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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.

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Dave leaned back from the table in satisfaction. “That was a wonderful meal, Mrs. Barkley.”
The Barkley family matriarch smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, but most of the credit has to go to Silas here.” She beamed at the long-time family retainer.
“And Miss Audra,” Silas added as he continued to pour coffee. “It’s her peach cobbler you’ve just finished.”
Nick grabbed his stomach in mock distress. “I’m not gonna live through the night,” the dark cowboy moaned, then ducked and laughed as Audra tried to swat him with her napkin. Everybody chuckled, including Dave and Daniel.
“It was a mighty fine cobbler, Miss Audra,” Daniel said in sincere appreciation. “I don’t know if I’ve ever tasted better.”
Jarrod took a sip of his coffee. “And that’s quite a compliment, coming from an experienced cook like Daniel,” he said, raising his cup in a salute to his sister and young guest.
Audra beamed at her eldest brother and gave both Daniel and Dave a dazzling smile. “It’s nice that someone appreciates fine cooking,” she said, shooting a dark look at Nick, who just laughed again.
Dave set down his empty coffee cup. “Well, reckon Daniel and I should be heading back to town.” He turned back to Victoria. “Mrs. Barkley, thank you for having us to supper.”
Victoria smiled. “It was our pleasure. After hearing such good things about both you and your son from Jarrod, it was an easy invitation to extend. And you both are always welcome.” She stood, followed by Audra and the men. They all walked out of the dining room to the foyer, where the guests retrieved their hats and Dave hung his gunbelt over his shoulder.
Dave extended his hand to Jarrod’s brothers. “Nick, Heath, it was a pleasure to meet you both. Hope we meet up again soon.”
“Same here,” Nick said as he took Dave’s hand.
Heath followed suit. “You might be meeting up with Nick sooner than you might like,” he added with a serious expression, “given his habit of ending up on the wrong side of a bar fight.”
“Now, Heath,” Nick protested hotly, but everyone else chuckled.
“Good thing your lawyer’s on good terms with the sheriff,” Jarrod said with a wink. “C’mon, Dave, Daniel, I’ll walk you out.”
“So, what do you think of Stockton so far, Daniel?” Jarrod asked as they strolled to the barn.
“It seems like a nice place, sir,” Daniel said with a smile. “Pa and I decided I’m gonna live at the school during the week. It’ll be easier with his work, I can earn some extra money and spend time with Pa when I’m not in school.” Then he turned quickly to Dave. “Pa, I almost forgot. Can I go back and ask Mr. Heath a question? I’ve heard he knows all the best places to go hunting frogs.”
Dave grinned and ruffled his son’s blond hair. “Sure, Daniel. Jarrod and I’ll get the horses saddled.”
Jarrod chuckled as he watched Daniel race back to the house. “Just hope he doesn’t ask Heath for his recipe for bullfrog stew.”
Dave just laughed as they continued on towards the barn. “You’ve got a great family there, Jarrod,” he observed.
Checking to see that there was no one around, Jarrod slipped his arm around Dave’s waist. “They seem to like you too,” the lawyer said with a warm smile.
They reached the shadows of the barn and Dave pulled Jarrod close. “So, do I get a goodnight kiss?”
No one else was in the area, so Jarrod took the opportunity to grab Dave and plant a long, passionate kiss on his lips.

*

Victoria wandered out to the small porch to enjoy a breath of the cool night air. She listened to the sounds of the night birds, the quiet shuffling of the horses in the corral and then her attention was drawn to movement in the shadows by the barn. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw her oldest son wrap his arms around Stockton’s new sheriff and kiss him with an unmistakable fervour. She watched as the kiss was returned with equal enthusiasm, unable to move until she heard the door shut and the men broke apart before Dave’s son ran back over to them. When the three of them went into the barn, Victoria finally regained some composure and withdrew back into the house. She felt slightly guilty for not returning to help clean up after dinner as she quietly went up the stairs to her room, but she wasn’t sure she could face anyone after what she’d just witnessed.
Sitting at her dressing table, Victoria picked up the silver-handled hairbrush that Tom had given her for their twenty-fifth anniversary and started brushing. The long, smooth strokes through her hair and across her scalp were soothing and she slowly shook off her shock.
But there wasn’t as much shock as there should have been. Victoria realized that on some level, she had suspected that of her eldest son. She never had any doubts about the quality of man that Jarrod was; he was always firm in his beliefs and his strength in support of his family never wavered. He might prefer to fight his battles in a courtroom, but it was no secret that he was just as willing as his brothers to use his fists or his gun if the need arose.
But the long rides, picnics and courting that Nick and Heath had done with numerous eligible women were not something she could recall Jarrod doing. He was eagerly sought after as a partner at local dances, but Victoria had to admit he never squired around any of the young ladies who sighed after his charming wit and striking good looks. If he had need of a lady for a social engagement, Jarrod always picked herself or Audra, an old family friend, or someone else who wasn’t interested in anything more than a pleasant evening.
She knew his grief was genuine when Beth had been murdered, but thinking back to when Jarrod had arrived home unexpectedly with a wife in tow, Victoria realized that had shocked her more than seeing him kiss another man.
Victoria set down her brush and picked up the folding frame that held pictures of all her children. She gazed at the strong visage of her eldest and gently ran her fingers across his face.
“I’m sad that I’ll never get to hold your children on my knee,” she whispered, “but I hope you’ve found the happiness that you so deserve. You’ve never done anything but make me proud. I love you, Jarrod, I hope I’ve made sure that you know how much.”
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Be A Man