Brotherhood (Part 6-C)

[sandymarek]

<p>

Jarrod, coming out of the Pinkerton’s Agency walks up the street and after making a quick trip to the telegraph office and finding there aren’t any wires for them crosses the street.

<p>

Entering his office he is greeted by his secretary who then asks “How are you this morning?” Replying “I’m doing fine” Jarrod then inquires “Anything new for me come in?”

Handing him letters that came and whatever she has in the file, “Just right here,” she informs him. As he takes them and is looking at them, Miss Haas informs him his brothers are inside waiting for him. Jarrod asks, “Which brother Nick or Gene?”

“Nick,” she answers, “He’s in there with the young man Heath that you brought in here with you last week.”

As he thanks her she says “He said he’s your brother” to which Jarrod replies “Yes, he’s correct. Excuse me” and with that he walks away from her and enters his private office taking the mail and files he has in his hands with him.

<p>

Seeing both Nick and Heath settled with Nick’s feet up on top of the corner of his desk, relaxed and Heath just sitting there quietly, Jarrod says, “Well Nick, Heath,” closing the door behind him, “What a nice surprise!”

“Yes,” Nick retorts, “I imagine it is.”

Jarrod then asks, “Are you relaxed there Brother Nick?”

Filing his nails with an emery board, “I believe so,” Nick comments.

“Just do me a favor,” Jarrod says, “Don’t scratch the corner of the desk up. This is a good piece of wood I don’t want any marks left on it.”

“Don’t worry” Nick replies “Nothing is gonna happen to your precious desk.”

“Good” Jarrod then asks “Well, what do I owe this visit? What brings you down this way?”

“We were in the neighborhood,” Nick states, “I had to get some more slats for the fence being put up and thought while waiting for it to be loaded up I show our new brother here a little of what Stockton has, start introducing him to some of the local people here, get them use to his being here with us.”

“I see,” Jarrod then says, “How you doing Brother Heath?” who responds, “Fine.”

“I also told him,” Nick brings up, “That if we run into you which we now did that maybe we could get you to have a drink with us. Would you like to join us? It’ll be our first and his first with his older brothers, his big brothers.”

With a crooked grin on his face, “Yes,” Jarrod replies, “I imagine it is. Alright, you got me sold and after we finish here maybe we could ride back together.”

“Now that is a thought,” Nick remarks.

“Before we go,” Jarrod says, “Heath, I like to ask you something.”

As Heath replies, “Sure Jar-rod,” Jarrod takes a seat at the edge of the desk nearest to where Heath is seated.

“We were talking earlier,” Jarrod mentions, “And the only way for us to know you is to know what you know and what you don’t. Now, sometimes when you talk it’s hard for us to understand what you mean so we need to know what we can about you, okay?” Heath replies, “Sure Jar-rod, you ask I answer.”

“That’s how it is Jarrod,” Nick tells him.

“Uh-huh,” Jarrod says, “Okay now, I remember when you first came here you talked about the clipping of Tom Barkley you said your Aunt Rachel told you who he was and that she told you about us.” Heath answers, “She did.”

Asking “Could I ask you why you didn’t read it yourself?” Jarrod watches as Heath shrugs his shoulders and looks away then says, “I want you to look at something.”

Heath answers, “Sure.”

Going over to one of the books on his shelf, he opens up a page hands it to Heath and says, “Heath, read this for me.”

Taking it from him he looks at it then at Jarrod and then at Nick before just staring at it not saying anything.

Getting up from his seat and down on one knee brushing Heath’s hair back, “It’s okay Heath,” Nick says, “We do need to know. Trust us.”

Joining Nick “Heath” Jarrod taking hold of his left hand adds “We do need to know. Trust us. We are not going to do anything to you. You have to give us a chance” feeling him trembling “Everything will be alright. You’ll see, just give us both a chance.”

Looking from one to the other, first at Jarrod, then at Nick, then back down at the page in the book, “Please Heath,” Nick says, “Try it. Trust us! That’s part of being family too, trusting one another,” as Heath looks at him then back over at Jarrod, then back down at the page staring at it.

Taking a deep breath, exhaling heavily and then swallowing hard Heath shakily and quietly begins reading it out loud slowly, “We…do…not…at (pause)tach…our-see…el…vees…lass…ting…lie…to…any…th…th…thi…thing…thing…that…has…not…cost…us…care,…lab-or…or…lon-ging.” (Pronouncing the first g as a long g) Watching and listening to him trying to make out the words Nick and Jarrod quietly exchange glances getting their answer as he is reading.

It reads, “We do not attach ourselves lastingly to anything that has not cost us care, labor or longing.”

Jarrod then asks him to read him the author of who wrote it. As Heath asks “Author?” Jarrod replies, “Yes, the one who wrote this. Look here,” showing him, “Tell us what this says.”

Looking at it he says, “Hoe-no-we…dee…Ball-zack,” with it reading, “Honore de Balzac.”

Jarrod then asks him to read the year of him and upon showing him Heath looks at it and says, “1-7-9-9; 1-8-5-0.”

As Nick asks Heath if he knows what they are he answers, “Numbers.”

“Heath, these are years. 1799 and 1850” Nick then asks of him “Do you know what a year is?” Heath replies “It’s how old one is.”

Jarrod then asks, “Heath, do you have the clipping on you?” Pulling it out of his pocket showing him he answers, “Right here.”

Taking it from him and looking at it Jarrod tells him, “Read me the header.”

“The header” Heath asks.

“Yes” Jarrod says “The top here” showing him “The words in the bold dark letters.”

Heath looks from one to the other again, then back down at the clipping before taking a deep breath and exhaling heavily he answers in a very slow but shakily voice, “Vawl-eye…mour-ns…the…dee-ath…of…Tom…Bark-lay,” Nick and Jarrod listening to how he is pronouncing the words quietly exchange glances.

Running through words in the article Jarrod points to certain words and has him reading what they say. Looking down at them as he points to them Heath once again slowly responds, “Vik-toe-re-ah-uh,” “Jar-rod,” “Nick-hoe-lass,” “E-you-Gene,” “Aw-u-dr-dr-dra.”

Jarrod then asks, “Heath, who taught you to read? School?”

Shaking his head and looking at Jarrod, “No,” Heath replies, “Aunt Rachel and Mama did.”

“Heath,” Jarrod says, “You seem to read okay, but you don’t seem to read well.”

Nick asks “Heath how was it that you went from Strawberry to Stockton to us without knowing how to read all the towns along the way?” Heath answers, “I read.”

“But as Jarrod mentioned” Nick states “You don’t read well. You do read some but you could do better. How was it that you managed to get to us with the little reading you’ve doing?”

“Aunt Rachel” Heath says “Told me it was 70 miles south and due west of Strawberry. When I came to a town I asked someone; they told me where to go.”

“You know the difference between east and west?” Nick wanted to know.

“Some,” Heath replies, “Sun rises in the east; sun sets in the west.”

“Very good” Nick asks “Who told you that?” Heath answers, “Aunt Rachel did.”

“Your Aunt Rachel seems to be pretty smart,” Nick notes.

“She is” Heath says “She was showing me things when she could; Mama was too.”

“Is that how you went to work at the Wheelers?” Nick asks, “Someone gave you directions to there?”

“NO,” Heath answers, “Was taken there,” looking directly at Nick who asks, “By your uncle?” Heath replies “No! Mr. Wells and Mr. Moore!”

Jarrod asks, “Who are they?” Heath explains, “Friends to uncle.”

“And they brought you to the Wheelers’ Ranch?” Jarrod inquires.

Heath replies, “They did.”

“Did you like them?” Jarrod asks, “Mr. Moore and Mr. Wells?”

Heath answers strongly, “NO!”

“He was telling me” Nick says “That he worked in a mine when he was younger.”

“You worked in a mine,” Jarrod asks of him, “In Strawberry?” looking at him with his eyes wide open who replies, “I did.”

Nick mentions, “At age six?”

Doing a double-take “At age six?” Jarrod inquires, “You were six years old working in a mine?” Heath replies, “I was.”

“Doing what?” Jarrod asks. Heath says “Anything; throwing charges into there.”

Gawking, “Threw charges into the mine?” Jarrod asks, “Why?”

“That was my job,” Heath explains, “I was a charge boy.”

“Whose bright idea was that?” Jarrod asks to which Nick says quickly “His uncle.”

“Your uncle” Jarrod wanted to know “Had you do that?” Heath answers “He did.”

“Where was your schooling?” Jarrod asks, “Didn’t you go to school?”

Heath answers, “I went.”

Nick then says, “His uncle figured he didn’t need anymore schooling. He had him working in the mines instead.”

Being at a loss of words and feeling bad Jarrod says “Oh Heath” running his right hand up and down his left upper arm and shoulder blades.

Going onto a new subject getting away from the other one Jarrod asks, “Heath, do you know what today is?” Heath answers, “Today.”

“No” Jarrod reiterates “What day of the week is it?” Once again Heath responds “Today.”

“What about yesterday?” Jarrod wanted to know to which Heath responds “Yesterday.”

“The day you arrived in Stockton,” Jarrod asks, “Do you know what day of the week it was?”

As he looks down at the clipping shrugging his shoulders Nick asks, “You don’t know do you?” who turns his eyes downward; shaking his head.

Brushing his hair back, “It’s okay Heath,” Nick tells him, “We just want to know what you know.”

“Heath,” Jarrod says, “Take a look at this,” referring to his pocket watch. Handing it to him he asks, “Have you ever seen one of these before?”

“Seen others with them,” Heath admits.

“Open it” Jarrod instructs him who does so and upon the face showing “Heath” Nick joins in “Do you know what this is?” looking downward Heath once again shakes his head.

Nick tells him, “This is a watch.”

“Heath” Jarrod inquires “Do you know what a watch is or does?” Heath, glancing up first at Jarrod, then at Nick shakes his head.

“What are these?” Jarrod asks of Heath who answers, “Numbers.”

“Read us the numbers” Jarrod tells him who reads them as 1-12 as they appear on the face of the watch. Pointing to the hands Jarrod asks “What are these?” to which Heath responds “Arrows.”

“Heath” Nick says “You don’t know how to tell time do you?”

Heath mimics “Tell time?”

“Yes!” Nick replies “You don’t know when its 6:00, 7:00, midnight or noon, do you?” once again Heath shrugs his shoulders.

“All those mornings” Nick brings up “Me yelling at you to wake up at 5 sharp and us eating at 5:30 you had no idea what I was talking about did you?”

Heath just looking at Nick doesn’t say anything.

<p>

“It’s okay Heath,” Nick assures him, “I won’t be yelling at you about that again or anything else for that matter. I was an idiot for doing that and as I told you on the way in I must’ve lost my mind.”

“I,” Jarrod quips, “Would have to agree with you, Nick.”

Looking over at Jarrod, “I guess I deserved that one,” Nick states with Jarrod saying, “Well, at least you found your mind.”

“Keep it up Jarrod” Nick mumbles “Just keep it up” then turning to Heath he asks “Heath how was it that you knew enough to wake up when you did or go to sleep when you did or go to work on time?”

“I,” Heath answers, “Wake when it’s light and go to sleep when it’s dark unless someone said to do so, otherwise work when one told me to.”

“Like what I would do each morning” Nick surmises “Telling you to go?” As he nods his head “And Duke telling you to stop each night that you worked together?” Heath again nods his head.

“How about the other night I left you working in the barn and stacking the sacks of grain?” Nick asks. Heath replies, “I stopped when finished.”

“I know you did” Nick says “But you never stopped to rest or anything” watching him shake his head “You were up all night stacking them.”

Heath answers, “Did as said.”

“I know that now,” Nick mentions, “The only time you stopped working on the sacks of grain was when Duke came and had you go inside to eat.”

“I did,” Heath replies, “But tried not to.”

Nick says “And that is why you were standing around when you were finished. You were waiting for me to tell you what was to be done next.”

“Heath,” Jarrod inquires, “How come you didn’t sleep at all? Why were you stacking the sacks all night?”

Heath repeats, “Told to stack sacks of grain in shed. I do as told.”

“So,” Jarrod inquires, “Until Nick came and got you from the North Pasture you had nothing to eat at all?” Heath answers, “N0.”

“He didn’t even have a canteen,” Nick informs Jarrod glancing over at him.

Gaping, “You didn’t even bring your canteen?” Heath once again replies, “No.”

“Why not?” Jarrod wanted to know.

“Not said to,” Heath reiterates, “Said take wagon outside, drive wagon and will show me where fence is to be put up.”

“That means,” Jarrod says, “You didn’t have anything to eat or drink except when Duke had you come into the house.” Heath replies, “Yes sir.”

“Heath, remember” Jarrod reminds him “No more sir.”

“Sorry,” Heath replies.

“It’s quite alright,” Jarrod tells him, “We just want you feeling comfortable around us. We are only asking you things to help us get to know you better.”

“Right,” Nick joins in, “That’s all we’re doing.”

“How about Sunday when we went to bring Nettie and her family to Bill’s and you were home alone” Jarrod asks “Did you eat anything then?”

As Heath gives Jarrod a confusing look, “Heath,” Nick joins in and asks, “When you worked with Barrett did you have anything to eat?” Heath answers, “Apple.”

“That’s it?” Nick wanted to know. Heath responds, “No, Barrett gave me half his sandwich.”

“If Barrett didn’t give you half his sandwich” Nick asks “Then you would’ve only had the apple?” Heath replies “Yes.” Nick inquires “Why Heath?” Heath answers, “That’s all I had on me.”

Jarrod asks, “In your saddlebag?” Looking at Jarrod, Heath replies “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you bring something more with you” Jarrod asks.

“Don’t know how to get anything more,” Heath informs him.

“So,” Nick inquires, “Last night when I came and got you was the first meal you had since Duke had you come in the house?” Heath nods head, “Yes.”

“Heath,” Nick tells him sympathetically, “I really am sorry.”

“Heath,” Jarrod wanted to know, “How could you go without eating anything all that time?” Shrugging shoulders, “I could do it,” Heath states.

“You must’ve been hungry,” Jarrod points out, “And thirsty.”

“No big deal,” Heath mentions, “I’ve done it before.”

“It is a big deal Heath,” Nick tells him, “We don’t want you going hungry. There is plenty for you to eat and you do need to eat.”

“Nick’s right Heath” Jarrod says “You don’t need permission to do anything.”

“Always told,” Heath mentions, “Not to touch anything not belong to you. It don’t belong to me, so can’t touch.”

“Heath,” Jarrod says, “What we have is yours too.”

“Yes!” Nick replies “That means the food, anything in the house, anything in the barn, anything on the ranch is yours as well. You could touch it all you want. You don’t need permission ever to do anything there. No one is gonna hurt you, you got that?” Swallowing hard “Got that Nick” Heath replies.

“Then listen to us,” Nick says, “We want you to be able to come into the house anytime you want, just walk right in. If you want to take your horse Gal for a ride, just do it and go. If we are getting ready to eat, you just do what we do, walk in and sit. If you don’t want to work you don’t have to do that either. It is a working ranch that is true, but you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You still belong there regardless. We want you to be making decisions for yourself. If we are not eating you could still sit at the table if you desire to.”

“Right,” Jarrod joins in with, “Even if it should be in the middle of the night or wee early of the morning. If you are hungry just help yourself.”

“But Heath” Nick says “Make sure if it’s something that needs warming up that you do that. Don’t be eating something cold unless it’s meant to be eaten cold, okay?”

“Okay,” Heath tells them, “This is all new to me. Never did all this before.”

“It’s okay,” Nick informs him, “We understand and there is no need to rush. We’ll be taking everything slow. But anything you should need help with we are here for you. You could ask us anything any time of the day or night, however sometimes we don’t and won’t know what you want or need if you don’t tell us.”

“Heath” Jarrod says “We can’t read your mind. We know that you haven’t had it so easy and we know you had many who did you wrong but that is not us; that is not our way. We don’t work that way and will never hurt you. You don’t need permission from us to do anything or be told to do something.”

“And,” Nick adds, “Who ever all those people are or were that did what they did to you should never have done it, Heath. But any time you want to talk to us or tell us something we are here to listen, anytime.”

Heath looks to Nick and then at Jarrod as they both talk.

Jarrod says, “Heath, we can’t change the past of what took place. We could only go and help you from this time forward.”

“And” Nick adds “Someday they will pay for what they did. There is an old saying of what goes around comes around meaning they will have their day in court.”

“Right” Jarrod replies “So whatever any of those people did to you will get what is coming to them probably and possibly worse. And” placing his hand on his shoulder “You’re very lucky to have two big brothers right here that will always be there for you, okay?” “Okay” Heath says, glancing up at Jarrod then at Nick.

“And Heath,” Nick brings up, “I meant what I said last night. If I should ever run into any of those who hurt you I will hurt them. So, they just better not step foot here in Stockton because they will be sorry. They haven’t dealt with the likes of me yet.” Heath looks back over at Nick and then at Jarrod.

“And” Jarrod says “Nick means what he says. I told you Nick isn’t such a bad guy; he just does a lot of yelling. But he does have a heart and cares for those he loves,” as he looks over at Nick once before turning back to Heath, “And that he would do anything for any one of us, that includes you. Just give it time, you will see what I mean and I will do the same. I may not be as rough or tough as Nick but I could hold my own. And will do so, if need to, okay?”

“Okay,” Heath replies.

“There is another thing I’d like to bring up,” Jarrod says.

“What?” Heath asks.

“We were talking,” Jarrod mentions, “And the first day you came to live with us we noticed that you were very careful being around us and you would eye Nick. Did you at anytime think he or any of us would punish or hit you for something?”

As he nods his head and looks towards the floor “Heath” Jarrod tells him “We would never do that to you. Not now, not ever” then upon noticing the time “Hey” Jarrod says “How about if we stop this for now and do some more of this later?”

“Agreed,” Nick replies.

“And Heath,” Jarrod says, “What you don’t know how to do we will all sit down and figure out some kind of schedule to help you learning these things. Okay?”

“Okay,” Heath replies.

“Come on,” Jarrod then says, “Let’s go down to Harry’s and do what you came here to do.”

<p>

Getting up on their feet Jarrod leading the way holds the door open and upon filing out takes the mail with him. Passing by the outer office Jarrod tells the secretary, “I will see you later, Miss Haas.”

“Will you be returning?” she wanted to know to which he responds, “No, when you finish up what you’re doing you could leave for the day.”

As she thanks him he continues on and exits the building with Nick and Heath between them.

<p>

Walking down the street they pass several buildings, one passerby catching sight of Jarrod and Nick asks, “Hey Nick what brings you to town so early on a Wednesday morning?”

“Just showing our new brother around a bit,” Nick informs him.

Doing a double-take “Your brother?” the passerby answers looking over at Heath.

“That’s right,” Nick replies, “Our brother. Good day Hamm.”

“Bye Hamm” comes from Jarrod.

<p>

Resuming their walk they continue in the direction they were headed with Hamm looking back at Heath with Nick saying to Jarrod, “We mind as well get people in town to start learning about him being with us.”

Replying “Agreed,” Jarrod then turns and says to Heath, “Heath, Nick is right. Having people learn about you will only help make things easier for you. But we do have to be honest with you that it may take awhile and for some may not take to you at all. We will just have to deal with all that as it comes along.”

“I am already use to that” Heath mentions “Had to deal with that all my life.”

“Well,” Nick says, “You now have us dealing with it too. You’re not alone anymore Heath you have us, the entire family sticking by you through thick and thin.”

<p>

Reaching Harry’s Saloon, “Heath,” Jarrod inquires, “Have you ever been in a saloon before?” Heath replies, “I have.”

“Well,” Nick says, “Let’s go in,” leading the way.

<p>

Walking in Jarrod and Nick greet Harry who is behind the counter and returns the greeting. He then asks, “What brings you to town and who’s your friend? He looks rather familiar, like I’ve seen him before or something.”

“This is Heath,” Jarrod introduces, “He’s new around here and we thought we’d show him around a bit and start introducing him to the people around here.”

“And,” Nick adds, “He’s not just a friend but our brother as well.”

Gawking “Your brother?” Harry says “That’s why he looks familiar. He has Tom’s features. Was Tom his father?”

“Yup” comes from Nick and “He was” comes from Jarrod.

After inquiring about where Heath is from Harry mentions, “I remember your father owning a mine up in Strawberry and I remember him being gone for several months and came back just around your mother’s birthday.”

“That he did,” Jarrod tells him.

“What could I get you fellas?” Harry inquires.

“Um” Nick says “Give us three beers.”

Handing them three glasses, Jarrod and Nick take theirs with Jarrod grabbing the last one “Come with us Heath” Jarrod directs, “Let’s go sit over here” indicating a free table.

Reaching it “Sit Heath” Nick tells him who does as instructed and upon sitting down Nick and Jarrod each take their seat on each side of him. Placing Heath’s glass in front of him “Heath” Jarrod says “Drink.”

Watching as he is taking a sip of it and noticing a distasteful look “Heath” Nick asks “Don’t you drink beer?” Swallowing hard, “Not really,” he answers.

“What do you drink?” Nick wanted to know.

“Strawberry marguerites” Heath answers “Or strawberry daiquiris.”

“Would you happen to have one of those Harry?” Nick inquires.

“Not normally,” Harry admits, “But I could make him one.”

Nick says, “Please do.”

While Harry proceeds to make him one Jarrod and Nick each take sips of their beer with Nick asking, “Heath, you don’t like beer?” Heath replies, “No.”

“Then,” Jarrod inquires, “Why did you drink it?”

“You said drink,” Heath informs him.

“But Heath,” Jarrod tells him, “You have to start telling us when you want something or don’t. If you don’t like or want something you have to level with us.”

“Right,” Nick joins in with, “We can’t read your mind.”

“Heath,” Jarrod then asks, “Do you like what we’ve been having at the house before dinner?” Heath answers, “No.”

“You were drinking it,” Jarrod notes, “Because I told you to drink it right?”

“I was,” Heath replies, “Jarrod.”

Upon making the strawberry margarita Harry walks it over saying, “Here you are Heath,” with Heath replying, “Thank you sir.”

“Call me Harry,” Harry tells him.

“Harry,” Jarrod says, “Would you mind taking this?” handing him the untouched beer glass. Taking it, “No problem,” Harry responds.

“Harry,” Nick asks, “Would you happen to have any nuts or something you could bring over to here?”

“I do yes,” Harry replies and going over to the counter he brings out a bowl full of nuts and pretzels, “How’s this?”

“Very good,” Nick replies, “Thank you.” As Harry walks away, “Heath,” Nick then says, “Eat them with your drink,” placing the bowl in front of him.

Doing as instructed Heath begins eating the nuts that are in front of him.

“Heath,” Nick says, “You don’t have to drink or eat anything you don’t want or like. Just tell us. Remember, we don’t know much about you yet, we are just beginning to so, help us out okay?”

Heath replies, “Okay Nick. This is all new to me.”

<p>

“It is” Jarrod says “But try to remember just as this is all new to you this is just as new to us as well; we have just as much to learn about you as you do about us.”

Watching as Heath is looking at the glass “Well Heath” Nick asks “What are you going to do with that glass? Just look at it or are you going to drink out of it?”

Looking over at Nick, “Drink out of it,” Heath informs him.

“And,” Nick inquires, “How are you gonna do that?” Heath answers “Pick up the glass.” Playfully patting him on the back, “Very good,” Nick tells him.

Slowly and nervously while chewing on the nuts Heath carefully picks up the glass and as he looks to both Nick and Jarrod watching; Jarrod then says, “Easy Heath,” placing his hand on Heath’s hand, “Trust us, Heath.”

Then bringing the rim of the glass to his mouth he takes a little sip still eying both Nick and Jarrod as he does it. Encouraging him, Nick says “Good Heath, good! How is it?”

After swallowing a good swig of it, “Good,” Heath responds as he pulls the rim of the glass away from his mouth. Nick asks, “You really like them?”

“I do,” Heath replies.

“I don’t think I ever had one,” Nick asks, “Could I try?”

Replying “Sure” Heath allows Nick to take the glass and sip from it. Pleased with the taste “Mmm” Nick says “Not bad. I have to agree with you, Heath, it is good.”

“Can I try?” Jarrod then asks with Heath answering, “Sure,” with Jarrod taking hold of the glass next and upon trying it, “Mmm,” Jarrod comments, “It is good. We have to learn how to make these.”

“Where did you come to learn about these?” Nick asks. Heath answers, “Mexico.”

Swallowing a sip of his beer, “You were in Mexico before?” Nick asks.

“I was,” Heath replies. Nick inquires, “How long ago?”

“Don’t know,” Heath replies, “Just was,” taking another couple handful of nuts and pretzels from the dish. Nick asks, “How are they?” Heath answers, “Good.”

Telling him “Keep eating them” Nick looking about asks “Harry, where is everyone this morning?’

“It’s early Nick,” Harry mentions, “You know they don’t usually start pouring in until much later. Right now most are out working.”

“I guess we picked a good time to come in here then,” Nick speculates.

“You did.” Harry then asks “Heath” taking the glass over to the bar “Were you at the services that were held on Saturday?” Heath answers, “I was.”

“I think I remembered seeing you” Harry notes “When did you come to town?” as he starts polishing down the counters and gets ready for other customers about to come in.

“He came to town last Monday” Jarrod tells Harry as he takes a sip of his beer.”

“That was just before,” Harry states, “The trouble occurred at Swenson’s and Sempleworth.” Jarrod answers, “It was; yes.”

Nick then says, “Well, let’s finish up here; we do have lots of work to get to at the ranch.” As he is now polishing up the glasses, “Hey Heath,” Harry calls out.

“Yes Harry,” Heath says while swallowing a sip of his margarita.

“I just thought of something,” Harry replies.

Between chewing and swallowing what he has in his mouth “What?” Heath asks.

“I see you like Strawberry Margaritas and Strawberry Daiquiris. I also noticed you’re from Strawberry,” Harry states, “I am surprised you weren’t named Strawberry instead of Heath.” Nick retorts, “Cute Harry.”

“Is that your middle name?” Harry wanted to know. Heath replies, “No.”

“Do you have a middle name?” Jarrod inquires. Heath answers, “I do.”

Taking a sip of his beer, “What is it?” Nick asks. Heath responds, “Morgan.”

“Morgan,” Nick says, “Like Morgan Earp?”

Heath asks, “Who’s he?”

Shrugging his shoulders, “Oh,” Nick tells him, “Just some lawman that lives in Tombstone, Arizona. I take it you never heard of him, huh?”

“Can’t say I have,” Heath replies.

“Have you ever been to Tombstone Arizona?” Nick asks.

“Don’t think so,” Heath admits, “Not really sure though if I was or not.”

“But you have to been to other places?” Nick asks, “States right?”

“I have,” Heath admits.

“I suppose you would have to,” Nick surmises, “If you were in Mexico.”

“Would you like to know what our middle names are?” Jarrod asks.

Looking over at Jarrod, “If you like,” Heath answers.

“We like” Jarrod quips, “Mother’s is Victoria Marie and mine is Thomas,” taking another sip of his beer.

“Mine’s,” Nick tells him, “Jonathan.”

“Audra’s,” Jarrod then says, “Is Lynn.”

“And Eugene,” Nick continues, “Is James.”

“Did your mother have a middle name?” Jarrod asks.

“She did,” Heath admits. Jarrod asks, “What was it?”

Popping a couple more nuts and pretzels into his mouth “Lodysa” Heath replies.

“That is different,” Jarrod notes.

“Mother told me it meant Morning Flower or Morning Star or Morning Dove,” Heath mentions, “I forget which one it was.”

“Your mother,” Nick states, “Must’ve been a morning person.”

“Maybe,” Heath says, “Not sure,” taking a sip of his drink.

“Is there anything else you would like to know about us?” Jarrod asks.

Chewing on the nuts and swallowing what he has in his mouth, “No,” Heath answers.

“I suppose,” Jarrod tells him, “It may be awhile before you feel comfortable in doing that so we won’t press it. But try to remember we are your family now. And families trust one another.”

“We are also your friend,” Nick mentions, “Just like you are mine,” swallowing another sip of his beer while gently squeezing his hand.

Following Nick’s lead, “Heath,” Jarrod says, “I would like it if you and I were friends, just like you and Nick are.”

“I’d like that Jarrod,” Heath replies.

Putting his hand out “Let’s shake on it” Jarrod suggests; as Heath takes the offered hand “Friends?” Jarrod says.

Exchanging warm handshakes “Friends” Heath replies.

“So Heath” Jarrod asks “As a friend what could we do to get you to feel more comfortable around us?”

Shrugging his shoulders “I don’t know” Heath mentions “Never had that many friends before.”

“Heath,” Nick asks, “You didn’t have any friends in Strawberry?”

“I had a couple,” Heath mentions.

“What were their names?” Nick asks.

“One was Libby,” Heath answers while eating another bite or two of the nuts sitting there.

“Libby?” Nick asks “Does this Libby still live there?”

“She left there,” Heath answers, “Don’t know when.”

“Did you and she,” Nick speculates, “I take it she was a girl.”

“She was,” Heath admits, chewing on the nuts in his mouth.

Nick continues, “Go to school together?”

“Can’t say we went to school together,” Heath states.

“Why is that Heath?” Jarrod asks.

“I didn’t go to school long” Heath mentions “Her and I played together, hung around when we could, which wasn’t much” taking another sip of his drink.

“I see,” Jarrod replies.

Taking another sip of his beer “Is Libby your age” Nick wanted to know.

“Don’t know,” Heath shrugs. Nick asks, “Why don’t you know Heath?”

“Just don’t,” Heath answers.

“Who were the other friends you had?” Jarrod queries while sipping his beer.

“Chris and Lisa,” Heath replies.

“That’s it?” Nick asks.

“Not much,” Heath mentions, “Wanted to do with the likes of me and I didn’t get to be with them all that much.” Nick asks, “Because of your uncle?’

Nodding his head, “Some,” Heath replies.

Jarrod asks, “What kinds of things did you do while living in Strawberry?”

“Things?” Heath mimics.”

“Yes,” Jarrod replies, “Things you did for fun.”

“Not much,” Heath shrugs, “Ran, played tag, hide-n-seek, gone up trees.”

“Did you ever do any fishing?” Nick wanted to know.

“I got fish out of water,” Heath mentions.

As they each sip their drinks, “Nick,” Jarrod says, “Do you have anything planned for Saturday?”

Looking over at Jarrod, “Not yet,” Nick asks, “Why?”

Glancing back over at Heath “Heath” Jarrod says “Do you remember the talk we had last week in the kitchen?”

“I do,” Heath admits, “About us going to teach me to swim?”

Jarrod replies, “Yes.”

“I remember” Heath says “Didn’t forget. You said, maybe we will work on it if a free moment comes up. This weekend is shot how about next weekend if nothing comes up?”

Smiling “You do remember well” Jarrod states “Of course the weekend that was shot was last weekend and this is the weekend I was referring to. Nick” glancing over at him asks “Are you up to going with us on Saturday?”

“I think that could be arranged” Nick mentions “And I think it could be a great way for the big brothers to bond with the newest Barkley member and how about if we not only go up there to swim but to spend the entire weekend up at the cabin and if you are both up to it, then how about we leave tomorrow instead of Saturday? That way we could really spend time together; show Heath some of the upper areas of the ranch maybe play some card games, I heard you are pretty good at them. I remember you mentioning you were.” Heath admits, “I did.”

“Well” Nick says “I am curious to see how well you play. Maybe play for some money. Would you like that?”

“Sounds okay,” Heath answers.

“And while we’re at it” Nick adds “We could do a little more talking as we go along.”

“Okay,” Jarrod says, “Let’s do it then!”

“Is that alright with you Heath?” Nick asks. Heath replies, “It is.”

“Good,” Nick says, “Let’s get back to the ranch; we still have work to do and preparations to get ready. After we had a goodnight sleep and everything needed is taken care of we will head out to Pine Lake.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Jarrod notes, “It’ll give me time to do a few things I need to take care of as well.”

“How’s that sound to you Heath?” Nick asks.

“Sounds fine,” Heath replies.

“Good!” Nick says “Come on” getting up from his seat and after swallowing the last of their drinks they place their glasses as well as the bowl of nuts and several coins on the counter. Then after bidding Harry a good day he reciprocates with “Nice meeting you Heath. Hope to see more of you around here.”

“You will Harry,” Nick vows as they exit the saloon.

<p>

Walking out of the saloon together, “I’ll meet you over at Bob’s,” Jarrod informs Nick who asks, “Where you going?”

“Need to take care of a few things before leaving here,” Jarrod tells him, “Go ahead; I’ll meet you there.”

“Very well,” Nick then says, “Come on Heath,” and while they continue walking Jarrod goes back inside the saloon.

<p>

Catching sight of him approaching the bar, “That was a quick departure,” Harry states.

“I was wondering,” Jarrod says, “Could you sell me a bottle of what makes the margarita and write it down?”

Harry asks, “For Heath?”

“Yes,” Jarrod mentions, “He likes them and seeing he’s new with us I want us to be able to make these for him.”

“That is a nice idea,” Harry then asks, “How many bottles would you like?”

“For now” Jarrod replies, “How about two bottles?”

“Two bottles it is,” Harry tells him and upon grabbing them he hands them to Jarrod. Retrieving paper from the other side of the bar he grabs a pen and writes down how to make them. Handing it to Jarrod, “Here you go Jarrod” he says.

After thanking him Jarrod asks, “How much for the two bottles?”

Harry answers, “Fifty cents. Oh,” bringing out a bottle of Cointreau, “You’re going to need this.” Jarrod asks, “What’s this?”

“You need this,” Harry mentions, “To make them with.”

Taking it Jarrod asks, “Is that fifty cents as well?”

“Well, with this” Harry informs him, “Seventy-five cents. Do you have any lime juice at the house?” Jarrod mimics, “Lime juice?”

“Yes,” Harry explains, “You need that too to make it with along with orange juice, sugar, crushed ice and don’t forget the strawberries.”

“We do have the orange juice,” Jarrod informs him, “Strawberries, ice and sugar but not the lime juice.”

“Would you like a bottle of that too?” Harry wanted to know.

“Seeing I will be needing that as well,” Jarrod sighs, “I guess the answer is yes.”

“Here you are,” Harry handing the bottle says. Jarrod asks, “How much?”

“You could have it all for the same price,” Harry mentions, “Seventy-five cents.”

Taking out three coins, “Seventy-five cents,” Jarrod says placing them on the counter. Harry then replies, “Here, take this.”

“What’s this?” Jarrod asks.

“It’s how to get bottles of them” Harry mentions “A supplier that could get them for you” handing him the piece of paper with the information on it, Jarrod thanks him and upon putting it folded into his pocket leaves carrying the three bottles he just purchased from Harry.

<p>

After leaving Harry’s saloon Jarrod makes a quick run to the General Store to pick up a few items. From there he makes a trip to the livery to pick up Jingo, then after placing the packages in the saddlebags he goes to meet up with Nick and Heath over at Bob’s Mill.

<p>

As Nick is coming out of the mill and Heath is up in the driver’s box already, “That didn’t take long,” says to Jarrod approaching.

“No it didn’t” Jarrod asks, “Are we ready?”

Climbing up next to Heath “We’re ready” Nick replies “Let’s get going” and upon grabbing hold of the reins he starts out with Jarrod riding alongside of them.

<p>

As they ride back together Nick is driving the team and Jarrod is riding next to them while Heath is quietly taking in all the scenery they are passing by.

“It’s such a lovely day,” Nick comments, “Isn’t it?”

“I have to agree,” Jarrod says, “What do you think Heath?”

“It’s okay,” Heath replies.

“Just okay?” Nick says “Well, it’ll be a much better one tomorrow when we go up to Pine Lake. We’re going to show you a really good time Heath; just wait-n-see.”

Heath replies, “Okay.”

As they ride shortly thereafter while Nick is driving, Jarrod glances over at Heath and notices his eyes closed. Getting Nick’s attention Jarrod quietly points to him and upon glancing down at him “I’ll let him sleep” Nick says “He did have a couple of rough days with me. He probably could use it. I don’t think he’s got much.”

Jarrod asks, “A couple Nick?”

“Okay, okay” Nick answers “More than a couple! Every day up until last night; feel better?”

“Yes,” Jarrod admits, “And no, I don’t think he has either.”

Carefully moving Heath closer to him and allowing him to rest against him so that he’ll be a little more comfortable Nick informs Jarrod, “I’ll see if I could get him to lie down and get some more sleep while we’re working.”

“That’s a good idea,” Jarrod notes and as they continue riding along together, “Mother was right,” Nick mentions softly, “He did pay a higher price than any one of us could’ve imagined.”

“I know” Jarrod replies, “But at least now we’re all doing the right thing.”

“True,” Nick says, “How is it that Mother knew?”

“She’s been around Nick. She’s seen and read things” Jarrod replies “We haven’t been around as long as she has. I’ve seen some but I’m sure she has seen more.”

“Yes, that’s possible,” Nick says, “But I’ll tell you one thing.”

“What’s that?” Jarrod asks.

“This boy,” Nick states, “Is going to learn what it is to be a Barkley. He’s going to learn everything he needs to know.”

“We’ll all be working to get him on his feet,” Jarrod notes, “He has a lot to learn.”

“True,” Nick sighs, “And we still have a lot to learn about him.”

“That we do” Jarrod replies, “But it’ll come, we’ll just take them as they come up.”

<p>

Upon reaching the fork in the road “Well” Jarrod says “This is where I leave the two of you. I will start getting what we will need to make the trip.”

“You do that Jarrod” Nick tells him “And I will see you when Audra and Gene get home from school.”

Replying “See you then” Jarrod continues towards the house while Nick heads towards the North Pasture occasionally looking down at Heath who is still asleep.

<p>

Arriving at the ranch Jarrod is met by Ciego who offers to take Jingo from him. Accepting the offer Jarrod hands him the reins and upon walking in the front door calls out, “Mother,” who answers, “In here Jarrod,” from the kitchen.

“Mother,” Jarrod says upon walking in the kitchen sees her making a sandwich and asks if he would like to have one. Replying, “I’d be delighted to,” she proceeds in making him one.

Placing the sandwiches on the table “How was your trip to town?” she asks of Jarrod who takes a seat and responds “Went well” while beginning to take a bite of his sandwich. Getting out juice from the icebox Victoria pours it into two glasses placing one before Jarrod and the other in the seat which she will be occupying.

Joining him, “How did it go with Pinkerton?” she asks to which he answers, “Nothing so far.”

Taking a bite of her sandwich, “You still want it pursued?” she inquires.

“I do yes,” Jarrod answers. Victoria asks, “Could I ask why?”

“It’s to help us know more about him,” Jarrod notes, “There are some things that he may not be able to tell us. He doesn’t know dates. The report might give us the answers we need. He may even like to know. Heath will benefit from it I assure you. Oh,” he then says, “I ran into Nick and Heath in town.”

Surprised, “You did?” Victoria asks, “What were they doing in town?”

“Picking up slats for the fence,” Jarrod informs her, “And while there we managed to take Heath to get a drink at Harry’s bar and talked to him some. Oh,” he then tells her, “After finishing here I need to get ready.”

Sipping her juice, “Ready?” she wanted to know, “For what?”

“Nick and I are taking Heath” Jarrod replies “Up to Pine Lake tomorrow night.”

“How long will you be gone for?” she asks.

“Just late tomorrow,” Jarrod mentions, “And staying there until Sunday. We thought it be a good way to bond with the newest Barkley,” sipping his juice, “And see if we could get him to swim.”

“What a nice idea,” Victoria notes, “He could use the time out with both you and Nick. Would you like Silas and I to make you up a food basket? It may help with the food preparations.”

“That would be marvelous, Mother,” Jarrod comments, “If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Victoria replies, “How does Nick feel about it?”

“Going up there,” Jarrod informs her, “Was his idea; I only came up with the swimming portion.”

“I am so glad,” Victoria states, “Nick has finally accepted him, you have no idea.”

Eating a bite of his sandwich, “Oh, I do” Jarrod answers “And I am just as relieved as you. And at least now we are all working together with Heath and not working on Nick to accept him.”

“Yes” Victoria says “Thank the lord for that” gazing up at the ceiling as she speaks while at the same time taking another bite of her sandwich.

“So Mother,” Jarrod asks, “While I went into town what did you do?”

Sipping her juice, “I went and visited your father’s grave today,” she notes, “For the first time since…”

“And,” Jarrod asks concerned, “How did that go?”

“It went well,” Victoria admits, “A little nervous at first but I finally had the courage to do it.”

“I’m so happy for you Mother,” Jarrod commends, “I think the only ones left to go to it are Gene and Nick.”

“I think you’re right,” Victoria states, “And they will when they are ready.”

“True,” Jarrod says, “Just like we are all doing.”

<p>

Arriving up at the North Pasture Nick gently shakes Heath awake. As he opens his eyes and reply, “Huh?” Nick says, “Come on Sleepy Head, time to get up.”

Wiping his eyes with fingers of his right hand, “What happened?” Heath wanted to know. Nick informs him, “You took a little nap.”

“Sorry about that,” Heath tells him, “Didn’t mean to.”

“It’s alright” Nick assures him “You could use the sleep. Would you like more? You could.”

Heath answers, “No, have to go to work.”

“Then” Nick tells him “Come on” and as he climbs out of the wagon he assists Heath down and as he sees the men working he calls out “Hi Fellas” with each one replying, “Hi Mr. Barkley.”

Nick asks, “How’s it going?” Ron says “Its going. How was the drive to town?”

“Went very well,” Nick noticing the time suggests, “Why don’t you all stop and have some lunch? It’s already past noon.”

As they stop and put down their tools “Oh,” Nick says “Before you go do me a favor.” Davy replies “Sure. What would you like?”

“Could you stop calling me Mr. Barkley?” Nick asks of them.

Looking at one another, “What would you like us to call you?” Bobby inquires.

“Just Nick” he tells them to which each open their mouths gaping “That’s a switch” Ron informs him. Chad joining in says “But you said…”

“I know what I said,” Nick mentions, “But let’s skip the Mr. Barkley part, okay? And just start calling me Nick.”

Once again they exchange surprising glances and upon studying their faces “I know by the look on your faces you are probably saying what gives. What happened? Am I right?” he wanted to know with Bobby replying, “You are.”

“I don’t blame you” Nick says “And I don’t know what happened either. I am still trying to figure it all out myself but I will tell you that I am sorry for the way I was acting and treating all of you. It won’t happen again and there will be more changes to come in the days and weeks ahead, so bare with me as they occur. This is the first, alright?”

Exchanging surprising glances again they each reply, “Okay.”

“We’ll talk some more later,” Nick informs them, “Go have your lunch.” As the men stop to go retrieve their lunches Nick calls Bobby back.

Stopping “Yes Nick” Bobby inquires.

“Would you care to join us?” Nick offers.

Declining the offer “Perhaps another time” Bobby replies “Right now I think it’s important that you and Heath spent some time together; just the two of you. You have a lot to catch up on with each other.”

“I guess we do,” Nick admits. Before walking away Bobby says, “Nick, have Heath tell you what he did on Sunday.”

“I will,” Nick replies, “And later on I would like to talk to you some more.”

Answering “Sure” Bobby goes to join the others for lunch and while the men sit together and start eating Nick says to Heath “Come on Heath! Let’s go have some lunch.”

“Lunch” Heath replies, “We just got here.”

“I know that,” Nick says, “But it’s also lunchtime, we have to eat and I want to make sure you’re eating,” going over to Coco, “Heath, let me see your saddlebag.”

Replying “Sure Nick” Heath hands it to him and upon taking it and looking inside Nick sees three apples and two peaches inside he then turns and asks “Heath, is this all you have in here for your lunch?” Heath tells him, “Yes.”

Replying, “No problem,” Nick takes a sandwich out of his bag and hands it to Heath who asks, “What’s this?” Nick answers, “Your lunch.”

“What do I owe for it?” Heath asks. Nick tells him, “Nothing! Come on, sit,” as he leads him to a tree and as Heath takes a seat Nick follows along right beside him taking out his sandwich.

Noticing Heath just sitting, “What’s the matter?” Nick asks of him who replies, “Don’t know.”

“Then eat,” Nick tells him who does as instructed and as he begins eating his sandwich Nick eats his.

<p>

At the house “I hate to eat and run” Jarrod says after finishing his lunch “But I need to go start getting ready for the trip and go over my mail” getting up from the table “Excuse me!”

“What time will you be going?” Victoria asks.

“Not sure” Jarrod informs her “I think around 5ish” as he is giving her a peck on the cheek and going towards the doorway “Nick will be returning when Audra and Gene get home from school.”

<p>

As Jarrod makes his leave Victoria gets up and begins looking to see what to put together for their trip.

<p>

Back at the North Pasture sitting under the tree enjoying their lunch together, “How is it?” Nick asks of Heath who answers, “Good.”

“When you finish with that one,” Nick says, “I have another ready, just in case you should want it.” Heath replies, “Thanks Nick, but I think this one is plenty.”

“Well alright,” Nick says, “But just in case, it’s ready just the same,” eating a bite of his sandwich, “Heath,” he then asks, “How would you like to do some talking?”

“If you like,” Heath replies.

“I like,” Nick asks, “What did you do with Bobby on Sunday?”

“Sunday?” Heath mimics.

“Yes” Nick replies “After driving Mother and the kids to Stockton, you came back here. I remember leaving you alone to unhitch the wagon and taking care of Jarrod’s horse.”

“I did do it,” Heath states.

“I know you did,” Nick exhales heavily, “I remember telling you that you were free until you had to go with Barrett on the West Ridge.” Heath replies, “You did.”

“Okay” Nick asks “What happened after I left you?”

“Bobby came by,” Heath explains, “And asked what I was doing.”

“Go on,” Nick says.

“Told him,” Heath replies, “Unhitching the wagon.”

“And then,” Nick asks.

“He asked me,” Heath tells him, “Where you go. Told him don’t know got on horse and left. He asked what else I was doing. Told him, don’t know.”

“What then?” Nick asks.

“He asked me to come with him,” Heath says, “Said he could show me some areas of the valley that I probably didn’t see yet. Told him didn’t know if it was okay to do.” Nick asks, “Did you go with him?”

Swallowing hard, “Not at first,” Heath says, “Didn’t know if it was okay to do. But Bobby said it was Sunday and I didn’t have anything planned. Said family went off and won’t be back for a few days and you left me flat.”

Letting out a little chuckle, “Well, I did do that,” Nick asks, “Is that it?”

“No,” Heath replies.

“So,” Nick asks again, “Did you go with him?”

“I did,” Heath replies.

“Tell me,” Nick queries, “If Bobby didn’t come by when he did, what would you have done while waiting to go with Barrett to the West Ridge?”

Shrugging shoulders, “Don’t know,” Heath answers.

“Would you have just stood around,” Nick asks, “And waited for Barrett?”

“I would’ve,” Heath answers, “Not said what to do, so I would’ve waited.”

“Did you do those kinds of things at other ranches,” Nick curiously asks, “When you worked and had free time or nothing to do? Just hang around and wait?”

“Some,” Heath admits.

<p>

“Well,” Nick inquires, “What did you do when you went off with Bobby?”

“Rode around” Heath says “Seen lots of land; birds. We talked, took boots and socks off, went into water. At first water was cold, but then going back in, saw frog, fish, turtle, toad; held all but the fish. Turtle had a soft belly.”

“Did you have fun doing that?” Nick asks.

“I did,” Heath admits, “First time ever did that, got to pet turtle’s soft belly.”

“Maybe while up at Pine Lake tomorrow,” Nick says, “We’ll do some of that. Would you like that?” Heath answers, “I would, if it’s okay to do.”

“Of course it is,” Nick says, “Jarrod and I told you that you would be doing many things now that you never were able to do before. Just trust us, okay? We won’t steer you wrong.”

“Okay,” Heath replies.

“Is that all you did?” Nick wanted to know.

“Yes” Heath answers “Bobby said we better head back. He said maybe someday, when we’re free maybe we could do some camping up there or perhaps me accompany him and some of the men to town, maybe I’d join them in a drink and play some cards.”

“Would you like to do that?” Nick asks, “Do some camping or go in town with him and some of the men, have a drink and play some cards?”

“Not know,” Heath shrugs, “Maybe.”

“Well,” Nick says, “Maybe we’ll work on that down the road; maybe I will even join you if you would like.”

Heath replies, “I like.”

“Did you say or do anything else after that?” Nick wanted to know.

“No,” Heath replies, “He didn’t want me being late.”

“I see,” Nick then says, “How about if we go onto something else?”

“Okay,” Heath replies.

“So,” Nick asks, “What could we talk about?”

“Not know,” Heath replies, “You ask and I tell,” in between them eating their sandwiches Nick says, “I have a better idea. How about if you ask and I listen.”

Swallowing hard, “Can’t do that,” Heath answers.

“Yes you can,” Nick says, “Try it.”

Heath tells him, “Never did that before.”

“Yes I know,” Nick says, “But now is as good a time as any to try it out. You’re going to find there will be plenty of things you never were able to do before that you can do now. The first step is for you to do them as they come up and Heath?”

“Yes, Nick?” Heath replies.

“You already on occasion” Nick mentions “Have done little things on your own without you even realizing it.” As he shakes his head “Yes you have Heath” Nick says “We didn’t notice it at first because we weren’t really paying any attention to you but, you have been doing it. You just weren’t aware of it. Now you need to just try it. Even if you think it’s silly, ask it anyway that is the only way you will get your answers, the only way you could move forward.”

Watching as Heath is absorbing the information Nick tells him, “Heath you also have an excellent memory and last night as I was going up to the North Pasture to bring you back I had a lot of things running around my mind, so many things going through my head that I am finally getting some of those answers now. And, I do believe in being straight forward with you. I don’t pretend and I don’t hold back. If I say something” watching Heath as he looks at him “Then I mean it Heath, that’s how I work; that’s how I operate.”

“And you want to know something else” Nick says to him who responds “What?”

“I do like it that,” Nick confides, “We’ve become friends and are also brothers.”

“I do too Nick,” Heath admits.

“Then if we’re to be friends and if we’re to be brothers,” Nick says, “The first thing you need to do and learn is to trust me and give me a chance. I know you may make mistakes but I may also make mistakes and you have to understand that anything you or we do is all new to all of us as well. And the only way for us to go forward is to learn about each other. You understand?”

“Some” Heath replies.

Thinking of what to ask him, “Heath,” Nick says, “Let me ask you something; the hands Deak and Wheeler that work here, do their being here bother you?” observing Heath’s reaction as he mentions their names.

Shrugging but not answering Heath, first averts his eyes and looks down at the ground then looks away towards the trees, “I guess that gives me your answer,” Nick tells him, “And I just wanted to know is all.”

Thinking of how to get Heath to open up, “Heath,” Nick then says, “I have an idea of what you could try that may help you with opening up.”

“What’s that Nick?” Heath asks.

“There are two games that we use to play as kids,” Nick mentions, “Now even though there were times when we found it to be annoying, right here and now I think it just might work with you.”

“What’s the games?” Heath inquires.

“One,” Nick replies, “Is called shadow and the other is called Follow the leader. They are similar but they could very well help you out if you want to try it.”

“How do you play?” Heath asks.

“Well” Nick says “You just take anybody. It could be me, it could be Jarrod or Gene or Audra, it doesn’t matter, you choose who ever you want to do it with and do exactly what that person says or does. If they get up, you get up. If one talks, you talk, just keep doing whatever that person says or does, it just might help you with doing things for yourself. As I told you earlier some of it just may come naturally, without warning and if it works you may not have to do it for too long, only enough to help you get started. You will find your own way, your own identity, I’m sure.”

“Identity” Heath asks.

“Yes,” Nick explains, “Identity makes you who you are; identity is what makes you differently from me or you from Jarrod or any one of us. We all have our own identities. I have mine, Jarrod has his, Audra has hers, Gene has his and Mother has hers. Right now, you just have to find out what yours is. But whatever it should take or whatever helps you to do whatever it is you need to do to be your own person and do things for yourself then just do it. Okay?”

“Okay,” Heath vows, “I’ll try Nick.”

“I know you’ve been watching me since that very first day. And if you want to use me to follow that is more than fine” he says “You could. But if you choose to use one of the others then that is fine too, that is part of making choices, decisions for yourself. Okay?”

Replying, “Okay,” Heath finishes his sandwich with Nick asking him if he’d like a second one. Heath responds, “No, I don’t think so.”

“Would you like cake?” Nick offers “I think Mother put a piece inside the lunch bag.” Heath replies, “Yeah okay.”

Getting up “Let me go get it for you” Nick goes to retrieve the piece of cake. Returning “Here” he says handing him the spoon who graciously takes it from him. Watching as he eats it, “You really do like cake, don’t you?” Nick asks.

“Yes Nick,” Heath answers, “I really do.”

“Are there any specific flavors you like more than another?” Nick inquires, “Or ones you don’t like at all?”

“I like most cakes,” Heath answers, “But I like chocolate best with chocolate icing. I also like peanut butter icing.”

“Peanut butter icing?” Nick says, “Never heard that kind being used before.”

“Aunt Rachel made it,” Heath mentions, “Some times.”

“Sounds good” Nick says “I’ll ask Mother and Silas if they know how to make it.”

“It is,” Heath replies while eating his cake. Getting up, “Let me go get you something to wash that down with,” Nick goes to retrieve his canteen. Handing it to Heath who graciously accepts it takes a sip from it.

Extending his hand out “Do you mind” Nick asks.

Replying, “No here,” Heath hands him the canteen.

Thanking him as he takes it from him he brings the rim of the canteen to his lips and upon taking a sip, “Heath,” he says, “Where did you get this?” with a distasteful look on his face he spits it out.

“From the creek,” Heath answers. Nick asks, “What creek?” Heath replies, “Don’t know.” Nick asks, “When did you get this?”

“Just before I arrived here,” Heath answers.

“Stay here,” Nick tells him.

Watching as Nick empties the water from the canteen on the ground, “Did I do something wrong?” Heath wanted to know.

“No,” Nick answers, “I’ll be right back.”

<p>

Leaving Heath at the tree Nick goes to fill the canteen with fresh water that is nearest the North Pasture. Returning and handing it to Heath “Here” Nick says, “Drink.”

Taking it Heath removes the cap and takes a sip from it. Holding his hand out “Let me try” Nick says and upon taking it from him and trying a sip of it “That’s much better, isn’t it?” and without waiting for a response returns it to him and tells him “Heath, don’t ever be drinking or eating something that doesn’t taste right. You got me?” Nodding his head, “Yes Nick” Heath replies.

“Okay,” Nick noticing the time says, “Heath, I think it’s time we went back to work. We have lots to do and will be calling it an early night tomorrow seeing we will be going up to the cabin afterwards.”

Replying, “Sure Nick,” Heath gets up as Nick does. Seeing Nick stretching his arms he follows what he is doing. Noticing, Nick has a little smile on his face and upon walking over to their saddlebags they place their canteen and dishes back where they go. Going back over to the fence they resume taking slats and hammering them with the nails into the wood posts at the same time.

<p>

Back at the house Jarrod is upstairs in his bedroom working on taking everything out of his suitcase and putting them where they need to go. Coming into the room Victoria asks him how it’s coming along to which he responds, “Oh, getting there. I thought before I start working on what I need to bring for tomorrow I should first empty out what I had in there already.”

Replying “That would be a smart idea,” Victoria offers to help him out to which he declines the offer. Noticing the books on the bed, “What’s this?” she asks.

“Taking them with us,” Jarrod informs her, “Got them from the attic.”

“They look like they were Audra and Gene’s,” she states.

“They were,” Jarrod notes, “Just borrowing them.”

“Why?” she wanted to know.

“Heath doesn’t read well,” he points out, “And if a free moment comes up I want to see if I could get him to read some of them.”

“A nice idea” she then asks “What else doesn’t he know how to do? Did you find out?”

“Some,” Jarrod informs her, “He doesn’t know how to tell time but he does have an excellent memory. So far that is all we know at this point.”

As he resumes emptying out his suitcase Victoria excuses herself and goes down the stairs.

<p>

While putting up the new fence Chad catches sight of Heath beginning to doze off and alerts Nick. Glancing over and noticing Nick goes over to him and gently shakes him awake. After opening his eyes “Huh” Heath says feeling someone touching him.

“Come with me Heath,” Nick instructs him while motioning him with the fingers of his right hand. Doing as told, “Where we going?” Heath asks as he follows him.

“Just come with me,” Nick tells him who does as instructed. Once they are at the tree where they had their lunch earlier, “Here!” Nick commands, “Sit!”

With his brow furrowed in confusion, “I don’t understand,” Heath says.

“Sit” Nick tells him again. As he does what he’s told and is seated under the tree “Now what?” Getting down on one knee “I want you to take a little nap” he informs him. With his eyes wide open and about to get up “Nap!” Heath mimics “Can’t; must work!”

Placing his hands on his shoulders keeping him there, “Heath,” Nick asks, “Who’s the boss?” Heath answers “You.”

“Then,” Nick informs him, “I want you to take a little nap. You didn’t get too much sleep last night and didn’t get any sleep yesterday or the night before that one so I want you to take one now. After you’ve slept for a little bit and you awaken, you could start working again, okay?”

Not knowing what to say and looking at Nick with his mouth opened, Nick says again, “Okay Heath?” Heath nods his head and replies, “Okay.”

“Heath,” Nick assures him, “Everything is going to be fine, just get some sleep.”

“Yes Nick” Heath replies as Bobby comes over with a blanket and as Nick thanks him he covers Heath up with it telling him goodnight to which Heath reciprocates. Watching as Nick and Bobby walk away Heath begins closing his eyes.

<p>

As Nick and Bobby are heading back to the others, “Nick,” Bobby then says to which he replies, “Yes Bobby.”

“Don’t know if anyone told you or not” Bobby mentions, “But he has nightmares. I thought if you didn’t that you should be made aware.”

Nick replies surprised, “No I didn’t know. But thanks for letting me know that.”

While they go back to work Heath finally falls asleep. An hour later Nick says to the men,” I have to go back to the house for a few minutes. If Heath should wake up let him know where I went, otherwise don’t disturb him.”

“We won’t,” Bobby vows with the others right behind him.

<p>

Saddling up Coco, Nick rides back to the house.

<p>

As he goes inside he calls out “Mother, Jarrod!” to which Victoria responds “In here Nick” referring to the kitchen. Walking in and after exchanging hellos he asks “What you doing?”

“Getting dinner ready,” Victoria answers, “And seeing what food preparations I could get ready for your outing tomorrow.”

“So I guess,” Nick says, “Jarrod told you.”

“He did,” Victoria replies.

“What do you think?” Nick wanted to know.

“I think it’s marvelous,” Victoria states, “It’ll give you and Jarrod a chance to spend time with Heath; I think he could use it.”

“Where is Jarrod?” Nick asks.

“Last I checked,” Victoria mentions, “He was up in his room getting ready for tomorrow. Did Heath eat his lunch?” Nick answers, “He did.”

“Did he bring anything?” Victoria asks.

“No,” Nick says, “He had just a couple apples and peaches inside his saddlebag.”

“Duke was right then,” Victoria notes.

“Yes” Nick says “He ate one of the sandwiches and enjoyed the cake you had with it.”

“We’ll be having another one for tonight,” Victoria informs him.

“He’d like that” Nick says “I’ll be back down; Gene and Audra should be home soon.”

“Yes,” Victoria replies, “Any minute now. Oh Nick,” before he departs.

“Yes Mother?” Nick says.

“Silas was taking the clothes of Heath’s that had to be washed and came across a pair of pants that had two holes in them” Victoria asks “Do you know anything about that?”

“While Heath was working on the fence yesterday,” Nick mentions, “He fell and skinned both his knees. I took care of them but first tried getting into the holes but that didn’t work out so well. Perhaps,” he suggests, “Silas could fix them up so that he could use them in the summer time.”

“Not a bad idea,” Victoria says, “He could use them as shorts.”

Replying “That’s what I figured” Nick exits the kitchen using the back stairwell and heads for Jarrod’s bedroom leaving Victoria with getting her preparations ready.

<p>

Entering the bedroom, “How’s it coming?” Nick asks of Jarrod who he sees has brought out the bedrolls and is now working on one of the three fishing rods he has on the bed making sure they work properly answers, “Getting there.”

“We still have until tomorrow to get ready,” Nick reminds Jarrod.

“True,” Jarrod replies, “But you are still putting a full day in so if everything is ready for tonight and seeing I’m not doing anything then I figured why not work on it now. Besides if I find I still should need something I could always take a trip into town tomorrow and pick up what we still need before we are to go.”

“That’s a smart idea,” Nick says, “I didn’t think of that,” and then as he observes Jarrod working in a pleasant tone he brings up, “Something tells me that you are really looking forward to this little outing we’re going on.”

“I am,” Jarrod admits. Nick asks, “Any particular reason?”

“Well,” Jarrod explains, “Heath is new to us and in some ways it’s like how we each bonded with Father as we were growing up. He would take us places and do things that he could never do with Heath and seeing Heath never was able to do any of them with him I figured it would be sort of like a father and son adventure only with a brother. You understand where I’m coming from?”

Nodding his head, “I do,” Nick admits, “And I think I am looking just as forward to it as you are and pretty much for the same reasons I may add. And I think Heath could really use the time out with us. It’ll give us a chance to learn about each other and be able to talk without everyone around. And seeing this will be all new and special to him I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. I want this moment to be as special to him as it is to us.”

“Agreed,” Jarrod replies.

“Could you use any help with getting ready?” Nick offers. Declining the offer, “Not right now,” Jarrod tells him, “But if I do, I will let you know.”

Noticing the books on the bed, “What’s with the books?” Nick inquires.

“I thought I’d take them along and see if we could get Heath to read from them,” Jarrod mentions. Nick replies, “Good idea. We are going to have to figure out how to get him to learn all these things.”

“They will come,” Jarrod notes, “But for now we will have to work on getting him to sleep inside.”

“That’s for sure,” Nick says, “I will see what I could do with him tonight on that. I don’t want him having to sleep inside the barn when he could have himself a nice warm bed inside of a nice warm room to sleep in.” Jarrod replies, “I don’t either.”
“That is also some of the purpose behind these books,” Jarrod mentions, “If he has a hard time sleeping maybe reading a story or two from them may help.”

“That might work,” Nick states.

Just then hearing, “Mother, we’re home,” from Audra and Gene as they come through the door.

Nick says, “They’re home, come on. We’ll talk some more later.”

<p>

Stopping what he’s doing Jarrod follows Nick down the stairs.

<p>

As Gene and Audra enter the front room they hear “Audra, Gene, come into the study” to which they follow the voice. Walking in they are first greeted with a welcoming home kiss and then asked “Did you have a good day at school?”

“Went alright” Gene answers. Victoria asks if they have any homework to which Audra replies “We have some.” Victoria tells them “Well, you could work on it after dinner.”

“Here’s the mail” Gene mentions to which she tells him “Put it on the desk. We’ll look at it later.” Doing so, he places it in the center of the desk and then asks “Do you think it will be alright if I went riding?”

“You could,” she tells him, “In a little bit. But for now, I need both of you to take a seat. We’re about to have a family meeting.”

As Gene says “A family meeting?” Audra asks, “Is something wrong?”

“No,” she answers, “It’s just the family has to have a talk.”

As they take a seat, “About what?” Gene asks.

Victoria then calls out to Jarrod and Nick who both enter the room. Noticing someone missing, “Is this about Heath?” Audra asks to which Victoria answers, “Yes it is.”

Gene asks, “What has he done?”

Nick answers, “Nothing. But we do have a few things we need to learn about him. This morning we were talking amongst ourselves and we need your input on some things.” Gene asks, “Our input?” Audra wanted to know, “On what?”

Jarrod joins in with, “We need to find out if there is something either of you may know that we don’t, because as we talked to him we’ve come to learn that he seems to talk one on one,” as he is sitting alongside of Audra and running his fingers down her long blonde hair.

“Not only that,” Victoria says, “But that maybe there is something you’ve noticed about him that we haven’t. And the only way for us to help him is to know what we can about him.”

“Well,” Gene brings up, “I’ve noticed a couple things about him that I am not sure anyone else has noticed or picked up on.” Audra adds, “So have I.”

Standing over by the fireplace with his elbow on the mantel Nick says, “Share them with us.”

“Well,” Audra brings up, “First I want to say that I like his being here and have from the very beginning.” Victoria replies, “We know that dear.”

“Okay,” Audra says, “Because I don’t want him to have to leave.”

“He’s not going anywhere’s,” Nick tells her, “He is here to stay. I already told you that this morning.”

“Well okay,” Audra says, “In the hotel room the night he first came here and we went to his room he said something about he doesn’t fancy our father’s breeding and that it was no pride that he had him for his daddy but the Barkley name was a proud name and that it was his. And he was gonna wear it and have people look up to him just like they do to each one of you. And everything that is Barkley he was gonna be too,” as she looks to each of her brothers gathered.

“Did he say anything else?” Jarrod wanted to know.

“I said something about wanting to see some of the places like he has,” Audra answers, “And he said that it wasn’t all that glamorous as I may think.”

“Did he say anything else?” Jarrod asks again.

“No,” Audra answers, “That was it.”

“Jarrod,” Victoria asks, “Is there any legal way you could work on getting his name changed to Barkley legally?”

“I’ll work on it,” Jarrod tells her.

“He is going to have to have our name somehow,” Nick states, “So when he has a bank account and does business for us when he’s in town.”

“I know Nick,” Jarrod mentions, “I will work on it and see what has to be done to get him legally into the family.”

“Okay,” Victoria asks, “What else do either of you know or noticed about him?”

“I have noticed,” Gene brings up, “Whenever we ate together he constantly waited until he was told he could eat.” Victoria replies, “We learned that already.”

“As he ate,” Gene says, “He ate very slowly sort of watching each of us, mostly Nick as he did.” Nick replies, “We know that too.”

“I also noticed” Gene brings up “That the night Jarrod had a talk with Audra and you both came downstairs and you said something about using harsher persuasions on Audra to keep her in line, he got very nervous-like. I don’t know what he was thinking but that is what I did notice.”

“That is fine Gene” Jarrod says “We do need to know as much as possible, even if it’s how we are talking that bothers him. We need for him to feel comfortable around us so all of this does help.” Victoria replies, “Yes.”

“When he and I went to go pick the apples,” Gene brings up, “We talked some.”

“And” Nick asks.

“And” Gene says “I asked him if he liked calling us sirs and ma’ams and said he must do.”

“We already know about that” Nick replies “So let’s skip that piece.”

“No, wait!” Victoria says “I was just thinking about something, something that I didn’t think about until now.”

“What’s that?” Nick asks.

“About what Gene said” Victoria reiterates “About Heath hearing what we’re saying and how we say it, like how Jarrod mentioning taking harsher methods of persuasion to keep Audra in line.”

“What does that have to do with the sirs and ma’ams part?” Nick asks.

“I know now that he is calling each of us by our names, and is calling me Mother, which I like” Victoria confides “But I remember trying to get him to loosen up and was telling him that I was many things to many people but never being Ma’am and then I said something that I didn’t think about until now about somehow we’ll have to do something about that.”

“What happened?” Jarrod wanted to know.

“Right after that” Victoria notes “He clammed up and stopped calling me Ma’am, in fact, when he said anything at all to me he would just say yes’ um or no’ um. Things like that.”

“Yes” Audra replies “He did. It was as if he didn’t know what to call you or how to address you and whatever you said he was afraid that if he called you that again you might do something to him.”

Victoria says, “That’s exactly what he was thinking.”

“Then,” Jarrod brings up, “We all have to keep in mind whatever we say to him to be careful of how it comes out because he may not take it the way it was meant to be taken and may take it as an entirely different meaning.”

“Agreed,” Victoria replies, “What else?”

Changing topics “I did ask him what he did for fun in Strawberry” Gene says.

“I asked him that too,” Audra admits.

“We’ve all asked him questions about that,” Victoria says, “Let’s skip that part.”

“He doesn’t like his Aunt Martha or Uncle Matt at all,” Audra brings up.

“We know that too Audra,” Jarrod says, “And from what we learned from him he does have good reason.”

“Yes he does,” Nick replies.

“This is going to sound strange,” Audra mentions, “But did you know that when we was in his uncle’s hotel he mentioned something about his sleeping downstairs in a box.”

“He told me that too,” Gene confides.

“A box?” Victoria asks.

“Yes Mother,” both Gene and Audra reply.

“There just may be something to that,” Jarrod brings up.

“How’s that?” Victoria asks.

“I asked him questions regarding his uncle” Jarrod says “And whenever there were any kind of parties going on at the hotel he had to stay downstairs and asking him why he had to stay downstairs all he kept saying was that he had to. I also asked him if that is where he slept and he said he did that he had no say in the matter.”

“He said that to me too” Gene blurts out followed by Audra.

Gene then mentions “He also said something about him being a kind, but I didn’t know what he meant.”

“He said that to me too” Audra says “I don’t know exactly what that meant either.”

“It means” Jarrod explains “He was singled out. People would shun him because of not having a father and because his mother had him without one and because his mother had him without being married.”

“And because of that,” Audra asks, “They call him a kind?”

“Afraid so honey,” Jarrod tells her.

“That’s not right,” Audra says.

“No, it’s not Audra,” Nick replies, “It’s awful.”

“Nick’s right Audra” Victoria then joins in with “It is awful. But in all honesty that is how most of the world is, some people or many in Heath’s case, were very prejudiced against him because of that and they made his life pretty miserable for him as well as for his mother.”

“I don’t know why they would do that,” Audra replies, “It’s just not right.”

“No” Victoria says “It’s not right. But we can’t change how people are. Fortunately for us we weren’t brought up that way and I tried to raise each of you with better values than that but we can’t deny the fact that they are out there. And as Heath begins venturing out more and more into Stockton, he will be encountering unfortunately more of that, but hopefully it won’t go on for too long. I think once many of the local people get use to his presence being around it will eventually subside. We will just have to wait it out and take each situation as they come up.”

“Do you know at the church last Saturday” Audra brings up “Before going inside some of the guests overheard me saying Heath was my brother and were saying awful things about him to one another?”

“What kinds of things Audra?” Victoria wanted to know.

“They said things” Audra reiterates “Like it was a disgrace, another said something about his being Father’s mistake and that we should’ve sent him far away from here; stuff like that.”

“Did Heath hear any of that?” Victoria asks.

“He did,” Audra admits, “I tried to tell you about it last week but you said not now and I forgot to bring it up until now.” Victoria tells her, “That’s alright dear.”

“There was a couple” Jarrod mentions “That said things in the house I had them leave.” Audra asks, “Why would they do that?”

“I’m sorry you got a taste of it, Audra,” Victoria says, “And I’m sorry for Heath to have to hear that but for now, just keep your head up and don’t listen to them.”

“I feel so bad for Heath,” Audra mentions.

“I do too dear,” Victoria notes, “It’s not fair but then the world can be a cruel place at times.”

“At the beginning” Nick brings up “I was doing to Heath just what everyone else was doing. This morning I was telling you the truth about how I was being cautious in accepting him and why I did it but a part of me also had other reasons too. Subconsciously I was blaming him for Father’s death and yet he had nothing to do with it. It took me a few days to truly understand what both Duke and Mother were trying to get across to me and it took me until last night to really comprehend it all. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time I was still bothered by Father dying and I was taking my anger and resentment out on him.”

Nick continues “Mother was also right when she said he was hurt by so many and had to pay a higher price for it and he did. We may not like it but what happened between Father and Heath’s mother was nothing more than an innocent love affair and we shouldn’t be blaming Heath for what they did, because it wasn’t his fault and he had nothing to do with it.”

“Indeed no,” Victoria joins in with, “He is just the innocent victim in all of this.”

“Yes,” Jarrod adds, “He is.”

<p>

“Lets go back to the downstairs,” Nick suggests, “And the box for a moment.”

“Nick” Victoria says “You really don’t think he actually slept in a box, do you?”

Shrugging, “Don’t know,” Nick answers, “When it comes to his uncle and how he was treated I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“I have to agree with Nick” Jarrod says “And he did tell both Audra and Gene this and I assume that he told you both” looking at each of them “When you were by yourselves with him, right?”

“He did, yes,” Audra admits, “He mentioned that to me the first night he came to live here and we went up the stairs together and were just about to turn in.”

“And,” Gene notes, “He told me that on the way to the orchard.”

“And,” Jarrod mentions, “He told me he had to stay downstairs when he was alone with me and Silas. So I have to think he’s telling the truth about that.”

“I agree” Nick says “And that might explain some of the reason why he doesn’t sleep in his room by himself. He said something about the doors being closed and windows being closed bother him. Maybe he doesn’t like being closed in because of that.”

“That is a possibility,” Jarrod states.

“Oh,” Victoria says, “I hope not! That is just so terrible.”

“I agree,” Audra then points out, “Like his being locked in the Springhouse you had him in last Saturday,” looking over at Nick.

Exhaling heavily, “I know I won’t hear the end of that for a long time,” Nick states, “But I know that it was a mistake; a bad mistake on my part.”

“Yes it was” Victoria admits “And you’re right, you won’t hear the end of it. Each time I think about that Nick, I can’t begin to tell you how I feel, that you did that.”

“I know” Nick says “And I did it. But I won’t do that to him ever again, I give you my word.”

“If it is true,” Victoria brings up, “If he did indeed sleep in some type of box, I wonder just how often that did happen.”

Shrugging “Don’t know” Nick says “Right now, it’s hard to decipher some of what he says. He doesn’t know days, dates or years, so trying to get him to tell us that, won’t be easy.”

“He doesn’t know days?” Victoria wanted to know.

Nick answers, “No. He doesn’t even know what a year is. He only knows what today is, tomorrow or yesterday. But that is it.”

“Jarrod did say something,” Victoria mentions, “About he doesn’t read well.”

“No” Nick states “His reading does need improvement. He could read words, but that is it. And some of the words we say or use, he may not understand them. I already found out he didn’t comprehend some words that I was using and I had to keep rephrasing them until he was able to understand.”

“That may explain what he meant when I first met him,” Audra brings up, “When he was over by the gravesite of Father. He said he was looking for our place and got fouled up in the woods.”

“That is quite possible,” Nick says.

“He also,” Jarrod mentions, “Doesn’t know how to tell time.”

“He doesn’t know how to tell time?” Gene asks.

“No!” Jarrod says, “He only knows the numbers on the watch.”

“He also,” Nick brings up, “Didn’t have much schooling which is why he hasn’t learned much of anything.”

“How’s that?” Audra asks.

“What else?” Nick says, “That uncle of his has something to do with that. He had him working inside of a mine instead of going to school.”

“How is it he got by without any schooling?” Victoria curiously wanted to know.

“I believe his mother and Aunt Rachel worked with him whenever it was possible” Nick says “Because he does know some, just not as much as he should.”

“He managed to find Stockton,” Gene notes.

“True he did” Jarrod says “But he asked directions along the way as well as his memory.”

“His memory?” Victoria asks.

“Yes,” Jarrod explains, “He has an extremely good memory. And if someone told him something or if he saw it he would remember it.”

Audra asks, “Does he really have that good of a memory?”

“Yes, he does,” Nick notes, “That is why he was able to build that bridge as well as the fence, he seen it done someplace and anytime we’ve asked him things he remembered pretty much exactly what you said or told him almost word for word. That is probably why he managed to do so well without any schooling.”

Adding his voice to Nick’s, “I’d have to agree,” Jarrod states.

“What a shame,” Victoria says sympathically.

“Too bad,” Audra suggests, “He couldn’t come with us to school and learn them.”

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea dear” Victoria says “Except for right now it would be very difficult for that to happen.”

“You mean” Audra asks “Because people being prejudiced and shunning him?”

“Yes” Victoria states “And the last thing he needs right now is having someone laughing at him or making him look like a fool. What he needs is for us to help him get on his feet and going to school just won’t help him to do that, it would only make matters worse.”

“Then what do we do Mother?” Audra wanted to know “How about if I teach him at night when I come home from school?”

“Now,” Victoria says, “That’s not a bad idea. But what I think we all need to do is each one of us to pitch in and help him learn all of what he doesn’t know.”

“I too,” Jarrod joins in with, “Thing that is the most ideal solution.”

“I agree” Nick adds “And I could spend a few minutes a day with him when we are out working and having lunch. I could take along a couple of books and see if I could get him to read from them.”

“And the rest” Victoria brings up “Will have to be at night time after he’s finished work for the day. Nick” looking over at him “Too bad you don’t get him to stop a couple hours sooner each day so that I could work with him before dinnertime.”

“That may not be a bad idea” Jarrod says “And when I am not in San Francisco and at home I too could help.”

“I will get him to do that,” Nick replies, “He does need to know this stuff.”

“I think” Victoria says “He will also benefit from it if we all pitch in and take turns. That way he’ll know a little more about what it means to be a part of our family.”

“I agree,” Jarrod replies.

“Okay,” Victoria then asks, “Is there anything else?”

Nick brings up, “The investigation.”

“What about it?” Victoria asks.

“At first” Nick mentions “I wanted it done and then I changed my mind but now thinking about it again it may be a good thing. It may help us to know things about him that he can’t tell us. We will see what comes of it when it arrives.”

“Agreed,” Victoria replies.

“There is one other thing,” Gene brings up, “That I got out of Heath.”

“What’s that?” Jarrod asks.

“I asked him” Gene replies “If he made a lot of money from all the jobs he had.”

“And did he?” Victoria wanted to know.

“No,” Gene replies, “He said he didn’t. I asked him how he got his money to buy things.” Nick asks, “And what did he say?”

“He said,” Gene states, “He made money at the livery and took it to a game of cards someplace and made money he needed that way. That is why I wanted to see how well he played in a game against the two of you. I wanted to see if he was as good as he said he was.”

“Well,” Nick says, “We will find that out when we play with him.”

“Is there anything else?” Victoria asks.

“Well,” Audra blurts out, “I just thought of something.”

“What’s that?” Victoria asks.

“Several times when I tried taking hold of his hand” Audra says “He would pull away and when I did finally get a hold on it he felt shaky like he didn’t like it.”

“Yes,” Victoria informs her, “He doesn’t like being touched.”

“I did however,” Audra replies, “Manage to keep a hold on it though. He didn’t like it but he did seem to ease up after a bit. You know what I think?”

“What’s that Audra?” Jarrod asks.

“I think” Audra mentions “What I think he could really use or need is a hug.”

“I think you’re right,” Victoria states.

“I managed to do a little of that already,” Nick brings up.

“You did?” Jarrod wanted to know.

“On our way into Stockton,” Nick explains, “I pulled the wagon over to the side and at first he jumped out and I had to go after him. But once I did I managed to bring him into my arms. He resisted but I eventually won out.”

“Maybe” Jarrod says “He finally realized it was alright or just got tired of pulling away.”

“That’s possible,” Victoria asks, “Anything else?”

Thinking, “I just thought of one other thing,” Audra brings up.

“What’s that honey?” Jarrod asks.

“Heath is like a puzzle” Audra notes “We all seem to have a little piece of him and it seems to be taking all of us to put the pieces together and bring him whole.”

“I think it’s,” Victoria notes, “Going to take the entire family to bring him together as one whole person.”

“I wonder,” Jarrod says, “If Chrissy could supply us with anything.”

“She might,” Victoria states, “Heath seems to talk when he is one on one. So maybe he said some things to her that she may remember.”

“We’ll take a trip over to Ed’s when he gets back,” Nick mentions, “And see what we come up with.”

“There is one other thing I like to bring up,” Audra says.

“What’s that dear?” Victoria asks.

“I’ve noticed that Heath,” Audra surmises, “Seems to be more at ease talking one on one rather than the entire family together or too many people in the room. I remember talking to him on Friday alone and then he stopped talking completely when Gene, Silas and some of the hands walked in.”

“I’ve noticed that too,” Nick states.

“That may explain,” Jarrod notes, “Why I was able to get more out of him on the way to town than when we were all sitting together at the table.”

Nick says, “Same here.”

“Then until Heath feels comfortable around us here,” Victoria mentions, “We have to be careful of how we talk to him and not do anything that pushes himself into a corner or makes him feel like he’s pressured in any way.”

“Agreed,” Jarrod says.

“And seeing he is more comfortable doing one on one,” Victoria insists, “We will also be teaching him one on one.”

“Good idea,” Jarrod says.

<p>

Then stretching his arms and moving towards the doorway, “Well,” Nick announces, “I better be getting back to the North Pasture,” making his leave.

<p>

As Gene and Audra both ask if they could ride their horses Thunder and White Cloud, Victoria replies, “Go ahead; just make sure you are both back by dinner time.”

“We will,” Gene replies as he, Audra and Nick exit the room.

<p>

As it approaches a little past 4:30 pm Nick returns to the North Pasture where the hands are quietly and skillfully working side by side putting the new fence up “I’ve returned,” Nick asks “How’s it going?”

“We got quite a bit done, Nick,” Ron mentions.

“Yes” Nick replies “I see that” as he looks at the progress in it “Has Heath awakened at all” he then asks glancing over at him still asleep underneath the tree. “Not yet,” Bobby says.

“Did he have any nightmares?” Nick wanted to know.

“No,” Bobby answers as Nick resumes working.

<p>

TBC