A Small Price To Pay | By : cowgirl65 Category: 1 through F > The Big Valley Views: 2655 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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Nick grabbed the suitcase out of Jarrod’s hand as soon as he got off the train and grabbed him by the shoulder. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, big brother.”
Jarrod searched his younger brother’s face. Nick looked tired and Jarrod could see the same sadness he felt in those hazel eyes. “It’s good to be home,” he said simply, glad he’d taken the first train he could get out of Sacramento to Stockton.
“Well, c’mon. Horses are over here.”
Jarrod concentrated on masking his pain as the two brothers walked across the train platform together. At least the seats in the first class coach were somewhat padded, but the bumping and jostling of the train hadn’t been kind to his battered backside. The first thing he was going to do when he got home was find some ice and spend at least half an hour lying in his bed on his belly.
“So?” Nick finally asked. “Did you get anywhere with the Coastal and Western?”
Jarrod kept his face impassive. “I met with Jordan and he’s going to walk away from the whole thing,” was all he said. What else could he to tell Nick? That he’d agreed to be Jordan’s whore in exchange for dropping the fight? That he’d practically sold his soul to the devil for his family’s safety?
Nick stopped and Jarrod stopped with him. “You’re joking. After all the deaths and all the threats…?” He looked at his brother skeptically.
Taking a deep breath, Jarrod responded, “He said he was disturbed that things had turned so violent and we were able to work from that.”
Nick opened his mouth to question further, but he must have seen something on Jarrod’s face and let the matter drop. “Everyone’ll be glad to hear it’s over.” Jarrod sighed in relief that he’d gotten off so easily, at least for now. “Mother’s waiting for us and Silas made all your favourites for dinner,” Nick said as they continued on to where two horses were tethered. Jingo whickered a greeting and Jarrod rubbed the sorrel’s neck.
“Good to see you too, old boy.” Fastening his case to the back of the saddle, Jarrod mounted and the brothers turned the horses’ noses towards the ranch. He knew he had to come up with something to tell Nick; just because the matter was dropped now didn’t mean he was off the hook. But he wasn’t able to work out what else to say; if he thought the train ride was bad, the trip to the ranch was far worse. Every time Jingo’s hooves hit the ground, the impact send waves of pain up his body. He gritted his teeth; there was no choice other than to endure, but he was pale and sweaty by the time they rode through the gate.
Jarrod stumbled when he dismounted and Nick looked at him critically. “You all right, Jarrod?”
Jarrod nodded and gave Nick a weak smile as he wiped his forehead. “Just tired. I’m looking forward to a long nap in my own bed.” But he’d already noticed that Nick looked tired too and that gave him an excuse to redirect the conversation. “How are you holding up?”
Nick shrugged. “I had to let Rawlins go.”
The ease of that simple statement contradicted the pain in Nick’s eyes and Jarrod hid his surprise. Hank Rawlins had been the ranch foreman for as long as he could remember and he’d always been their father’s right hand man. “What happened, Nick?”
“He started calling me a green youngster and kept trying to undermine the fact that I’m in charge now,” Nick admitted with a deep sigh. “It’s hard enough trying to run this place without Father without it being thrown in my face that I’m not him.”
“You did right, Nick.” Jarrod gave his brother a reassuring clap on the back. “No, you’re not Father, but you’re Nick Barkley and that should be good enough for anyone. I’ll back your calls, Nick. There won’t be any question of who runs this ranch.”
Nick nodded. “Thanks, Jarrod. You go have that nap and I’ll take care of Jingo.”
“Thanks.” Jarrod walked slowly to the house and set his hat on the table once inside. He heard the swish of his mother’s skirts before he saw her, so he had time to smooth his strained expression into a pleasant smile.
“Hello, lovely lady.” He bent down for her to kiss his cheek and then gave her a hug. “How are you doing?” She looked sad and tired, the same as his brother did.
Jarrod felt his mother lean against him. “Managing. Keeping busy. But I’m glad you’re home.”
He placed a gentle kiss on her head. “And hopefully I won’t have to leave anytime soon.” With the railroad threat gone, Jarrod didn’t have any plans to go out of town on business. He’d only have to leave if… He willed the thought away, knowing if Jordan really meant it when he said ‘again’, he’d have no choice but to go.
Victoria took a step back. “You look tired, dear,” she said after a long look. “Why don’t you go upstairs and take a nap? I’ll wake you when dinner’s ready.”
Jarrod nodded gratefully. “I believe I will. I’m just going to get a drink of water from the kitchen first.” His luck was with him; she didn’t follow and the kitchen was empty. He was able to grab some ice from the icebox without having to explain and no one saw him make his painful way up the back stairs. Closing and locking his door behind him, Jarrod leaned back against it in relief for a moment before walking over to the dresser. He slowly removed his clothes and draped them neatly over the back of a chair.
Jarrod avoided looking in the mirror; seeing his reflection would only be a disturbing reminder of what happened at Jordan’s hands. He just crawled onto his bed and set the ice on his throbbing backside with a sigh of relief. It didn’t really matter what he’d done; after all, he’d risked his life on the battlefield for something he believed in and he’d never hesitate to step in front of a bullet to protect someone he loved. In that light, this wasn’t any different.
Somewhat comforted by that thought, Jarrod was actually able to fall asleep and didn’t wake until he heard a tap at the door and his mother’s voice.
“Jarrod? Dinner’ll be served in about twenty minutes.”
Yawning, he replied, “Thank you, Mother. I’ll be right down.”
The ice had melted, leaving a large wet spot on the blankets, but at least the pain was less. As he pulled on some clean pants and a shirt, Jarrod decided to check the medicine cupboard in the bathing room in the hope that there might be some sort of salve or liniment that would help with the pain.
His luck was with him. There was a jar of ointment that they used for strained muscles and if it didn’t help, at least it shouldn’t hurt. He generously applied it to his battered ass and it did feel soothing, so he took the jar back to his room to use again later.
Dinner was quiet. Audra and Gene greeted him enthusiastically when they first saw him, but other than everyone’s relief that the railroad conflict was apparently settled, the conversation was subdued. The empty chair at the head of the table dominated the room and everyone keenly felt Tom Barkley’s absence. Jarrod wasn’t sure if his mother would ask him to take that place someday, but for now he was content to sit beside Nick.
Gene and Audra excused themselves to do their homework when the meal was done and Nick went to check on a mare that was close to foaling, leaving Jarrod alone with his mother.
“You need more sleep, dear,” she told him in no uncertain terms. “I want you to go to bed and I don’t want to see you until tomorrow morning.”
Jarrod controlled himself in time to avoid making an incredulous snort. Did she really see him as a child in need of direction, after serving in a brutal war and taking his father’s place these past several weeks, not to mention what he’d just arranged with Jordan? But he immediately felt guilty. She was his mother, he reminded himself; she had a right to be concerned. It was understandable she’d be more mothering to her adult son after so tragically losing her husband and Jarrod knew his reaction was mostly due to his pain and his disgust with himself. He knew how much she loved him and he loved her in return, so he kissed her check and gave in. “Of course, lovely lady.” He climbed the stairs to his room and hoped Jordan wouldn’t actually call for him again.
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