At her 19th birthday party Audra's childhood friend, Evan Miles, re-enters her
life. They share a dance and all seems normal until they step outside where
Evan tries to force himself on her. Overhearing her screams Heath easily
overpowers Evan. Wally, Evan's father, is angry at Heath's reaction and the
Miles' leave.
Concerned that a long time friendship is in jeopardy Victoria visits the Miles'
the next day. Mrs. Miles is apologetic but Wally still insists that Heath over-
reacted. Evan arrives covered with alkali dust as Victoria is leaving.
He starts to give her an insincere apology but stops when Wally tells him it's
'all taken care of'. Victoria leaves the Miles' with an uneasy peace between the
two families.
SHARE A DANCE.
BEATING BY HEATH.
it polluted with alkali. Heath continues with the horses to another watering
hole only to discover his way blocked by a barb wire fence and Evan waiting on
the other side.
When Heath cuts the fence Evan fires into the air, spooking the horses. Heath
and Evan fight with Heath coming out the victor.
The Miles' file charges against Heath and Audra rides to their ranch to ask Evan
to drop the charges. She tells him that the trouble started with them and can end
with them.
She wants to apologize to his family and him to apologize to hers. He refuses but
once again implies there is a way to settle everything. Understanding his impli-
cation she angrily rides away.
POLLUTED WATER HOLE.
KEEPING HIM FROM
GETTING THE HORSES TO
WATER.
and Wally holds them for the damage. Nick and Heath ride out to retrieve the
livestock and as they walk onto Miles' range Wally orders his men to fire at
their feet.
Nick and Heath are not deterred. Seeing an opportunity to get even with Heath
without being caught Evan shoots him in the arm. As Nick tends to his brother,
Wally apologizes and seems to realize that the situation has gotten out of hand.
DETERMINED TO GET
THEIR CATTLE BACK.
TENTIONALLY BY EVAN.
is sending him to San Francisco. Evan is angry but agrees to go, however, he
decides to visit the Barkley ranch on his way out.
He catches Audra in the barn that evening and attacks her. Victoria walks in to
see Evan choking Audra and tries to stop him but he pushes her away. With no
other choice Victoria gets his rifle and pleads with him to stop. When he ignores
her she is forced to kill him.
Wally claims Evan was murdered, that the Barkleys set up an ambush for him
and insists on an inquest but Jarrod presents evidence of Evan's past criminal
behavior and mental instability.
Mrs. Miles finally asserts herself. She admits that they knew something was
wrong with their son and finally convinces Wally to let it go and that it is all
over. At the inquest it is decided that Victoria's firing upon Evan was justified.
AUDRA FOLLOWING
THE ATTACK.
THE BARKLEYS OF MURDER
MILES' THAT HE HAS
EVIDENCE OF EVAN'S
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
THE FAMILY INFORMS HEATH AND
AUDRA OF THE DECISION DURING
THE INQUEST.
as a despicable, opportunistic, SNEAKY coward very effective. I didn't like
or sympathize with his character at any point in the episode.
Audra, you get the sense that Heath was already experiencing feelings of be-
longing.
This was also one of the first times we got to see Nick's 'protective, older brother'
emotions for Heath as he immediately tended to Heath's gunshot wound and,
through facial expressions, displayed fury at Wally and Evan.