It was Kaitlin's mother, Mildred, who answered the door when Gene knocked. "Gene," she smiled sadly. "Come on in. I will go get Kaitlin."

"Actually Mrs. Potter," Gene pulled off his hat and stepped inside. "I've come to speak with your husband a moment if that's alright."

"What are you doing here," Jeb appeared from around the corner of his office. "I told your brother all I had to say last night."

"I am sure you did sir," Gene nodded. "But, I have something to say and I hope a way to help you."

"I don't want no help from you Barkleys," he growled.

"That may be," Gene held his ground. "But, I still have something to say," Gene was firm.

"Well then say it," he barked bringing Kaitlin to the top of the stairs.

"Gene," she seemed surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"I have come to offer some help," Gene nodded to her politely, but I think your parents need to know why first."

"What is he talking about," Jeb looked from Mildred to Kaitlin, expecting one of them to answer.

"Mr. Potter," Gene drew the older man's attention once again. "I am very much in love with your daughter."

"What," the old man seemed surprised. "You Barkleys are gettin' my ranch. There ain't no call for you to act foolish no more with this courtin' business."

"That's the problem sir," Gene continued with a firm tone. "I had no idea about this loan with my family until Kaitlin told me about it this morning. I never knew that the loan was made or that you had fallen behind on the payments. I have been courting Kaitlin because I liked her, and I have grown to LOVE her. As a matter of fact, I want to marry your daughter."

"I told you," he shouted at Kaitlin. "I told you this would happen."

"But Daddy," she made her way down the stairs. "He did not ask me to marry him until today. I believe that he loves me. I love him."

"What is it that you think marrying her will do to solve my problems with your family boy," Jeb sneered at Gene.

"I have made a deal with my brother Jarrod," Gene explained. "If you will allow me, I will pay what you owe right now and Jarrod will give you three months before another payment is due."

"I ain't takin' charity from no man, least of all a Barkley," Jeb fumed. "Sure ain't gonna let one Barkley pay my debt to another Barkley. Hell, that's like lettin' the man I owe pay himself."

"Daddy, please," Kaitlin spoke up again. It's a chance. We can stay here. I know you don't want to leave here. You don't want to give this up."

"No," he yelled. "It ain't fittin'."

"Sir," Gene protested. "I want to marry Kaitlin. That makes us family. Will you not accept my help as that?"

"I wouldn't take charity from no man and I won't sell my daughter off to pay my debts."

"Jeb, that is not what the boy said and you know it," Mildred finally spoke up. "Don't you dare imply a thing like that about him or Kaitlin."

"You two do what you like," Jeb looked from Kaitlin to Gene. "Maybe you can stay Kaitlin. Maybe you and Gene can get married and stay on here. Maybe the Barkleys will even let you have this house. But I will not take this kind of charity." He stormed past Gene out the door slamming it behind him.

"I'm sorry Gene," Mildred shook her head. "My husband is a proud man. I'm afraid that he has made up his mind about this."

"Mrs. Potter," Gene pleaded. "I can give my family the money whether he wants me to or not. Would he still leave if I did that?"

"Yes," she nodded. "It would still be charity and he would still refuse."

"Kaitlin," Gene turned to her. "Please, tell me what to do. I don't know what else to do."

"Your brother said he wouldn't take half our land because there was no way my father could pay the rest off later without that land."

"He told me," Gene nodded.

"What if you got him to take half the land, paid him the money and then any money my father paid later, your brother gave back to you. He would never need to know anything other than that Jarrod changed his mind."

"Kaitlin," Mildred scolded. "You cannot hide something like that from your father. It is unfair and unkind."

"Mother, you know he doesn't want to leave," Kaitlin insisted. "Why can't we hide this from him to protect him from his own pride?"

"I think she's right," Gene shook his head. "It is bound to come out eventually anyway. He would be more upset then."

"Kaitlin," Mildred's tone softened. "Just because your father has his stubborn pride does not mean that you cannot stay and get married if that is what you want."

"I can't do that to him," the tears started to roll down her cheeks. "I cannot hurt him that way," she shook her head and ran toward the steps.

"Kaitlin," Gene called, stopping her in her tracks. "Please, please don't do this."

"Don't Gene," she never turned to look at him. "Please don't make this harder for me than it already is." She bounded up the stairs and they heard the slamming of her bedroom door.

"I will talk to her," Mildred offered. "She certainly is his daughter."

"Thank you Mrs. Potter," Gene shook his head no. "But she is right. I don't want her to feel like she is hurting her father by staying here with me."

"I will talk to him too," she said. "I will try to get him to reconsider."

"I would appreciate that," Gene nodded. "I would happily do this for you all. But, I understand his position. Sometimes, a man only has his pride."

"Will you come to say goodbye," she asked sadly. "Jeb wants to leave by seven."

"I will be here," Gene nodded. "Goodnight ma'am," he bowed before pushing his hat back on his head and walking out of the house. He had failed. As he rode back to the ranch, he resolved that there was only one thing to do. He would pack his bags. If Jeb refused to let him pay, he would go to San Francisco too. He hated his family for this. He felt like they were dismissing his happiness for the sake of profit. It made him feel cheap; it made him feel slimier than Jeb had by insinuating that he was trying to buy Kaitlin from him by paying the five thousand dollars.