fairly safe so he decided to start up a conversation, leading
up to what he wanted to talk to her about.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Thinking."
"About what I said?"
"Why not? It's not everyday I get questioned about my father by a
lawyer."
"Can you at least stop being sarcastic for one minute?"
"ME? Sarcastic? Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Oh I don't know, I wonder."
"Fine, hurry up with your sermon and then get out."
"I didn't come to preach, I came to ask you a question."
"About my father?"
"More or less. I want to know why you left Strawberry."
"I don't understand why that's any of your affair."
"I'm just curious."
"Okay fine, ever since I was little I've had bad dreams about someone in
my life, his face never came into focus, still don't. But I figured it had to
be my daddy. I figured the dream was telling me to get out of there and come
looking for him. Heck of a lot of good it did me."
"So you just left your mother behind?"
"It's not like she would have cared even if I had."
"And how do you know that?"
She gave him a withering look as if to tell him to lay off the subject.
"Alright, but if you were given the opportunity to see him right now,
would you?"
"If you'd have asked me that when I first come here I might have said yes,
but now I'm not sure if I should bother."
"That's not true, your actions tell me otherwise."
"Could you stop speaking lawyer gibberish for one minute and speak English?"
"English like…?"
"Mine."
"Oh, you mean talkin' like this? Is that what you s'pose I should be
talkin' like?"
"That's not funny, I don't talk like that."
"You be sure on that?"
"Stop that, you're scaring me."
"Your only option is lawyer gibberish."
"I'll live."
Jarrod grinned.
"Look, it's pretty cold in this motel, are you sure you don't want to come
to the ranch, the offer is still open."
"You're not going to leave me alone on that are you?"
"No."
"Alright, fine."
She headed out the door.
"By the way, I want to thank you, for helping me out yesterday."
"Don't Worry about it."
"Did we just come dangerously close to a friendly conversation."
"Yes, I think we did."
"But don't think I'm going to be any nicer to your brother."
****
Jarrod and Brittany walked back toward the office, Nick was still there.
"Mr. Barkley? What is he
still doing here?"
"You're sharing horses."
"We're WHAT!!! Oh no, I'll take my chances with the freezing hotel."
He grabbed her hand before she could leave.
"It's not that bad."
"And snakes don't bite either."
"Jingo isn't good at riding double, you're going to have to ride with Nick
on Coco."
"That's it, you've lost your mind! I would rather be thrown off before
riding behind him!"
"Just climb on behind him, it won't be that bad."
"Uh-huh."
Still, she climbed up, she was pleased to note Nick didn't look too happy about
her riding with him either. Jarrod climbed up on Jingo and they were off.
"Now Nick, if you happen to see any women, don't go near them, we don't
need you making a jackass out of yourself again today." Jarrod told his
brother.
"Kinda hard to make a jackass out of a jackass isn't it?"
"Need I remind you who's sitting in the back
of the horse?" Nick threatened.
She kept her mouth shut.
****
It was getting dark when they finally arrived at the ranch, and to her
pleasure, a gentle snow was beginning to fall. But when she saw the house she
gasped.
"Oh wow, it's fancier than your office," she told Jarrod.
"It's nothing."
"You know I wish you would STOP saying that."
****
They entered the house, and she stood there drinking in her surroundings. She
suddenly felt very small. Two women came out of the parlor and hugged Jarrod
and Nick.
"Hello lovely lady, how were things today?" Jarrod asked Victoria.
"Same as always."
Brittany noticed that the younger of the two was staring at her, so she
pointedly stared back until she looked away.
"Who's this Jarrod?"
"This is the girl I told you about at dinner yesterday Audra. This is
Brittany Carter."
"Well hello."
"Hi," no sarcastic remarks about Audra's clothes, she didn't want to make
a bad impression already. She would wait till later for that, if she had too.
"So you're Brittany?" Victoria greeted warmly.
"Yes ma'am."
"Well I'm Victoria Barkley, and this is Audra, Jarrod and Nick you've
already met, and I hope my son was polite," she said with a pointed gaze
at Nick. "The only one left is..."
A man came in just then, he was tall with blonde hair, and his cheeks were red
from the weather. Brittany caught a good look at his face and then gasped,
clapping a hand to her mouth before letting out a muffled scream. Five heads
looked at her alarmed.
"Brittany what's the matter?" Jarrod asked.
Her mind flashed back to her dream, this time a face came into focus, the blond
man's. She felt sick, everything was spinning, she was getting hot, the room
was too small. She felt her knees turn to water as she blacked out. She was
only vaguely aware of someone catching her.
Brittany could hear voices all around her, she knew she was
unconscious yet she didn't want to wake up, she wanted to believe this whole
thing was a bad dream. But the coldness that kept hitting her cheeks every few
seconds demanded otherwise. She opened her eyes and looked up into a set of
deep blue eyes, for an instant she felt safe, until she realized who they
belonged to that is. The blond man was the one who had caught her, the whole
incident played back to her in entirety. She screamed and broke away from him,
moving back against the stairs.
"Well I know I just came from outside but I can't say I smell that bad,"
he said.
"Brittany what's the matter with you?" Jarrod asked.
"Who's a jackass now?" Nick said.
"NICK!!!" she heard Victoria say.
"Sorry Mother," he apologized.
"I'll bet," Audra muttered under her breath.
"I heard that!"
"ENOUGH EVERYONE!!!!" Victoria shouted, silencing everyone. She
walked up to where Brittany was cowering.
"What's the matter honey?"
"I...I....," she stammered. She got very nervous, she didn't know
what to say. How would she describe it?
"You what?"
"I...I'm fine, it was just...what he said, yeah that's it." she said
pointing at Heath.
They all exchanged glances of concern, Nick started to say something, but was
silenced by a stern look from Victoria, they would not question her about it.
"Are you hungry?" She asked Brittany changing the subject.
Brittany nodded.
"Well come on, supper is on the table."
"You cook?" Brittany was amazed that someone in this big a house
would bother to cook anything.
"No actually, Audra did."
The three brothers groaned in unison, she didn't know what that was about, but
she guessed she would find out.
****
She piled her plate with food and began to take the first bite. She noticed
that Jarrod, Heath, and Nick were all staring at her expectantly. She lifted
the fork to her mouth and took a bite. An assortment of flavors hit her taste
buds but they were all anything but delicious, she gagged. Audra did not notice
this and asked :
"How is it?"
She reluctantly swallowed, and nodded.
"Oh it's....great," she said. For
garbage. she thought.
Heath was trying hard not to laugh, but from the look on his face he had
probably already cracked a few ribs from his effort.
"So, what's it like in Strawberry nowadays Brittany?" Victoria asked.
"Boring, it couldn't wait to leave."
"How long will you be in town?"
"I'm not sure, depends on how many FILES Mr. Barkley has," she
gestured toward Jarrod.
"Oh, in that case you may never leave," Audra cracked.
"If you don't want to work on files Brittany, I'm sure Nick or Heath could
find you something around here to do." Jarrod offered.
"Oh really? That would just be SO wonderful," she said. I'd
rather kill myself them work with Nick everyday.
She thought.
"Ya know, we could be usin' some more help in the stable," Heath
said.
Finally! The silent man speaks!
she thought. She could be sarcastic around the women but she could at least
THINK about it.
****
After dinner she went straight up to the room they designated that she could
use. It was bigger than she was used to, and she felt out of place. She was
used to sleeping outside or in small rooms like in Stockton. But she guessed
she would survive.
She liked Mrs. and Audra Barkley, they were really nice to her, unless the food
she had just ate was a sign of dislike. Nick she hated passionately, Jarrod was
alright, she would prefer he didn't use such big words though. As for Heath?
She was still embarrassed by the incident downstairs. The things Jarrod had
said had probably started her thinking about it and made her think about the
dream with his face, that had to be it. Right?
****
Heath entered the stable, it was still early, and somewhat dark inside, but he
liked to get an early start. He sat down on a hay bale so he could think for a
minute, or more like two seconds.
"OW!!!!" a voice cried out.
He jumped up like a jack-in-the box.
"Who's there?"
"Brittany."
"Boy howdy Brittany! What are ya tryin' to do! Give me a heart
attack?!"
"I'm sorry alright? I was just tryin' to get some sleep, I can sleep in
that big bedroom."
"Oh, sorry."
"No, problem, I'll just be goin', I'm goin' to get outta your way now,"
and she left before he could say anything else.
In the light he could make out a small square on the hay. He picked it up, it
was a picture. A picture of a small girl and a woman. Heath's blood went cold,
he knew the woman. She was the only person besides him who knew something about
his past that he wanted to forget. Something that happened fifteen years ago.
"Oh no," he breathed.
Part 6
Brittany thought she was about to throw up, she had never
smelled anything so bad. She had cleaned up all the other horse stalls already,
but Coco's was by far the worst. She did NOT want to clean it. It was
NICK"S horse. But she would do it anyway. Just her luck, Nick came in the
stable just then.
"BRITTANY!!!!!" he bellowed.
"OVER HERE!!!" she called back.
He came marching over to where she was cleaning.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying not to die."
"It's not that bad."
"Wanna bet? Hey this is your horse right?"
"Yeah."
"You take full responsibility right?"
"Yeah so?"
"So here, start shoveling," she held the shovel out to him.
"Oh no, this is your job, you can't slack off, this is a working
ranch!"
"I thought it was worth a shot."
"Uh-huh. Lunch is ready, are you coming inside?"
"No, I'll stay out here, and why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because if I did half the things I wanted to do to you I would be thrown
in jail."
"That won't be as bad as where I'm going to throw you," she snapped.
His face got red, she could tell he was getting mad. He stalked off without
saying another word, and she laughed.
"What's so funny?"
She turned around startled, Heath was looking at her VERY curiously.
"Mr. Barkley, you scared me."
"I figured that, sorry if I scared ya this mornin' too."
"Don't worry about it, just I'm if you're going to sit on me would you
mind not picking the hand? I need my hand."
Heath grinned slightly and then shifted nervously.
"Brittany can I talk to ya about somethin'?"
"Depends, what do ya want?"
"You left this in the barn this mornin'," he held up the picture and
she snatched it out of his hand before he could blink. Cramming it into her
pocket she continued to work.
"You're welcome."
She stopped to look at him.
"Sorry, you weren't s'posed to find that picture, that's my mama and me a
few years ago."
"No Daddy?"
She shook her head.
"Ya know, the way Nick described ya, I expected a real brat, after all ya
did kick him."
"Yeah, and he's lucky I didn't decide to kick him somewhere else
too."
Heath tried to hide a laugh.
"Brittany can I tell ya somethin'?"
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
"It's about your mama."
"What about her?"
"I just want you to know, I'm sorry for all the pain I caused just up and
leaving like that, before knowin' there mighta been a baby."
She laughed, a little too hysterically.
"That's funny! That's real funny!!! You actually expect me to believe you're
my Daddy! That's good."
"I ain't jokin', why would I?"
She was still giggling.
"You couldn't be him, you're too nice."
"I've improved since then."
"No, you can't be, it's not true, it couldn't be."
"It is."
Her eyes went dark.
"No, you're not, you can't be there is no way."
She started to back away. He came closer with every step she took.
"Her name was Carol Carter."
"No!"
Her parents were William and Nancy Carter."
"NO!!!"
"We met in Strawberry while I was away, 15 years ago."
"STOP IT!!!!"
"We made a mistake that I regret, and always will."
"no, No, NO, NO, NO!!!"
"Brittany..."
"LIAR!!!! YOU'RE LYING!!!!! STOP IT!!!!!"
She ran out of the barn leaving him behind. She rushed in the door, up the
stairs, and into her room. The door slammed shut behind her and she slid to the
floor, tears streaming down her cheeks.
****
When Brittany had come in, she had passed Silas, who was just dusting in the
parlor. Heath came in shortly after her.
"Mr. Heath what jus' happened?"
"Where is everyone?"
"Eatin' lunch..."
"Thank you."
Heath brushed past him and into the dining room. Everyone was sitting down
enjoying their food.
"Well it's about time!!!" Nick said.
"We need to talk," Heath said hurriedly.
"We're eating lunch!" Nick protested.
"You need to skip a few meals anyway, this can't wait."
"What is this about Heath?" Victoria asked.
"It's about Brittany."
"HER!!! We're interrupting our meal for that brat?"
"NICK!!!" Victoria warned sharply.
"I know who her father is."
"Oh that's nice, can I finish my food now?"
"Shuddup Nick!!!"
"That's enough both of you!!!" Victoria interrupted before it could
get into later rounds.
"Who is it Heath?" Audra asked.
"It's me."
As if on a timer, three jaws dropped in shock.
Brittany guessed that with all the yelling going on
downstairs, Heath had told the rest of the family what he had told her. She
also guessed because Nick was the only one yelling. It was funny, she had
started this whole thing because she wanted to find her father, now that she
apparently had, she didn't want to believe it. Much as she hated to admit it,
Jarrod had been right. But she couldn't stay here, no. She guessed that
everything had been alright for the Barkleys until she had showed up. She would
have to leave.
****
"YOU'RE WHAT!!!!" Nick bellowed at his younger brother. "YOU
CAN'T HONESTLY TELL ME THAT THAT...THING UP THERE IS YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!!"
"I can't honestly say I ain't either," Heath countered.
"HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!!?"
Heath shifted uncomfortably.
"NO!!! Don't answer that!!!!!"
"Well you asked."
"Forget what I asked. How about putting it this way; HAVE YOU COMPLETELY
LOST YOUR MIND!!!! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!!!!"
"That's just it Nick, when this happened I wasn't thinking. I was young,
stupid, you know."
"NO, I don't know!!!! SHE IS FIFTEEN, THAT WOULD HAVE MADE YOU TWENTY-SIX
WHEN THIS WHOLE THING STARTED!!!"
"Congratulations Nick, you know your math."
"SHUT-UP HEATH!!!!DID WERE YOU EVER GOING TO TELL US ABOUT THIS LITTLE
DETAIL, THAT ONLY MAYBE WE
WANTED TO KNOW!!!!"
"I didn't even know Brittany existed until yesterday!!!"
"Convenient," Nick finally stopped shouting, "Now you can truly
call yourself Tom Barkley's son!!!"
"NICK!!!!" Victoria reprimanded.
"I'm finished mother!!!!!"
Nick, fuming, stalked out of the room. Audra, just as angry, followed after
him. Heath looked toward Victoria half expecting her to leave too. But instead
she addressed him.
"You know Heath, I am very disappointed, I would have thought you had
learned from your Father's mistakes. I don't know what you were thinking.
However, Brittany is our main concern. You need to go up and talk to her."
'I can't."
"And why in Heaven's name can't you."
"She won't listen."
"Well if I were her I probably wouldn't listen to you either, but you're
going to have to try."
"He can save his breath Mrs. Barkley, I'm leaving."
They both turned to see Brittany come down the stairs, a sack slung over her
shoulder. Heath decided to give it a shot.
"And where do ya think you're going young lady?"
"Don't 'young lady' me. You weren't a father to me for fifteen years, and
don't try to be one now," her tone was as chilly as her stare.
"Just listen to me!!!" he yelled annoyed.
"WHY SHOULD I!!!!!" she shouted back.
"BECAUSE I"M YOUR FATHER!!!!"
"AND I SAY YOU'RE A LOAD OF BULL THAT NEEDS TO GET OUT OF MY
FACE!!!!"
Heath took a deep breath and tried again.
'Please...just listen for one second."
"One second, bye."
"YOU'RE NOT LEAVING!!!!"
"I HATE YOU!!!! JUST BECAUSE YOU JUST FOUND OUT YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER DOES
NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO PUSH ME AROUND LIKE ONE OF YOUR RANCH HANDS!!!"
And with that she spun on her heel and slammed the door behind her. Heath let
out an annoyed sigh.
"That went well."
"Heath Barkley, you need to go after her."
"You heard her just now Mother! She's stubborn, disrespectful and
she's..."
"A lot like you when you first got here," Victoria interrupted.
"Yeah a lot like...hey whaddya mean?"
"Heath Barkley you know full well what I meant. I think right now, you
know what you did, and you also know she's just like you, and it's scaring you.
Because you don't want her to be, but I'm sorry, we don't always get what we
want."
"Mother...."
"GO after HER!!!"
I can't."
****
Brittany fumed all the way down the path leading her away from the ranch. She
was so angry, but hurt more than anything. Her life was just so unfair she
could scream!
A rustling sound in the distance caught her attention and she froze.
"Is anybody there?" she asked timidly to the open air.
In response, a wave of pain ripped through the back of her neck, and she felt
herself falling, until she felt nothing at all.
Brittany awoke in a strange room with a throbbing
headache. Nothing looked familiar, nothing. She mentally tried to piece
together what had happened but stopped because it made her head escalate from a
throb to a split. A tall brunette woman entered the room and went to the
confused teenager. She wrapped her arms around her.
"Oh Kayla, thank God you're alive!!!" the woman exclaimed.
Brittany was now officially beyond confusion, what was going on?
"Who's Kayla?" she asked dumbfounded.
The woman released her grasp and smoothed Brittany's hair.
"You are silly, don't you remember your name?"
Brittany frowned and flopped back on the bed.
"No, no I don't remember anything."
"Well that was quite a fall you had on your horse, you're lucky you
survived."
"Look lady, could you cut the sappy stuff and tell me who you are?"
Brittany may not remember much, but still had her attitude.
"Of course I can."
"WHO?" Brittany was getting really irritated.
"I'm your mother."
****
Heath sat on a bale of hay thinking. His mother's words kept gnawing at his
conscience. "Go After Her," she had said. Heath scoffed, easier said
then done. Brittany no doubt hated him. The sound of approaching hooves broke
his train of thought and he saw Nick glaring at him disapprovingly.
"What are you doing?" He asked icily.
"Just thinkin'," Heath replied.
"This is a working ranch!"
"Who cares?" he shot back, he had heard that enough times that he had
lost count.
"Would you care to say that again?" Nick asked, voice dangerous.
"Nick, I don't have time to argue with you."
"You got time if I say you do!"
"You may be my brother but you don't rule me. I have somewhere else to be
right now."
"And where's that? Strawberry? You gonna go get another woman pregnant are
you?"
That hit a nerve, but Heath decided to ignore that remark.
"No, I'm going to go look for Brittany." His tone was frosty.
"Oh? Did she leave? I guess she figured out that she didn't belong here
after all."
Heath froze, that was it, enough was enough. He turned to face his brother.
"SHUT UP NICK!!!!"
"Whoa whoa back up, you wanna say that again?"
"I will if I have to. Fifteen years ago I made a mistake and now I'm
paying for it. But Boy Howdy if you say one more thing about my daughter I'll
slug ya!"
"Well now, don't get a burr under your saddle," Nick said quickly,
sensing he had gone too far.
"Oh it's gone way past a burr Nick."
"I just don't understand why you gotta go through all this trouble."
"I lost my daughter once because I wasn't there for her, I ain't about to
lose her again."
Nick threw up his hands in a defeated gesture.
"Alright, if it means that much to you, when Jarrod gets home, we can all
go look together."
Heath nodded, he could really use the help.
****
"I'm sorry, I still don't understand all this." Brittany told the
woman.
"Don't worry it will all make sense eventually." She reassured her.
"I just wish it would NOW!!!"
"Be patient."
"That is not my strong point."
"Well at lest you remembered that," the woman teased.
"Oh shut up."
"Now is that anyway to talk to your mother?"
"Sorry, but until I get my memory back can I just call you by your first
name?"
"Sure, just call me Tracy."
"No problem."
"Now Kayla, I'm going to get you some soup, and then we can head to
work."
"Work? I have a job?"
"Yes, me and you work together in the Stockton saloon."
"Saloon? We're saloon girls?" somehow she had some trouble believing
this.
"Uh-huh, I'm going to get your food now."
Tracy stood up and disappeared into the hallway. She really regretted doing this
to the kid, but she had to get even with Heath Barkley somehow. And using her
sister's and his daughter was the best way to do it. Carol died from a broken
heart, and she would not let that go, never.
****
Brittany buried her face in her hands. All these questions swirled through her
head. Could she trust Tracy? Was there a reason why she shouldn't? Was there a
reason that she should? Would this woman have a reason to lie to her? If so,
why? It made her sick to her stomach, so she stopped thinking. She would just
have to go along with it and hope and pray that her memory returned.
"Hey Heath, what do you say we stop and rest the
horses?" Jarrod asked a few hours later.
"Might as well," he agreed reluctantly.
The three brother's dismounted without saying a word. Nick still acted like he
would rather be someplace else, but didn't say anything because of his brother.
"You know, I think we should head back toward Stockton, we're not going to
find her tonight. Then we can start a fresh search in the morning." Nick
offered.
"How about we just call off the whole thing? We probably won't find her at
all," Heath said.
"Whoa now, you wait just a minute! Don't tell me you're giving up!"
"Nick even if I did find her, she wouldn't want to listen to me. Mother
was wrong, I shouldn't have even tried in the first place."
"Now hold it just one minute Heath. Mother can be many things, but she
wasn't wrong about this," Jarrod defended.
"Maybe not, but I just don't know where to look."
"Look, Nick is right, we can start a fresh search in the morning. Right
now, I propose we head into Stockton and buy a few drinks."
"Alright fine," Heath agreed.
The three brothers climbed back onto their horses and headed off towards town,
unaware of what they would find when they arrived.
*****
Brittany fingered the soft ice blue fabric of her dress. Being she didn't
remember anything, she definitely didn't remember her hate for dresses. All she
knew was that she looked and felt like a prostitute. Tracy insisted that that
was ridiculous. Oh how she wished she had her memory back, it was practically
driving her insane. She didn't even know HOW to be a saloon girl. So during her
shift she just kept her head down and tried to ignore the degrading remarks.
Two hours later, Jarrod, Nick and Heath entered the saloon. Nick and Heath
found a table while Jarrod ordered the drinks. Brittany however was occupied
with another table and didn't notice.
****
"Kayla get over here now!" Tracy called.
Brittany knew better then to stall by now. She hurried over to her.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Do you see that table over there?" She asked pointing over to the
Barkley's table.
Brittany nodded.
"I'm supposed to serve them, but I'm a little tied up and I want you to
serve them for me."
Brittany reluctantly agreed. Tracy wore a smirk, she was dying to see Heath's
reaction when he saw his precious daughter. Brittany took the drinks over and
set them in front of the brothers. Only one of them looked up at her. Jarrod.
His eyes got as round as saucers.
"Brittany?" He said in a shocked whisper that made the other two look
up. In unison their jaws dropped open.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" She asked, she couldn't figure out
why they were looking at her like that.
"What do you think you're doing? And WHAT are you WEARING!?" Heath
asked in a mixture of different tones.
She regained her composure very quickly.
"Let me name three reasons why I'm not going to tell you. 1. My name is
Kayla, NOT Brittany. 2. I don't know you. and 3.I have work to do."
Heath grabbed her hand.
"Get your paws off of me!" she screeched.
Heath tightened his grip.
"WHAT do you MEAN you don't know me?"
"Look mister, you're really hurting me," she said with a wince.
"Let go of her Heath!" a forceful voice broke in, Tracy's.
"Tracey?!" Heath was puzzled. What was Carol's sister doing here?
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about this would you?"
Brittany picked this moment to free her hand and take off out the door.
"Excuse me but I must be going," Tracey said curtly. She turned and
followed Brittany's suit.
"Heath, what was THAT all about?" Jarrod asked.
"Something's wrong Jarrod, and I mean REALLY wrong."
****
After the incident in the saloon, Brittany had decided to go straight to sleep.
But she couldn't seem to, she tossed and turned. Heath's face kept flashing in
her mind, but she didn't know why. Suddenly she knew why, that man was her
father. Memories flooded her mind and she sat bolt upright. She leapt out of
bed. She had to go to him, right now. She got up and headed for the door.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Brittany froze as she heard a gun being cocked. She didn't even need a light to
know who that was.
Brittany turned around slowly to face the voice. A lantern
was lit to show Tracy with a gun aimed right at her.
"Um, did I miss something?" Brittany asked.
"Yes you did, I think I forgot to mention that if you step out that door you're
as good as dead," Tracy snapped.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Oh let's see, revenge for the death of my sister, need I say more?"
"And I fit into this how?"
"My sister was your Mother."
"Wait back up, she died?"
"Go figure."
"Oh my God, I..." Brittany's eyes welled up.
"Don't even start that. You killed her."
"Excuse me?"
"You left her. Don't you know how much that hurt her. As if she didn't
have enough pain already."
"You're referring to my...um...Heath Barkley aren't you?" even as she
was about to be shot, she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge herself as
Heath's daughter.
"Uh-huh. Don't you know what it was like for her, a single mother?"
"Well don't you know what it was like for me? An illegitimate
daughter?"
"Curb your tongue! My sister is dead, you soon will be, but first I'm
going to take care of your Father."
"He's not my Father!!!"
"Oh no, he is."
"Father's don't leave their families!" she protested.
"Daughter's don't leave their mother's either."
Brittany bit her lip. She sent up a silent prayer that everything would turn
out okay.
*****
"Heath wait up!!!!" Nick cried. After the scenario in the saloon
Heath had climbed on his horse without so much as an explanation.
Heath slowed Charger to a stop and looked back down the road where his
brother's were galloping hard to catch up.
"You mind telling us what that was all about?" Nick demanded when he
finally reached Heath.
"That was Brittany's aunt."
"Yeah so?"
"Boy Howdy Nick, don't you get it? She didn't even know us. I'll bet
anything that Tracy made her believe something else so she could get back at
me."
"Why would Tracy want to get back at you?" Nick asked.
Heath gave him a Look.
"Okay okay, sorry I asked."
"If I don't get there fast, who knows what might happen."
"Let it happen then."
"Nick have you gone completely loco? That is my daughter!"
"He's right Nick, we need to get to Brittany and fast. So swallow your
pride and let's go!"
"Hold it a minute, I am NOT prideful!."
"Yeah right. You're not loud either."
"Jarrod Nick can we please go!"
The other two snapped their attention back to the problem at hand and galloped
off, with Heath in the lead.
****
Brittany squeezed her eyes shut. This was a nightmare. She was being held
hostage by a sadistic aunt with a sure death sentence hanging over her head.
And she was absolutely positive that Heath wasn't coming for her.
"You know, in her letters, Carol always bragged on you, about how I would
love my niece."
Tears stung her eyes, the worst part about it all was that her other was dead.
But she put up her attitude and snapped back, "Sure you love me, as
BAIT!!!"
"You know, for a girl that's about to be an orphan you sure have a lot of
last words."
"As far as I'm concerned I already AM an orphan."
"Why won't you acknowledge Heath Barkley as your father anyway?"
"You know, for a killer, you sure aren't very smart," she shot back,
dripping sarcasm and hatred.
Tracy walked up to her niece and glared at her. Brittany glared back. A red hot
pain connected with her face as her aunt slapped her.
"Is that all you got?" Brittany asked angrily.
This enraged her aunt and she slapped her over and over increasing the force
and speed each time until it ended in fists. And yet, Brittany would not cry.
"I'm going to sleep," Tracy spat at her niece. "I'm going to
save my energy for your father."
As soon as Tracy left, the tears started, it was everything. The death of her
Mother, the hardships she had gone through these past few days concerning her
father. Losing her memory, getting it back only to be tied up, threatened and
beaten. She had been such an idiot about everything. She had known Heath was
her father, but because of her feelings, she didn't want to admit it. Now she
didn't care who knew, as long as she had him.
****
Each minute felt like an hour to her. She was cold, sore, tired, hungry, you
name it. A shuffling around the outside of the house caused her to look up. A
knock on the door.
"Brittany!!! Are you in there?"
Even Nick's loud voice sounded good to her right now.
"Here," her voice was horse.
An ear shattering crack erupted as the door swung open. Apparently, Nick was
stronger than she thought. All three brother's entered. Jarrod and Heath made a
beeline for her. Jarrod worked on the bonds around her wrists, Heath her feet.
Soon she was free.
"Brittany are you...."
But Heath couldn't finish his sentence. Brittany threw her arms around his
neck. Heath was surprised by this but he hugged her back. She began to sob into
his shirt, he tried to comfort her by smoothing her hair.
"I love you Daddy," she whispered, just loud enough for everyone to
hear.
Nick's eyebrows arched WAY up, and Jarrod smiled.
"I love you too," Heath replied.
"Come on let's get out of here," Jarrod said.
They all got up, well, Heath carried Brittany. And they headed for the door.
"Wait, you can't leave now, the fun has just begun," said a
sickeningly sweet voice.
Brittany knew what was about to happen, but she wouldn't let it if she could
possibly help it.
"Tracy what is your problem?" Brittany asked.
She was really starting to get mad.
"All four of you," her aunt replied.
"We didn't have anything to do with Mama dying. It was my fault, or my
Father's..."she paused to shoot a sideways glance at Heath, as if to say,
yes-I said-Father..."fault."
"Then whose was it?"
"I don't know, but killing us won't prove anything!!!"
"But it sure will make me feel better."
Heath opened his mouth to say something, but Brittany shot him a don't-you
say-a-word-I'm doing-this, look. He shut his mouth.
"You do know that you could go to JAIL, if you even shoot one of us. And I'm
sure if you kill Jarrod over there you would be locked up for years an' years
for killin' a lawyer."
Jarrod shifted uncomfortably.
"That a fact?"
Brittany nodded.
"Course then again, if you shot the giant over there," she gestured
toward Nick, "you would probably get a pardon."
"HEY!!!" Nick shouted.
"Shut up!!!" she whispered at him fiercely.
The other two brother's, in spite of everything, tried to stifle a laugh. Heath
knew what his daughter was doing, she was distracting Tracy, and hopefully trying
too possibly get them out of this. But the fact was, it was doing the opposite,
she was making the woman seriously mad.
"Course if you shoot my daddy I would just have to kill ya."
"Oh, of course HEATH gets stuck up for, I was the one who kicked the door down,"
she heard Nick grumble.
"And what if I shoot you?"
"Um...well...I...um..."Brittany was now very nervous, she hadn't
thought that far.
"Bye-bye sweetie," Tracy sneered and pulled the trigger. The bullet
hit, and Brittany hit the floor.
"Brittany!!!!" Heath went for his fallen daughter and the other
brothers took this opportunity to detain Tracy.
Nick held Tracy down and Jarrod went over to Heath and Brittany. She had her
head in his lap and clutched her right shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Jarrod asked.
"Okay as you can get for someone who was just shot I guess."
"You'll be alright," he assured.
"Yeah I guess." She looked up at her Father.
"I'm really sorry for some of the things that I said to you yesterday when
I left."
"You were angry, I don't blame ya," Heath smiled at his daughter. Her
eyes welled up.
"Hey hey, what's all this cryin' for?"
"I'm just really glad I found you."
"I'm glad you found me too. But for a minute there I thought I'd lost
ya'." He was referring to her being shot.
"Don't worry," she said with a smile. "This time I ain't leavin
without your permission."
****
Three days later, they were all back at the house. Brittany's arm had been
taken care of, and her and Nick were TRYING to get along. That morning she was
trying to get out of bed. The doctor had said at least two more days confined,
but so what?
Heath came in and saw her getting up.
"Brittany what do ya think you're doin'!!!! Get back in bed!!! The doctor
said..."
"To heck with what the doctor said, I want out of this room and
NOW!!!"
Heath had to smile, she sounded just like him. And if she was anymore like him
he would just give up right now and forget about trying to make her. A few
hours later at dinner, she joined them, and everyone was glad for her company.
She had been out with Heath all day and they hadn't seen her.
"Well now, glad to see you're on your feet," Nick acknowledged.
"Oh, I bet that was hard for you," she teased.
"What was?" he asked puzzled.
"Pretending that you have a heart."
Everyone laughed at Nick's expression. The food was served, beans, potatoes,
meat, and a variety of other things. Nick eyed the beans suspiciously.
"You didn't make these did you Heath?" he asked.
"No Big Brother I didn't."
Nick sighed and put a forkful in his mouth.
"Audra did."
Nick gagged, but tried to cover it up since his sister was present. Brittany
noticed that no one else put any beans on their plates. She was very amused at
Nick's discomfort and giggled. She caught her Heath's eye and he winked at her.
Things were going to turn out just fine.
THE END