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Note: Well here is part one, I've included the small snippet that I posted for feedback in the Reading Room. This is a working Title and may change. Let me know what you think of the title.

This story is extremely AU. I have taken the liberty of changing many aspects of canon. Heath and Audra are 18 and are twins. Both Jarrod and Nick's ages will be the same as they are in the show and Eugene will be 24 making our twins the youngest siblings. The basis of this is that Tom and Victoria didn't loose any children until after Eugene was born.

Thanks to those that read and commented on the teaser, you gave me the courage to continue this story, so I am dedicating this story to all of you.

I will be posting one part of the story each week, this giving me the time to review it, edit it and so on. lol

As always, any and all feedback is welcomed.


Children Are A Gift From God

How much farther?"

"Just over the rise, there."

"Are we....."

"We're gonna stick with the plan."

"But...."

"I know you're scared, don't worry."

"What if..."

"Now don't go on about no what if's."

A sigh then, "Okay."

The riders, atop one horse slowly made their way to the top of the rise, looking down onto the grand valley and the wondrous house nestled in it's center. "There it is."

A gasp.

"Let's go see if they're needin' any help. Grand house like that, gotta need some good strong backs ta keep it runnin'."

No answer, just a quick nod of a head.

Making their way through the arch and into the yard, they dismounted and loosely tied their horse to a post in the front of the house.

"Come along."

Knocking on the large door, they were soon greeted by a houseman with a kind smile, "Yes, may I help ya?" He asked.

"Um, yes sir, I.....we was hopin' ta speak to the lady of the house?" Answered the young man as he removed his hat.

Silas looked at first one, then the other and smiled warmly, "Just a moment please."

A few moments later, a grand lady appeared in the door. "I'm Victoria Barkley, may I help you?" She asked with a smile.

"Yeah.....uh yes ma'am, I....we was wonderin' ifin you're hiring?"

"My son, Nick usually does the hiring for the ranch hands. May I ask your names."

"Oh, yeah.....uh yes'm, I'm Heath, Heath Thomson and this here is my twin sister, Audra."

"Ma'am." Audra greeted with a small, unsure curtsy.

Victoria's smile froze for a mere moment at the last name, No, just a coincidence, I'm sure there's a lot of folks with that last name in California.' she thought to herself. Giving the two a nod of her head she answered, "Nice to meet you, please come in."

"No ma'am, I'm afraid we'd been ridin' a long time, we're a might dusty." Heath answered as he slapped his hat on his pants to prove his point.

Audra mirrored her brother's actions by patting her britches to try and remove some of the dust.

"Nonsense, I have three sons and all of them have entered this house covered in dirt, please come in, you seem tired and I have a feeling your sister would like a chance to freshen up."

Heath turned to look at Audra and spied the hope masked within her worry. "Well, I speck she could use a bit o' polishin." He teased gently, giving her ponytail a light tug.

"Wonderful, please come inside." As they followed her in, she turned to Silas, "Please run a bath for our young lady."

Audra beamed at the complement.

"Ma'am, we don't want ta be no problem, just show her were the pump is so's she can spiffy up a bit, no need to run a bath. We're just looking for some work, we can jump in a creek if'n we need ta get clean all over." Heath reasoned.

Audra's face fell, "Oh please Heath, it'll feel so nice ta have a real bath in warm water, I've got my dress Aunt Hannah made me in the bag, oh please, I won't take long."

Having never been able to say no to his twin, he put a gentle hand on the dirt smudge face of his beloved sister, he looked once more to the fine lady in front of him, "Well, I spect it'll be okay, thank ya, ma'am."

Audra jump and encircled her arms around her brother, "Oh thank you, Heath, thank you. I'll go and fetch my dress, won't be but a minute." She turned and all but ran from the foyer.

Victoria gave a pleasant laugh, "She's quit beautiful, and such a spirit."

"Yep, I reckon she's a fighter, she don't get much change to fancy up none. Thank ya again, ma'am."

"You're very welcome," She thought for a moment, "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

"Eighteen, ma'am, just turned."

"So young to be out in the world on your own." She said just above a whisper as Audra re-entered the house, dress in hand.

"We do alright, ma'am."

Audra stopped, realizing how unlady like her exit was, "Excuse me ma'am, I get a bit excited some times, forgive me." Audra smiled.

"Now don't you worry about a thing, I was young once too, I find it refreshing. Silas will show you where the washroom is, take your time and feel free to use any of my salts if you would like."

"Thank you, Mrs. Barkley." Audra said as she followed Silas up the grand staircase to the second level.

Turning to her other guest, Victoria motioned for him to have a seat in the parlor. "Won't you sit down, Mr. Thomson."

"Ma'am, I really don't think......"

"Please have a seat, my son's are currently on a cattle drive and won't be back for at least another week, it's been quit lonely here. I would love the company." She was hopping to get more information from her guest, the more she saw of his mannerisms and his quiet nature, the more curious she was. They both carried facial features she was sure were familiar to her, she needed more time, she needed to take this very slow. She was sure she had seen these children before.

Taking a seat in the closest chair, Heath frowned, "Another week ma'am?"

"Yes. You said Audra and yourself were looking for employment, I'm sure I'm right in thinking that you're looking for a position as a ranch hand, may I ask what Audra does?"

Looking down and away from Victoria he answered, "Well Ma'am, she's been a cooks helper, and she's real good at laundry and cleanin' houses. We worked in Corning for a few months and she helped feed the hands and done most of their laundry, she may be small, ma'am, but she's a real good worker." Heath answered, twisting a button on his shirt, feeling it pop off, he laughed and added, "She's also pretty fair with a needle and thread."

Victoria smiled at the nervousness of the young man before her, "Well, I won't lie to you, young man, it would be nice to have some help with the running of this house. Poor Silas is run ragged sometime trying to keep up. I help when I can and it just never seems to all get done." Spying Silas as he entered with a tray of lemonade and a plate of cookies she added, "Silas is a very kind and patient man, I'm sure they will get along famously."

"Thank you, Missus Barkley, I'd be happy ta have the help." Silas grinned.

Heath's head shot up and a small, crooked grin graced his handsome face, "You mean you're gonna hire Audra."

"Yes Heath, we have a small servants quarters in the house just down the hall from Silas'." She grinned. "And you may go and speak with Ciego, he's our stableman, he has been wanting an assistant for quit some time, and I believe he would appreciate the help, at least until my son, Nick, returns. He may have another place for you, I do know he has been hiring hands and is still short handed."

"Thank ya, ma'am." Heath said as he stood up, "Excuse me, I'll get on to the stables then."

"Heath, please sit and have some cookies and lemonade, Ciego will still be there when you are through, don't worry."

Not knowing what to do, his thoughts where halted as Audra entered the room in her soft pink cotton dress, it wasn't fancy, but it was made with love. "Well don't you look pretty, Ms. Thomson." Heath grinned.

"Why thank you kind sir." She giggled. "I'm afraid the only shoes I have are these old boots, but I do feel better." Turning to Victoria, "Thank you, ma'am."

"You are most welcome, dear, that dress look darling on you. As for shoes, I'm sure I have a pair that would fit you nicely. Please have a seat and enjoy the refreshments while I get them." Victoria rose and left the room.

"Oh Heath," Audra spoke softly after a few minutes "She's so kind, not at all like I imagined."

"I know, sis. That's why I've decided we ain't gonna tell her who we are. She's offered us both jobs, let's work here a bit and get ta know them, then we can move on, maybe go back to Strawberry and see Aunt Hannah."

Audra gave her brother a small smile at the mention of their Aunt, "I sure don't wanta hurt her none. I couldn't and feel right about it. It wasn't her fault what her husband done. Best she don't know what come out of it, I guess. I'm sure the last thing she wants in her life is two more kids."

Heath hugged his sister then took a glass of cool lemonade and a cookie and handed them to her, "That's my gal, here, I know your hungry, you're lookin' a might peeked."

"And your not......" She answered a little harshly, "Sorry brother, I'm tired's all." She sighed as she took a seat in the matching chair next to her brothers.

"I know, sis, but tonight you'll be sleeping in your own room in this here fancy house. You belong in a house like this sis, your to good to be doggin' around with no place ta call home."

"We promised mama we'd stay together so I'm gonna go where my brother goes, you're my home." She wiped a tear from her eye.

Victoria stood in the door way, unnoticed by the siblings. Having heard most of what was said, she berated herself for first, eavesdropping, and secondly, not noticing the tale-tale signs of hunger exhibited by the two young people now currently eating in her parlor. Feeling herself backing up, she ran the conversation through her mind, what was at first a very small kernel of curiosity, of a feeling she didn't yet have a name for, was now more clear, the soft voices having confirmed innocently what she didn't want to know. Feelings came rushing and circled around her, protectiveness, worry, anger, doubt, sympathy, sadness.......all mixed together in a hue of bright flashes, each more intense than the one before. Nineteen years ago, Tom leaving for the mines in Strawberry, returning four months later, drawn and distant. His late night confession alone in their marital bed, him telling her the name of the woman that held his heart for 4 months, Leah Thomson, the betrayal and later forgiveness. Tom selling his interest in the mines. "No...." Victoria sobbed quietly, "Oh Dear Lord, no."

TBC.......


Okay, let me have it, lol. I can take it.