Disclaimer: Of course I don't own them (BV Characters) what ever were you all thinking? If I had owned the series, they would have long been released on DVD, all four seasons. Anyhoo, it sure is fun to play with them for a bit. Don't worry, I'll put them all back in one piece! HEHEHEHE! This is my first BV Fanfic, sp please have mercy on me.
Summary: Jarrod Barkley has a very hard time after the loss of his beloved wife, Beth. The Barkley Clan is worried about their 'Pappy', since he hasn't been himself since her death. Something WILL happen to change that and possibly change Jarrod in the process.
THE SECOND TIME AROUND
Chapter One: A Whirlwind Romance (The Past)
Jarrod's thoughts took him to past. He thought on the events of the past year and a half.
Jarrod Barkley looked out the window of the train, watching the people getting on the train. It was a warm day in Washington, DC. Jarrod was getting prepared for the long ride back to Stockton, California. He had secured a pillow and a blanket from the train conductor. He was all prepared to sleep all or at least most of way to the west coast, that is until he looked out the window and saw her, a vision of beauty.
'I hope she comes to my car.' Jarrod thought to himself. In all of his 32 years of life, he never really had a serious relationship. But, when he saw the young woman waiting to get on the train, he knew he wouldn't be getting the much need rest he required.
The young woman was about enter the car to the right, but for some reason unknown to her, she felt led to go to the left. It was as if she felt some kind of force pulling her to the left.
'For some reason, I must go left,' the young woman thought to herself.
As she entered the car on the left, she saw an amazing looking dark-haired man. She seemed to have caught his eye as well, because he stood up and offered her his assistance.
"Let me, young lady," Jarrod gallantly took her bag and put it on the overhead shelf.
"Oh, thank you," the young woman began, "how nice it is to see that chivalry isn't lost."
"Jarrod Barkley, at your service, young lady." Jarrod offered by way of an introduction with a warm smile on his face.
"I'm Beth Collins," the young woman replied, returning Jarrod's smile.
"Where are you heading?" Jarrod asked, unable to stop the question, realizing that he was getting kind of personal with a stranger. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward too soon."
"No problem," Beth began, smiling at the handsome young stranger. "It's not like you're asking for my address."
"No, it's not." Came Jarrod's simple reply.
"Well, I'm heading to Denver, Colorado." Beth replied.
"We'll be riding together for quite a while," a very pleased Jarrod replied.
"Oh really," Beth began, "where are you heading?"
"I'm heading on to Stockton, California." Jarrod replied. "Ever heard of it?"
"No, I haven't." Beth replied.
"Well, perhaps I should tell you about it." Jarrod replied, happy to have such a lovely traveling companion.
Jarrod and Beth made small talk as they discussed the different scenery passing by. Beth told Jarrod about the many different plants and shrubbery on the countryside.
"Are you hungry, Beth?" Jarrod asked.
"I'm famished," Beth replied.
"Let's go to the dining car, okay?" Jarrod asked, his blue eyes pleading.
"I just can't say know to your beautiful blue eyes." Beth replied, causing Jarrod to blush slightly. With that, Jarrod and Beth headed for the dining car.
The Dining Car
The dining car was bustling with activity. It was crowded, but Jarrod was able to find him and Beth a table. The waiter took their orders and offered them different drinks and appetizers while they waited for their meal.
Their meals were brought out to them. They ate in companionable silence, sneaking glances at each other. After they were done with their meals, they enjoyed dessert with a nice cup of coffee. They enjoyed each other's company so much that they hadn't realized that they were the only ones left in the dining car. Beth looked at her watch and couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Oh, my!" Beth exclaimed lightly.
"What's wrong, Beth?" Jarrod asked.
"Just look," Beth replied, smiling at Jarrod. She then showed him her watch.
"Wow!" Jarrod replied, shock evident in his voice. "It's after 10 at night. Time sure flies when you're having fun. Especially with a someone as lovely as you."
"Oh you!" Beth replied, laughing. "I bet you say that to all the women."
"Believe it or not, Beth," Jarrod began, his tone becoming serious. "I haven't said that to anyone but you."
"I find that hard to believe," Beth began, totally shocked at Jarrod's admission. "Someone as handsome and dashing as you should have women knocking down your door to get to you."
"Well, it's not like that and I'm not like that." Jarrod replied honestly.
About a half hour later, the conductor announced that Denver would be the next stop. Jarrod felt his heart drop as he realized that Beth would be leaving him and he wasn't sure if he was ready to let the incredible creature in front of him leave his presence.
A few minutes later, the train pulled up at the Denver depot. Jarrod reached up and retrieved Beth's luggage and handed it to her.
As the train came to a full stop, Jarrod asked Beth if he could kiss her. Beth gave him permission, and he planted a chaste kiss on her lips. Beth did something that shocked Jarrod when he made as though he was getting ready to get off at the Denver depot.
"You stay here," Beth pleaded tearfully. She did not want a long goodbye from the handsome stranger. "Please?"
"Okay," Jarrod replied softly, so softly Beth could barely hear him. Jarrod honored her wish, at least he tried to. With that, Beth tearfully ran off the train.
Jarrod sat on the train, contemplating if he should honor her wishes and let her walk out of his life….or, if he should just follow his heart and join her in Denver.
The conductor appeared to let Jarrod know that the train would be pulling of in 10 minutes. It was at the moment that Jarrod made up his mind.
"May I have my luggage?" Jarrod asked the smiling conductor.
"Are you sure, Mr. Barkley?" The conductor asked, already knowing the answer before Jarrod gave it.
"Yes, Sir, I am." A smiling Jarrod Barkley replied. With that, Jarrod was heading off the train with his luggage in tow.
When the train pulled off, Beth was totally surprised to see a smiling Jarrod Barkley walking toward her. Despite what she told Jarrod before she left the train, she was elated to see the handsome young man approaching her.
"I know you told me to stay on the train," Jarrod began, defending himself, "but I just couldn't let you walk out of my life without a fight."
"Jarrod," a teary-eyed Beth began, "we just met, but I am glad that you decided not to take heed to my words."
"So am I." Jarrod whispered in Beth's ear.
"I'm going to get a ride on the stage coach." Beth began. She would have continued but Jarrod cut her off.
"Why do you need a stage coach, when I am here?" Jarrod asked incredulously.
"Well, you don't have a horse in your pocket, do you?" Beth asked, laughing. "I can't possibly ride on your back, can I?"
"Oh, what a Smart Alec you are?" Jarrod replied.
"Well?" Beth replied, with her arms folded and tapping her right foot on the ground. Beth really enjoyed the carefree banter she was having with the handsome and dashing dark-haired man.
"I was just about to rent a horse from the livery stable up the road there," Jarrod replied, nodding toward the livery stable.
"Oh," Beth began, "I know the owner. His name is Jedidiah Smith. But we call him Jed."
"That's good." Jarrod replied. "Jed, you say?"
"Yes, Jed I say." Beth replied. With that, the new friends headed in the direction of the livery stable.
As they entered the livery stable, the proprietor, Jed Smith greeted Beth first.
"Hey there, little Missy," Jed began, addressing Beth by the nickname he gave her. He knew Beth and her family for many years. He watched Beth grow from a cute little princess into the beautiful woman standing before him. "What can I do fer ya, my dear?"
"My friend, Jarrod Barkley," Beth began, pulling Jarrod forward, "needs your help."
"What kin I do fer ya, young feller?" Jed asked Jarrod.
"I'll be needing a horse." Jarrod replied.
"How long were ya lookin to keep the horse, young feller?" Jed asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Jarrod replied, looking deeply into Beth's brown eyes.
"Why don't ya know?" Jed asked.
"Well," Jarrod began, "I'm not sure how long I'll be staying. Um, I mean it's up to Miss Collins." Jarrod couldn't believe the old man was giving him such a hard time.
"Jed, come on," Beth began, sighing heavily, "he's only looking to rent a horse. You'd think he was asking to court one of your daughters."
"I'm a just a coverin my hind quarters," Jed began, "I need to be sure that this young feller won't be a takin my horse."
"Sir, I assure you, no matter how long I keep the horse," Jarrod began, "I fully intend to pay you every last penny for him."
"That's what I wanna hear, young feller." Jed replied happily. With that, Jed handed the horses reigns over to Jarrod. "Young feller, meet Prudence." Jarrod took the horse's reigns. After bidding Mr. Smith a farewell, Jarrod and Beth left the livery stable. When Jarrod waited until he was sure they were out of earshot from Mr. Smith.
"Prudence?" Jarrod asked incredulously. "He actually named a horse Prudence? What was thinking? I mean, who in their right mind names a horse Prudence?"
"Jarrod," Beth replied smiling, "you say to-MAY-to, he says to-MAH-to."
"We're a comedienne, eh?" Jarrod began, and then continued his thought. "Now I know how the people I interrogate on the witness stand feel. You'd think I was asking that Jed character for a kidney or something."
"You have to understand," Beth began, "Jed had been robbed at gunpoint for his horses too many times to mention. He's just being cautious with a stranger. You can't blame him for that, can you?"
"I guess I can't blame him for that." Jarrod replied.
"So, are we going to ride on that horse together?" Beth asked, not too sure about riding together on one horse.
"Oh, right." Jarrod replied, totally forgetting about getting a one horse carriage. Well, he did have one horse, he just needed a coach to hitch the horse to. "Does Mr. Smith have a coach I could rent?"
"Well, he happens to have a few." Beth replied. "Let's go back."
Jarrod really dreaded going back to Jed Smith's place, but he had no other choice.
Jarrod was able to secure the coach and connected the horse to the buggy. He and Beth were on their way to her home, and after he dropped her off, he headed to the fancy hotel that Beth referred him to.
When Jarrod found the hotel, he got out of the buggy and handed the reigns over to the young horse handler, while he headed toward the front entrance of the hotel.
Denver City Hotel
When Jarrod entered the hotel lobby, he noticed that no expense was spared. The hotel clerk noticed the handsome Jarrod Barkley looking in awe of the grand lobby.
"May I help you, young man?" The middle-aged, but beautiful hotel clerk asked.
"I was wondering if you have any rooms available?" Jarrod asked.
"Why yes, sir, we do." The clerk replied. "What type of room are you interested in?"
"Well, I don't know how long I'll be in town," Jarrod began, "so, perhaps a home away from home type setting?"
"I think I have the perfect setting for you," the clerk began, "you look like the fancy kind of young fellow who appreciates the finer things life has to offer. How about a grand suite?"
"What's the grand suite like?" Jarrod asked curious about the suite.
"The grand suite has a fully equipped kitchen, a master bedroom with a bath." The clerk replied. "This suite also has a living room with a daybed, just in case you have a friend that may want to stay overnight."
"I'm sold," Jarrod replied, "I'll take the grand suite." The clerk gave Jarrod the keys to the room, as well as a menu for room service.
When Jarrod finally arrive at his room on the 4th floor, he wasn't really expecting too much from the room, as many a hotel clerk always over exaggerated the condition of their hotel rooms. But, when Jarrod entered Room 424, all of that went out the door, so-to-speak. The suite was all that the hotel clerk raved about and more. The builder of the hotel spared no expense with regard to the exquisite appointments in the beautiful suite.
'Mother and Audra would be quite at home in this beautiful suite.' Jarrod thought to himself. With that, Jarrod took a quick bath and then headed to bed.
For the next few days, Jarrod and Beth spent much time together. They just couldn't get enough of each other. Their days were spent with Beth showing Jarrod around her hometown and their nights were spent with Jarrod wining and dining Beth. She felt like royalty with the way Jarrod treated her.
"Jarrod?" Beth asked as she and Jarrod shared a picnic lunch date.
"Yes, Sweetheart?" Jarrod replied in askance.
"Did you ever get a chance to get to the telegraph office and let your family know where you are?" Beth asked.
"No, Sweetheart I did," Jarrod replied. "You, I hadn't even thought of it."
"You haven't!" Beth exclaimed, putting herself in his family's shoes.
"I've been having such a great time," Jarrod began, "that I really hadn't thought about it."
"You haven't thought about it?" Beth asked, attempting sound angry, and failing miserable, being that Jarrod lifted her up in his arms and kissed cheek.
"Look, Beth," Jarrod began, feeling ashamed that he hadn't really thought about his family. "I'll get to the telegraph office after dinner tonight and let my family know where I am and that I'm doing well, okay?"
"Do you solemnly swear?" Beth asked smiling at the handsome young attorney.
"I solemnly swear, Sweetheart." Jarrod replied smiling ever so sweetly at Beth.
Later that evening, as Jarrod sat in the living room of his hotel suite, he finally realized something: he had fallen in love with Beth. He knew that he had to eventually return to Stockton and he wasn't sure he was ready to leave Denver, and more importantly, Beth. All of the sudden, Jarrod felt the need to go and see Beth. He knew the hour was late and that she was probably in bed by now, but he had to see her and let her know how he felt about her and he also needed to know if she felt the same way.
At Beth's House
"Who could be knocking at my door at this hour?" Beth asked herself softly. At the persistent knocking Beth replied: "I'm coming!" Beth threw on her robe. When she opened the door, her mouth hung open in shock.
"Jarrod, what brings you out here at this ungodly hour?" Beth asked. She stepped aside to allow Jarrod entrance.
"Beth," Jarrod began breathlessly. "I really need to speak with you."
"Jarrod, did you run all the way from the hotel to my house?" Beth asked, taking in Jarrod's disheveled appearance and the fact that he was out of breath.
"Yes I did." Jarrod replied, finally catching his breath.
"Would like anything to drink?" Beth asked, already knowing the answer to her question.
"Some water would be nice for now." Jarrod replied smiling. With that, Beth went to the pump to retrieve enough water for both her and Jarrod.
Once they were settled and both were enjoying cool glasses of water, Beth returned to the matter at hand.
"You said you needed to talk with me?" Beth asked.
"Yes, Beth I do, I really do." Jarrod replied.
"Well, I'm all ears, Jarrod," Beth replied. Just then, Beth remembered that she had some cake and went about to cut both her and Jarrod a piece.
"Beth, I didn't get a chance to get to the telegraph office tonight," Jarrod began. He would have continued, but Beth interrupted him.
"Jarrod," Beth began unable to keep the incredulous tone out of her voice. "You mean to tell me you didn't tell your family where you are? I can't believe it. You make sure you get to the telegraph office first thing in the morning."
"I think I'm falling in love with you," Jarrod blurted out. "No, I know that I AM in love with you. I hope you feel the same way. But, if you don't feel the same way, I'll just pack my bags and head out for Stockton first thing in the morning." As Jarrod spoke those words, one of his relatives' favorite sayings came to mind: "Don't put all of your eggs into one basket." That's exactly what Jarrod was doing with his admission of love to Beth, and he knew it. He was going for broke.
"Jarrod, I didn't know you felt that way!" Beth exclaimed, as the tears began streaming down her face. She would have continued, but Jarrod interrupted her upon seeing the tears streaming down her face.
"Okaaaaaaaay…you're crying," Jarrod began in concern. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Jarrod was not sure about the crying game.
"Oh, it is very good, Jarrod," Beth began smiling through her tears, "very good indeed."
"Really?" Jarrod asked in a boyish fashion.
"You've never heard of tears of joy before?" Beth asked, amazed that the man whom many in Washington, DC kept raving on how he was an old soul in a young body, never heard of women shedding tears of joy before. "Didn't you tell me that you had a younger sister?"
"Yes, I do remember mentioning Audra a few times in conversation." Jarrod admitted.
"You also mentioned your mother, a Victoria, I do believe, right?" Beth asked Jarrod again.
"Yes." Jarrod replied.
"You never seen any of them shedding tears of joy before?" Beth asked.
"Well, once after the war, when me and Nick came home safe," Jarrod began, "I de recall seeing her crying."
"Those, my friend," Beth replied feeling proud that she bested Jarrod in knowing something that he didn't, "were tears of joy, which I'm shedding now. Oh, and by the way, I love you too. I have, since the first time I laid eyes on you."
"You have?" Jarrod asked in total shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"My mother always taught me not to throw myself at a man." Beth replied. "Mama always said if it was meant to be, it would be."
"That's funny," Jarrod began, "my mother's always telling Audra that same thing."
"It's great advice," Beth replied, "it keeps the riff-raff at bay. It also keeps our brothers from having to always fight to keep the boys from spouting off lies about us.
Just then, Jarrod felt the overwhelming need for one more question.
"Beth, Honey?" Jarrod began in askance.
"Yes, Jarrod?" Beth replied in askance.
"Will you marry me?" Jarrod asked.
"Are you sure, Jarrod?" Beth asked, wanting to be sure that Jarrod had thoroughly thought things through, being that they knew each other for a week at best.
"I've never been surer about anything else in my life." Jarrod replied. "You said you loved me, didn't you? I know I love you, so what's holding us back?"
"Jarrod, I do love you," Beth began, "but we've only know each other for a very short time." Beth would have continued, but Jarrod interrupted her.
"We love each other," Jarrod began almost nearing tears, but he held them at bay, "that's all that we need."
"Okay," Beth relented, no longer able to come up with anything further to deter the determined young attorney, "I'll marry you." With that, Jarrod lifted Beth up in his arms and kissed her in a chaste manner.
"When do you want us to get married?" Beth asked Jarrod once he released her. The answer that came from the determined attorney shocked her.
"First thing in the morning." Jarrod replied.
"Jarrod, don't you want your family to share our happiness, as we become husband and wife?" Beth asked, surprised that Jarrod wanted to get married without his family being in attendance. Her family lived there and she could easily send one of her nieces or nephews to gather them.
"Beth, I do want them to share in our happiness," Jarrod began, "I don't want to wait. I want to come back to Stockton with you by my side as my wife and me as your husband. If it's too soon for you, let me know. I apologize for my selfishness." Jarrod was feeling bad, he hadn't really thought about Beth's feelings.
"There's no problem at all, Jarrod," Beth began, attempting to encourage Jarrod. "I just thought you'd like your family to share in our happiness, is all."
"Well, there's another nickname that those older guys call me in Washington, DC, Beth," Jarrod admitted. "Once you hear my nickname, you understand my nature a little better and.
"And what nickname is that, Jarrod?" Beth asked curiously.
"Firecracker." Jarrod replied simply.
"Firecracker?" Beth replied laughing.
"Well," Jarrod began, "they happened to be in Sacramento when I've been doing some lobbying against the railroad's taking over people's farms. Even though I didn't win that case, they liked what they saw. They said that I was like a firecracker, and that's what they need down in Washington, DC. I've also had a reputation for going whole hog after what I want." With that, they made plans to head to the Justice of the Peace in Denver to join them in Holy Matrimony.
TBC
Author's Note: The title, 'The Second Time Around', denotes two things: 1.) A second time around for romance for Jarrod after the death of his beloved Beth; and 2.) A second meeting with someone from Jarrod's past (a few short years back) that he'll end up dealing with again. WARNING: this is an AU fan fiction, so some of things in story may not have actually occurred in any of the Big Valley episodes. I'll have lots things flip-flopping all around, so this is so NOT canon! So my apologies to those who are not too fond of the AU type fan fictions.