Chapter Nineteen and Epilogue

"I'm just glad things went so well. I was so afraid someone would be killed…I mean, besides the criminals." Leah turned to Nick-who had followed her onto the porch and sat down on one of two crates that Danny had promised to get moved as soon as he could. Nick and Leah, along with Mrs. Douglas and Danny, had talked with Bear, Jarrod, Heath and Fen. His brothers and friends had informed them what had happened in town, along with saying how grateful they were that Jarrod's plan had worked out so well. After all, too many times the Barkley brothers had found themselves in one situation or another only to find it extremely difficult to get the matter resolved. It was 'kind of nice to have it work out differently this time' had been Heath's exact words just a few minutes before.

Nick reached up and, taking a hold of Leah's hand, glanced towards the second crate. Leah smiled and sat down next to him. Once she was comfortable, Nick started talking. "Your uncle is heading to Stockton at the same time as my brothers and I were thinking we'd head home. Mind some company in the back of your wagon?" He grinned wide and his eyes sparkled as he asked what he hope was the stupidest question he could have asked.

"Of course, I don't mind. However, it's my uncle you'd have to ask. I won't be the one driving." Leah glanced towards the front door. "I seriously doubt you'll meet any objection."

Nick might have said something only Fen made Leah jump to her feet and Nick to startle bad enough that he almost fell off the crate he was on when he-Fen- poked his head out the window. Their reaction made the older gentleman laugh- and laugh to the point where tears were threatening to run down his face.

"Uncle Fen!" Leah scolded him. "That was not funny!"

"Sure it was!" Fen managed to get his laughter under control just as everyone else in the house asked him what was so funny. He answered them – causing them to laugh as well- and then told Nick not to worry. "It's fine. You can ride with us." He then excused himself and, removing his head, closed the window.

"I think he likes doing that every chance he gets-I mean, making me jump." Leah tried to act annoyed only her laughing eyes and small smirk betrayed her true feelings.

"Don't worry about him." Nick wrapped his arm around Leah. "Let's talk about other things.

Epilogue

The activity around the Barkley home was at an all at time high. It was exactly a year to the day that Nick and the others had returned to Stockton- and now Nick and Leah had been married just a few hours before. Their reception was going to be starting soon. Nick, who was standing underneath the tree where he would soon be joined by his bride, Jarrod, his mother, along with Leah's mother and stepfather who had traveled to California for the wedding, could see Leah talking to Audra. Without thinking he chuckled slightly. If he'd known what kind of deal he'd wind up with afterwards, he'd never have muttered one word of complaint.

"Want to clue me in on the joke?" Jarrod teased as he walked up to Nick.

"Just thinking how grateful I am Layla chose her husband over me. I got the much better deal this way." Nick, who could see Layla and her husband talking to Layla's mother and stepfather. Again, without half thinking, he shook his head. He hadn't liked the air around Wheeler Johnson the first time he'd met him-and he still didn't. No wonder Leah had a problem with him. Then, turning his mind to his and Leah's plans, he looked directly at Jarrod. "You made sure those cousins of ours understood-they can NOT use our lodge until next month, right?"

Jarrod had to laugh. "Of course, I did…and I'll make sure no one goes up there-even if I have to put guards around the place, okay?"

"You'd better." Nick feigned a scowl and then smiled wide as Leah walked up to him.

"He'd better what?" Leah wrapped her arms around her new husband.

"Make sure I take care of some business." Jarrod grinned wide, and then said he'd go get the others-as guests could be seen heading towards the Barkley home.

"Sort of wish we could just skip this part." Leah wrapped her arm around Nick, "Though, I guess that would only get us into trouble."

"It just might." Nick grinned, and then changed subjects as his mother and the rest joined them. Maybe he and Leah couldn't take off at that exact moment only Nick swore once they left they weren't coming back until it was absolutely necessary.