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Be A Man	By : cowgirl65 Category: 1 through F > The Big Valley Views: 3052 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I in no way own The Big Valley. I make no money from writing this, just the personal satisfaction of (hopefully!) entertaining those who love the show as much as I do.

Chapter List
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The judge perused the town books as Jarrod, Sheriff Barrett and Sidney Glover looked on.
“Well, it’s got to be there somewhere, Judge Power,” Jarrod insisted, “we know the claim was registered.”
The judge sat back, flipped over another page and read through the list of names. “Oh, yes, here it is. Lo… Ling?” he said in faint surprise. “I thought you said the name was Wong.”
Barrett spoke up from where he stood leaning against a beam. “That’s his wife. He registered it on Chinese New Year’s. Put it in her name as sort of a gift. Actually, it belongs to both of them.”
Jarrod could hear the frustration in the lawman’s voice. Barrett had a great deal of respect for the hardworking Chinese couple and Jarrod felt a deep regret that the two of them hadn’t been able to talk Wong and his wife into selling the mine that afternoon, even after he’d saved Wong’s life.
“I see.” The judge continued to look over the entry.
“Those books were drawn up by a bunch of miners,” Glover said, “when Rimfire was just a camp.”
“The old miners’ regulations are as valid as the law, Sidney,” Judge Power reminded his long-time friend. “The state recognizes them as such, even now that you’re incorporated as a district.” He turned to Barrett. “I thought you said these people have been working this mine for three years.”
Barrett came over, a puzzled look on his face. “They have.”
The judge turned back to the records. “According to the date here, they didn’t register their claim until six months ago.”
At that moment, Jarrod knew it was all over for the hard-working Chinese couple and wished again Wong Lo had agreed to sell.
“Wong doesn’t know much about our laws, Judge,” the sheriff said in his friend’s defence. “It took him a while to find out about staking claims.”
“Well, that’s your loophole, Sidney,” the judge said. “Under the state Exclusion Act, Asians can’t own property even when it’s registered by local mining laws.” Jarrod could feel Sheriff Barrett’s blue eyes boring into him as the judge continued. “The Act went through last year, a couple of months before this claim was entered.”
“Well, Jarrod,” Sidney said smugly, “that should simplify things.”
Jarrod didn’t answer.
“I’m surprised you didn’t check that date, Mr. Barkley,” the judge went on. “As a lawyer, you should be familiar with these new acts.”
“I am, Judge, thoroughly,” Jarrod replied bitterly. “I lobbied against them.” He thought back to all the lives lost in a war to secure the freedom of all men, only to have the law still persecute on the basis of race and the colour of one’s skin. He ignored the look of disgust on Glover’s face, but the expression of betrayal on Sheriff Barrett’s was harder to bear.
“How soon can we evict them, Nathan?” Glover asked.
“Forty eight hours,” was the reply. “All you have to do is re-register your previous claim.”
Glover took the offered pen and made the appropriate entry in the record book. Jarrod heartily wished he’d never heard of Glover Silver or the town of Rimfire.
“All right, Sheriff,” Glover said as he returned the pen, “notify them.”
“Is that a court order, Judge Power?” Barrett asked, not looking at Glover.
“Yes, Sheriff.”
Barrett glared at Glover, then at Jarrod. “Congratulations, gentlemen.” He put on his hat and left the room.

*

Dave was fuming when he marched out of Glover House. Damn that smug overstuffed turkey anyway! After Wong Lo’s wife told him about being born in San Francisco when he delivered the eviction notice, he’d gotten confirmation to prove to the law’s satisfaction that Ling Han owned the mine by virtue of being an American citizen and Glover still wouldn’t listen! The only saving grace was that it seemed Jarrod Barkley was willing to take his proof and stand up for Wong and Ling’s rights.
Dave got a shivery feeling when he thought of those blue eyes. The handsome lawyer had ignited a longing in him that had gone too long ignored. He had loved his wife; his Mary had been a lovely woman and a good mother. But he had to acknowledge the fact that soft curves and sweet-scented hair weren’t exactly his first choice for warming his bed. He much preferred long, lean muscles and strong hands that could grip him tightly and from what he’d seen of Jarrod, the lawyer’s suave demeanour wasn’t all there was to him. He remembered the strength of Jarrod’s handshake when they were introduced and there had to be a good deal of muscle under that suit for him to have been able to stop that heavy ore cart, saving Dave and Wong Lo from falling down the mine shaft.
A surge of longing went through Dave as he thought of running his hands over that muscle, of Jarrod holding him tight while grinding himself into Dave’s groin. Stop it, Dave, he chided silently, or you’ll just embarrass yourself.
Instead, he went to Judge Power with the new information and got the eviction notice stayed. Then he walked over to the saloon to find himself some deputies to help guard the mine.
“Ain’t nobody gonna side with scavengers,” was the reply. The men at the bar, all hard workers who were usually keen to earn an extra dollar, seemed to be of the same mind.
Dave looked around the room. “That go for all of you?”
“It does.” The men either turned their backs or walked away and Dave was hard put to conceal his frustration.
“Thanks anyway.” The tall sheriff strode towards the door, only to be stopped by a deep voice.
“Obeying the law doesn’t seem to be too popular around here, Sheriff.” Dave turned to see Jarrod Barkley sitting in the corner, sipping a whiskey. He was leaned back against the wall with one leg propped up on a chair and the sheriff couldn’t think of a more alluring sight. He wished they could have met under different circumstances. In spite of Jarrod’s association with Glover, he was getting the impression that the attorney was a man he could respect as well as lust after.
“I thought all of Mr. Glover’s guests did their drinking in his drawing room, Mr. Barkley,” Dave challenged.
“Seems I’m not Mr. Glover’s guest any more,” the dark haired lawyer replied. “We had a little difference of opinion.”
Dave eyed him carefully. “Oh?”
“Unfortunately, he doesn’t agree with some of my convictions.” He drained his glass.
Dave’s interest was piqued. “Which are?”
Jarrod set down his empty glass slowly. “Similar to yours, apparently.”
Dave couldn’t help wonder what else he and the handsome attorney might have in common. “What about the merger?” he had to ask.
“It’s off too.” Their eyes locked and Jarrod’s piercing blue gaze seemed to bore right into his soul.
But before Dave had a chance to think about it, he heard a yell.
“Pa!” Dave turned to see his son Daniel run into the saloon. “Pa! They’ve got Wong Lo!”
Dave put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Got him? What do you mean?”
“There’s a fight down at the mine,” Daniel said anxiously.
“Go home, Daniel.” It was already starting. Daniel obeyed and Dave turned to look at Jarrod again. He thought about asking for the lawyer’s help, but wasn’t sure what he’d do if it was refused. Steeling himself for whatever was to come, Dave strode out of the room to ride for Wong Lo’s mine.
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Be A Man