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 authors. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted by the author.

 

Vengeance is mine - Nutterone

 

 

Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord. - Romans 12:19

 

 

The urgent knocking on the door didn’t pause a second.  It continued non-stop, insisting someone answer.  Victoria Barkley swept down the stairs and stopped in the doorway to the parlor only long enough to offer a reprimanding glare to the man within and then strode on toward the door.  She pulled it open to find an obviously flustered Jenny Miles.

 

“Oh thank heavens Victoria.  You’re home.” 

 

Victoria smiled, her face unchanged, ever polite.  She waved her arm and bid Jenny enter.  “Of course I’m home.  Where else would I be?  What’s wrong?”  Victoria Barkley had lived through enough in her lifetime not to panic at first glance.  She’d just recently finished breakfast with her family, so she knew they were safe.  She couldn’t imagine anything else worthy of distress, so she remained calm.

 

“She’s come back.  I knew you’d want to know.  You have to do something about this.”

Jenny was truly distressed and she didn’t understand why Victoria wasn’t as upset as she was.

 

Victoria smiled and raised an eyebrow.  “Jenny, do you have time for a cup of tea?  Come and sit down.  I’ll fix a pot of tea and when you’ve calmed down you can tell me what you’re talking about.”

 

The calming words got through, and Jenny shook her head to clear her thoughts.  “No.  I’m sorry.  I was just so upset.  I can’t believe she had the gall to return.”  She looked to her friend expecting to find understanding now.

 

With a crook of her head and a continued look of exasperation, Victoria didn’t have to say more.

 

Jenny blushed.  “I’m sorry.”  She drew in a deep breath.  “I was in town first thing this morning to pick up a package for Wally.  As I waited at the depot, I saw her get off the train.  I was stunned.  I had to come as soon as possible.”  Jenny’s eyes flew wide.  “Oh no!  I forgot to get Wally’s package.”  She paled.

 

Victoria smiled and grasped her long time friend’s shoulders.  “Jenny.  Look at me and tell me who came to town today.”

 

“Veronica Carson.”

 

It took everything Victoria had to retain her calm, smiling exterior.  “It’s been a long time since she visited.”  It was all she could say.  She refused to let Jenny be witness to her personal distress at the name.  “Are you sure?  It’s been over thirty years.  I’m sure she’s changed.”

 

Jenny shook her head.  “I’m sure.  It was her.  I’d know her anywhere.”

 

“But Jenny, she was only a child when she left.  It could have been someone who simply resembled Veronica.”

 

Jenny grew strong and her shoulders squared off.  “Veronica Carson was never a child.  She is evil incarnate and you of all people know it.  You, of all people know what she’s capable of.  Her return to Stockton can’t mean anything good.”

 

“Don’t worry, Jenny.  There’s nothing Veronica Carson could say or do that can hurt any of us now.  That was long ago.”  She smiled broadly, laying a guiding hand on Jenny’s arm.  “You head back to town and get Wally’s package.  Everything’s going to be fine.”

 

Jenny allowed herself to be guided but paused in the door.  “I hope you’re right, Victoria.  I hope you’re right.”

 

“She can’t hurt me, Jenny.  The past is dead.”  Victoria flashed her friend a comforting smile and Jenny departed. 

 

Victoria took her time closing the door. It was a name she thought long buried.  She’d never planned on hearing it again.  She wouldn’t lie to herself.  She hadn’t forgotten the incident.  Heath’s arrival in their family had dredged the memories forward several years ago.  It had been inevitable.  Had her return also been inevitable?

 

Silas interrupted her thoughts.  “Missus Barkley, is everything alright?” 

 

A scowl spread across her face.  “Silas!  You know Dr. Merar’s orders.  You’re to rest.  Were you not trying to answer the door?”  Victoria intended to change her focus.

 

“I knows what the doctor said, but I just can’t sit here and not answer the door.  That’s my job.”  The faithful servant was truly flustered.

 

“Silas, your job is to get better.  If you won’t sit and relax, I’ll send you back to your room.”

 

“But Missus Barkley, that girl we done hired to help out just ain’t getting it all done.  Where was she?”

 

Victoria knew that it was hard for him to sit by and let others do for him.  He had his systems and ran her household perhaps more than she did.  It had shocked the family when the accident occurred.  He was driving a carriage to town for a forgotten supply and the horse was spooked.  He’d been thrown into a creek.  Aside from bruises and a broken arm, he lay half in the water for hours before anyone found him and thus he developed a terrible case of pneumonia.  The entire family had worried and been by his side. 

 

“Susan is out in the garden doing some work for me.  I’m sure she didn’t hear the door or she would have been here.”  Victoria smiled at the man’s obvious shame.  “You settle yourself back on the settee and I’ll fix us both a cup of tea.”

 

 

~ ~ ~ BV ~ ~ ~

 

Nick Barkley stretched out in his saddle and yet still managed to pat his steed, Jester.  They spent enough hours together to have the easy understanding a horse and rider should have.  Jester would never be Coco, but his dedication to his master was equal. 

 

“Your age is showing.”

 

Nick growled and spun to meet his brother’s taunt.  “What?”

 

Heath grinned and his blue eyes twinkled as they often did when mischief was about to prevail against his older brother.  “We’ve only been pushing cows for a couple hours and you’re already taking a break.”

 

“Why you…”  He bit back his words.  “I ain’t resting.  I’m trying to figure out what’s going on down there.”  He pointed down the hill.

 

Heath followed Nick’s arm with his eyes.  “Why would anyone be poking around that old place?”

 

Nick sat back smugly in his saddle.  “Resting, my ass.”

 

Heath laughed.  “Well, you aren’t getting any younger and just this morning at breakfast…”  Heath stopped when Nick abruptly rode off in the direction of the old house in the valley below them.

 

“Hey, wait up.”  He spurred Charger in quick pursuit.

 

Nick slid easily from his horse and waited for Heath to catch up with a smirk on his face.  Heath did so and they both climbed the short stairs to the front door.  Just as Nick was going to open the door without waiting for permission, a woman appeared in the frame. 

 

“Can I help you?”  She asked bluntly.

 

Nick stopped abruptly and Heath, slightly behind him, crashed into him, earning a scowl before Nick spoke.  “I think that’s for me to ask.” 

 

“Why?”  The woman didn’t seem remotely put off by the sudden appearance of the two men. 

 

“You’re on our property.”  Nick said matching her tone.

Heath grimaced slightly.  He wondered why it was he always seemed to be present when Nick thundered into a situation like this.  For all they knew, Jarrod had rented out the old house and hadn’t thought to tell the rest of the family.

 

“Your property?  I assure you.  I own this land and all the buildings on it.” 

 

“That’s impossible considering the Barkleys own everything the eye can see in this area.”

 

A smile lit the woman’s face, but there was nothing friendly about it.  Her face turned ice cold.  “The Barkleys think they own this land?  How very typical of them.  You’re one of them, I assume?”

 

“Nick.  Nick Barkley and yes, that makes me one of them.  This is my brother, Heath.”  Heath nodded to the woman.  “Care to change your story now?” 

 

She laughed.  “No.  I assure you.  I own it.  You can rest assured though I won’t be staying here tonight.  The house is in far too much disrepair.  I just came to check things out.  You’ll be able to apologize to me when next we meet.”

 

Nick smiled his most delightfully insincere smile.  “I won’t be apologizing.  We’ll see who’s right and who’s wrong.”

 

The woman’s face softened.  “You most certainly are Tom Barkley’s son.  You have the same stubborn ignorance.”

 

Nick raged at the insult and was about to launch an all out attack when Heath, quiet until now, shoved him aside.  “You’ll have to excuse my brother, Miss?”

 

She raised her hand and Heath politely shook it.  “Mrs. Veronica Cromwell.”

 

“I’m sure this whole thing can be straightened out Mrs. Cromwell.  Can we escort you back to town?”

 

Nick turned on the pair. “I’m not escorting her anywhere.”

 

Heath fumbled slightly for a retort.  “Good idea, you need to get back to the herd.  I’ll escort Mrs. Cromwell back to town.  She’s new around here and she might not know about the short cut back to town.”

 

Nick growled.  “That short cut goes through land that is ALSO Barkley.  She’s not welcome to use that road.”

 

Heath smiled charmingly and glanced back and forth between the two quarreling people.  “Now Brother Nick, everyone uses that road.  You know that.  This is no way to welcome our new neighbor.”

 

“Harumph.”  Nick continued to scowl.

 

“Why don’t you head back to the men and I’ll see you later this afternoon?” 

 

Heath’s smile lit up his face and Nick knew there would be no success for him.  “Fine.  Stop by Jarrod’s office while your in town and point out the error to Mrs. Cromwell.”

 

“Why that’s right nice of you, Nick.  Now I got me the day off, too.”  He turned back to Mrs. Cromwell and offered his arm.  “May I escort you to your buggy?” 

 

She smiled in return.  “Just a moment.  I left my bag inside.” 

 

She disappeared from the doorway and Heath turned back to Nick.  “Nick, when are you going to learn not to go in swinging?”

 

Nick sputtered with anger.  “You don’t actually believe her, do you?  This land has been ours since I was born.”

 

Heath took a deep breath.  “All I know is that someone is confused.  That’s no reason to start a range war.”

 

“I’m not going to war with her.”  He kicked at the deck and hopped off the porch, ignoring the steps.  He climbed back into the saddle and rode back up to the porch where Heath waited.  “You hear me now, Little Brother.  I got a bad feeling about her.  You escort her back to town and then head straight to Jarrod’s to get this straightened out.  You hear me?”

 

Heath scowled but said nothing.  He knew better than to argue with Nick in his current mood.

 

“You’d best keep not only a tight lip but your distance as well on the ride in.”

 

That was too much for Heath.  “What?”

 

“You heard me.  I know how you work.  You think no matter what happens we all have to be friends.  You’ll be sweet talkin’ her the whole way to town.”

 

“NICK!  She’s old enough to be my mother.”

 

“But she ain’t.  You just watch yourself.”

 

Heath rolled his eyes and shook his head.  “Thanks for the advice.”

 

Shortly after Nick rode out, Veronica Cromwell stepped into the shade of the porch.

 

“Ready to go?”

 

She smiled.  “Yes, I just closed up a few windows I’d opened.  You never know what the weather will be like before I get back out here.”

 

He nodded and helped her into her buggy.  He tied Charger to the rear and climbed in next to her.  She was holding the reins and it unnerved him slightly when she didn’t immediately hand them over to him.  The only other woman he knew that drove a buggy when there was a man present was his stepmother. 

 

She must have sensed his unease.  She handed him the reins.  “I’m sorry.  Force of habit, I’m afraid.  I’m quite used to making do for myself.”

 

Heath smiled and accepted the reins.  “I know a little something about that.”

 

“Really?  Here?  I didn’t realize a Barkley would know anything about making it on their own.”

 

Heath’s reply was typically quiet.  “I haven’t always been a Barkley.”  He corrected himself, knowing how the rest of the family despised that attitude from him.  They strongly maintained that he’d always been a Barkley, just not with them.  “I mean, I didn’t grow up here.”

 

Veronica smiled.  This was exactly the man she had wanted to meet.  This is the man that was going to ensure her vengeance.

 

Chapter Two

 

Heath dusted the dirt from his pant leg and hat as he entered the foyer.  Before he could clear half the distance to the stairs to clean up, Nick was on him.  “Where have you been?”

 

Heath played it coy.  “In town, just like you told me.”

 

Nick was in no mood for Heath’s antics and his hands went to his waist as he bore down on his younger brother’s form.  “I said come right back.  That was hours ago.”  It suddenly occurred to Nick that Heath might have already acted on the information he gained from Jarrod.  “Unless of course you stopped to deliver an eviction notice to that woman.”

 

“That woman has a name, Nick.  Mrs. Cromwell, remember?”

 

“I don’t care what her name is.  I won’t need to remember it after this conversation, right?”  Nick leaned further in, hoping to intimidate Heath.

 

Heath gulped. “Well, ya see, Nick.  You do.  It seems you’re wrong.”

 

Nick’s face flushed with anger.  “WHAT?  WRONG?”  In a poor attempt to keep from breaking something, namely his brother’s face, Nick stepped back and paced the foyer grumbling.

 

The roar of Nick’s anger hurried Victoria from her room.  She was halfway down the stairs when she called out her reprimand.  “Nicholas Barkley.  There is no need to shout.  Your brother is standing right in front of you.  I’m sure he can hear you.”

 

Nick stopped and directed a hand in Heath’s direction.  “Why shouldn’t I yell when Heath’s giving the ranch away?”

 

Victoria smiled, confident it wasn’t as bad as that but before she could counter, Heath had one of his own. 

 

“Now just a dang minute.”  Heath steeled himself for battle.  “I did no such thing.  I can’t give something away that never belonged to us.”

 

Nick combusted.  “NEVER BELONGED TO US!  ARE YOU SAYING THIS RANCH ISN’T OURS?”  He edged closer to Heath.

 

Victoria moved quickly to stand between her sons.  She was well aware of Nick’s ability to lash out, and she didn’t doubt Heath’s either.  “Stop it!  Both of you.”  When both men had backed off, she continued.  “Now, Heath, tell me what this is all about.  I’m sure I might know something.  I have been around the ranch for a few years.”

 

Before Heath could start, Nick opened his mouth to argue his brother’s telling, but he closed it immediately at a glare from his mother.  “Nick!”

 

Heath curtailed the bulk of his grin at his mother’s reprimand, but enough escaped to cause Victoria to issue another glare in his direction.  “Heath will tell us now.”  She held her hand on Nick’s chest to distance him but looked at Heath.

 

“We were over on Carson’s Ridge and Nick here saw someone down at the house.  We went to check it out.”

 

Victoria’s stomach clenched at the mention of their location.  It couldn’t have been coincidence.  She swallowed and maintained her external control.  “Go on.”

 

“Nick got all upset and argued with the woman there.  She insisted she owned it and he said we did.”  Heath glanced Nick’s way to judge how he was doing.

 

Victoria caught the glance and risked a confirmation for herself.  “Nick, is this true so far?”

 

“About.”  Nick grumbled.

 

“Go on, Heath.”  She said.

 

“I escorted the lady back to her hotel and then went to Jarrod’s.  After some searching, it turns out, we don’t actually have the deeds to that property.  We own everything around it, but not that parcel.  It belongs to some guy named…”

 

Victoria cut him off.  “Carson.”

 

Nick was stunned.  “You knew about this mother?”

 

She shook her head.  “I never thought about the ownership.  I always assumed your father had bought it from the estate.”

 

“So who was this man, Carson?”  Heath asked, sensing the change in his mother.

 

“He died many years ago, when Nick was a baby I think.”  She mumbled.  Her hand strayed to her lips, as if trying to keep the story inside.  She turned away from her sons and walked slowly into the parlor.

 

Nick and Heath exchanged knowing glances and hurried ahead of her.  Heath guided her to a chair and Nick poured her a glass of sherry.  She accepted it without speaking.  They sat in silence for some time.

 

Nick never handled silence well.  “So, this woman must be Carson’s wife?” 

 

Heath shook his head, but then nodded.  “I suppose she could have remarried.  She’d have been pretty young back then.”

 

Nick chortled.  “She’s no spring chicken, Heath.  You’re the one who said she was old enough to be your mother.”

 

The comment sent a wave of panic through Victoria, and she sought out Heath’s face.  She needed reassurance he didn’t know the truth.  Old wounds were being reopened all around her, and she prayed Heath would somehow remain untouched by all this.  She feared his actions if he discovered the truth.  She stammered out her words.  “Earl Carson’s wife died in childbirth.  What was the woman’s name?”

 

Heath was unsettled by the whole experience today.  Something just wasn’t right and his mother’s reaction was proving it.  He hesitated.  “Cromwell, Veronica Cromwell.”

 

“She must have married.”  Victoria whispered as if alone.  She shook it off and asked more questions.  “What did you and Jarrod decide to do?”

 

“Jarrod was going to do a bit more research and then stop in to visit Mrs. Cromwell, see what her intentions are.  Maybe she’s just visiting?”  He added optimistically.

 

Victoria knew it wasn’t true in her heart.  Veronica Carson had returned to exact her revenge.  It was all too clear to Victoria.  Veronica had somehow found out about Heath and returned because of him.

 

Nick continued.  “So all we have to do is buy it from her and everything is official.”

 

Heath nodded.

 

“What hotel is she staying at?”  Victoria asked, summoning her courage.

 

“Pardon?”

 

Victoria barely controlled her annoyance at having to ask twice.  “Where is Mrs. Cromwell staying?”

 

“She has the suite at the Cattleman’s.”

 

Nick snorted.  “Well, if she’s got the suite, what on Earth would she want with a rundown house in the middle of nowhere?  This will be over sooner than we know it.”

 

Victoria drew in a calming breath.  “You boys go get ready for dinner.  Jarrod will be late, I suspect?”  She looked to Heath.

 

He nodded.  “He said not to wait but he didn’t think he’d be too long.”

 

The dinner table was quiet.  Audra and Eugene were traveling in Europe for several months.  It was Eugene’s graduation present, and Audra had somehow managed to invite herself along.  Victoria smiled at the image.  Gene was starting medical school soon and didn’t necessarily want his sister around during his freedom, but had agreed nonetheless.

 

Heath dropped his fork and the noise rang through the room.  “It’s too quiet in here.”  He murmured.

 

“Yep, no way to hide your bumbling now.”  Nick teased. 

 

“Now you know why the rest of the family likes dinnertime.  It’s the only time they can hear each other with you in the room.”  He countered.

 

Nick was about to reply when Jarrod swept into the room.  “Now Nick, don’t say anything.  Heath’s right.”  He stopped at his mother’s side and stooped to kiss her offered cheek.  “Evening, Mother.”

 

“Jarrod, I’m so glad you’re home.  I was hoping it wouldn’t be too late.”  She smiled and started to rise. 

 

Jarrod waved her back down.  “I’m right here, Mother.  I can get my plate.”  He grinned and his blue eyes sparkled.  “That is if my brothers have left anything to eat.”

 

Heath didn’t look up.  “I think there’s a skinny, little potato in the bowl.”

 

Jarrod groaned.  “Thanks.”

 

“There’s plenty.  Don’t listen to your brothers.”  Victoria wiped at her mouth with the corner of her napkin and used it to hide a brief frown.  She was relieved to have her sons home, but the situation still nagged at her.

 

“Did you talk to that Cromwell woman?”  Nick asked when Jarrod had loaded his plate and sat.

 

“I did.”  His tone was very legal and proper.

 

“And?”  Nick pushed.  He hated Jarrod’s unemotional, legal side.

 

“And she’s planning on fixing up the place and living there.”  He added nonchalantly.

 

Nick threw his fork down and it clattered off the edge of the plate.  “Well if that don’t beat all!”  He picked up his fork and pointed it at Heath.  “This is all your fault.”

 

Heath’s eyes grew wide.  “My fault?  Why is it my fault?”

 

“You insisted on being all nice to her.  We should have just thrown her out.  She’d have gotten the message.”  Nick demanded.

 

“What message was that, Nick?”  Victoria asked, secretly wishing Nick was right.

 

“That it’s OUR land.”

 

“But it’s not, brother Nick.  She is Earl Carson’s legal heir and the land is hers.”  Jarrod took another bite of the roast when he finished speaking.

 

“She could really mess things up for us.”  Nick argued.

 

“Like what?”  Heath asked.  He wasn’t convinced Mrs. Cromwell meant to cause any trouble.  She just wanted to settle down.

 

“The creek that feeds the south basin runs through that land.  What if she taints it?”  Nick seemed very confident.

 

“That’s her water supply as well, why would she muck it up?”  Heath queried.

 

“Because she’s a woman.  What does she know about running a household?” 

 

Victoria raised an eyebrow his way and Nick quickly corrected himself to the sound of Jarrod and Heath stifling giggles.  “A ranch.  What if she intends to ranch?  We run cattle through that land.  Now we have to run them around.  It will add days.”  He looked over to Jarrod who had just helped himself to a bite of green beans.

 

Jarrod swallowed.  “What?”

 

“Did you ask her about her intentions?”  Nick demanded.

 

Jarrod shook his head.  “No, beyond living there, she said nothing else and I didn’t ask.  The truth of the matter is, it is hers and she can do with it as she sees fit.”

 

“I don’t like it.  The place has been vacant since I was a kid.  Isn’t there some law about abandoning your property?”

 

Jarrod was impressed.  “Nick, you may be on to something.  I’ll check into it in the morning if it’s so all fired important to you.”

 

“To US!”  Nick pounded his hand on the table.  “This is not just me.  We’re talking about OUR ranch here.  Why doesn’t anyone else seem worried?”  Am I the only one who can see the bigger picture here?”  Nick was feeling confident of his position.

 

Heath broke the moment.  “What if she just wants to live out the rest of her life in peace and quiet in the house she grew up in?” 

 

“You did it, didn’t you?”  Nick demanded more strongly than ever.  “Even after I told you not to.”

 

Heath dropped his napkin on the table and prepared for another fight.  “Did what?”

 

“You went and got to liking her.  I warned you.  I told you not to talk to her.  You just couldn’t listen to me and now we’re going to lose the ranch.”

 

Victoria would have no more.  She rose to her feet.  “Nicholas!  Stop this.  You are out of line.  If all Mrs. Cromwell wants to do is live there, there is nothing we can do about it.  That means we must embrace her as a neighbor, as we do all our neighbors.  Why on earth would she want to hurt us?”  She couldn’t believe those words had come out of her own mouth.  She bit her lower lip a moment.  “I’m sure she’s a reasonable woman and will allow us the rights we are accustomed to on the land.”

 

“And if she doesn’t?”  Nick snarled.

 

“Then we’ll deal with it then, legally.”  Jarrod added.  “I already have an appointment with Judge Reimer tomorrow.  We may be able to require her to give over water and mineral rights.”

 

“Good.”  Nick glared at Heath.  “At least someone’s thinking.”

 

Heath pushed back his chair.  “So was I.  Who do you think she’ll be more likely to listen to, Nick?  You or me?” 

 

Just then Susan entered nervously.  She looked to Victoria for direction.  “Thank you, Susan.  I think we’re done.”

 

Jarrod, ever the peacemaker, invited his family to drinks and billiards in the study.  Victoria agreed to join them in a few minutes.  Just outside the dining room door, as Susan cleared up, she leaned against the wall and took several shaky breaths.  “I only hope she’ll listen to me as well.”

 

Chapter Three

 

Victoria retired early that evening.  A headache nagged at her and she decided to try and sleep it away.  In reality, she knew it would remain until she confronted Veronica Carson, no Cromwell.  That would have to wait until morning.  She tossed and turned for what seemed like hours before finally finding sleep.  It was not restful.  Dreams of her past intruded but never enough to wake her fully.  She dreamed of the fateful night when Veronica Carson had forever left her mark in Barkley history.  There were now only three living people who could tell the tale. 

 

Victoria had recently lost her first child.  She hadn’t wanted to socialize but Tom had insisted she come to the barn raising at the Miles ranch.  Knowing Jenny would be flustered, she hesitantly agreed.  Her heart was slowly healing and sitting at home alone would do her no good.  She didn’t have anything to do either, nothing else to occupy her mind.  The house was clean.  She’d channeled her loss into running the perfect household.  Tom always talked about hiring someone to help with the house.  It was money she knew they didn’t really have, but Tom was never one to worry about such things.  He said it would happen and she knew someday it would.  Everything Tom Barkley did, he did big.  Frugal wasn’t a word in his vocabulary.

 

The barn was up and the men had retired to enjoy spirits while the woman cleaned up.  Jenny had insisted Victoria lie down for a time before the dancing began.  It had been a long day and she offered no argument.  She fell quickly asleep, her hand wrapped around her empty belly. 

 

She had no idea how much time had passed when she heard the shouting voices from elsewhere in the house.  She rose from the bed and slipped out of the room to follow the sound trail.  She stopped just short of the front parlor and listened to the conversation within.

 

“I’m stunned, absolutely stunned.” 

 

Victoria recognized her husband’s voice.

 

“It’s shocking.  I can’t believe this happened under our roof,” sobbed Jenny Miles.

 

“What do you intend to do about this, Carson?” Wally Miles demanded.

 

“I…”

 

Victoria inched forward while doing her best to keep her body hidden.  She peeked into the room and was intrigued by those present.  The man who had just attempted to speak was Earl Carson.  He’d been in the Valley when she and Tom arrived.  He’d been the first to welcome them and had introduced them to the Miles, who became fast friends.  He was obviously distraught. 

 

“He’s lying!”  A young woman’s voice from the corner startled Victoria.  She’d not noticed her before.  It was Earl’s daughter, Veronica.  She was a beautiful, young girl and very spoiled by her father.  At the young age of fifteen, she already had a reputation for taunting the boys in town.  It was well known she usually got what she wanted.

 

Victoria sucked in her breath as Earl sprang across the room and slapped his daughter hard across the face.  “Shut up you whore!  I don’t know what game you’re playing, but this is too much.  You will stop your foolish lies NOW!”

 

Veronica clamped a small hand on her face and tears streamed down over both cheek and hand.  She shook her head.  There was obvious fear in her eyes.  “No. No, Papa.  I didn’t.  I swear.  He asked me in and then he…”

 

She stopped when her father’s hand rose up above her.  She cowered into the corner.

 

Tom stepped forward and grabbed Earl’s hand.  “That’s enough, Earl.  She’s been through enough tonight.”

 

“Enough, Tom.  That’s kind of you, but what she’s done tonight… It’s unforgivable.  What if Victoria had been the one to find you two, after what she’s been through?”

 

Victoria closed her eyes.  The situation was becoming clearer to her.  Jenny or Wally had undoubtedly discovered Tom alone in the room with Veronica.  She didn’t have time to consider it further, as Tom spoke again.

 

“She’s a young girl with no mother to guide her.  She got carried away tonight.  It isn’t as if I was in any danger.”  He added softly, “nor was she.  You must believe me.  Nothing would have happened.  Jenny and Miles entered at the wrong moment.  Veronica had just thrown herself at me.”

 

Earl’s head sunk.  “I know Tom.  I’m just so… So humiliated.  My daughter is the town whore.”

 

“NOOOOO!” Veronica’s voice was filled with terror.  “I told you.  He pulled me in here.  Why won’t you believe me?  I’m your daughter.”

 

Earl turned on his daughter, once again with venom.  “You were once my daughter.  Now you’re nothing more than a spoiled, selfish whore.  What on earth would possess you to say such a wicked thing?  Accusations like the ones spilling from your filthy mouth can ruin a man’s reputation.  BE SILENT!”

 

From deep within, Veronica summoned her courage.  “WHAT ABOUT MY REPUTATION?  He attacked ME!” 

 

The blow from her father sent her crashing into the wall and Victoria couldn’t stifle the gasp from her own mouth as Veronica slid limply into the corner. 

 

Her outcry had alerted the others to her presence.  Tom paled slightly and moved to usher her into the room.  “How much did you hear?”

 

Victoria spoke calmly.  “Enough.”

 

Jenny rushed to Victoria’s side and fumbled to find any words.  Victoria calmed her with a gesture of her hand.  “It’s over now, correct?”

 

Tom nodded.  Victoria stepped past them and walked to Earl’s side.  “Take her home.  You might want to send for the doctor.”  He looked into her eyes, stunned at how calm she was.  She nodded in understanding.  “It’s over.  It won’t happen again.”

 

“I’ll make sure of it,” Earl said firmly.  “That’s a promise.”

 

Victoria turned back to Tom.  “I’m tired.  Can we go home?”

 

He offered her his arm.  “Jenny, Wally, I’m sorry about this.”

 

“Like Victoria said, it’s over.  Let’s just all pretend it never happened.”  Wally spoke with bravado.

 

Victoria was quiet during the buggy ride home.  She knew her husband wouldn’t bring up the situation either.  As she brushed her hair at her dressing table, she considered the night before.  Tom had come to her in an extremely amorous state.  She’d refused him.  It was simply too much for her.  She’d never denied her wifely duties until that night.  Tom hadn’t been happy, and she knew it.

 

Tom took the brush from her hand and continued the stroking motions himself.  He smiled and pressed subtle kisses on the top of her head.  She pulled away from him.  “No, Tom.  Nothing has changed.”

 

“Tori, a man has needs,” he grumbled.

 

Victoria didn’t stop to consider her words.  “So you attempted to satisfy them with Veronica Carson?  She’s a child, Tom.”

 

“Tori…” He said her name with a hint of caution.

 

She turned and faced him.  “Thomas Barkley, you are not a perfect man.  I knew that from the start, but you will not ruin an innocent girl’s reputation.  You need to tell her father the truth.”

 

Tom stepped back.  There was no remorse on his face.  “You said it yourself. It’s over.  I’m not telling Earl anything.”

 

“You’re going to stand there and allow that girl to suffer?” Victoria rose and met his stance, despite her petite frame.

 

“I’ve a name that’s respected in this town.  I’ll not ruin my son’s name before he’s even born.”  He looked at her with confidence and grabbed her arm.  “And we will have a son.”  He pulled her to him and held her tight.  His intentions were clear.

 

Victoria knew she couldn’t fight him.  She’d already seen what might happen.  “I pray this will be a daughter, and every time a man looks at her you remember what you’ve done.”

 

Victoria woke and her hands immediately went to her abdomen.  She found it small and flat and knew she’d been dreaming.  Those days were long gone.  She’d stayed angry at Tom for quite a spell but the disappointment had vanished when she discovered herself pregnant again.  She smiled at the thought of her firstborn.

 

Earl wouldn’t speak of the incident.  All he would say is that he’d sent Veronica to a convent until she learned right from wrong.  Victoria comforted herself believing the convent might calm the girl.  It was only because of the reputation she’d already begun to establish that no one questioned Tom’s word.

 

It was still early.  The sun hadn’t even begun to rise yet.  She rose from her bed and sat in her dressing gown, considering what she might say to Veronica later that morning.  She found herself wondering what path the girl had been lead down.  She had obviously married and by the sounds of it, come into some money of her own.  Earl had slipped in later years.  His land had fallen into disrepair, and he sold off parcel after parcel to keep going.  Tom had purchased most of it to add to their growing spread.

 

When at last the sun was about to rise, Victoria made her way down to the kitchen.  The stove was lit but no water had been set to boil.  She started the morning meal herself, not sure where Susan was.  She didn’t have to wait long. 

 

Susan stumbled into the kitchen a few minutes later.  She didn’t even see Victoria as her nose was glued to a book she held intently.  She let out a small scream.  “Oh, Mrs. Barkley.  I’m so sorry.  I didn’t see you there.  It’s so early.”

 

Victoria smiled.  “It’s fine, Susan.  I woke early so I thought I’d come and help with breakfast if it’s alright with you.”

 

Susan tensed.  “I… I was just lookin’ at this book… I normally read a bit when I’m waitin’ for things to get going.”  She nervously glanced around, fearful she was in trouble.  “I never spill anything on the books and I put them right back on the shelf where I get them.  I hope its ok.”

 

Victoria smiled again.  “I think it’s wonderful that you enjoy reading.  We’ve got plenty of books and you’re welcome to read them.”

 

Susan offered a small curtsy.  “Thank you, Ma’am,” she added. “Why don’t you let me fix you some tea in the parlor.  You shouldn’t have to fix your own breakfast.”

 

“I’ve fixed many a meal, Susan.  I enjoy it.  Silas and I often cook together.”

 

Susan seemed confused by such a grand lady doing something as menial as cooking.  “It just doesn’t seem right.”

 

“Well yous got a lot to learn yet about Missus Barkley.”  Silas’s voice surprised them both.  “Why don’t you git on out to the chicken coop and fetch us some fresh eggs for breakfast.”

 

She nodded eagerly, happy to be getting out of the situation.

 

Victoria grinned at Silas and shook a wooden spoon his way.  “You don’t need to scare her like that.”

 

Silas softened and smiled back.  “Iffn she’s gonna work here, she’s done gotta do things right.”

 

Victoria shot his a curious glance.  “If she’s staying?  Are you finally agreeing to let me hire more help?”

 

Silas blushed slightly and fiddled with the corner of the table.  “Well, it does seem a shame to spend time training her to do things like we like them and then send her away.”

 

Victoria laughed.  “Good.  I’ll ask her later this morning.”

 

Chapter Four

 

Veronica Carson Cromwell sat at the dressing table and ran the brush slowly through her long locks.  She did her very best to ignore the thinning of her hair.  She also tried hard to ignore the age signs that had long ago crept into her face.  She leaned in closer to the mirror and turned up the light.  Despite the thin lines that crept from the corners of her eyes, she did look good for her age. 

 

She hadn’t yet reached fifty, but she was dangerously close.  She’d long ago learned the proper tips to hide her true age.  She was most often taken for a woman twenty years younger, something that she took great pride in.  It had always served her well.  Her last husband, Lord Fredrick Cromwell believed her to be only thirty-four. 

 

She didn’t relish the thought of acting her true age in Stockton but it was necessary for the success of her plot.  She’d invested too much of her time developing the plan to throw any one part of it aside.  The bones of the plan had begun to take shape over thirty years ago when she’d been so quickly ushered out of town, betrayed by her own father.  If she could have claimed vengeance on him, she would have.  He’d died before she was in a position to do so.

 

The night she was ushered out of town on the last train was as vivid for her now as it had been then.   Tom Barkley had lied his way out of a compromising situation and had ruined her life to save his own.  No one had doubted him.  It was impossible for them to accept that he might have pursued her.  He’d been doing it for weeks and must have thought the party was his opportunity. 

 

When she’d heard of the bastard son’s existence, she felt her first inkling of vindication.  The whole town now knew that Tom Barkley was an unfaithful rogue.  She assumed she would sail into town to a hail of apologies and begs for forgiveness.  She knew no one had recognized her today.  Stockton had long ago forgotten Veronica Carson.  The statue of Tom Barkley in the center square proved it all.  Thanks to Heath Barkley’s arrival, she would remind them all.

 

She’d been ushered onto the last train to San Francisco.  She wasn’t sure what she would do when she got there.  She had little money and nothing but the small satchel her father had allowed her to pack.  The conductor announced the stop and she gathered her meager belongings and took a deep breath, preparing to make a success of her new life.  She needn’t have worried.  As soon as she stepped onto the platform, Sister Mary Laurence swept down on her.

 

“Veronica Carson?”  She demanded.

 

Veronica stammered.  “Yyyeess.”

 

“Is that your only bag?” 

 

The nun’s voice sounded to Veronica like a barking dog, and it compelled her to answer.  “Yes.”

 

“Good.  You’ll have no more need of material things.  Come with me.”  The nun turned and began to walk away.

 

Veronica hesitated and the sister sensed it immediately.  She stopped and turned back.  “Come along!  There’s no time for dawdling.”

 

Veronica stood a little taller and drew confidence from the small move. “I’m not sure why you are here, and I have no idea why I should go with you.”

 

Sister Mary Laurence stepped back and her eyes narrowed.  “Your father has sent us a wire asking us to take you in and teach you repentance.  You WILL come with me.”

 

Veronica paled.  “What did my father tell you?”

 

A small, evil smile formed on the nun’s face.  “He said only that you were a wicked girl who needed our guidance.  He promised to send a letter with further details.  It is enough for us.  Now, come along.”

 

Veronica glanced around.  Suddenly she felt young and small.  She had no idea what she would do if she didn’t obey.  At least with the nun she would have shelter and food, most likely.  She fell in step behind the nun, calling out to her from behind.  “Where are we going?”

 

“To the convent, of course.”

 

“Are there other girls there?”  Veronica allowed herself to believe it was most likely a boarding school.  Her father had often teased her about sending her to one.

 

“You’ve no need to worry about company.  You’ll not have time.  Hurry up.” 

 

They quickly reached a carriage and rode in silence for what seemed an eternity.  Veronica had no idea what to expect and in the darkness, she still didn’t when they finally arrived.

 

The coach drove off, and Sister Mary Laurence marched up to what seemed to be the back door of a large building.  The door creaked loudly as it swung open.  There was no warming light to welcome them.  The room was pitch dark.  The nun fumbled at a shelf near the door, and a second later the glow of a small candle illuminated her face.  “This way.  Time enough to see things in the morning.”

 

Veronica fumbled in the dark as she struggled to follow the woman.  “Can I have a lamp?”

 

A small laugh filled the darkness.  “A lamp?  We have no need of such niceties.  We use only candles and then only when necessary.  Hurry, girl!  I’m tired and I want to turn in.  It’s bad enough I’ve had to go out tonight and wait for you.”

 

 They climbed stair after stair after stair.  Veronica had long ago lost track of the number.  Her legs complained and she wondered if they would ever stop.  She had no idea how the old nun managed so easily.  She was lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice when the small flicker of light she’d been following stopped.  She crashed into her guide.  She stammered an apology, which was ignored.

 

“You’ll sleep here.  I’ll come for you in the morning.” 

 

Veronica tried to evaluate the room by the dim light, but before she could ascertain much, Sister Mary Laurence turned and left without further word. 

 

Before she could survey her surroundings, she was plunged into darkness.  Panic rose within her as she heard the lock click.  She fumbled her way back to the door and checked the handle.  She was trapped.  She groped her way around the room and banged various parts of her body against unseen objects.  Furniture, she assumed.  In her awkward exploration she discovered a small bed and an equally small window.  She pulled back the covering and a tiny sliver of moonlight penetrated the room.  It was enough to comfort her. 

 

She didn’t bother to remove her clothes.  She made her way back to the bed and collapsed.  She pulled the thin pillow to her face and allowed the tears to flow.  At this point, the world offered her no hope.

 

She ushered the painful memories from her mind and finished her evening rituals.  She browsed a dime novel left by a prior occupant of the suite but when the tiny, easily controlled yawns gave way to larger ones, she retired to her bedchamber.  She sank into the fresh sheets and wished the world away for a few hours.  Her vengeance would be there in the morning when she was more rested.

 

The persistent pounding startled her awake.  She sat up abruptly, suddenly launched back in time. 

 

“You will respond and get up this minute, girl.  I’ll not have any shenanigans on your first day.  There’s work to be done.”

 

Scared, Veronica glanced around the still dark room.  She sat up and swung her legs off the bed and tried to right her traveling suit.  She still wasn’t quite sure what was happening.  She didn’t have to wait long. 

 

Sister Mary Laurence stormed in.  “What’s this?  You’re not even dressed for the day.  Hurry now.  Get changed.”

 

Veronica coughed to clear her throat and then spoke quietly.  “But the sun’s not even up yet.”  She looked out the small window.

 

“There’s much work to be done before the sun rises.  I’ll be showing you today but starting tomorrow you’ll be on your own.”

 

“My own?  What must I do?” stammered Veronica.

 

Sister Mary Laurence was obviously frustrated the girl didn’t seem to be catching on.  She didn’t care for naïve girls.  “You’ve come here to repent of your sins.  There’s no better way to do so than through good hard work.”

 

It all became clear to her.  “So I am to be a slave?”

 

The nun smiled.  “Good President Lincoln abolished slavery.  You will however work for your room and board, and the work will be hard.  You best forget your former spoiled life.  The only road to God’s mercy for you is work.”

 

Whoever the rude guests in the suite across the hall were, Veronica didn’t care.  Their persistent knocking had brought back such vivid memories that her desire for vengeance was all the stronger for her night’s sleep.  She spent over two years in that despicable place.  She’d been certain slavery was the only way to describe her circumstances.  She woke each day before dawn and prepared a breakfast for the twelve nuns who lived within the large walls.  Each day she was presented with a long list of tasks to accomplish by sundown.  If she completed her list from the previous day, she would receive two small meals.  If she hadn’t, she would receive only bread and water. 

 

She glanced down at her hands and for a moment the open wounds that had once marred them appeared.  She was fortunate ladies in polite company still wore gloves.  The scars on her reddened, rough knuckles still remained.  Several of her husbands had commented on how rough her hands were.  She told them there’d been a fire at her home in her youth. 

 

She tried escaping several times.  She been dragged back and punished brutally.  Her father had never once visited and written only once to express his hope she was serving a just penance.  A chill spread down her spine at the memory of the dark hovel in the cellar of the convent where she would receive her punishments.  Pleasant, benevolent nuns had no mercy when handling a whip.  Sister Mary Laurence was especially fond of using an old lead sprinkler.  She would fill it with scalding hot water and proceed to “christen” Veronica.  She ran her hands up and down her arms as she recalled the small blisters which once covered her skin.

 

She knew she wouldn’t have to wait long.  She suspected the great Victoria Barkley would arrive this morning.

 

Chapter Five

 

Victoria dressed slowly.  She’d already changed her outfit twice.  She wasn’t sure what impression she wanted to make.  She’d begun the ordeal in her finest blue dress.  She’d quickly changed when she decided the last thing Veronica Cromwell would want is to see Victoria Barkley’s status flaunted.  She opted for a plain day dress.  Although Silas urged her to have one of the men drive her in to town, she drove the carriage herself.  She stopped outside the hotel and drew in several deep breaths. 

 

Standing just outside Veronica’s suite, Victoria drew several more, deep, calming breaths.  She didn’t remember a time when she had been so nervous.  She’d known fear often enough, but nerves were something very different for her.  Fear was real.  It always filled her with dread, but also inspired her to overcome it.  Nervousness was more vague.  It made no sense.  It lacked definition and direction.  It wasn’t something she could attack and be rid of.  She’d always hated nerves.  Drawing back her shoulders, she knocked on the door.

 

The door swung open, and Veronica Cromwell appeared before her.  “Mrs. Cromwell?”

Victoria offered the name as a question, but she recognized the young girl she had once known in the woman before her.

 

“Lady Cromwell to be exact, but yes, Mrs. Barkley, it is I.”  She stepped back slightly.  “Won’t you come in?” 

 

Victoria forced a smile to her lips and nodded.  “Thank you for seeing me unannounced.”

 

Veronica laughed softly.  “I knew you’d be here sooner or later.”  She looked the older woman up and down.  She realized Victoria Barkley wasn’t all that much older than she was.  She’d aged well.  Veronica had forgotten how petite she was and yet her presence, as it always had, filled the room.  She smiled.  “I knew you’d want to be the first one to welcome me home.”

 

“You’ve been away a long time,” said Victoria bluntly.  “What brings you back?”

 

Veronica turned her back to Victoria and walked over to a tea tray.  “Would you like a cup of tea?”

 

“Thank you.”  Victoria’s head tilted with a growing sense of confidence.  “Then you will answer my question?”

 

Veronica delivered the steaming cup of tea and indicated a seat across from her.  “Is it wrong to return to the place you were born?  After all, I have such pleasant memories of Stockton, as I’m sure, do you.”

 

Victoria wasn’t buying the act.  “Why now?”

 

“Why not?”  Veronica stirred her tea and debated how much to say to her enemy.  She’d never truly decided how much of an enemy Victoria Barkley was.  Until the bastard’s arrival it was impossible to know if Victoria knew of her husband’s lascivious nature.  Even know she supposed the woman could live under the delusion that her husband had only once been unfaithful. 

 

“I asked you why you came now,” Victoria reasserted.

 

“I thought you’d be surprised I hadn’t come three or four years ago when the bastard showed up.”  Veronica had no qualms about displaying a definitely unladylike side under the present circumstances.

 

“My son…  My son is no bastard,” Victoria hesitated.  The crass term always angered her, but she wasn’t going to let her anger give Veronica the upper hand.  “And yes, I’m surprised you waited this long to come back and gloat.”

 

Veronica assumed the role of a genteel English lady.  “My husband was ill.  I couldn’t leave his side.”  She lowered her head.  “Although I’m sure you know I wanted to.”

 

“Where is your husband now?”

 

“Dead.”  She took a sip, as if it had been difficult to explain.  “He died three months ago.”

 

“And then you came immediately here?” Victoria pressed, wanting the conversation to progress more quickly.

 

“Yes.”

 

“To drag my family through the mud?”

 

“Why on Earth would you think such a thing, Victoria?  I may call you Victoria, may I?  Seeing as how we have a history.”

 

Victoria smiled.  “Veronica, let me cut to the chase.  What do you want?  Are you here to dredge up the past?”

 

Veronica refused to give her hand away so soon.  “Did you know the truth that night?”

 

Victoria hadn’t expected to be confronted about her own knowledge.  She didn’t answer.

 

“I see.”  Veronica set her cup down on a side table.  “Did you know about the others?  Heath’s mother, for example.”

 

“I see no need to discuss this with you,” Victoria said harshly.

 

“Because you want to pretend I was the one at fault that night?  Is it easier for you to sleep believing so?  I imagine it is,” she paused but continued before Victoria could speak.  “That one night ruined my life.  You must know that.  I went to a convent where I was treated no better than a slave.”  She laughed at a memory.  “The horses in the stable were treated better than I was.”  She looked Victoria in the eye, who met her gaze.  “I finally escaped.  I did things that desperate women must do in order to survive Mrs. Barkley, all because of your husband’s lies.  I’ve lied, cheated and stole.  I’ve sold my body a hundred times over in and out of marriage to find some sense of security.” Her voice fell to a whisper.   “Do you know how hard it is to not lose yourself through all that?  I had to come home.”

 

Victoria was shaken to the bone.  She knew life would have been difficult for the girl but hadn’t expected the horrors described.  She really didn’t know what to say.  “What do you want me to say?  I know my husband was an imperfect man, but he had good qualities too, qualities that built a home and a good life for his family and this town.  What good will it do to dredge up the past for anyone?”

 

“You can’t accept perhaps I just need to be able to walk these streets with my head held high?”

 

“After what you just told me, I have a hard time believing you don’t want some kind of revenge.”

 

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.  Tom Barkley met his maker and I trust God dealt with him.  I don’t think hell is hot enough for him.”

 

Victoria blanched at the strong words.  “So you want nothing from my family?”

 

“I want to live out the rest of my life in peace, Victoria.”

 

Victoria rose.  “Then I wish you every happiness.”  She walked toward the door but stopped when Veronica called out to her.

 

“What if I had wanted something else?  What would you have done?”

 

Victoria glared at her.  “No one hurts my family, Lady Cromwell. No one.  I wouldn’t let anyone or anything harm any of my children.”

 

“Even Heath?” 

 

“Any of my children, of which Heath is very much one.”

 

Veronica smiled, seeming chagrinned.  “It’s really too bad my own father couldn’t have shown me such loyalty and devotion.  Things might have turned out so differently.”

 

Victoria resumed her walk to the door but stopped before closing it behind her.  “Veronica, I am sorry for what happened.  I hope you believe that.”

 

Veronica said nothing.  Oh Victoria, if you think you’re sorry now, just wait.

 

Victoria didn’t pause outside the door, she all but ran down the stairs and out the door where she promptly crashed into Jarrod, who had been standing by her buggy.

 

“Mother?” he asked, concerned.  “Are you alright?”  He held her firmly by the shoulders.

 

She forced a smile.  “Of course.  What brings you here?”

 

Jarrod released his hold.  “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”

 

“I knew Veronica Carson when she was a child.  I thought I’d welcome her home.”

 

Jarrod chuckled, “Try and make amends for Nick’s greeting yesterday?”

 

She smiled.  “She deserved a proper welcome.”  She changed the course of the conversation.  “Now, what brings you here?”

 

“I was going to see Mrs. Cromwell concerning the land use.  I spoke with the judge this morning.  Although there is no specific precedent, he feels strongly we would win in a court case.  But, as the prudent judge that he is, he encouraged us to come to a binding legal agreement before it went too far.”

 

“Of course.”  She rested a hand on his arm.  “She doesn’t seem to hold any ill will.”

 

Jarrod sobered. “Why would she hold ill will?”

 

Victoria relied on her eldest son for many things.  She frequently sought his council and now she realized he didn’t actually know anything about Veronica Cromwell’s past and her connection with his father.  Although she wanted to be the one to tell him, indeed, all her children, she didn’t want to do it now.  Veronica had met Jarrod once and said nothing; perhaps she would again remain silent.  She knew Jarrod was too much a gentleman to bring it up.  “Well, Jarrod.  She left Stockton under, well, difficult circumstances.  She’s making a fresh start.”

 

Jarrod sensed his mother’s hesitation, but opted to let it pass for now.  As a lawyer, he knew crucial information from reluctant witnesses could only be obtained at the right time.  This was not it.  “I’ll stick to business.”

 

Victoria stretched up and planted a kiss on her son’s cheek.  “I know you will.  I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

 

“Oh, I thought I’d told you.”

 

“Told me what?” Victoria queried.

 

“I won’t be home for dinner tonight.” He hesitated slightly, “I have dinner plans.”

 

Victoria smiled.  “With whom?”

 

He grinned broadly.  “Miss Lucile Marshall.”

 

“Lovely.  I’ll wait up for you.”

 

“No need, lovely lady.  I may be late.” 

 

Victoria raised an eyebrow and shot Jarrod a scandalized look.  She didn’t need to say anything.

 

Jarrod laughed.  “I may have to go back to the office after dinner.  I’ve got that case in San Francisco next week and if I don’t get the work done today, I’ll need to go back.”

 

Victoria laughed.  “Don’t work too hard.”  She slapped the reins and sent the horse in motion.

 

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she was missing something.  Veronica Cromwell’s return to the valley couldn’t be as easy as it seemed to be going.

 

Chapter Six

 

Veronica and Jarrod negotiated a deal which allowed the Barkleys to continue to use the Carson homestead.   It didn’t take long.  Jarrod had returned to his office and written the documents up.  A messenger delivered them later that day.

 

Lady Cromwell set about fixing up her old home and within a month, she was able to move in.  She didn’t retire to rock on her porch.  She set about making herself a presence in the town.  She joined boards and volunteered at various charities. 

 

In the beginning, tongues wagged about the return of Veronica Carson, now Lady Cromwell.  The old biddies of the town reawakened the old rumors and heads would turn when Veronica entered a room.  There were only three others in town who knew why she’d originally left, so there was often speculation. 

 

Victoria said nothing nor did she do anything, which also inspired a round of gossip.  It wasn’t typical of the Barkley’s not to open their home to welcome a neighbor, much less a returning one.  Many wondered, but no one dared ask save Audra upon her return home.

 

“Mother, did you have Lady Cromwell to dinner while I was away?”

 

“No, dear.”  Victoria muttered.  Her mouth was occupied holding the pins she was using to tack the hem on Audra’s dress.  Her daughter’s obvious excitement for the dance that evening was making the task more difficult as she bounced on the stool.

 

“But why on earth not?  She seems so interesting, we should invite her mother.”  Audra swayed even more as if actually dancing which earned her a tug at her waist.

 

“If you don’t hold still, you’ll turn an ankle and be forced to sit home this evening.”

 

Audra immediately stilled, but her questions kept on.  “So will you invite her?”

 

“Audra, I’m sure she’s quite busy and has no interest in being pestered with questions about her life.”  She placed the final pin in place.  “Now, go and change, and I’ll finish this up.”

 

Audra hopped off the stool and started for the door, but stopped.  She turned back to her mother.  “Are the rumors true then?  Is that why you won’t have her?”

 

Victoria was stunned.  She scrambled to cover her distress.  “Audra, I’ve simply not had the time to invite her over.”

 

Audra smiled.  “So if I see her tonight, I can extend the invitation?  I knew the rumors couldn’t be true.”

 

“Of course, dear.” Victoria forced the smile, secretly praying Veronica Cromwell was not present.  She had accepted the woman’s return, but she wasn’t about to bring the woman into her home.  She knew it was a risk.  She knew it had sent a message, but she hadn’t been able to shake the cold grip of fear that had plagued her since Veronica’s return.

 

Veronica Cromwell didn’t meet Audra that night.  So she rode by the next day and introduced herself and extended the invitation, but Lady Cromwell politely declined.  In fact, Veronica Cromwell attended no social functions.  She participated only in charity events and continued to keep otherwise to herself.

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

The pounding on the door only intensified.  Groggily the family dragged themselves from their beds, and one by one appeared in the hall heading toward the stairs.  Heath and Nick were first, Heath hopping on one foot while he pulled his boot on.  Nick hadn’t bothered with any.  Victoria waved Audra back into her room and noted Jarrod’s absence. 

 

Nick pulled open the door to find Sheriff Lyman.  “I need you to come to town with me.”

 

Nick scowled.  “What on earth for?  It’s the middle of the night.”

 

The anxious lawman nodded to Victoria and Heath.  “Mrs. Barkley, I’m sorry to be disturbin’ you at this hour, but I suspect you’ll want to come to.”

 

Nick was about to fire off a feisty response, but Heath cut him off before the situation got confrontational.  “What’s the matter?”

 

Lyman looked at the three.  “I had to arrest Jarrod tonight.”

 

“WHAT?” Nick lunged in on the man who delivered the stunning news, but the sheriff expected trouble and sidestepped him. Holding out his arm, he argued for the chance to speak.  “That’s why I come out here myself.  There was a commotion in Jarrod’s office tonight.  When I got over there, I found him slumped over a girl.”  He paused.  “She’s dead, and his hands were around her neck.”

 

Victoria stepped in front of her sons.  “Surely you don’t believe Jarrod killed her?”

 

Lyman looked away, and they could all tell he was gathering his words carefully.  “I won’t know anything for sure until Jarrod wakes up to tell us his side.”

 

“Wakes up?” Victoria exclaimed, “he was injured?”

 

The sheriff coughed.  “He’s stone drunk, Mrs. Barkley.  He’s out cold.”

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Victoria paced back and forth in the room shaking her head slowly.  Heath couldn’t take the anxiety from his mother any longer and rose from his chair to stop her with gentle hands on her shoulders.  “Frettin’ won’t make time speed up any, nor will making a hole in the floor.”

 

She smiled wanly.  “I just wish we knew more.”

 

“Nick and the sheriff will be back soon enough.  You saw Jarrod; he’s sleeping it off.”

 

“I think we should just wake him up and end this controversy now.”  The defiance was in every syllable of her words.

 

Heath chuckled.  “I expect even you wouldn’t be able to get coherent words from a drunken man.”

 

“Your brother’s not a drunk.”  Victoria fired back.

 

Heath was stunned for a moment.  “Hey!  No one said that.  The fact of the matter is he’s drunk.  You saw it and smelled it for yourself.”

 

Victoria backed down, knowing she’d overreacted.  The whole situation was just too surreal.  “I just don’t understand what Susan was doing in town, much less in Jarrod’s office.”

 

“Or dead?” Heath finished her thought.

 

They returned to silence and continued their wait.  Minutes later, Nick returned.  He said nothing and the scowl on his face worried them more.

 

“What’s wrong?” Victoria asked, clutching his arm.

 

Nick looked away not able to look into his mother’s eyes.  She reached up and gently turned his face to her.  “Tell us.”

 

Nick looked as if he’d choke on the words.  “She… She had a note asking her to join him.”

 

Heath interrupted.  “What business did Susan have with Jarrod?”

 

Nick paled.  “The note doesn’t say, but the doc discovered something else.”

 

Victoria stood resolved to hear everything.  “What?”

 

“She was with child.”

 

Heath breathed a sigh of relief and even smiled.  “Well, that settles it.  She was coming to Jarrod for help with the father and the baby’s father did this.”  He turned to Victoria.  “Was she seeing anyone?”

 

Victoria shook her head.  “Not that I know of, but who could do such a hideous thing?”

 

“We’ll find out.  It certainly wasn’t Jarrod.  We know that for sure.”

 

Nick might have had more to say, but the sheriff entered the room then.  “Sorry to bother you, but I thought you might want to know that I’m headin’ out to the house to collect the girl’s things.  There might be some evidence to help clear this whole matter up.”

 

Victoria nodded.  “Of course, I’ll go with you.”  She turned to Nick and Heath.  “Nick, you stay here with Jarrod and send someone for us the minute he wakes.  Heath and I will go with the sheriff.”  As an after thought she added.  “We’ll send a change of clothes for Jarrod.  I’m sure it will help him feel better after all he’s been through.”

 

The sun had long ago risen as they stepped out onto the porch of the sheriff’s office.  They’d been waiting in his private office and neither Heath nor Victoria had noted how much time had passed. 

 

When they arrived home, Audra pounced on them the minute they stepped across the threshold.  “Oh Mother!  Where’s Jarrod?  Is he alright?”

 

Victoria hugged her daughter tightly, not sure who she was reassuring more.  She pulled back.  “He’s still in town, but Nick is with him.  We’re here…”

 

Audra cut her off.  “On top of all this mother, Susan’s gone missing.  We’ve looked everywhere for her.  She’s vanished.”

 

The sheriff coughed.  “We know where she is.”  He turned to Heath, “can you show me to her room?”

 

Heath nodded and the two men left.  Audra paled.  “Oh no, Mother.”

 

Victoria met her daughter’s concerned gaze.  “It was Susan that was found dead in Jarrod’s office.  The sheriff is here to search for clues as to why she was in town last night.”

 

“But why doesn’t Jarrod just tell them?”

 

“He’s still...” Victoria didn’t know how to say it.  Her eldest son was still in a drunken sleep.  She’d seen her sons drunk before, Jarrod included, but none like this.  Her mind asked questions and her heart demanded answers.  She halted her own concerns as she witnessed her daughter’s distress.  “It will be a bit longer before this is all sorted out.”

 

“But surely you don’t think Jarrod had anything to do with…”

 

Victoria pulled her shoulders back and pulled herself more erect.  “Of course not.  Let’s go fix a lunch to bring into Jarrod.  When his appetite returns, he’ll want something better than jail food.”

 

Audra grew very quiet.  “This isn’t going to end soon is it?”

 

Victoria refused to answer.

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Heath opened the door to Susan’s room, not sure what he would find.  He’d known the serving side of life and was always sensitive to its needs, but he hadn’t really taken the time to get to know Susan as he should have.  The guilt now weighed heavily on him.

 

The room surprised both him and the sheriff.  There were books all over.  It was obvious the girl liked to read.  “Do these books belong to the family?” Fred Lyman asked.

 

Heath shook his head slowly.  “No idea.  Mother might know for sure.”

 

Fred picked a few up and set them back down.  “Unless we find out she had family, I suspect we don’t need these.”  He picked up a few more and flipped through the pages.  “There doesn’t seem to be anything in them.”

 

Heath moved to the girl’s trunk and gave it a preliminary scan, while Fred moved to her bedside table where he became interested in a particular stack of books.  “It seems the girl was a writer of sorts.”

 

Heath looked over and saw Fred engrossed in a book.  The page hanging down appeared to be hand written.  “Is that a diary?  Should you be reading it?”  Heath didn’t need to see Fred’s raised eyebrow to feel the stupidity of his question.  “It just seems wrong to be prying through her things.”

 

Fred didn’t seem to be listening to Heath.  His face paled and he closed the book.  He grabbed the others from the stack and held them tightly under his arm.  “These are all I’ll need at the moment.  I’ll send a deputy over to pack up the rest of these things.” 

 

Heath nodded and they stepped into the hallway.  “I’ll ask Silas to pack them up so they’re ready when your man gets here.”

 

Fred grew very dark.  “That won’t be necessary Heath.  My deputy will do the work.”  He fumbled at the doorknob.  “Is there a key to this lock?” 

 

“Certainly, but…” Heath felt the chill from the sheriff’s change in attitude run down his spine.  “You don’t think we’d…”

 

Fred’s expression didn’t change.  “I’ll lock the room and take the key with me if you don’t mind.”

 

Heath nodded and cold from his spine spread to his heart.

 

Chapter Seven

 

The family’s hopes were riding on Jarrod’s story.  His normally powerful and highly analytical mind was of no use.  He remembered nothing. 

 

“Jarrod, this is ridiculous.  Try again!”  Nick wrung his hands and then pulled them through his hair in an attempt to occupy his hands.  His frustration was so high he was libel to shake the defense from his elder brother.

 

Jarrod duplicated Nick’s hand gestures and tried to recall more of the previous evening.  “I was working late.  I got up to stretch and poured myself a drink.” 

 

Nick was about to explode, but Heath laid a calming hand on his shoulder.  “Jarrod, one drink wouldn’t send you into that kind of drunken state.”

 

Jarrod looked at Heath and winced.  The pain in his eyes was certainly from the headache he felt but also the whole situation.  “Don’t you think I know that?  How do you think I feel waking up in jail to find out I’ve supposedly murdered a young girl?”

 

Victoria swept in to sit next to him on the lumpy cot.  “I know, dear.  We just need more time to sort all this out.”

 

Conversation stopped when Sheriff Lyman entered. 

 

Nick bounded quickly to the door.  “Jarrod can leave now?”

 

Fred Lyman had never been so distraught in his career, perhaps in his life.  He was about to deliver news that this family, above all others, would never accept. “No, I’m afraid not.  I’ve got to hold him over until Judge Landby can arrange time on the docket for an arraignment.”

 

Heath spoke calmly.  “But I thought the Judge was fishing until next week?”

 

Lyman nodded.  “I sent a deputy after him.”

 

Victoria couldn’t stand the thought of any of her sons sitting in this jail cell any longer than necessary.  “Surely, you don’t think Jarrod would leave town?”

 

Fred coughed.  “He does have offices in San Francisco.  I’m afraid he’ll have to stay.”

 

“Let him come to the ranch.  We’ll personally guarantee he’ll be front and center when the judge gets here!”  Nick demanded.

 

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”  Fred turned to focus on Jarrod.  “You’re sayin’ you never knew the girl before that night?  You weren’t the father of her child?”

 

“She’s worked in the house for a couple months now, since Silas was injured.  I haven’t really been home enough to get to know her.”  Both Victoria and Nick nodded in agreement to Jarrod’s story.  Jarrod’s eyes narrowed.  “Why?”

 

Fred swallowed and took a deep breath.  “She’s been writing about her relationship with you in her journal for months.  She’s described dates and times of your meetings.”

 

Jarrod sprang to his feet with Victoria still attached to his arm.  “What?  I hardly knew her name?  That’s impossible.”

 

Heath added.  “Someone’s trying to frame him.”

 

“Why?”  Fred asked softly.  “Are you working on a case that someone would need to stop, Jarrod?  If this is a set-up, it was planned months ago.”

 

Jarrod sank back onto the cot and his hands immediately went to support his throbbing head.  “No.  I’m not working on anything like that right now.”  His shoulders slumped in defeat.

 

Nick was now wound more tightly than ever.  Every muscle in his body threatened to strike out at the nearest object.  It was obvious to all he was struggling to control his emotions.  “FRED!  You know this is ridiculous.  Jarrod could no more strangle a girl to death than I could cut off my own leg.  Let him come home until this is all sorted out.”  Nick got dangerously close to the sheriff. 

 

Fred was about to respond when Jarrod cut him off.  “Back off, Nick.  He’s only doing his job.  He can’t let me go under the circumstances.  We’ll just have to wait until the judge gets back to arrange bail.”

 

Nick looked into his brother’s eyes for a long time before a smile slowly grew on his own face.  “You’re just looking for a little vacation aren’t you?  You knew Heath and I needed help on the round up and you figure this is the way to get out of working the ranch.” 

 

A small smile flickered on Jarrod’s face as well.  “You figured me out, brother.  I’m spending my vacation resting up in the town jail on a murder charge just to avoid round up.”

 

Nervous laughter filled the room but Jarrod sobered.  “You’re right, you know.  You and Heath have plenty of work to do on the ranch.  You need to get out of here.”

 

“We ain’t leavin’ ya, Jarrod.  Duke’s got the round up going fine.  We belong here.  There’s got to be something we can do.”  Heath pleaded, despite not willing to admit his desire to leave the cell and get out on the open range.  He wanted the time to simply think through everything that had happened.  He knew given time and space a logical solution would come to him.

 

Jarrod smiled.  “I appreciate that Heath, but Nick’s a bit too tense to allow me to relax enough to think this through.  I think we’ll all be better off if you all just head back to the ranch.”

 

“Yes,” Victoria added.  “You both need to head back.  I’ll stay with Jarrod.”

 

Jarrod chuckled and flashed her a disarming smile.  “Lovely lady, I’m sure my sister is driving Silas crazy with her worry.  She needs you at home as well.  I’ll be fine.  Besides, my head is killing me, and I wouldn’t mind a bit more rest.”

 

Victoria squeezed his arm more tightly.  “If you think it’s best.”

 

“I do.  This will be worked out soon.  I promise.  I didn’t have an illicit relationship with that girl and I most certainly didn’t kill her.”

 

Victoria kissed his cheek, and the three departed for home.  Jarrod lay back on the cot and tried once again to recall more from the previous evening.

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Jack Sidlet smiled as he handed Veronica her mail.  “This is all that was there today, ma’am.  I told old Nelson to watch for that package you’ve been waiting for.  If he remembers, he’ll send someone out with it.”

 

Veronica looked puzzled.  “Why wouldn’t Mr. Nelson remember?”

 

“The whole town’s in an uproar cuz’ Jarrod Barkley is locked up in the jail.”

 

Veronica paled.  “Jarrod Barkley?  What on earth for?”

 

“He murdered a girl last night in his office, one of the serving girls over to the Barkley place.  Choked the life right out of her they say.”

 

Veronica gasped, stunned at the news.  “That’s horrible.  I can’t believe he’d do something like that.”

 

Sidlet laughed.  “Well, line right up.  This will split the whole town for sure.”

 

“How so?”

 

“Half the town will be lined up to support him and the other half will help make his noose just cuz of his name.”

 

Anyone who knew Veronica Carson Cromwell might have expected a huge grin to light her face, but none did.  “Thank you, Mr. Sidlet.  I’m sure Mr. Nelson will remember the package.”

 

Jack doffed his hat and scurried off to the barn for more work.  Veronica ignored the stack of letters, clutching them to her chest.  Her body shook with powerful emotions.  She entered her parlor and forced her knees to bend and returned to her place on the chair she’d vacated.  Next to it on a small table, were the book she’d been reading and a tepid cup of tea.  Despite her attempts to remain calm, her body rocked forward and backward on the seat.  “No, no, no!”  She tried using the tea to ease her nerves and with unsteady hands, she lifted the saucer.  “Not him.  Not him.  The damn fool girl!”  Slamming her cup of tea on the table was insufficient to quell her frustration.  She violently passed her hand across the tabletop and sent it’s contents flying across the room.  “How could she mess this up?”

 

The tension eased, and she attempted to clean the mess she’d just made.  “What will I do now?  It’s a failure.  It won’t work.”

 

She picked up a few shards of broken porcelain.  Again she felt her anger growing.  “I didn’t come this far to fail now.  There must be some way to make this work.”  Unknowingly, she clutched her hand, and she faintly felt the sharp edges cut into her palm.  She looked down to see blood seeping between her fingers.  “I can do this.  I know I can.”  She fell against the wall and slid down to the floor.  She sat there for a long time, wondering just how she was going to make her plan work now. 

 

As the sun filtered in the windows and moved across the room to her location, it revealed a calmer woman with a soft smile on her face.  She rose to her feet and straightened her dress with her uninjured hand.  Opening her fist, she dropped the bloody shards to the floor.  She retrieved a napkin from the floor and wrapped her hand.  Stepping out onto the porch, she called to the first hand she saw.  “Please saddle my horse, I’m heading to town.”

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

She stalled as long as possible at Doctor Merar’s office after he’d bandaged her hand.  She’d invented a plausible story on the ride in and now used the vantage point from the doctor’s front room to scan the sheriff’s office for arrival and departures.  She chatted with the doctor’s wife about some upcoming charity event to which she had pledged a substantial amount of money.  As soon as she saw Heath Barkley enter the office, she began to take her leave.

 

Her timing was perfect meeting him as he left.  “Mr. Barkley.  How are you and your family?  I must admit I heard the news.  It’s dreadful.”

 

Heath nodded and smiled politely.  “It’s Heath, Mrs. Cromwell and we’re holding up.  We know Jarrod couldn’t have done such a thing.  It’s just a question of patience as we wait for Judge Landby to return.” 

 

“You know you have my full support.  If there’s anything I can do to help…” She let her words thoughtfully fade off.

 

Heath noticed her bandaged hand.  “It seems you’ve suffered yourself.”  He indicated her hand.

 

She laughed.  “It was stupid, really.  I stumbled and broke a cup.  In the process I managed to cut myself.”

 

“China is deceptive that way.  You wouldn’t think something so fine and dainty could cause such damage.”

 

She laughed.  “I agree.  I had the doctor see to it and I was just heading home.”

 

Heath eyed the sky. “It will be dark before you reach home. I best escort you if that’s alright with you.”

 

Veronica smiled, “That would be lovely, on one condition.”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“You must call me Veronica.”

 

Heath smiled and nodded as he offered his arm to escort the lady to her horse.

 

Chapter Eight

 

“What the?  This is impossible.  What kind of luck!”  Fred Lyman couldn’t believe how things were shaping up.  First, Jarrod Barkley is found over a pregnant corpse.  He denies knowing the girl, but her diaries indicate they were lovers.  Then, just as they are set to resolve the issue, more chaos arrives.

 

Fred drew in a deep breath before entering the cell.  “Jarrod, I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but…” He couldn’t do it.  He just couldn’t deliver this latest blow.  He’d already stalled for an afternoon.

 

“What is it Fred?” Jarrod calmly asked.

 

“My deputy got back this morning.  Judge Landby’s dead.  Looks like his heart gave out while he was fishing.”

 

“What?  Are you sure?”  Jarrod thought immediately of sabotage.  He knew this was part of some plan he just couldn’t figure out who was doing it or what they hoped to gain.

 

“There’s no reason to doubt it.  There were no signs of a struggle.  It gets worse though.”  He paused, either allowing Jarrod or himself to prepare.  “The district judge says he can’t have a circuit court judge here for at least two weeks.”

 

Jarrod’s face fell.  “Two weeks?  Certainly someone can get here sooner?  Maybe if I send some wires?  Call in a few favors?”

 

Fred took on a disapproving stance.  “Jarrod, I know you want out, but that’s not the way to go about it.  You wouldn’t want to be seen as tampering.  You’ll just have to wait it out.”

 

“At least ask the judge if he’ll approve bail.”  Jarrod asked hopefully.

 

Fred chewed his lower lip.  “I already did.  He said under the circumstances, he couldn’t do it.”

 

Jarrod struggled to keep his composure under the circumstances.  He saw his whole life streaming through his fingers, and he could do nothing to stop the flow.  Something dark, deep inside his soul told him this wasn’t going to end well for him.  “What circumstances would that be?”  He practically spat the words out due to his internal battle.

 

“You’re a wealthy man, with offices and connections that could easily lead you astray.”  Fred tried to keep a pleasant edge to his voice.  “That’s what the judge’s wire said.”

 

“He knew I’d ask.”

 

“He did.”  Fred took a deep breath.  “Jarrod, I don’t like this any better than you do.  I’d open that cell in a heartbeat if I could.  You know that.  You also know I don’t think you did this crime but the fact of the matter is, all the evidence says you did at this point.”

 

Jarrod had been pacing his cell, and now he sank onto the cot dejected.  “I know Fred.  I appreciate it.”  He forced his savviest, most debonair, confident smile.  “We’ll just have to figure out who’s framing me and what it is they really want.”

 

Fred laughed in relief.  “Knowing those brothers of yours, it will be no time at all.”

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Heath stopped at the Carson ranch the next afternoon on his way to the south range.  He dismounted quickly and tipped his hat as Veronica Cromwell came to the door.  “Heath Barkley, what an unexpected pleasure.  To what do I owe the honor?”

 

He smiled.  “I just wanted to stop in and make sure your hand was alright.  Those cuts can be nasty and catch up an infection a might quickly out here.”

 

She laughed.  “I enjoyed our ride home as well.”  She watched enamored as a blush spread across Heath’s cheeks.  “My hand is fine.  Please, allow me to thank you for your gallantry with a glass of lemonade.  I’ve just made a fresh batch.”

 

Heath fumbled a bit.  “I really should get to that break on the south range.  There’s a lot going on these days.”

 

“Your brother is still…” She politely discontinued her question as a shadow crossed Heath’s face.

 

Heath nodded.  “With Judge Landby’s death, it has extended everything for a few weeks.  Jarrod hides it well for the family, but I suspect being locked up and not able to prove his innocence is driving him a might stir crazy.”

 

“It can’t be easy for a man like him to be locked in a cell,” she added thoughtfully.

 

“Beggin’ your pardon ma’am, it ain’t easy for any man to be locked away.”

 

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you have the look of a man who knows a little something about that.” Veronica was polite, despite the blunt statement.

 

“None taken.  You’re right.  I spent some time locked up in a few places.”

 

Before he could continue, she finished his statement.  “It changes a man’s soul.  It never leaves you does it?” 

 

Heath read the underlying sadness in her words.  “It sounds to me like you know a thing or two about being locked away yourself.”

 

She scanned the yard to buy time for her answer.  “I do at that.  It seems we’re kindred souls, Mr. Barkley.”

 

Heath took the opening to lighten the conversation, although he longed to know more about her past.  “Mr. Barkley is it?  I thought we were well beyond that?”

 

Veronica laughed.  “Well, you did call me, ‘ma’am.”

 

Heath laughed as well.  “It was an accident, Veronica.  Believe me.”

 

She suddenly stopped laughing and smiled brightly.  “To make it up to me, you simply must come have that glass of lemonade with me.”

 

He thought for just a moment.  “Well, I can’t go offending a lady and not make amends for it.”

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Owen Esperson was a tall, good-looking man in his late forties.  Victoria knew him immediately simply by the way he carried himself.  “Mr. Esperson?”

 

He turned at the sound of his name and his vivid green eyes sparkled.  “Mrs. Barkley?  How kind of you to meet me at the station yourself.  I was planning on hiring a buggy and joining you at the ranch.”

 

Victoria smiled and offered him her hand.  As they shook, she explained.  “I was curious to get your wire.  If you can help Jarrod, I wanted to get down to business as soon as possible.  There will be plenty of time for social visits at the ranch when my son is free to join us.  Until then, I’ve booked you a suite at the hotel where you can be near the situation.”

 

Esperson smiled.  Inside, he was impressed with the tiny woman before him.  She definitely knew what she wanted, and she seemed to be a force to be reckoned with.  “How very wise.  Shall we begin?”

 

Victoria nodded.  “Shall we see Jarrod, first?”

 

“Definitely.”

 

“This way.”  She pointed her small arm to the course they should take, and he offered his arm as he passed her.

 

They exchanged simple pleasantries about his trip and Stockton as they walked the short distance to the jail. 

 

As soon as they entered the cell room of the jail, Jarrod sprang to his feet.  “Owen?  You really did come.”

 

“You doubted me?” Owen said jovially as he pulled up a stool for Victoria and himself outside Jarrod’s cell.  “I’m hurt.”

 

Jarrod smiled.  “No need to be hurt.  I’m just surprised.  I didn’t think you’d be interested in such a small town case.”  Jarrod had done battle with Esperson several times in San Francisco.  He knew the man to be very good, but very ruthless as well.  “Isn’t this about out of the norm for you?”

 

Owen laughed.  “I suppose it is.  Isn’t it good to challenge your skills?”

 

Victoria interrupted the lawyer dance.  “Aren’t you a defense attorney, Mr. Esperson?”

 

Esperson looked at her, concerned.  “I most certainly am.  I am fairly well acquainted with both sides of the table.  Jarrod is merely referring to the fact that I typically handle, shall we say, the more elite clients of the bay area?”

 

Jarrod knew his mother was worried.  “Mother, Owen is very good at his job.  I’ve even lost a case or two to him.  I’m honored he’s here.  I was assuming I’d handle my own defense, but…”

 

Owen cut him off.  “We all know what they say about that.”  He looked back at Victoria, knowing he would have to convince her.  “Mrs. Barkley, when I read the story in the paper, I knew Jarrod couldn’t possibly have done something so heinous.  I felt compelled to come and offer my assistance.”

 

Jarrod assumed a more legal air.  “What do you know of the case?”

 

“Just what I’ve read.  A young girl, with child, was found dead in your office.  Diaries indicating that you were lovers were found in her possession.”

 

Jarrod nodded.  “So far, there’s been no other evidence.”

 

Owen smiled confidently.  “That’s why I’m here.  I’m sure there’s something we’ve missed.  For instance, what do we know about this girl?  Had she worked for you long?  Where did she come from?”

 

Jarrod and Owen fell into an intense strategy conversation.  Victoria sat quietly listening and felt increasingly out of place.  Jarrod paused and despite her stoic face, he read the situation.  “Mother, why don’t you head home?  Tell the family about Owen’s arrival.  We’ll hash this out and I’m sure we’ll be able to summarize it all for you tomorrow.”

 

~ ~ BV ~ ~

 

Victoria seemed optimistic of Esperson’s arrival at dinner.  The optimism spread through the family and rather than the quiet, somber dinners of late, several conversations started.

 

“Did you get that break cleared today?”  Nick asked as he shoveled more potatoes onto his plate.

 

Heath grinned at his brother’s fourth helping of the potatoes.  He suddenly imagined a plump Nick and wondered what the ladies would think then.  He chuckled as he answered.  “Not quite.  I’ll be done quick enough in the morning.”

 

Nick stopped eating and glared at Heath.  “It’s not as if we haven’t got enough stuff to take care of.  I’ve got a whole evening’s worth of paperwork to do with Jarrod…” He changed his direction.  “That wasn’t more than a half day’s work.  What happened?”

 

Heath refused to flame his brother’s looming anger at the table when things had been going well.  “I stopped to talk to Miss Veronica.”

 

“Miss Veronica?” Nick asked, slowly.

 

Victoria was immediately chilled by the very name.  She hadn’t given much thought to Veronica Cromwell in recent days.  “Mrs. Cromwell?”

 

Heath wasn’t about to apologize for the informality.  “I ran into her yesterday coming out of the doc’s office.  It was late, and I escorted her home.  I stopped in today to see how she was.  It’s the neighborly thing to do.”

 

“And she just invited you to call her Veronica?” Nick pointed his fork Heath’s direction.  “That’s awfully friendly of her.”

 

“She’s a nice lady.  It’s no big deal, Nick.  She hasn’t done anything to interfere with the ranch.”

 

Nick slammed his fork down on the table.  “Yet!  She hasn’t been here long.”  Nick glanced around the table.  “I don’t care what anyone says.  I just don’t trust her.”

 

Victoria remained silent.  Inside she was thrilled that Nick shared her worry over Veronica Cromwell.  She was choosing her response carefully, not wanting to hurt either son.

 

Audra had stayed silent long enough.  “Nick, you’re not being fair.  She’s done wonderful things for the town since she arrived.  As a matter of fact, she’s pledged a large donation to the orphanage.  She’s delivering it later this month at the festival.”

 

Nick growled.  “So, she has a fan club.  She flashes some money around and suddenly everyone’s supposed to love her?  Not me.  I see through her.”

 

Victoria saw Heath tense and knew he’d spring soon if she didn’t intervene.  “Nicholas, calm down.  Mrs. Cromwell has done nothing wrong.”  She saw Heath begin to calm down and knew she was about to take a calculated risk.  “But Heath, it still isn’t proper to address a woman of her age by her first name.  People will get the wrong impression.”

 

Heath dropped his napkin, stunned at the reprimand.  “And just what impression is it they might get?”  There was definite anger in his voice.

 

Victoria wasn’t about to apologize for her words.  “The last thing this family needs right now is scandal.  It simply isn’t appropriate.  I won’t have anyone’s behavior, “ she glanced at all three of her children in turn, settling on Heath. “creating more difficulties for Jarrod at this time.”

 

Nick and Audra both dropped guilty eyes to their plates and took slow bites.  Only Heath continued to look at his stepmother.  He slid his chair back from the table.  “I’m finished.  Thank you for dinner, Mother.” 

 

No one missed the cold edge in his voice and no one risked speaking of it, not even Nick.