So... some of you liked that I made Nick a virgin, and some didn't, but the truth of the matter is we really don't know for certain. And it is fiction. ;)

We have come to the last chapter and I am a little sad about that. I hope you all enjoyed the story and I thank each and every one of you for reading my story, and I appreciate all your reviews. I want to thank my sister Debbie for being a sounding board and for her help with this story.

Chapter 18

"Jarrod, can we talk?"

Looking up from his book, Jarrod smiled. "Of course, Nick. What's on your mind?" he answered. It was two days before the wedding and Nick had been out of sorts the last day or so. Perhaps Jarrod was about to find out why.

"In private?"

It must be serious if Nick wanted privacy. "Let's go up to my room where we won't be interrupted."

The walk up the steps was quiet and soon they were behind closed doors. Jarrod stood still, as Nick paced the floor. Deciding to be patient, he took a seat in his corner chair, crossed one leg over the over, and waited. Finally, he prodded. "Nick, what did you want to discuss?"

When Nick made eye contact, Jarrod could tell he was uncomfortable with whatever he wanted to talk about. "Well, it's like this..." he began and then paused. "I have never..." he started again and went silent. "Jarrod, I need some advice."

Advice he could give, but so far, he didn't know the subject.

"The truth is...I mean... I'm getting married in two days."

"Yes, I am well aware. The ranch has been swarming with workers getting things ready."

"I don't want to talk about the wedding..."

"Then what did you want to talk about?" Jarrod encouraged.

He could see the frustration on Nick's face. Finally, he just blurted it out.

"Jarrod, I've never...been with...a woman."

Now the words were out, and Jarrod couldn't have been more shocked. Nick? A virgin? He didn't see that one coming.

"I see."

"You were married, and I thought maybe..."

Jarrod decided to ease his discomfort. "Sit down, brother. We have a lot to discuss."

###

The day before the wedding, things were buzzing around the Barkley ranch. While Nick and Nora sat in the living room making some final decisions with Victoria and Audra, suddenly the front door flew open.

"Am I too late?"

Upon hearing the voice, Victoria jumped to her feet. "Gene!" she cried out, running to her youngest and embracing him. "What a surprise! I thought you weren't going to be able to make it."

"I wasn't sure. One of my tests is tomorrow, but I talked the professor into letting me take it early. I wired Jarrod and he picked me up from the train station. You didn't think I would miss a Barkley wedding, did you? Congratulations Nick."

Everyone had gathered around for hugs, and Nora stood there smiling and waiting.

"Gene, I want you to meet my fiancée. This is Nora Steele," Nick proudly said as he ushered her forward to meet his brother.

"Pleased to meet you, Gene," Nora said sweetly with a slight curtsey.

"Jarrod, you were right," Eugene said, turning to his oldest brother who had come in with him. "She is exquisite. I'm very pleased to meet you, Nora," Gene said, lifting her hand to kiss it.

"Now, now, little brother. Seems college has matured you a little too much," Nick teased with a bright smile and a slap on the back. "Wait 'til Heath sees you."

Everyone gathered back in the living room to chat, with Victoria thrilled that all her family was together again.

###

The time flew and soon it was the day of the wedding.

Nora couldn't believe how nervous she was, and yet, it was only natural. She had stayed at the ranch the night before, spending every second with Nick that she could before midnight. At 11:55, he took her in his arms and kissed her deeply, neither wanting the moment to end. When it did, she shyly looked up at her fiancé. "The next time we do that, we will be man and wife."

"And after that, we don't have to stop with a kiss," he added, his voice suggestive and low, his stare long and sensual. "I have to go, for now. But I will see you very soon, Miss Steele." His gaze never left hers as he slowly lifted her hand to his lips, Nora feeling the heat from his mouth as it caressed her skin. Nick walked out the front door, taking one more glance at his intended before he smiled and went into the night. He was staying in the bunkhouse so they wouldn't run into each other before the ceremony.

Nora had lain in bed for a long while, not able to sleep, but finally, it claimed her and the next time she opened her eyes, it was late morning- her wedding day. She sat up and stretched, a grin on her face, and then heard a tap on the door. "Come in."

Victoria and Audra entered with cheerful faces and a tray of food.

"I can't believe it's today," Audra said, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking Nora's hand.

"I saw Nick earlier and he is quite excited. He put 7 spoons of sugar in his coffee before I stopped him," Victoria said happily, setting the tray on the desk. "You are glowing, my dear. I think love agrees with you."

"It's my wedding day," Nora said blissfully before her smile faded. She realized that she didn't have any family there and it hurt. Especially her mama being gone.

"I know you miss her," Victoria said as if reading her mind. "But she is here with you. It is a beautiful day to get married." Victoria's encouragement had the desired effect and the smile returned. "Let's have some breakfast before we get you ready. The ceremony is in three hours."

Nora hurriedly ate, but not much. Her nerves were on edge, and she was afraid she would get sick. Besides, the reception was in a few hours, and she could eat more then. She wondered what Nick might be up to.

The wedding would take place in the pasture, about a half mile from the house, it was a lovely area and had been set up with canopies and chairs. Flower arrangements were everywhere, along with some greenery, making it a romantic setting for them to say their vows.

Nora's dress had been completed only the day before, and it was more beautiful than she could have imagined. The seamstress had followed her sketches exactly and there had been enough lace for a veil also.

After Victoria and Audra were dressed, they helped Nora with her final toilette, making sure everything was perfect, before Audra left the two of them alone.

"I have no words to describe how lovely you are, Nora. I know you will make my son very happy." Victoria's words came with tear-filled eyes and a hug.

"I will try my best to do exactly that."

"I want to give you a few words of wisdom, if you don't mind," Victoria stated, sitting next to Nora on the bed.

"Of course, I don't. Please continue."

"Marriage isn't easy in the best of circumstances. Usually, the beginning is spent getting to know each other and is fun and exciting because of new love. But when the hard times come- and they will- that is when your relationship is really tested. Learn to let the little things go and focus on the big things. The things that matter. My son sometimes lets his temper get the best of him, but deep down, he is a loving, generous, loyal man. I can see how much he cares for you. He is a good man so please have patience with him as he learns how to be a good husband. I believe you are exactly the wife that he needs to help him grow and have more self-control. I pray you two have a long and happy life together."

"Thank you...Mother," Nora said hesitantly, bringing a smile to the older woman's face.

They ended with a hug and a few unshed tears before Victoria rose.

"Alright, Jarrod will be here shortly, and I need to get to the pasture. I'll see you in a few moments," Victoria said before leaving her alone. Nora stood in the middle of the room, staring into the mirror before she heard a slight tap on the open door. Turning around, she saw Silas standing there holding something.

"Silas, please come in."

"Oh, Miss Nora. Pretty as a picture you are. Mr. Nick is gonna be so happy when he sees you."

"Thank you, Silas."

"I... wanted to give you this. It ain't much, but it's a wedding gift from me. You've been so kind, I wanted to get you a little something." His humility touched her as she walked over and took the small package from his hands. It was wrapped simply, in tissue paper with a string around it. As she opened it, she almost cried.

It was a beautiful journal with a pale blue cover. In the center, it had an engraved red rose, and at the bottom right corner, her new initials LRB were written in fancy calligraphy. She was so moved, she couldn't speak.

"As soon as I saw it in the store, I knew it was meant for you- your middle name being Rose. I had the lady put your initials on there too. I thought maybe you could write your thoughts in it. I hope you like it."

"Oh Silas," she said, throwing her arms around the gentle man. "I love it. I can't thank you enough for such a thoughtful gift. I will treasure it always."

Silas nervously patted her arm as she hugged him. Then she leaned back and kissed his cheek.

"You the best thing that's happened to this family in a long time, Miss Nora. Mr. Nick is a lucky man. I has to be going now, I don't want to miss the ceremony," he said as he walked to the door. Looking back once more he smiled. "Yessuh, pretty as a picture," he said, reaching up to wipe a tear away before turning to go.

###

Nick was anxious and it showed. Heath kept trying to calm him, but he couldn't stop pacing around and looking at his pocket watch.

"I can't believe it isn't time yet," he said, repeatedly.

"It's almost time, just calm down."

"Calm down. How can you tell me to calm down? It isn't your wedding day."

Heath shook his head and walked away for a bit, knowing that things would be alright soon. All the guests were there and were starting to take their seats as a small orchestra played soft music. Victoria and Audra had arrived, with Silas shortly behind them. Eugene led Victoria down the aisle and to her chair, as Audra waited for her cue as maid of honor. Heath took a breath and looked over at Nick, who motioned for him. Walking over, he stood next to Nick near the minister as they watched across the pasture.

It wasn't long before they saw it. Nora's buggy came over the slight hill, the horse being driven by Jarrod, with Nora sitting next to him. The buggy had been painted white, with a blue velvet seat and top. As they neared, Nick looked down so he wouldn't see her until her walk, Nora had insisted on it.

They came to a halt, and Jarrod stepped down, then helped Nora as they took their place at the back of the chairs behind a curtain set up for the reveal. Soon, Audra began her walk down the center aisle.

When she arrived at the front, she turned and looked at her brother who seemed to be in a trance, staring at the curtain. The music changed to the bridal march and everyone stood to their feet as Nora and Jarrod stepped from behind it and stood still.

Nick released the breath he had been holding and tears filled his eyes as he finally saw her up close.

She was a vision.

His beautiful Nora walked towards him to say their vows, draped in antique lace and a smile. Her bouquet was made up of red roses and white lilies.

When she arrived at the front, Jarrod kissed her cheek and handed her off to his brother who reached up to wipe a tear away. "I'm so blessed to have you love me," he whispered, bringing a happy smile to his bride's face.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." the minister began. Nick tried his best to pay attention to the important words, but he was entranced with his soon-to-be wife. She was absolutely breathtaking. Before long, it was time to say their vows so he cleared his throat and began to speak.

"When I first met you, Nora, I didn't know what to think. I was mesmerized by your beauty, but I thought you were interested in my brother." A few laughs interrupted his speech. "Soon, I knew that I wanted to spend more time with you and get to know who you are. Once we danced, I was certain I would never be happy with anyone else. And when we finally kissed, I was completely head over heels in love. Nora Steele, you are my one and only true love and I pray we grow old together and are always happy together."

When he finished, he saw the shine in Nora's eyes as she began to recite her own vows.

"Nick Barkley, the day we met, I knew exactly what to think- you were loud, arrogant, and full of yourself." The audience began laughing in earnest, Heath trying not to let Nick hear him chuckle. Nick wasn't sure how to feel about the way Nora's vows started so he shifted his weight from foot to foot and nervously laughed. "And I didn't trust you. But I also thought you were handsome, smart, and enticing. I didn't want to be attracted to you, but my heart couldn't help itself. The night of the dance, I wished on a shooting star. My wish was for your family to be healthy, wealthy, and happy; I told you as much later that evening, but what I didn't tell you was, there was a second shooting star that night. And when I saw it, I wished for one thing- for you to love me. All of me. Forever. Nick Barkley, I fell in love with you during a waltz, and I want to dance with you for the rest of my life."

Nick had to force the tears not to fall when she was finished speaking, and soon, the minister asked for the rings. Nora's was an eternity band in a platinum setting, the same as her engagement ring. Nick had opted for a solid platinum band.

"Nicolas, repeat after me," the minister said. "In token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love. With this ring, I thee wed."

Nick drew her hand to him and with shaking hands, slipped the ring on her finger, repeating the words.

"Leonor, repeat after me, in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love. With this ring, I thee wed."

"In token and pledge, of my constant faith and abiding love," Nora said, eyes welling and lips trembling. "With this ring, I thee wed." Placing the band on his waiting finger, Nora grinned.

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

"You may now kiss your lovely bride."

Nick stood there with a silly grin on his face. "Go on Nick, kiss her before I do," Heath said with a light shove.

Taking his bride in his arms, their eyes met and then their lips, Nick dipping her down, deepening the kiss before ending it and raising her back up to cheers.

"I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nicolas Barkley."

Grasping hands, they threw them up in the air in a victory salute before Nick pulled Nora to him and kissed her forehead.

###

It grew dark out and the celebration had come to an end. Nick and Nora had loaded up in the buggy and driven away from the ranch.

"Where are we going?" Nora asked nervously.

"Somewhere that we can be alone," was Nick's reply. Soon they arrived in front of her house.

"Here?" Nora was puzzled at their destination and the light that was shining through the window.

Turning in her direction, Nick softly touched her hair, wrapping a curl around his finger. "Here for two days, then we are headed to San Francisco for our honeymoon."

"Really?" Nora asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Really," Nick replied, helping her down from the wagon. When they got to the door, he opened it before turning and picking her up in his arms. "I love you, Nora Barkley," he said, before carrying her across the threshold and placing her back on her feet. When she looked around, she saw a comfy bed with rose petals strewed all around the room. A bottle of champagne was chilling on a table with two glasses.

Looking up at the handsome man standing next to her, Nora smiled. "And I love you, my husband," she said boldly as she loosened his tie.

Epilogue:

Walking down the streets of San Francisco, Nick and Nora turned into a theatre. 'I'm so excited, Nick. I've never been to the theatre before."

This was their second of three days in the city. Nick had hoped to spend more time alone with Nora, but the work at the ranch wouldn't allow it. Their last couple of days had been spent fantasizing about the future as they enjoyed the city, and their nights were full of a passion he had only been able to dream about before they were married. He felt more at peace than he ever had and was consumed with making his wife's every wish come true.

"I hope you enjoy it, my love." His voice was silky and smooth and a prelude of better things to come once they returned to the hotel.

As they sat there, they watched many different acts performing. It was variety night, and they saw skits, singing, and dancing. Nora was totally engrossed in every performance until the host came back to the stage late in the evening.

"I'm glad you are all enjoying the show, folks, but we have come to the last act. Now, this is only a sneak peek, mind you, as she begins her second run here tomorrow evening. Please come back to hear her full repertoire then. Let's give it up for Iris Rose!"

Nora immediately got goosebumps as she heard the name, knowing it must be a coincidence. Applause broke out as a dark-haired woman walked to the center of the stage. She was dressed in blue and when the music started, she began singing. Nick and Nora weren't close to the stage, so Nora wasn't able to see her clearly, but she certainly could hear her belting out a song. Soon she gasped and put her hands over her mouth.

"Nora, what's wrong?" Nick whispered in her ear, concerned that she was sick. She shook her head but never said a word through the entire song. When it was over, suddenly Nora stood and began pushing her way through the row of people, saying 'excuse me' over and over again as she stepped over them. Nick tried to follow her, but she was too fast, and people were beginning to leave and crowd the aisles.

Keeping his eyes on her as she headed for the stage, Nick saw her stop, once again placing her hands over her mouth. She stood there not moving until he arrived at her side, putting his arm around her.

"Nora?" he said, worry lines across his forehead.

"I have to go backstage," Nora replied, climbing the steps with him chasing behind her.

When an usher reached out an arm to stop her, Nick grabbed him. "Never touch my wife again," he growled, causing the man to step back, and put his hands in the air. As they went behind the curtains, Nora looked around. When she saw the name Iris Rose written on a star hanging on a door, she took a deep breath and knocked. Nick was confused as he watched how deliberate she was, no longer nervous, but calm.

The door soon opened, and he saw the performer from before standing there as if in shock. "Nora?" she said before throwing her arms around his wife, both crying and hugging as he stood there watching. They carried on for a few moments until they finally stepped away from each other. Nora took Nick's arm and drew him forward.

"I want you to meet my husband, Nick Barkley. Nick, this is my sister Gabby."

The End

To be continued in Book 2-