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 copywrited by the author.

 

 

 

To Define a Son- by nutterone

 

Twenty

 

Everett stared into the flames.  Earlier that afternoon the plan had been solidified.  John Angster showed up for his normal Friday afternoon appointment and to everyone, it all seemed normal. 

 

Everett was agitated.  “This is taking too long.  It’s time we took action.”

 

John didn’t feel the same level of concern.  “You realize we are talking about your own farm?  There will be damage.  People could get hurt.”

 

“I DON’T CARE!  The longer that man stays here, the more I stand to lose.”  Everett calmed himself.  “Just be sure my family isn’t hurt.  Anyone else is expendable.”

 

“Anyone?”

 

“Anyone!”

 

“I’ll send the men tonight.”

 

“NOOO!!!!”  Everett was shaken from his thoughts by the terrified scream from his wife.  He turned and ran to her, pulling her into his arms.  He whispered in her hair as he stroked her back.  “It’s alright.  No one was hurt.  It’s ok.”

 

She calmed and pulled back.  “Why us?”

 

“I don’t know.”

 

Victoria approached the group as a few remaining men from the bunkhouse raced around to put the flames out.  “I do.”  In one hand she held a rock and in the other a paper that had obviously been tied to it.  Jarrod approached her and took the paper from her hand. 

 

“What does it say?”  Tom asked, when no one else spoke.

 

“The bastard must go.”  Jarrod’s words were stony and cold.

 

“What?  Why Heath?”  Charlotte was stunned.

 

Tom spoke.  “He killed three of their members.”

 

“I killed one as well.”  Everett added, to any one listening.

 

Jarrod and Victoria stared at each other.  Neither was one to tuck tail and run, but Heath wasn’t up to defending himself and neither the Wescott nor Evanston family deserved this.   Jarrod spoke first.  “We’ll have to get Heath out of here.”

 

The adults were silent, each considering the possibilities.  It was Shelby’s voice, which stood out determined.  “You can’t.  He’s not ready to be moved.”

 

Charlotte backed her ward.  “She’s right.  One day in a chair does not make Heath ready for travel.”  She paused and then added.  “And we won’t give in to the likes of the Klan.”  She looked to Everett and Tom.   “Will we?”  Both men nodded in agreement.

 

Heath heard the commotion.  He’d always been a light sleeper, injured or not.  He pushed up from the bed with his arms, but it was all the further he got.  After his body fell back down, he pounded his arms into the bedding. When would all this frustration end?  Just when he thought he had figured something out, along came confusion back in.  Why had Victoria pushed his father on him?  She was trying to manipulate him like she always had.  So much for her promise to leave him be.  Then there was Tom Evanston, his father.  Could he have really loved his mother?  Did she love him that much?  He felt the guilt and shame raining down on him.  His mother would be disappointed in his behavior toward the man.  She had never spoken ill of the man who had fathered him.  He cursed his mother for remaining quiet.  This could be so much easier.  Finally, there was Shelby.  His heart ached at the thought of leaving her.  There was a flutter of optimism that remained in his heart that he would claim her heart for his own and she his. 

 

A quiet knock at his door brought him back.  “Come in.”

 

“Heath?  I’m sorry to bother you.  I was just checking…”  Victoria had hoped he was still asleep.

 

“What happened out there?”

 

She stepped into the darkened room, silhouetted by the light from the hall.  She had taken slow steps getting to the room, trying to decide what to tell him.  “It was a commotion with the hands.”

 

Heath looked away from her for a second and then looked back.  Even the dim light from the hall couldn’t hide the hurt in his eyes.  “Mrs. Barkley, we’ve been through a lot together.  I just…  I don’t understand you.”

 

“Heath?  What have I done?”  She didn’t like the title.

 

“In all this time, I always believed you.  I always felt I knew where you stood.  I don’t believe you any more.”

 

“Heath, I love you.  You are my son.  I have never tried to hurt you.  I don’t understand.”

 

“You lied to me.”

 

“Lied?  When?”

 

More to himself, he mumbled.  “When haven’t you?” 

 

The words, not meant for her ears, hit deeply.  She sank to the edge of his bed before her legs gave out.  “Heath… I never…”

 

Heath felt the fire build inside him.  “What just happened?  The men are in town and it is too early for them to be back.”

 

Victoria raised her chin.  “You’re right.  I lied just now.  It was the Klan.  They attacked with a burning cross.”

 

“Why couldn’t you tell me that?”  His steely gaze bore through her.

 

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

 

“Why would I worry?”

 

Victoria knew nothing but the complete truth would suffice.  “They want you.”

 

Heath nodded in understanding.  “I killed their men.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Heath was quiet.  Victoria knew this wasn’t truly what Heath meant.  “What else have I done?”

 

He didn’t answer.  She rested her arm on his casted leg.  “Heath?  It’s not fair.  I deserve a chance to defend myself.”  Heath released a cold chuckle. “Why do you laugh?”

 

“That’s what he said.”  An honest statement escaped his lips.  “Why do those who call themselves my parents betray me?”

 

“Heath Barkley!  How have we betrayed you?”

 

“How haven’t you?  My mother took the truth to her grave.  My father didn’t love my mother enough to stay.  And you.”

 

“Yes, me?”

“You…  I don’t understand you anymore.”

 

“Heath, I didn’t want to upset you.  You aren’t ready to travel and I know that would have been your first thought.  Someday, you’ll see that we protect the ones we love.  Didn’t you do the same when Nick was attacked by that wolf?”

 

Heath looked her in the eye.  “Do you really want me to come home?”

 

“YES!  With all my heart.  Why would you doubt that?  I don’t know any other way to prove my love for you Heath and frankly, I don’t think I should have to.”

 

It was Heath’s turn to feel the sting of the words hurled at him. 

 

“You haven’t answered my question.”

 

“What question?”  His reply was slow in coming.

 

“What happened to make you doubt me?  My love?”

 

His voice was quiet, like a guilty child.  “You pushed me to him.”

 

“Pushed you to…  Tom?   You think because I want you to resolve things with your father that somehow I don’t love you?  Oh, Heath.  No.” 

 

Heath looked away from her, suddenly shamed.  She placed her tiny hands on either side of his face and pulled him back to her.  “I hope you don’t ever feel the need to turn away from me again.  Heath…  It’s because I love you as my son, that I want you to give your father a chance.  I am so proud to call you son.  When you call me mother, I am filled with the same love and pride I feel with any of my children.  You’re a fine man.  Any parent would be proud to call you son.  It gives me great joy to know you have allowed me the privilege.”

 

“I…”

 

“Sshh!  Just listen.  Tom Evanston made a mistake in your eyes, in mine too.  He lost a brilliant opportunity at love and the devotion of a family of his own.  We can’t go back and change the past.”

 

“I know that.”

 

“Do you?  Do you really?  It seems to me, I see a man who blames his father for all the horrible things that have happened to him.  The fact is Heath, we have no way of knowing what might have happened had Tom stayed.”  She paused long enough to let her words sink in.  “You can’t live your life based on what might have been.  You can’t go on this way.”

 

Heath was numb.  Her words hurt, but he knew deep down, they were true.  He turned away from her again.  She let him be.

 

“Heath.  I know it’s hard and I know I’m not making it any easier.  I also know I told you I would try to stay out of your decisions and I will.”  A small laugh escaped Heath’s lips at Victoria’s words.  She slapped gently at his shoulder.  “I will.  It’s hard.  A mother can’t see her son suffering without trying to help.  This is the only way I know how to help.”

 

Heath looked back at her.  “If I don’t get to know Tom, will you be disappointed in me?”

 

She smiled and shook her head.  “I’m not pushing this for your sake, Heath.  You’ve survived a long time without a father.  I’m doing this for Tom.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I can understand how he feels.  I would hate to think of losing the love and respect of one of my children.”

 

“He never had mine.”

 

“But it wasn’t his choice.”

 

“Yes, it was.”

 

“Heath, do you really suppose he would have left your mother if he knew she was pregnant?  I don’t.”  Her voice choked up but she continued.  “I owe him.”

 

“Owe him?”

 

Tears slid down her cheeks and her voice choked up.  “Because I’m selfish. If things had worked out differently, you wouldn’t be my son.”

 

Heath reached over and used his thumbs to wipe her tears away.  “I’ll never be able to tell ya how much it means to me…”  He lost his words.

 

“You did.”

 

“How?”

 

“By coming home.”

 

“You aren’t afraid I’ll want to stay here.”

 

She shook her head.  “It doesn’t matter, you’ll always be my son.”

 

Twenty one

 

A few days passed and Heath was itching to leave and give the family some peace, despite frequent visits from Shelby.   There had been no further attacks but guards were posted all around the area day and night.  The workers were stretched thin and both Nick and Jarrod volunteered to help fill in the gap. 

 

The doctor’s visit hadn’t gone well.  Heath demanded that the cast be removed, going so far as to chisel at it with his dinner knife.  Heath was no match for the doctor’s German temper.  He took out the large bone saw and offered to cut the leg off now.  Heath grudgingly backed down. 

 

Everett and Charlotte were getting ready for bed a week after the cross burning.  Charlotte was still jittery, frequently checking out the window.  Everett came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.  “It’s alright.  We’re safe.”

 

“How can you be sure?”

 

“We’ve got guards everywhere.  Besides, I’d never let anything happen to you.” He kissed her.

 

“Oh, Everett.  These people scare me.  They are our friends and neighbors and they want to harm us.”

 

“Not us, just Heath.”

 

“Heath is one of us.”

 

Everett corrected his error.  “They don’t know that.”

 

“We should spread the word.”

 

“Why?  It’s not going to change anything.”

 

“How can you say that?”

Everett pulled his wife to the bed.  “No matter what we think, Heath will never be seen as anything but Tom’s bastard.”

 

“He was accepted in Stockton.”

 

“This isn’t Stockton.  You know as well as I do, he’ll never fit in here.  Hell, half the men in the Klan are probably bastards themselves.”

 

Charlotte stared at him.  “He’ll always fit in here, in this house.”

 

Everett squared his shoulders.  “Are you willing to risk everything you have for him?”  He wanted to add ‘your lowlife, brother’s, bastard son?’

 

“Everett, how can you doubt that?”

 

“I’m sorry, my Love.  I guess I am caught up in the tension.”

 

“We all are.”

 

He nibbled on her ear lob and then worked small kisses down her neck.  Charlotte arched into his ministrations.  “You haven’t been off the farm in a week.”

 

“I know.  I just don’t feel like I dare leave.”  She mumbled.

 

“Maybe that’s what we all need.”

 

“Hmmm?”

 

He stopped and turned her face to him.  “How about an evening out tomorrow night?”

 

“Everett, we can’t.  We can’t leave Heath alone.”

 

“Heath won’t be alone.  We’ve got guards and he has his brothers.”

 

“But…”  Everett began his attentions with renewed vigor and Charlotte lost all thought.

 

“We can even invite Tom, if it makes you happy.”

 

“Uh huh…”

 

The following morning, Everett announced the plans to make a day of it in town.  He offered the women folk shopping and dinner and finally a show.  There were giggles of excitement.

 

Shelby stopped in Heath’s room before leaving.  She had tried to bow out of the day, but Clarice had begged her to go. 

 

“Boy howdy, you look mighty pretty for your adventure.” 

 

“Heath, please don’t say that.  We shouldn’t be going.”

 

“Why not?”  He was excited that she was worried about leaving and prayed her next words would be what he hoped.

 

“We should be here with you.”

 

With a silent cheer, he said aloud.  “I’ve got plenty of guards.”

 

“Tom is staying behind.  I heard him and mama arguing.”

 

Heath wasn’t sure what to make of this piece of information.  “You’ll have a good time.”

 

Overcome by a sudden urge, Shelby leaned in and kissed Heath’s cheek. 

 

He smiled.  “What was that for?”

 

She didn’t reply, but moved to repeat the action.  Heath turned at the last moment and their lips met.  She lingered a moment on his lips, enjoying the moment.  It might have gone further had Nick not arrived with Clarice.

 

“See, I told ya, they’d be here.”  Nick winked at his brother as the blush rose in the couple’s respective cheeks.

 

Clarice smiled brightly.  “Shel, it’s time to go.”

 

Shelby straightened up and replied.  “I’m coming.”  She turned very properly toward Heath.  “Do stay off that leg today, Mr. Barkley.”  She slipped past Nick before both brothers broke into laughter.

 

Nick looked at Heath.  “I got a surprise for you today.”

 

“I’m sorry, Nick, but I don’t think anything can be better then that kiss.”  He smiled.

 

“Well, we’re gonna try,” said Jarrod from the doorway.

 

“Ok, I’ll bite.  What is it?”

 

From behind his back, Jarrod produced a set of crutches.  Heath’s grin grew wider.  “For me?”

 

Nick swatted the back of his head.  “Anyone else in this room got a broke leg?”

 

“Are we gonna get in trouble for this?”

 

Jarrod raised an eyebrow.  “Only if you put any weight on your leg.”

 

Nick added.  “Or fall on it.”

 

“I might.”

 

Nick swatted him again.  “That’s what we’re here for.  Keep up, will ya!”

 

They spent the morning getting Heath acquainted with the house again using the crutches.  Tom knew of the plan and was responsible for keeping Victoria occupied.  He had taken her for a ride. 

 

Heath fell asleep in a chair in the parlor with his leg propped up on a table.  He slept through the afternoon and woke as the sun was setting.   Tom was walking by as he heard the curse Heath said into the air.

 

“Heath?  Do you need some help?”

 

Heath was too frustrated to be angry.  “No.”

 

Tom suspected it was his help Heath hadn’t wanted.  Victoria had told him of their conversation.  He refused to hold onto hope.  It was too hard.  “Shall I get Nick or Jarrod to help?”

“What?”

 

“Would you prefer one of them to help you?”

 

“No.  I don’t need any help.”

 

“I’m sorry then.”  Tom turned to leave the room.

 

“It’s just…”

 

Tom stopped in his tracks.  There was neither anger nor hostility in Heath’s voice, only frustration.  “Just what?”

 

Heath breathed deeply.  “I slept all afternoon.”

 

Tom chuckled.  “I remember those days.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“On the island.  We had nothing to do.  The first weeks were spent building shelter and tools.  After that, we just sat around.  The days were so long.  We slept.”  He saw in Heath’s face that he didn’t see the connection.  “You’re a man of action.  You need to be up and about.”

“I suppose you’re gonna say I get that from you.”

 

“No.  You ma was like that to.  I’ve never seen a woman work harder.  Yet, she seemed to like it.  She liked being busy.  It was hard to get her to slow down.”  He paused.  Heath could see that he was swept up in the memory.  “I built her a porch swing.  I figured then I could catch her and force her to just sit and swing.”

 

Heath blanched.  His mama had loved to swing.  Every night when the weather permitted, they would sit out on that swing and rock away the day.  It was a treasured memory.  Tom had built that swing?  Heath’s head was swimming.  The words stumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.  “You made the swing?”

 

Tom gazed at his son.  “I did.  Tommy helped.”

 

The moment was broken by the call to dinner.  Tom eyed the crutches.  “Will you join us at the table?”

 

“If you’ll help me.”

 

Tom’s heart leapt.  His son was asking him for help. 

 

The group of five enjoyed the dinner immensely.  They laughed and shared stories that caused them all to blush at one time of another. 

 

Shelby had enjoyed her afternoon as well.  They were sitting at dinner and she kept glancing to the door.  Something was wrong and she felt it everywhere in her body.

 

“Shelby?  Why is it you aren’t having a good time?”  Charlotte laid her hand on Shelby’s.

 

“I’m sorry.  I just can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.”

 

“Don’t be silly, Shelby.”  Everett was working hard to control his excitement.  John Angster had begged for a moment of his time earlier while the ladies shopped.  Charlotte had been only too happy to send him on his way.  Both she and Clarice wanted to pry Shelby for information on her feelings for Heath.  They both knew it was going to be a rocky future, if any for the two.  During the meeting with John, Everett explained the perfection of the evening’s plans.  As expected, Tom had refused to come.  In a few short hours, all his worries would be over.

 

Shelby forced her thoughts back on dinner, which eventually ended.   As they walked to the carriage to go to the theater, the feeling of dread began to overwhelm Shelby.  In front of the theater, Shelby felt positively ill with fear.  She stood on the sidewalk, letting the rest move ahead.  At the last moment, she climbed back into the carriage.  She grabbed the reigns and whipped the horses into movement. 

 

Charlotte turned back and saw her leave.  She called out to her, but got no reply.  She turned to Everett.  “Something’s wrong.  Go hire another carriage!”  Everett knew he didn’t dare suggest otherwise.

 

As darkness settled on the land, a group of men on horseback in white robes started down the road to the Evanston farm.  They approached the first guard.  Instead of meeting a weapon, the man smiled at him.  “You’re late.”

 

The leader, no less then the town sheriff, threw a robe at the man.  “Saddle up.”  He turned to the rest of the men.  “You know what to do.”   The men pulled their hoods down and rode hard down the lane.

 

Twenty two

 

Shelby was far enough behind the group of men to be ignored, but close enough to see what was happening.  She slapped the horses in motion and directed them down a seldom-used path to the back of the house.  She prayed she would reach the house in time to warn the occupants inside.

 

As she approached the rear door, she screamed for all she was worth.  Nick and Jarrod were settling Heath for the evening and Tom had gone to get him fresh water.  Victoria had already turned in for the night.  Shelby met him at the back door and almost collapsed into his arms.

 

“Shelby?  What’s wrong?”

 

She gasped at breaths to form her words.  They came haltingly.  “They’re coming.  HURRY!”

 

Tom knew immediately what she meant.  He grabbed her arm and pulled her out the door to the foyer.  Just as they reached the gun cabinet, rocks began to shower through the windows.  Nick and Jarrod came running from Heath’s room.  Tom pulled on the cabinet door and found it locked.  Nick eyed the situation and ran up the stairs to fetch their own guns. 

 

Tom attacked the doors to the cabinet with his elbow.  The cabinet was built to prevent exactly what they were trying to do.  He was accomplishing nothing but damage to his arm.  Victoria and Nick came down the stairs in full run.  Nick threw Jarrod his gun belt and drew his own gun and fired at the latch.  The doors opened and Tom threw weapons and ammunition to everyone present. 

 

Nick and Jarrod had only managed to help Heath get his boot off before they ran to the sound of the crashing windows.  Heath sat in frustration listening to the sounds of battle from outside his room.  He eyed the crutches sitting just out of reach.  He stretched his body as long as possible and still couldn’t reach them.  With each gunshot, his heart lurched.  He grabbed a pillow and threw it at the desired objects.  They fell to the floor.  Heath rolled off the bed and dragged himself to them. 

 

As soon as it started, it stopped.  A voice called out.  “YOU KNOW WHAT WE WANT.  SEND HIM OUT.”

 

Nick moved to a window and called back while laughing, hoping to stall for time.  “Well, I guess you don’t have all the facts.  He can’t walk!  You’ll have to come in here and get him.”

 

“DON’T WORRY.  WE WILL.”  On those words, shots commenced firing at the house.  It was no longer rocks hitting the windows, rather bullets.  Jarrod pulled Tom and Victoria into the parlor.   They took up positions at the windows and fired back. 

 

Nick grabbed Shelby and pushed her toward Heath’s room.  “Guard Heath!  I’ll take the back door.”

 

“Too late.”  Heath came slowly down the hallway.

 

“Get back to your room.”  Nick yelled at him, while looking down the hallway for intruders.

 

“Nick, ain’t nothin’ wrong with my arms.  Give me a gun.  I can shoot from the window as well as anyone.”

 

“But you can’t move if they storm it.”  Shelby argued.  “Please, Heath, go back.”

 

“I ain’t gonna sit there!” 

 

It happened faster then anyone could have ever guessed.  Men dressed in white, suddenly jumped through unprotected windows.  Shots were also fired from above them as men in white swarmed the upper hall, having climbed in upstairs windows.  Nick lost track of how many there were.  He was turning and firing.  Shelby did the best she could to protect Heath but she couldn’t fire as quickly or efficiently as Nick.  Shelby saw him from the corner of her eye.  There was a man down the hallway.  He had come in through Heath’s window.  There was no time for her to fire.  She screamed.  “NO!” and launched herself at Heath, pushing him down to the ground.

 

Nick was alerted by her scream.  He pointed and fired, downing the man.  He turned back to the room and fired at another on coming man.  Click!  His gun was empty.  There was no time to reload.  “DROP IT!”  Nick glanced back at Heath and Shelby, still on the ground.  His heart sunk at the impending failure.  He knew he had no choice. 

 

“NO, NICK!”  Heath pushed Shelby aside and pulled himself toward Nick.  He knew exactly what Nick intended to do and refused to allow it.

 

Nick had begun to move forward.  He was launching himself at the man bearing down on the three of them. 

 

BANG!  Nick collapsed on top of the man.  

 

Meanwhile in the parlor, Victoria, Jarrod and Tom fired in all directions.  They shot outside and alternated with shots inside at encroaching men.  One shot got lucky.  Victoria was winged.  She cried out at the initial shock and resumed firing. 

“Mother?  Are you ok?” 

 

“Fine, Jarrod.”  She called over her shoulder.  It was quickly becoming obvious to them all that there was little hope of surviving. 

 

As Heath watched Nick fall; he didn’t notice the man come from behind. 

 

“Heath” Shelby’s scared voice called to him.  He looked back. 

 

The man in white held his gun to her head.  A cruel sounding voice spoke to him.  “I think you’d better call them off.”

 

Heath nodded.  “Mother!  Jarrod!  Tom!  Stop!”  He shouted to them again.  Soon, silence enfolded the room.  Gradually, men surrounded the group.  Tom, Victoria and Jarrod were directed to drop their weapons and to the foyer.  They complied.   

 

A tall man entered the room, obviously in charge.  He strode purposefully over to Heath, still sprawled on the ground, and kicked him in the side.  “You killed my men.  It’s time for you to die.”  With a wave of his hands, two men were immediately at Heath’s side.  They grabbed his arms at the shoulders and dragged him across the foyer to the front doors.  Another wave of his hand released Shelby.  The group was forced at gunpoint out to the yard. 

 

Victoria couldn’t stop the scream as she saw the noose swinging from the large oak in the yard.  She began pleading and begging for his life.

 

Jarrod was compelled to glance back over his shoulder into the now empty foyer.  He sent a prayer skyward.

 

Tom was numb.  His life flashed before his eyes.  He was about to watch his son be hung. 

 

Shelby begged and pleaded with Victoria.  “He was only saving Clarice.  They were drunk.  Stop this!”

 

Tom found words again.  “Take me instead.”

 

The leader was intrigued.  The group couldn’t see the wide smile on his face.  It was going exactly as Everett had predicted.  “Why?”

 

“He’s my son.  He wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for me.  Please, take me.”

 

Heath was confused and hurting.  He hadn’t heard much but he did hear the words of his father offering to save his life.  “No.”  He shook his head back and forth.  “No, don’t listen to him.  Just do what ya gotta do and leave the rest alone.”

 

A sickly laugh filled the night.  “Isn’t this touching?  Father and son trying to save each other.  Maybe we should hang both of them?”

 

“NO!”  The deafening cry came from many sources.

 

“I’ll accept your offer.”  He waved his hand again and two men grabbed Tom and moved him next to his son.

 

“Anything you want to say to your pa, boy?”

 

Heath was in emotional agony.  It was far worse then anything his body had ever endured.  “Don’t do this.”

 

“I have to.”

 

“Why?”

 

“You’re my son.  It’s the least I can do.  I owe ya.” 

 

The leader of the terrorists cut them off.  “Enough.  String him up!”

 

Tom didn’t even try to struggle.  They tied his hands behind his back and secured his ankles as well.  They lifted him onto the back of a wagon and stood him up.  After they had settled the noose around his neck at just the right location, the leader spoke again.

 

“Any last words?”

 

Tom looked at his son.  Heath’s body shook uncontrollably.  They looked at each other as father and son for the first time.  They never broke the contact.  “Just promise me you are a true gentleman of the south, who keeps his word.”

 

“I can assure you, I am.  I will keep my word.”

 

They stuffed a cloth in Tom’s mouth and used a rope to secure it.  The captives held their breath. 

 

“Now the bastard.”  Without warning, Heath was trussed up and bound and gagged like his father.  A second noose was tossed over the branch and secured at Heath’s neck.  Throughout the ordeal a muffled scream could be heard from Tom.  Heath was determined not to give his murderers the satisfaction.  He remained calm.  He bit his tongue to keep from calling out at the pain.  Soon, he stood next to his father in the wagon.  He fought hard to keep his legs under him.  The weight of his entire body threatened to be enough to complete the process.

 

* * *

“Can’t we go any faster?”  Clarice was pleading with her father.

 

“Clarice, it is dark.  I will not endanger you or your mother by driving recklessly.”

 

“But Shelby needs us!”

 

“Shelby is acting like a silly school girl.  It’s a good thing we won’t have to put up with this behavior much longer.”

 

Charlotte placed her hand on Everett’s.  “Don’t say that.”

 

“I’m sorry.  I know it will be hard to lose her, but we’ve done all we can.”

 

“I know.”

 

 

Twenty three

 

‘Damn!  This isn’t my area of expertise.  Wish I could change places with Heath.’  Nick waited for the right moment.  He didn’t know if he would truly help anyone, but he’d be damned if his brother was going to die at the end of a noose.  If it were his time, he’d go in a fight.

 

He sat in the upstairs window with the rifle trained on the rope.  Every instinct in his body had told him to play dead when he charged his attacker.  Jarrod had seen the impending attack from the parlor and shot Nick’s attacker before he could fire.  Nick fell on top of him to buy some time.  Now, in this window, he didn’t know if he’d be able to get two shots off, much less if either would find its mark.  Panic filled him as he worried about hitting Heath instead of the rope.  He shook it off.  Better Heath die by his bullet then a Klan noose.  Although the decision weighed heavily on him, he knew he’d try for Heath’s rope first.  He’d been proud when Tom stepped up in place of Heath and then irate when the fine southern gentleman in a robe betrayed his word.  If given the chance, Nick knew exactly where his third bullet was going to hit. 

 

Nick looked at his hand.  It shook.  He would never hit true if this kept up.  He scanned the ground below him.  Heath was calmly looking around.  He glanced upward, as if sensing Nick’s presence.  Their eyes briefly met and Heath nodded.  He understood and trusted his brother.  It was all Nick needed.

 

It happened quickly.  Everett drove the rented buggy into the yard.  Not wanting to fail his master, the cloaked sheriff swatted the rear end of the lead horse and the wagon lurched forward.  Nick fired.  Once.  Twice.  Screams and fleeing horses filled the air.  Nick’s first shot had frayed Heath’s rope.  The jerking motion of his body not only severed the connection, but the weight of two men, snapped the branch.  Nick saw the two men fall to the ground, followed by the branch and he scanned the yard for his target.  He fired a third time.  It wasn’t a fatal hit but it did strike the intended target.  At the first shot, Jarrod drove his elbow into his nearest captor’s side.  As the man doubled over, Jarrod relieved him of his gun.  He opened fire on any white form surrounding him.  The unexpected attack confused the sheeted men.  Everett pulled fired his own sidearm at fleeing men, felling several.  The tables turned quickly. 

 

Amidst the chaos, Victoria and Shelby ran to the father and son.  Both men were crumbled on the ground gasping for breath through the tight gags.  The frantic women made short work of removing the gags and the men coughed and sputtered.  Tom grabbed at his neck and pulled the noose off.  He looked to Heath, who lay on the ground writhing in pain.  Tom glanced down Heath’s body and saw the apparent reason for his son’s distress.  Impact had badly damaged the cast.  Heath clutched at his leg.  Shelby tried valiantly to calm him.  Tom doubted he was aware of anything or any one around him.

 

When there was no one left to shoot at, Nick ran back downstairs and into the yard.  After checking to see that everyone was as well as could be expected, he rode to town for the sheriff and the doctor.

 

Subsequent inspection of the grounds revealed a few of the Evanston men bound and gagged in the barn.  Once freed, they helped gather and identify the corpses of the now exposed men.  Many were young boys from town.  Several others were Evanston men. 

 

Nick went first to the doctor’s office.  He sent the man on his way and headed straight for the sheriff’s office.  A drowsy deputy told him the sheriff was out for the night.

 

“Where?”

 

“I don’t know.  It’s his night off.”

 

“Night off?  Do you know what’s been happening while your sheriff is off gallivanting?”

 

“Sir.  I can send him out in the morning.”

 

“In the morning?  The trail will be cold by then.”

 

Throwing his hands in the air, Nick returned to the farm. 

 

The doctor had settled Heath, but saw to the other more serious injuries first.  He moved to Victoria.  “No, please see to Heath and Tom first.  It’s just a scratch.”

 

“Mrs. Barkley, I’ve already settled Tom and Heath will go last.”

 

“But why?”

 

“If I have to take the leg, it will require surgery.  I don’t want you to wait that long.”

 

Jarrod had been listening.  “Surely you won’t know right now if the leg needs to be taken?”

 

“If it is re-broken, there will be no healing.  It must be done.”

 

Victoria sank to the seat behind her.  Charlotte moved to her side and laid a hand on her shoulder.  “I’m sure it will be fine.”  Victoria met the woman’s gaze and tried a half smile.

 

After seeing to Victoria’s wound, the doctor moved on to Heath.  He was alone in the room for some time before he exited.  Despite the late hour, everyone waited in the parlor.  Charlotte, Nick and Clarice busied themselves sweeping up glass shards from around the room.  They had to be moving.  A pall fell over the room as the doctor entered.

 

“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.”

 

Victoria felt hope.  “How is he?”

“The leg is going to be fine.”

 

Cheers and applause went up in the room. 

 

Nick hugged the doctor, who was a bit overwhelmed by the responses.

 

Shelby was still concerned.  “He was in so much pain.”

 

“I didn’t say he was healed.  It did hurt.  I haven’t replaced the cast yet.  If you all think you can keep him off it, I’ll leave it off.”

 

Tom smiled.  “We’ll keep him off it.”

 

The doctor looked at Tom and then Victoria.  “Didn’t I tell you both to rest?”

 

Twenty four

 

Tom Evanston sat quietly in the parlor.  The sun had not yet come up.  It had been two days since the attack.  Families all over the area had been publicly devastated to learn of their son’s or husband’s involvement on the attack against the Evanstons, Wescotts and Barkleys.  He thought back on the Sheriff’s visit.  Nick had been sure he hit the leader and the sheriff had favored his left arm, but they had no proof.  He sickened to think of the world he had returned to.  He had no love for slavery.  He was glad it was gone, but this time of transition was ugly.

 

Everett Wescott was a creature of habit.  He liked to go for a sunrise ride on Sunday mornings.  Tom knew why now and waited for him to appear.  He heard the footfalls coming down the stairs and watched.  As Everett’s form came into view, he called out.  He wasn’t loud enough to wake the house, but Everett would hear him. 

 

“What on earth are you doing up at this hour?”  Everett knew Tom was up to something, so he’d been on his best behavior of late.  Sunday mornings were spent getting reports on the previous evenings activities.  It seemed he would be late today.

 

“You shouldn’t have locked the cabinet.”

 

“What?”  Everett knew exactly what he meant.

 

“It was really your only mistake.  If you hadn’t locked it, I wouldn’t have guessed. If you were really interested in protecting my son, it would have been unlocked, as it had been for weeks.”

 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Tom.  If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were accusing me of something.”

 

“It was well planned.  You had to know I wouldn’t go with you that day and even that I would have offered my life for Heath.”  Tom was quiet.  “Things have got to change, Everett.”

 

Everett decided to play along, wondering just how much Tom had figured out.  “Like what?”

 

“You will discontinue your activities with the Klan.”  Tom studied Everett’s face as he began his list of demands. 

 

“Not easily done.”  He leered at Tom.  In his mind, he knew what his first order would be this morning. 

 

Tom continued on, unfazed.  “You’ll retire from the businesses to spend more time with your family.”

 

Everett now displayed his anger.  “You’ve got to be kidding.  Just who do you think will run these businesses?  Half the town depends on me.”

 

“I will run them until the spring, when Evan returns home from school, he will take over.”  He added.  “Under my supervision.”

 

“This is ridiculous.  I’m not going to listen to this nonsense.  There is no way I will agree to these conditions.”  He added pointedly, “You have no evidence.”

 

“You will or you will lose everything.”  Tom ignored the statement.

 

“You wouldn’t dare.  You can do nothing!”

 

“Wouldn’t I?  I’ve checked.  Jarrod has been working hard on my behalf.  You have very little legal claim to the businesses.  They belong to the Evanston estate, of which I am the heir, as well as my son.  That’s why you did it, isn’t it?  It wasn’t so much me you feared, it was Heath’s existence.”

 

“There is no way you or your bastard son will ever get your hands on any of this.”  Everett waved his arms through the air.

 

“But you’re wrong.  It’s mine already.  But to spare Charlotte any more pain, I will let you stay.  I won’t tell Charlotte and if Evan demonstrates more morals then his father, I will appoint him my heir.”

 

Everett sneered.  “Even you don’t want your bastard son to gain all this.”

 

“Hardly.  I would like nothing more for my son to get all this.”  He mocked Everett by repeating his arm gestures.  “Heath and I spoke about it yesterday.  He doesn’t want it.  I will of course provide him with a percentage, as I will Clarice and Shelby, but Heath has no desire to own any of this.  Why would he?”

 

“You really think this will work?  I have powerful friends.  So long as you make these threats, Heath isn’t safe.”

 

“Yes, he is and you will accept this most generous offer, even though you don’t deserve it.”  Charlotte had heard enough of the conversation to have her heart broken.  She finished the final few stairs and stood face to face with her husband.  “Tom is being more than generous, but I have a few conditions of my own.”

 

“Charlotte… don’t….”

 

“You’ll never set foot in my room again and you’ll make public the names of all men associated with the Klan.”

”You can’t mean that, Charlotte.  I love you.  You don’t know the whole story.”

 

“I could never love a man like you.”

 

“Like me?  How dare you, Charlotte?   Do you think it’s been easy to maintain this lifestyle for you since the war?  Ever since the likes of this sympathizer,” He pointed to Tom.  “Came along and ended a perfectly reasonable way of life it has been a struggle.  He and his kind have no business telling us what to do.  I’ll not lose everything I’ve built over a bunch of niggers and nigger lovers.”

 

Charlotte was shocked and stunned that she could have been so naïve to her husband’s true nature.  She maintained her resolve, despite the pain.  “You didn’t.  I am his kind.  You’re children are his kind.  You lost everything over your black heart.”

 

Everett stormed out of the house.  Charlotte’s strength failed her.  Tom caught her as she sagged.  He carried her into the parlor and held her while she cried.  She muttered over and over again how sorry she was.  He told her time and time again, that it wasn’t her fault. 

 

Everett never returned home.  His body was found later that afternoon, hung from a tree by the river.

 

Mourning settled over the house.  The Wescotts wandered about the house in a daze.  They were numb with grief and questions.  Heath and Shelby spent a great deal of time together and he grew stronger every day.  She drew from his strength in coming to terms with the deceit of a man she had considered a father.  Tom asked Jarrod and Nick to get the farm and various businesses back under his control.  They spent long hours combing the books and storerooms of the various interests.  They also spent time interviewing and evaluating the men.  Tom wanted to do all he could to be sure he didn’t employ anyone with Klan loyalties.  Evan had returned early from university and helped his uncle daily.  They formed a fast bond.  Tom was relieved to find his nephew had not adopted his father’s attitudes and opinions.

 

Heath was in time able to walk with a cane.  Shelby suggested a picnic by the creek where it had all begun. Nick was hitching a buggy for them, as she went to get Heath.

 

“Are you ready to finish what we started?”  She smiled.

 

“Sure am!”  He rested his free arm around her lower back as they walked to the yard. 

 

“You sure you’re up to this, Little Brother?”  Nick teased.

 

“I think I can handle it, Older Brother.  Don’t need a leg to drive a buggy.” 

 

Shelby settled into Heath’s strong arms when the lunch was done and sketches had been made.  “Shelby, can I ask you a question?”

 

“Yes.”  She was happy and content.  The world seemed a million miles away.

 

“Do you still insist you don’t love me?”

 

She pulled away and turned to face him.  “Heath….”

 

Her words were stopped by Heath’s finger placed gently on her lips. 

 

“I love you, Shelby.  I can’t even think of going home next week with out you.  Please, say you’ll come with me.”

 

Shelby got a far off look in her eyes.  She’d known this moment would come and despaired at having to tell Heath.  He continued.  “Come with me to Stockton.  Marry me?”

 

A tear formed in her eye and Heath watched the single drop flow down her cheek.  His heart broke.  “I guess your silence is my answer.”

 

He looked away. 

 

“Heath.  I do love you.”

 

He looked back and smiled.

 

“But…”  His smiled faded and he cut her off.

 

“Ok, I understand your family is important to you.  We’ll live here.  I’ll stay here.”

 

More tears welled in her eyes and they flowed freely down her cheeks now.  “No, it’s not that.  I…  I could live anywhere as long as I was with you.”

 

Heath was confused.  “I don’t understand.”

 

“Heath, my future isn’t here.”

 

“Where is it?”

 

“There is something I have wanted my entire life and I finally have the chance to make it happen.”

 

“I take it, it isn’t the devoted love of a cowboy from California?”

 

She smiled, trying to be brave.  “I was accepted to study art at the Sorbonne University in Paris.  I leave this summer.”

 

Heath leaned back up against the tree and knocked his head against the rough bark. 

 

“Heath, it seems so terribly selfish, but I have always wanted this.  I’ll be traveling all over Europe and studying with the great masters of our time.  Please, don’t ask me to give that up.”

 

Heath was numb.  His mind went back to the year before his birth.  Had his mother felt the same way?  Had she known this level of agony?  He had hated Tom for his selfishness.  How could he look at Shelby the same way?   He vaguely heard Shelby talking to him.

 

“If you ask me to stay, I will.”

 

“What?”

 

“I do love you and if you say the word, I’ll stay.”

 

He cursed her for putting this back on him.  He couldn’t look into those eyes and tell her to give up her dream.  He remembered his life before his family.  He remembered those feelings of longing for something and never getting it.  Then he thought about how lost he was when he had lost his dream.

 

The next words from his mouth surprised him.  “I could come with you.”

 

She smiled and her heart nearly burst.  “I believe you would come with me.”

 

“Sure, I’d like seeing the world and sailing across the ocean has always interested me.”

 

“Heath, please, don’t.  You know you could never be happy chasing me around Europe.”

 

“I could learn to be happy.”

 

“That’s not a lesson I want you to learn.”

 

“In other words, you don’t want to have to worry about me?”

 

“That makes me sound horrible.”

 

“No, honest.”

 

Heath stood up and limped over to the horse without his cane.  He stroked the animal’s mane.  His thoughts were jumbled and he knew his heart was breaking in a way that would never heal.  This wasn’t like Maria or Sarah.  It hurt so much more.

 

“How long will you be gone?”

 

“What?”

 

He called over his shoulder.  “How long will you be gone?”

 

She couldn’t look at him.  “Several years, at least.  I once thought forever.”

 

He nodded understanding.  “Will you write?”

 

“Yes.  If you wish, but Heath…”

 

He turned back to her.  “I’ll wait.  Would that be alright?  Will you wait for me?”

 

“Heath, that’s the most wonderful thing I’ve ever heard, but I could never ask you to wait.  You might meet someone else…”

 

“No, I won’t, besides, you might, too.”

 

“You can’t be sure.”

 

Heath thought about his mother.  “Yes, I can.”  He saw his mother in a whole new light.  He suddenly knew the love she must have felt for Tom Evanston, his father.  He saw the agony in Shelby’s eyes and knew his father had made the hardest decision of his life.

 

 

Epilogue

 

Heath often thought about the day they boarded the train for home.  Good-byes had been said and promises to write and visit exchanged.  Heath had noted how Nick had lingered at Clarice’s side.  Jarrod noted the length of the goodbye between Victoria and Tom.  It could have been the experience of two parents fighting for a son or it could have been something else.  Jarrod smiled, nonetheless.  Heath remembered his own heart breaking at the thought of leaving Shelby.  She boldly kept her emotions in check at the station.  They both had.  They spent the entire day together prior to departure, talking, sharing and dreaming together.  Their parting kiss had been lingering.  She had moved up her departure, to return all the sooner.  Heath made her promise to be truthful.  If she met someone else, or wanted to stay, he wanted to know.  They would work it out.

 

Jarrod, Nick and Victoria were in the Barkley car and the Wescotts had returned to their buggy, leaving Heath and Tom on the platform.  They hadn’t worked everything out.  Neither was a man of many words, but there were great strides toward a fulfilling relationship between them.

 

“Heath… I…”

 

“I know.  Me, too.”

 

Tom held out his hand.  Heath took it.  Tom couldn’t control his arm; it acted of its own accord and pulled Heath into his arms.  For a moment, Heath stood, not responding.  Slowly, he raised his arms and returned the hug.

 

“Take care of yourself.”

 

“I will.  You, too.”

 

“This will always be a home for you.”

 

“I know and I appreciate that.”

 

“When you’ve got things straighten out here, come west.  We’ll go find us some wild mustangs.”

 

“I’d like that.”

 

“Me, too.”

 

Life had slipped back into normal routines for the Barkleys of Stockton, California.  For a few short weeks a buzz had been raised in town, as it was known that Heath wasn’t a blood Barkley.  The fervor died down quickly and something else replaced it.  Heath was just happy it didn’t involve him.  Life flew by filled with round ups, floods, droughts, fires and time spent with the family he loved.  Nothing had changed for him, except the emptiness in his heart and the subtle comfort of knowing he had a father.  The family was aware of it and supported him.  The letters from east to west and visa versa were frequent and lengthy.

 

Early one morning Victoria could hear the laughter of her family from the dining room as she descended the stairs to breakfast.  She didn’t question the definition of family any more.  She knew she was too blessed to question anymore.  She didn’t worry about Tom’s reaction either.  She knew very well her husband loved Heath as much as she did and could never be angry at their actions.  There was a knock at the door.  Silas was busy with breakfast, so Victoria made it to the door first.  She crossed the foyer and pulled open the door.  A smile lit her face as she saw the visitor.  Life was good.

 

 

THE END