Forbidden love for a Barkley

by PlentyOJawsMickyandMaggie

Inspired somewhat by Romeo and Juliet. Upon an accidental meeting, Nick develops a crush on and later falls in love with an Italian woman who recently arrived in the United States with her family & settled in Stockton. Everything seems to go well until society customs kick in and an intolerant relative arrives! Stay tuned for more. Please, read & review!

7. Tom Barkley's BDay pt2, More Tensions

Forbidden love for a Barkley

Part Seven:

"Tom Barkley's Birthday part 2; More Tensions"

After a long silence, Nick finally managed to tell Stefania about Tom's murder and the guilt he will forever carry. As expected, he let go of emotions despite his effort to not cry, especially in front of a woman as Nick did in fact find it rather embarrassing and plus, his pride was at stake, but nonetheless, he let go of his emotions which in turn, caused him to stop telling the story for the obvious reason. What he didn't know was that Stefania could sadly relate as she too lost a loved one by an untimely death. Her young cousin Dominique to be exact. Only differences between Tom Barkley and Dominique Mangano was that Tom was a grown man who was murdered, Dominique was a little girl who drowned accidentally. Still though, the guilt Nick and Stefania have been holding onto for a long time was overwhelming and they needed to get it out of their systems sometime which they did. To ease the blow of the upcoming anniversary of Dominique's death, Nick promised Stefania that he would come over to her house to pay his respects and be a source of comfort to her. Nick started to tell her about how an accidental killing he was involved in would result in an old friend of the Barkley Family turning into Tom's murderer, but quickly stopped. Meanwhile at Barkley Ranch, Jarrod and Audra reminisced some more about Tom, most notably about how close he and Jarrod got when he suffered fatigue while Victoria had since retired to bed in order to take her mind off things with Jarrod promising to be on the "worrying shift". Once Nick returned home, Jarrod went into his "Pappy" mode and questioned his younger brother in a calm yet firm way. The younger Barkley got a little snippy with his older brother, before understanding how worried the Barkley Matriarch was and that his big brother was doing his job, though Nick would never admit the last part out loud. The brothers got to talking and when the subject of Stefania came up, Nick insisted they were just friends, but his blushing gave away his feelings for her. Plus, Jarrod wasn't falling for his denial and that they were just friends. Anyways, fast forward to the next morning, Tom Barkley's birthday had finally approached and already it was starting off on a somber note, as once Victoria set the table, she quietly spoke to Tom's portrait, before a knock on the door would interrupt that. Now, the remaining question is: Who's knocking at the door? Who's there? Find out!

Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Leonard Barkley, and the Mangano family. Also too, there might be (no guarantees) a short dream sequence and a return of another character. No guarantees on either of those or how Tom's murder is connected to Beth's. Other than that, enjoy!

Warning: Since the title mentions tensions, there may be some things deemed very offensive and I do NOT condone these whatsoever, but please keep in mind the time period of "The Big Valley" & how people were not open minded during this era.

(Flashback to part 6)

*The next morning*

The day had finally arrived. The late Tom Barkley's birthday that was. This day was going to be very long and difficult for the surviving Barkleys as it always was, but as a promise to Tom, they were all going to keep the mood light by remembering the good times they each shared with the late patriarch. Victoria, who was always the first one awake in the house, made her way to the table and set each place. Once finished with her own place, she grabbed the framed picture of Tom she had been holding onto all day yesterday and set it at what would be his place at the table, before sitting down at her place and looking directly at the picture. It was almost as if in a way that despite the void she could feel his presence. Like it was almost as if he never left which gave her comfort, only for reality to kick in and bring tears to her eyes.

"Why? Why did you have to go that night, Tom? Why couldn't you have waited? It wasn't that important." Victoria quietly spoke to the portrait as the tears were threatening to spill down her face and her mind was starting to go back to a past memory.

However, before she could possibly drift into that memory, there was a knock at the door. Snapping out of her thoughts and drying her eyes, Victoria stood up, made her way to the door, and opened it.

---

(Now)

"Hello." Victoria greeted with a smile.

"Ciao, signora. Is Nick here?" the voice said.

"Who's there, mother?" Nick asked, as he descended down the stairs.

"A young lady asking for you." Victoria turned to Nick.

"Hi, Stefania." Nick walked over to the door and led Stefania in.

"Is this Stefania?" Victoria's eyes lit up and her smile got a little brighter.

"She sure is and it looks like she baked a beautiful cake to help us commemorate father." Nick took the cake from Stefania and set it on the dinner table before returning to introduce the two women, "Mother, this is Stefania and Stefania, this is my mother, Victoria Barkley."

"Wonderful to officially meet you, Stefania. Nick told us a lot about you." Victoria shook the young lady's hand.

"Likewise, signora Barkley. Nick told me a lot about you and the late signor Tom Barkley. I give my condolences." Stefania shook the white haired matriarch's hand.

"Thank you, we all greatly appreciate it. He was the love of my life and a wonderful father. We miss him greatly. Also too, thank you very much for baking that beautiful cake in Tom's honor, but you didn't have to go through all that trouble, dear." Victoria told her.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all. Nick told me a lot about his bond with his papa and well, I felt the need to pay my respects and help commemorate him plus help ease the blow today is to you and your family and well, a cake is comforting during times like these." Stefania smiled.

"It sure is and you did a beautiful job. I can't wait to take a bite." Victoria replied, before looking up at the clock, "Oh my heavens! It is 11:00 and I still haven't fixed breakfast. Usually Silas does that, but I gave him the day off today."

"Oh, I can help you." Stefania offered.

"Oh, Stefania, you just got here. I can't force a guest to-" Victoria was cut off.

"It is no trouble. In fact, I love cooking and I have been cooking since I was a child. In my culture, cooking is a big deal as is helping out and family time." Stefania insisted.

"Well, as long as it is no trouble, I greatly appreciate it." Victoria told her, before heading to the kitchen door.

"Mother, I hear-" Jarrod came out of the study and stopped in his tracks when he saw Stefania.

"Jarrod, you're just in time. This is my good friend, Stefania. Stefania, this is my attorney at law, Jarrod." Nick joked while introducing the two.

"Very funny, Nick." Jarrod rolled his eyes, before grabbing Stefania's hand and kissing it, "It is lovely to meet you, Stefania. Nick has bragged about you. Also too, while I am an attorney, I'm also Nick's older brother."

"Wait, wait, wait! What's the idea of the hand kissing?" Nick started to get a wee bit jealous, despite trying hard to not give off any inkling that he and Stefania were anything, but "good friends".

"Why, I'm being a gentleman." Jarrod said, before bowing to Stefania just to annoy Nick some more.

"You're being an imbecile. That's what you're being. Annoying, too." Nick shook his head in disgust.

"Gee, Nick, you just can't stand it when you see gentleman-like behavior. I thought by now you would take a few pointers from yours truly as I am dignified." Jarrod had a smug grin on his face as per usual whenever he occasionally annoyed Nick just to annoy him.

"If you're trying to get a rise out of me, it is starting to work. However, seeing as there is a lady present, I will simmer down." Nick inhaled deeply, before taking a more gentle tone since Stefania was there.

"Since when do you simmer down?" Jarrod chuckled.

"Oh, have some respect, would you?" Nick gave him a look.

"Early in the morning and already you're getting a little hot." Jarrod shook his head.

"Ah gee, Jarrod. I mean hot? I dunno about that. Now, handsome is more like it." Nick ran his fingers through his own hair.

Stefania and Victoria started to laugh at the banter between the Barkley brothers. It was a morning routine between Nick and Jarrod ever since they were kids. They'd insult each other and be as sarcastic as they could be, then it would all settle down after a while, as if nothing had happened. Tom would always get a kick out of this to the point of looking forward to it every morning. It not only reminded the late Barkley patriarch of his boyhood and made him connect to his boys even more, it also helped form the brotherly bond Nick and Jarrod carry on to this day, even if Nick never wanted to admit it out loud.

"Mother, I heard arguing. Is everything-" Audra stopped in her tracks when she locked eyes with Stefania.

"Hi, Audra. This is Stefania. Stefania, this is my sister Audra." Nick introduced the two women, before giving Jarrod a playful bunch in the shoulder.

"Ow! That was right on the bone, Nick." Jarrod rubbed his shoulder.

"Poor baby." Nick teased, while Audra and Stefania shook hands.

"Well, let's start breakfast before it becomes lunchtime." Victoria announced before making her way to the kitchen.

"I'll help." Audra followed her mother.

"Oh God." Nick muttered under his breath.

"Me too as I do keep my promises." Stefania started to follow the yellow-haired young woman and the white-haired older woman, before turning to Nick, "Now, you play nice with your brother while I help your mama and sister."

"Oh, I always play nice. I play rough, too, but I also play nice." Nick got mesmerized by her beauty once again and started to lean in for a kiss.

"Uh ahem." Stefania cleared her throat and stopped him since the other Barkleys were present.

"Right." Nick mouthed before joining Jarrod at the dining room table.

---

*A few minutes later*

Victoria, Audra, and Stefania came out of the kitchen and served the now late breakfast. As the three ladies were finished serving the men and were now serving themselves, Stefania looked as though she was coming a little more out of her shell. Granted, meeting the famous Barkley family was still nerve wracking and felt like one of those fantasy novels, but now that she was actually helping out in the kitchen and helping to cook the breakfast, it was such an honor to her. Nick couldn't help, but take notice of how natural she looked serving the breakfast, how natural she looked standing next to his mother & sister, and just how it all fit her perfectly. It looked as if she was meant for this role, despite the fact that she and Nick barely met a few days ago. With all of this in his mind and getting a good look at her in the light, Nick found himself staring at her, completely in awe of her beauty.

"Nick. Nick. Nick? Nick? Nick?" a voice was saying.

Nick didn't answer and continued to stare at Stefania.

"Hey, Nick!" the voice called out, a little louder than before.

"Huh? Who? What? Where?" Nick snapped out of his thoughts and had a lost look on his face.

"If you're done daydreaming, Audra asked if you wanted cream and sugar in your coffee. Also too, Stefania is about to sit down and as a gentleman, isn't there something you ummm ought to do?" Jarrod quipped in his "Pappy" tone, before giving Nick a nudge on the arm, clearly hinting at something.

"Huh? Oh...ummm, Audra, I'll have cream and sugar, please. Oh, and pardon me, Stefania." Nick stood up, and pulled out Stefania's chair for her.

"Thank you, Nick." Stefania smiled, as she sat down.

Nick pushed her chair in, before sitting back down himself and taking a bite of his breakfast. Audra was just about to do the same when there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it." Audra stood up, her brothers following suit since she was a lady, went into the main foyer to the door and answered it.

"Hello, sweetheart!" a man tipped his hat after greeting.

"Uncle Leonard!" Audra hugged her uncle, before calling back, "Mother, everybody, uncle Leonard is here!".

"I smell that delicious cooking of your mother's. May I have a plate?" Leonard stepped inside the house and gave Audra his hat, before walking into the dining room, "Oh, as I live and breathe, my dear sister-in-law and nephews looking as beautiful as ever."

"Hello, Leonard." Victoria greeted with a smile.

Audra came back into the dining room and took her seat.

"What brings you all the way to Barkley Ranch?" Jarrod set his coffee down, stood up, and hugged his uncle.

"What's today? My late brother's birthday and since this day brings heartache and grief, well what better way is there to ease the blow than go visit my brother's lovely wife and children, including you Heath." Leonard lightly clapped Jarrod on the back, before sitting down in Tom's chair as if he owned it.

Heath, who got an uncomfortable feeling after what Leonard just said despite having gotten comfortable in the family over the years, just nodded.

"Uncle Leonard, that's-" Nick was cut off when Leonard stood back up immediately.

"What's on this..." Leonard looked down at the seat of his chair, saw a picture of Tom, sported a brief sour look, before changing it back to a happy expression, and picked the picture back up, "Looks like Tom was sitting there and I didn't realize it. That always seemed to happen, even when he was alive!".

"Seeing as today is his birthday, we felt that he should sit in that chair, even if it is just a portrait of him now." Victoria set her coffee down and sported a solemn look on her face as Leonard held the framed picture of Tom.

"Hmmmm." Leonard casually threw the framed photo on a nearby chair, before sitting back down, "Sorry, Tommy old man. Gotta make room for your brother."

This caused everyone else, Stefania included to get an uncomfortable feeling and cringe a little, despite Victoria and her children knowing all too well of Leonard and the late patriarch's sibling rivalry that went from childhood to adulthood. While this was to be expected every time Leonard visited, it still made them feel uncomfortable.

"He never did want to make room at the table, but now, he has no choice." Leonard chuckled, before turning his head and seeing Stefania, "Well, it looks like I missed greeting somebody. I didn't know there was company. Victoria, who is this gal over here?"

"She's Stefania. She's Nick's good friend and a very lovely young lady." Victoria glanced at Stefania and smiled, her uncomfortable look from Leonard's earlier actions disappearing.

"She even brought a cake she baked in order to commemorate father. She's a wonderful friend." Nick put his arm around Stefania and whispered into her ear, "Continue to go with it."

"Yes, Nick." Stefania whispered into Nick's ear, before turning to Leonard and extending her hand for a handshake, "Ciao. I'm Stefania Mangano. It is wonderful to meet you, signor Leonard."

"Nice to meet you." Leonard nodded instead of shaking her hand, "Mangano? If you don't mind me asking, what kind of last name is that?"

"Now, uncle Leonard, what kind of question is that?" Nick gave his uncle an annoyed look, clearly not liking the question.

"It's just a question. That's all. So, Stefania, what kind of last name is that? Certainly, you're Irish or Welsh or something, right?" Leonard asked, more sternly than before.

"No, sir. Mangano is Italian and I am Italian. In fact, my family and I recently came here from Italy and settled in the beautiful town of Stockton. Just a few days ago, Nick and I became friends. Today, I met his family who are just lovely." Stefania's voice had a hint of pride in it and it only become obvious when she smiled after mentioning Nick and his family.

"Riiiiiight. So, I take it you're Italian? Interesting." Leonard nodded and had an unfriendly tone in his voice.

Stefania was very confused by this as Nick and the other Barkleys each did a facepalm while letting out an annoyed sigh. It was no surprise to them that Leonard did this. If it was one thing they knew, he was very close minded and just the polar opposite of Tom. To this day, he still wasn't recognizing Heath as his nephew let alone a Barkley, he still resented Tom as evidenced by his casual tossing of Tom's framed photo, and being cold towards Silas, hence the possible other reason Victoria gave him the day off.

"Here we go, again." Jarrod whispered into Audra's ear.

Audra, knowing what he meant, didn't say a word and just gave a nod.

"Now, what does her being Italian have to do with anything?" Nick asked, now sporting his usual pissed off look.

"Nick, please. So, Stefania, you are Italian, right?" Leonard pressed on in a passive aggressive way.

"Well, yes. I am Italian, but my family and I came here to achieve the American dream. I believe I already have started by befriending Nick here." Stefania was still confused, but tried to shake it off.

"Figures." Leonard muttered under his breath, before turning to Nick, "Nick, she's your friend, right?"

"Well, yes, but I don't see what that has to-" Nick was cut off when Leonard stood up.

"In the kitchen. Now!" Leonard stomped into the kitchen.

Nick shook his head in disgust and followed his uncle into the kitchen.

Stefania feeling uncomfortable and as if she did something wrong, looked down at her plate and sighed. Victoria and the other Barkleys looked at her and felt horrible for what Leonard just did. Who could blame any of them? Who could blame her? Most importantly, who did Leonard think he was just waltzing into the Barkley home as if he owned it?

"Don't worry about him, Stefania." Audra put a comforting hand on her wrist.

"He gets this way a lot. Unfortunately." Jarrod added.

Stefania gave a slight nod before looking back down and sighing, again.

---

*Meanwhile, in the kitchen*

"How could you do this, Nick? How could you do this?!" Leonard angrily paced the kitchen floor and threw his hands up.

"How could I do what, Leonard? Befriend somebody? I don't recall it being against the law to befriend anybody. If it is, send me to San Quentin." Nick shot back with sarcasm.

"Don't give me that lip, boy! You know exactly what I mean! How could you let that woman in our home?! How could you let one of her kind into our sacred home?" Leonard's voice had anger in it.

"Our sacred home? Leonard, in case you forgot, this is mother and father's home. Not yours. You're just a guest in mother and father's home. Also too, that woman has a name. Stefania. While I'm at it, I'm gonna ask you to start being polite. Starting right now." Nick's notorious temper was starting to show and his patience was already rapidly thinning, "Another thing too, I can bring anybody I please into this house. It is also MY house and in case you forgot, I am of age and I run this ranch, so you can't tell me who I can and can't bring here!"

"Oh, yes I can! You're my nephew and the son of my brother. Not the other way around!" Leonard barked.

"I may be those, but I'm a grown man and old enough to make my own rules. Now, we're gonna go back out there and-" Nick was interrupted, again.

"I'm not going back out there until that Italian wretch is gone!" Leonard folded his arms and shook his head.

"Stefania is not a wretch!" Nick slightly raised his voice, before shaking his head in absolute disgust, "On father's birthday. On father's birthday you're gonna behave like this. Just charming!"

"What would be charming is if that Heath and Italian wretch weren't here! I was hoping to see Eugene!" Leonard slapped the counter.

"Too bad. We don't always get what we want, now do we?" Nick fired back, before inhaling deeply, "You listen to me and you listen real good, Heath and Stefania have just as much a right to be here as anybody. Heath is my brother and Stefania is a good friend of mine. Now, either you go back out there and start being respectful or you can find your way out. Your choice."

"The only ones who should find their ways out are Stefania and Heath! I won't have Tom's bastard child and that filthy Italian wretch desecrating this sacred home!" Leonard snapped.

"Don't you dare talk about my brother and my friend that way!" Nick slapped his uncle across the face.

"Don't you ever slap me again, boy. The next time your hand comes up, I'll take a bullwhip to you." Leonard was angrier than before.

"I'm not going to stand here all day. I'm going back out there and if you had any ounce of kindness in you, you'd wise up, be a sport, and join us." Nick made a move to the kitchen door, only to be stopped when a hand grabbed his arm.

"You better not be dating that Italian wretch, boy." Leonard squeezed Nick's arm, "I don't want to find out that you end up with her. If you as so much do that, you'll be sorry!"

"I'm not dating her, but if I end up doing so, that's my business and only my business." Nick ripped his arm out of his uncle's grip.

"I'm warning you, Nick! You bring dishonor and disgrace to the Barkley name, you'll live to regret it!" Leonard grabbed Nick by his shirt.

---

*Back out in the dining room*

Stefania and the Barkleys couldn't help, but overhear the deafening & intense argument between Nick and Leonard. It was no surprise to the Barkleys that Leonard didn't waste any time in showing off his hatred and bigotry towards Heath and Stefania, but what was surprising was that the argument didn't spill out into a fist to fist brawl due to Nick's short temper and protectiveness of those near and dear to him. In fact, the Barkleys were relieved a fight hadn't broken out, yet. There was always yet when it came to Nick. Despite being flattered that Nick was standing up for her and by the hospitality of Victoria, Jarrod, Audra, and Heath, Stefania was still uncomfortable and even started to have the imposter syndrome due to Leonard's remarks. It was when the term "filthy Italian wretch" kept echoing in her head that she started to get up from her chair. Seeing this, the Barkleys knew they must act quickly.

"Stefania, where are you going?" Jarrod, being the first one who saw her starting to stand up from her chair, followed suit along with Heath.

"I'm sorry, but I think I must go." Stefania pushed her chair in.

"Why? You just got here." Audra also stood up from her chair.

"It probably wasn't a good time for me to come. I'm sorry everybody." Stefania had a sad look on her face and started to make her way to the main foyer to the front door, "Arrivederci.".

"Oh, Stefania..." Victoria, feeling bad for her, stood up and walked over to the girl, "Honey, you don't have to leave. You're welcome into our home anytime, because a friend of Nick's is a friend of ours. Plus, you're our guest today.".

"Thank you, signora Barkley. I appreciate the kindness from all of you, but if signor Leonard says I should-" Stefania was cut off.

"Leonard does not own this house nor is he my husband or the father of my children. He has no say in who comes in and out of this house. My children and I do. Now, when we all say you're welcome into our home, we mean it. Whatever Leonard says, just try to ignore him. He is very ignorant and close minded among other things." Victoria put her hand on Stefania's shoulder and tried to reassure her.

"Yeah, Stefania. Mother said it best. Whatever Leonard says doesn't go in this household. In his own, yes. Here? No way." Jarrod joined the two women.

"You're our guest and as our guest, we ask you to please reconsider and stay. It would be awful to part on bad terms after a first meeting all due to one's ignorance such as Leonard's. So, what do you say? Will you reconsider?" Audra smiled a little.

"Plus, Leonard's been trying to scare me away for ages, but I didn't go anywhere, now did I?" Heath also smiled.

Stefania didn't say anything and just shook her head no.

"Well, will you reconsider?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes, signor Barkley." Stefania nodded and gave a little smile.

"Oh, 'Mr. Barkley' is too formal and he was our father. Call me Jarrod." Jarrod put an arm around her.

"Yes, Jarrod, signor Heath, signora Audra, and signora Barkley. I reconsider." Stefania's smile grew a little bit.

"Awww. I'm glad, honey. Now, why don't we get back to the table and finish up breakfast." Victoria gave a gentle pat to Stefania's shoulder before going back to the dining room.

Jarrod gave Stefania a side hug before he and his siblings followed suit. Stefania still stayed in the main foyer only to shrug and join the Barkleys.

---

*Many moments later*

It was a few moments since the very tense breakfast and the equally uncomfortable cutting of the birthday cake. Nick was out doing chores and was right in the middle brushing Coco's mane when he spotted Stefania sitting with Audra on the nearby bench which brought a smile to his face. It was such a joy that his sister and friend, who was actually his girlfriend in secret due to their slowly growing relationship, were shooting the breeze and seemed to get along greatly with each other. In fact, it was apparent that Audra was in the midst of telling a funny & embarrassing story about Nick, because Stefania was laughing very hard. Knowing this, Nick sported a very uncomfortable look on his face due to his pride.

"Wait a minute! So, your papa put a dress on Nick when he was two?" Stefania was laughing so hard she was almost crying.

Audra, unable to say a word due to hard laughter, just nodded.

"Awww. Poor Nick!" Stefania wiped away some tears.

"Poor Nick is right." Nick yelled over his shoulder.

"To you, maybe, but to the rest of us, it was so funny." Audra spoke up after getting herself composed from the laughter, before walking off.

"There's nothing funny about...that!" Nick blushed due to embarrassment.

Stefania smirked and shook her head before walking up to Nick and hugging him.

"It was embarrassing!" Nick was still blushing.

"Oh, Nick. It may be embarrassing, but it is a precious memory of your papa." Stefania tried to ease the embarrassment of that memory.

"Well, when you say that, it does make that embarrassed feeling go away." Nick smiled and chuckled a little.

"There's that gorgeous smile." Stefania took a moment to admire Nick's beautiful smile.

Audra was standing a few feet away near the flower bed Tom had made for Victoria a few weeks leading up to their wedding anniversary. She knelt down and gazed at the bed lovingly when she felt a hand on her shoulder, causing her to gasp.

"Don't worry, sweetie. It's only me." a voice said.

"Uncle Leonard. My goodness gracious, you startled me." Audra looked up and was relieved to see that it was just her uncle.

"Gazing at your pop's flower bed he made for your ma, huh?" Leonard asked, before kneeling down himself.

"Yes. Oh, I can still see father on his hands and knees planting every single flower from start to finish. In fact, I can feel his presence a little." Audra focused back onto the flower bed.

"Now, don't get morbid, Audra. I was merely asking about the flower bed. Not about your daddy's ghost or anything." Leonard cringed a little.

"I'm sorry, uncle Leonard. I guess today being what today is...well, you can see why I can almost feel father's presence." Audra traced a purple flower with her index finger.

"Uh huh. I see that she's still here!" Leonard shifted his focus from the flower bed to Stefania who was standing beside Nick and talking to him, as he was watering one of the Peach trees.

"She?" Audra was confused.

"That filthy Italian girl your brother seems to be friendly with!" Leonard's voice had that unfriendly tone, again.

"Now, uncle Leonard, that is no way to talk about Stefania. She is a nice girl and anybody who is a friend of Nick's is a friend of mine, Jarrod's, Heath's, and mother's. She'd even be father's friend if he were still here." Audra gave her uncle a look.

"Nice girl my foot! She's one of them! Filthy scum that isn't even worthy of shining my shoes! It's bad enough I have had to see that Silas fellow and your Japanese fiancé that one time! Now an Italian?! It's not right!" Leonard's face started to get red as a tomato.

"Don't you dare talk about Silas, Chotaro, and Stefania that way! I won't have it and nobody else will either! Father wouldn't have it and if father was still alive, why he would've asked you to leave by now." Audra slightly raised her voice.

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, girl. You do that once more and I'll take a strap to you!" Leonard threatened.

"I just don't like your intolerance. I mean it was, because of your intolerance among other people's intolerance that Chotaro and I had to break up. That wasn't fair!" Audra shook her head.

"Fair shmair, Audra! One, you would've disgraced your family by marrying Chotaro and two, you were too young and he was older than you were!" Leonard put his hand on her shoulder, "If I managed to stop you from disgracing our family, if God forbid Nick gets with that oily-skinned Italian, I can put a stop to that, as well! You mark my words, honey!".

"You can't stop two people from being friends and/or possibly getting together, uncle Leonard. The more you try to drive them apart, the more they'll find ways to be together. Plus, even if Nick and Stefania were going to become a couple, what is wrong with that? Nick deserves happiness. However, as of now, they're just friends." Audra looked at Nick and Stefania and smiled, clearly indicating that she was hoping they would become an item eventually. Little did she or anybody know that Nick and Stefania were taking things slowly as a couple.

"Oh, I agree Nick deserves happiness. I mean that Miranda was one of those filthy ones, Layle Johnson was not the right choice, that first fiancee of his, Hester, loved the half-breed instead of a true Barkley, and his other fiancee Natasha dumped him for a criminal, so yes, he deserves happiness. However, he should only love American women. Not those the likes of that Miranda or the one who's currently desecrating our sacred ranch!" Leonard was shooting daggers at Stefania with his eyes.

---

*Over where Nick and Stefania were*

Stefania was lending Nick a helping hand by raking up leftover hay. When she stopped to wipe away some sweat, she locked eyes with Leonard who was giving her what appeared to be a death glare. Feeling uneasy and uncomfortable, she froze up. The term 'filthy Italian wretch' started echoing in her head, again which only exacerbated the uneasiness.

"Stefania? Stefania? Stefania? Stefania?" Nick called out her name four times trying to get her to snap out of it.

"Hmmmm?" Stefania snapped out of her thoughts.

"You alright? You looked like you froze up for a minute." Nick had a look of concern on his face.

"Yeah, I'm-" Stefania paused when she locked eyes with Leonard, again.

"Stefania, are you alright? You look like you're afraid of something." Nick was really concerned now.

"Nick...I..." Stefania getting more and more uncomfortable, shook her head and looked down, "I think I need to go home now.".

"Go home? Why? The day is still young." Nick gently lifted her chin with his thumb, so that they were making eye contact.

"I know, but..." Stefania looked back down.

"What's the matter? Is somebo-" Nick cut himself off when he locked eyes with Leonard and immediately put two and two together, "I think I know what's wrong. Wait here, please.".

"No, Nick. No. You don't have to say anything. Really." Stefania sounded as if she was pleading.

Nick ignored her and walked over to Leonard. His temper was beginning to show despite him trying his hardest not to show it, only to make it more obvious when he folded his arms.

"Yes?" Leonard said in a very casual tone.

"You can cut out the phony politeness. I know what you're doing!" Nick had his notorious pissed off look on his face.

"Did it work? Is she going home?" Leonard smirked.

"No! She's not going anywhere and I'm not going to have you try to scare her off!" Nick clenched a fist.

"On the contrary, Nick, she and the half-breed are both going to be leaving real soon!" Leonard rubbed his hands together.

"No, they're not! Stefania and Heath have every right in the world to be here. Heath is my brother and Stefania is my friend! I won't have you hurl any derogatory words towards him or her. If anyone should find their way out, it should be you and if father were still alive, why he would've tossed you out on your ear for your behavior." Nick put his hands on his hips and slightly raised his voice.

"I ain't leaving! This is my home! That half-breed is not a real Barkley and that woman is one of those filthy kinds that came here to ruin this country! Also too, your father is dead, so he can't throw me off of this ranch, now can he?!" Leonard chuckled after saying the last part, making his resentment towards his late brother ever so obvious than he had in previous years.

"This is your home? This...is...your...home? I don't think so. In case you have forgotten, this is mother and father's home & ranch. You live in Modesto. We all live in Stockton & this ranch and home are located in where? Oh yeah, Stockton. So, obviously, this ranch and home are not yours since you live in Modesto. Unless my memory is going bad, which I don't think it is." Nick pointed out, before remembering Leonard saying 'your father is dead' in the cold way he did and getting a disgusted look on his face, "Plus, how can you talk about father that way?!".

"What way?" Leonard nonchalantly asked, before smirking some more, "Pointing out the obvious...he's taking a dirt nap!".

"That way! How can you have so much disrespect for the deceased? How?" Nick was clearly appalled.

"Your daddy and I had a sibling rivalry." Leonard replied.

"Still, you don't show disrespect." Nick shook his head.

"Just how did I show "disrespect" ?" Leonard made air quotes with his fingers.

"The way you grabbed father's picture and tossed it aside, the way you've been treating Heath for the past many years, and your treatment of Stefania today. If that isn't disrespect, I don't know what is." Nick paced back and forth.

"You call all of that disrespect? First of all, I needed a place to sit down and your father was hogging that place, so I decided he needed to make room for me. Secondly, that half-breed was never welcome here! Why your father got with Leah and produced that half-breed, lord only knows, but that half-breed is not a true Barkley and if I don't point it out, nobody will! He needs to realize he has no place in our family. Finally, the same applies to that Italian girl you brought here. She is not welcome here either! It is bad enough she and others like her have come to this country and ruined it! I'll be damned if her kind and others like her ruin our family and the good Barkley name! I won't have it!" Leonard ranted.

"Well, I'm afraid you don't have a choice! Now, either quit scaring Stefania and behave yourself or you can find your way out! Your call!" Nick sternly told him, before walking back over to where Stefania was.

---

*Over where Stefania was*

Stefania was sitting on a bench staring at a vegetable garden. Unbeknownst to her, it was the very vegetable garden that Tom and Victoria first planted when they were still newlyweds. She hadn't been staring at it for too long when Nick joined her.

"You alright now?" Nick scooted closer to her.

"A little bit. Yes." Stefania nodded, before looking up at him, "You didn't have to defend me, but I appreciate it nonetheless.".

"Well, I don't like bullies or intolerance and unfortunately, uncle Leonard has both characteristics. He's a bully and he's very intolerant. It's a disease." Nick put his arm around her.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people view my people as very bad people which we are not at all." Stefania got a sad look on her face.

"Well, my mother and siblings don't and I sure as hell don't. Heck, if father was still alive, I know he would've taken an instant liking to you." Nick rubbed her shoulder in order to try and comfort her.

"You think so?" Stefania asked.

"I know so. He and Leonard were very polar opposite when it came to personalities. Leonard is all crochety and uptight whereas father could be stern at times, but had a heart of gold. In fact, do you know that this very vegetable garden was the one he and mother planted when they were still freshly married." Nick looked down at the garden and smiled.

"This garden goes all the way back to when your mama and papa were newly married?" Stefania's eyes got big for a moment.

"That's right." Victoria chimed in.

"Mother, I didn't see you there. You startled me a little which is pretty rare as I don't get startled that easily." Nick chuckled.

"I wanted to get out and get some fresh air. Plus, looking at old photos of your father almost made me cry, so I decided it was best to stop for a little while." Victoria inhaled deeply and gazed at the vegetable garden lovingly, "Oh, I remember when Tom and I first planted this garden. Why, it almost feels like it was yesterday.".

---

*Flashback to that time*

Tom and Victoria Barkley had been married for two years and barely purchased the ranch. The ranch looked dull and as if it was going to fall apart at any given moment, but Tom had since fixed it up and made it look brand new. However, what it was lacking were gardens and animals plus ranch hands. The latter two could wait, because right now, Tom and Victoria wanted to get a garden going, but were having trouble on deciding which type of garden to start with.

"A flower bed sounds beautiful, but I think corn fields are more ideal." Tom ran a hand in his hair.

"But corn fields aren't full of color and beauty. Just corn. Flowers have so much color, beauty, and vibrance in them. I mean just think, we can have an area with red flowers, an area with purple flowers, orange flowers, you name it." Victoria started to fantasize about a flower bed and the types of flowers she wanted.

"You can always grow flowers. Corn fields aren't guaranteed to grow at all. I mean this could be our only chance to grow a corn field and have it be a success." Tom persisted, clearly wanting to have a corn field.

"Well, that is true. Okay, let's make a deal. You grow your corn and I'll grow my flowers." Victoria sighed, still standing her ground on wanting to grow some flowers.

"I have a better idea. How about we get a vegetable garden going? Then, once it is going strongly, you can plant a full bed of flowers. How does that sound?" Tom gently grabbed her hands and held onto them.

"Okay, Mister Barkley. You win. We'll do vegetables before flowers." Victoria smirked and rolled her eyes.

"Sounds like a plan...Mrs. Barkley. However, in order to get it all started, I need to go get the seeds. I'll be right back." Tom walked over to his horse.

"Don't be gone too long now." Victoria smiled.

"I won't, honey." Tom kissed his wife, before getting onto his horse and riding into town to get the seeds for their garden.

Victoria watched as her husband disappeared off into the distance.

---

*45 minutes later*

After Tom had returned with the seeds, he and Victoria got to planting almost immediately. Now, they were in the process of planting the final seed.

"There we are. The final seed is planted." Tom said, as he finished covering the seed and watering it.

"Just think, Tom, we'll have a beautiful vegetable garden." Victoria rested her head on Tom's shoulder.

"That's right. However, it won't be just any old vegetable garden..." Tom looked into his wife's eyes, "It'll be our first garden as husband and wife. A garden that we will pass down to our children when we decide to become parents. Then, they'll pass it down to their children and so on and so forth. It'll be our garden for generations.".

---

*Back to the present day*

"Our garden for generations? Wow. Father did have a way with words." Nick nodded and smiled.

"It is a beautiful garden." Stefania admired the vegetable garden, before looking up at Victoria, "That was such a lovely story, signora Barkley.".

"Thank you, Stefania. You know, I'm quite surprised I was able to tell it without crying." Victoria's voice sounded as if it cracked a little, "I mean to everyone else Tom was a hard nosed rancher, but to my children he was father and to me, he was the love of my life. For about two or three years after he was murdered, I couldn't look at pictures of him, let alone talk about him without shedding a tear."

"I know how you and Nick among others feel." Stefania got a sad look on her face and looked down.

"You do?" Victoria turned to her and had a sympathetic look forming on her face.

"My cousin Dominique. She was a six year old little girl when I lost her." Stefania sadly sighed.

"Oh my goodness. Was she..." Victoria put her hand to her mouth, unable to finish the last part.

"Oh no no. She wasn't murdered. She drowned and to this day, I still carry guilt." Stefania's lip started to quiver a little.

Nick put a comforting hand on her shoulder and rubbed it.

"I'm so sorry, Stefania." Victoria's voice had a gentle sympathetic tone to it.

"It's okay, signora Barkley. She's in a better place, but that doesn't erase all of the guilt. I mean if I only could've-" Stefania paused, as her voice started to break.

"It's alright, Stefania. You don't have to talk about it now. You can talk about it whenever you're ready. There's no rush." Victoria tried to reassure her.

Stefania didn't say anything and just nodded, before taking a deep breath in order to compose herself and looked over at Nick.

"It's okay." Nick mouthed.

Stefania nodded, only for her eyes to get big.

"What's the matter?" Nick asked.

Stefania didn't say anything and quickly turned around, facing away from Nick and Victoria.

"Stefania, did you see something?" Nick sported a look of concern.

"Are you alright, Stefania?" Victoria asked.

"He was staring at me, again. Making me have that uncomfortable feeling, again." Stefania kept facing away from them.

"Who was?" Victoria was starting to get concerned.

"I'll bet it was uncle Leonard, again." Nick shook his head in disgust.

"Oh for Heaven's sake. Sometimes I do not understand him or believe that he and your father were related. Talk about opposite personalities." Victoria shook her head.

"Leonard hates me." Stefania replied.

"Leonard hates just about anything and anyone. It's a sickness." Victoria told her.

"Mother! Mother!" Audra was heard yelling.

"Audra, we're all over here." Nick called back.

"Mother, Nick, you'll never guess who just arrived!" Audra ran over to them while clearly hiding somebody behind her as best as she could.

"You have a date?" Nick teased.

Audra didn't say anything and just gave him a look.

"Who is it?" Victoria asked.

Audra moved aside so they could see who had arrived.

"Well, I'll be doggone!" Nick smiled and stood up.

"Eugene!" Victoria also stood up and hugged her youngest son.

"Hello, mother. Hiya, Nick. Hi...who are you?" Eugene greeted his mother and brother, before turning to Stefania and taking his hat off.

"Eugene Barkley meet my dear friend Stefania Mangano. Stefania, this is Eugene Barkley. The youngest of the family." Nick introduced the two after helping Stefania up off the bench.

"Nice to meet you." Stefania shook his hand.

"My pleasure." Eugene shook her hand then kissed it, only for a long time.

"Ummmm, Eugene?" Audra seemed a little thrown off.

Eugene ignored her and continued kissing Stefania's hand.

"Hey..." Nick started to repeatedly tap Eugene's shoulder.

"Hmmmm?" Eugene looked up at Nick.

"I think you made your point." Nick was clearly a little peeved at his younger brother for doing what he did, but tried hard not to show it.

"It is lovely meeting you, Stefania and it's nice to be back home." Eugene took a step back and looked around.

"What brought you back?" Audra asked.

"Well, I came back from being shanghaied overseas and I wouldn't miss father's birthday for the world. Plus, I just wanted to come back home." Eugene inhaled the fresh air, again, "I really missed it here and I missed you guys.".

"Awww!" Nick ruffled his hair.

"Well, I didn't miss Nick's snoring." Eugene chuckled.

"Ohhhh!" Nick shook his head and groaned out of annoyance.

This caused Eugene, Audra, Victoria, and Stefania to burst out laughing.

---

*Later on that day*

After Leonard had finally left and Eugene was reuniting with Jarrod and Heath, Nick and Stefania were still outside enjoying each other's company and relieved that Leonard was gone.

"This is a very beautiful ranch, Nick and your home is just as lovely." Stefania was admiring all of the beauty of nature around her.

"Thank you, Stefania and I'm sorry." Nick put his arm around her.

"What are you sorry for?" Stefania turned to him.

"My uncle Leonard. He had no right to treat you the way he did. It's bad enough he treated Audra's fiancee Chotaro that way and that he treats Silas that way every chance he gets. He has no right to be so dad-blamed intolerant." Nick shook his head, before picking up a rock and tossing it.

"You don't have to apologize for his behavior, Nick. Unfortunately, he is one of those who hates non-Americans. I'm learning to live with it." Stefania put her arm around him.

"I know, but it isn't right. It just isn't right." Nick sighed.

"Well, as long as your siblings, your mother, and most importantly, you take kindly to me, that's all I care about." Stefania lovingly gazed into Nick's eyes.

"And we will. You already know that I do. I mean you had me when we knocked each other down and the apples and oranges went everywhere." Nick chuckled, as he held her close to him.

Stefania rested her head onto Nick's chest and started to get content, before seeing that it was starting to be sundown and getting wide eyed.

"Look at that sunset starting. It's gorgeous, but not as-" Nick was cut off when Stefania sat up quickly.

"Nick, it is almost sundown. I promised my papa that I would be home before sundown!" Stefania stood up really fast, "I can already hear my papa's warnings about the dangers of the night and-and-".

"Stefania, relax now. You're with me." Nick also stood up and put his hands on her arms.

"I know, Nick and I'm sorry, but every time I see the sun starting to go down, I can hear my papa warning me about the dangers and in light of your uncle Leonard making me uncomfortable, my fears are starting to set in." Stefania was clearly ashamed of being afraid since she knew she was with Nick and that Nick wouldn't let any harm come to her.

"I understand, Stefania, but there's nothing to be afraid of as long as you're around me. I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise." Nick's voice had that rare gentle tone to it, "Like I said, anyone gives you trouble, you just tell me and I'll teach them a lesson."

"Even if your uncle tries to hurt me?" Stefania cringed.

"Especially if my uncle tries to hurt you. However, you have nothing to fear. As I just said, I won't let anyone hurt you. I promise." Nick lightly stroked her cheek with his index finger, "I'm not going to be like Pasquale."

"Oh, Nick, don't compare yourself. There's no comparison between you and Pasquale." Stefania told him.

"Just like there's no comparison between you and the other women who were in my life." Nick continued his light stroking of Stefania's cheek, even moving a piece of hair away from her face.

"What did the other women do to you, Nick?" Stefania asked, a curious look forming on her face.

"Now, what in the world brought that up?" Nick was a little taken aback.

"I'm just curious. I know you told me that a couple of them were criminals, some just didn't work out, and you had a fiancee who wasn't that great or something." Stefania shrugged, "Plus, I did tell you about Pasquale, so..."

"Fair enough. You did tell me about Pasquale and since we are in a slowly growing relationship, honesty is the best strategy." Nick conceded, whispering the 'slowly growing relationship' part, so that way nobody could hear.

"Well?" Stefania asked.

"For starters, I had two fiancées. My first one was Hester Converse and the second one was Natasha Halick who went by the nickname 'Tasha'. The other women in my life were Jean Price, Belle Bleeck, Michelle De Lacaise, Layle Johnson, and Miranda Valenzuela. I first met Hester in a cheap saloon down by the water front. Man, the first minute I laid eyes on her, I really fell head over heels for her. As I got to know her, albeit five days, but as I got to know her, I thought she was the one. I really really did and I even proposed to her, but..." Nick looked up at the sky while remembering his time with Hester, before looking off to the left, "We weren't meant to be husband and wife. If we were, I would've never met the others or you."

"What happened between you and Hester?" Stefania asked.

"As it turns out, Hester was a very fickle woman. Very fickle. In fact, she loved the attention of many men. She couldn't settle down for just one man. She almost caused a wedge between Heath and me due to the fact that even though she claimed to love me, she fell for Heath and did her darndest to get his attention. During a camping trip, she was crying and Heath went to comfort her. After running off from him, she tore her dress and like the jackass I tend to be at times plus due to being blinded by Hester's charms, I jumped to the wrong conclusion and tried to physically hurt Heath in the worst possible way." Nick looked down in regret, as the time he attacked Heath due to jumping to the wrong conclusions played out in his head, the moment still fresh now as it was the time it happened, clearly haunting him.

"Oh, Nick." Stefania put her hand on his arm.

"That still haunts me to this day. As I look back on it, I've never been able to forgive myself for strangling and beating on Heath. I know he's forgiven me, but I still haven't forgiven myself." Nick sighed, the remorse starting to show in his voice.

"Nick, you shouldn't beat yourself over the head about it. While, I understand your remorseful feelings completely, you thought he did something inappropriate at the time to somebody you thought you were going to marry, as siblings do, do stuff like that at times. Your reaction was only natural." Stefania ran her fingers in his hair.

"It may have been natural at the time, but looking back on it now, well I kick myself about it. Especially since Heath and I grew closer and have a bond that nobody, not even Jarrod understands." Nick shook his head, getting more and more disgusted by his own actions the more he thought of that time.

Stefania didn't say anything and rubbed Nick's back, while continuing to run her fingers in his hair.

"Then again, I did get a back injury after attacking Heath and had to be tied down in order to keep from moving and injuring myself worse. Hester, feeling bad I assume, helped tend to me and just acting like she was concerned that I was injured. I, of course, tricked her into untying me and tried to get up in order to get us off the mountain and back into Stockton, so we could get married, but we didn't make it far at all. I had to be tied down again and we got to talking some more." Nick looked back up at the sky, as he remembered the moment.

---

*Flashback to that moment*

"Hester? Hester?" Nick called out as he was lying down, tied up and wincing due to the shooting pain in his back.

Hester, who was sitting very close to Nick, rubbed his head with one hand and put the other hand on his shoulder.

"What time is it?" Nick turned to look at her, as best as he could.

"It'll be dawn in a few hours." Hester continued to rub his head.

"How long have I been asleep?" Nick asked, taking some heavy breaths due to the pain.

"A long time." Hester told him.

"Well, it seems like a...bad dream. A nightmare." Nick was starting to sweat a little.

"There's a doctor on the way. He should be here very soon." Hester kept rubbing Nick's head.

"Heath? What was all that about?" Nick asked.

"Nick, I tried to tell you, he-he just heard me crying." Hester started.

"Crying? Why?" Nick's voice was in a slight hoarse whisper.

"It's traditional. It's a woman's right to cry before she's married." Hester said in a nonchalant way.

"So, you were crying..." Nick was cut off.

"And Heath came over to find out what was wrong." Hester finished the sentence.

"I must be a...you name it." Nick replied.

Hester didn't say anything and just looked into Nick's eyes while still rubbing his head.

"Hester, I love you so." Nick looked back into her eyes.

"Oh, Nick. I know." Hester whispered.

"When this is over, I promise I'll make you so happy." Nick told her.

"Oh, Nick..." Hester got on the floor next to where Nick was laying and got closer to him than she already was, "Do you want to know the real reason why I was crying? It was for the parties, Nick. The dancing, the champagne, and the fun."

"You won't be living in a monastery." Nick replied.

"No, Nick, it won't be the same." Hester shook her head.

"The valley is not San Francisco or New York, but parties-" Nick was cut off, again.

"Oh, Nick, I love being beautiful. I love beautiful clothes." Hester clenched her fist and shook it while trying to explain herself.

"You'll get over that." Nick tried to reassure her.

"Oh, Nick, if you could just make me believe that. Oh, please make me believe it." Hester looked into Nick's eyes, again.

Nick didn't say anything and just returned her look.

"Nick, you'll help me, won't you? Nick, please help me." Hester pleaded.

"I'll help you, but Hester, you gotta be sure, very sure you don't wanna be...tied down. Be sure." Nick looked her dead in the eyes.

Hester didn't say a word and just looked at him.

---

*Back to the present day*

"Of course, all the good that conversation did. She never gave me the chance to help her. After the doctor came and gave mother pain pills for me to take, Hester asked the doctor if she could ride back to town with him." Nick was still looking up at the sky.

"She asked the doctor?" Stefania raised an eyebrow.

"Uh huh. I guess she had made up her mind before even giving me the chance to help her, because not too long after she came into the tent where I was laying and delivered what was bad news at the time." Nick nodded.

"Was she nice about delivering the bad news? She wasn't harsh or anything, was she?" Stefania asked.

"Oh no. She wasn't harsh at all. Thank God. She tried to be as gentle as she could be, but then again, there's no easy way to break up with someone." Nick started to slip back into that moment in his mind.

---

*Flashback to when Hester delivered the "bad news" to Nick*

"Nick." Hester called out, as she walked back into the tent.

Nick opened his eyes and turned his attention to her.

"Nick, I've come to say something and I hope-I hope you'll understand. You told me last night to be sure before making up my mind. I stayed awake all night trying to be sure, trying to be honest with myself like I've never been before..." Hester paused and looked at the ground, before continuing, "I know now that I wasn't crying, because of the parties, the champagne, or the pretty clothes."

"Hester, I..." Nick started to say something, but was cut off.

"Please, don't try to say anything. Just listen. The truth about Heath is that I wanted to find a way to make him want me. I needed him to want me as I've always needed the attention of attractive men. Seems I have to keep reassuring myself only I'm never truly reassured. If I had come here with Heath, I would've wanted your attention and I would've done anything to get it." Hester continued to explain.

Nick was taken aback by all of this and had a confused look on his face, as he was trying to process it all.

"It's a weakness. A terrible flaw, but at least now, I can admit it to myself and hope someday I'll be ready to devote myself to one man. I hope it'll be somebody like you." Hester looked down at the ground, again.

"Hester, I-" Nick was interrupted, yet again.

"I'm going now, Nick, because I don't want to hurt you anymore than I already have. I only ask that you try to understand and maybe someday you'll find it in your heart to forgive me." Hester told him.

Nick didn't say anything and just looked at her, still trying to process everything she had said.

"Goodbye, Nick." Hester kissed him on the forehead and left the tent.

---

*Back to the present day*

"Just goodbye? No asking if you were alright or if the pain was gone? Just dump you and a quick goodbye before running out of the tent?" Stefania seemed a little angry at the way Hester had broken up with Nick.

"Uh huh. She was pretty much in a hurry now that I think about it. Of course, at the time I was heartbroken and oh man, I could just hear what father would've had to say about all of it. In fact, after Hester broke up with me and I was eventually put in a wheelchair, only to manage to get out of it & take a few steps while still on the mend, I had a visit from father's spirit one night. I was alone in my room. I'll delve into that another time, because just the talk of spirits and such gives me the willies." Nick shuddered just thinking about spirits.

"Yeah, spirits can do that to you. I've been visited by the spirit of Dominique at times. However, since I'm starting to get a chill up my spine, I'll delve into it after you tell me about your papa's spirit visiting you." Stefania also shuddered at the thoughts of spirits.

"Well, when we do, it'll be ladies first." Nick looked at her and smirked.

"Fair enough. Anyways, what about the other women?" Stefania started to smile a little, before getting a look of curiosity on her face.

"There's that beautiful smile. Well, I'm not sure if we have time to go through each of them today." Nick lightly chuckled.

"Well, you can tell me a little bit about one of them and if we don't finish the conversation today, we always can tomorrow, if you'd like to meet up, again. I mean I don't want to cause you to shirk your ranch duties." Stefania insisted.

"I would love to meet up with you tomorrow. I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world. Plus, I-" Nick looks back up at the sky, again then over to Stefania, "Well, whaddya know? Today is already tonight. How time flies, am I right?"

"You sure are. Well, I guess I best be getting on home. I can already hear my papa not letting me hear the end of it." Stefania stood up.

"Normally, I would protest, but out of respect, I best let you get back home. I wouldn't want to make your father distrust me any further than he already does." Nick also stood up.

"Oh, Nick. He'll warm up to you. I just know it." Stefania insisted, once more.

"We'll burn that bridge when we cross it. Now, let me take you home." Nick hooked his arm into hers.

"Nick, I wouldn't want to burden you." Stefania told him, "I mean your brother Eugene just returned. Don't you want to reunite with him?"

"Ah, Eugene can wait. I want to be sure you get home safely. Now, how's about you hop on into the carriage while I saddle up the horses and hitch them to the carriage?" Nick walked her over to where the carriage was.

"You don't mind?" Stefania asked.

"Mind? Why would I mind for the girl who caught my eye?" Nick smirked again before kissing her on the cheek.

"Oh, you!" Stefania blushed and playfully slapped his shoulder after he kissed her on the cheek.

Nick helped her up into the carriage, before walking off to get two horses in order to saddle them up and get them hitched to the carriage.

---

*A few minutes later*

After getting the horses saddled up and hitched to the carriage, Nick got in, sat next to Stefania, and gave her another kiss on the cheek.

"You ready?" Nick asked.

"No, not really. I don't want us to leave each other, but unfortunately, we have to for long hours until sun up." Stefania put her hand under his chin to where the tips of her fingers were touching his chin.

"I don't want to say goodbye or goodnight either, but we have to sadly. However, I promise when the sun rises over that horizon, I'll be up and ready to see you again." Nick looked into Stefania's eyes.

"You really promise?" Stefania returned his look with another smile.

"I promise you, the second I see that sun rising, I'll hop out of my bed." Nick told her.

"I'll be waiting. In fact, I'll be counting the hours." Stefania still had that smile on her face.

"Don't stay up too long, because you do need your sleep and to be bright eyed and bushy tailed tomorrow." Nick lightly laughed.

Stefania put her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him.

"Giddyup. Hyah." Nick instructed the horses, as he put his head against hers and rode off into the night.

---

*Meanwhile, inside the Barkley house*

Everyone else (excluding Nick) had just finished dinner and were both reminiscing about Tom and celebrating Eugene's return to the Barkley ranch let alone the valley. However, Eugene had been looking out the window for sometime. It was clear to everyone else that he was watching Nick and Stefania sit around and talk. He was interested in all about how they met and such. After a few long minutes, Jarrod stood up and walked over to his baby brother.

"Eugene, you seem to be very interested in what's going on outside." Jarrod put his hand on Eugene's shoulder.

"I just can't get over Nick and that Stefania girl. I mean the way they were interacting just now, I don't think they're just friends." Eugene kept staring out the window.

"That's what we're all thinking." Heath spoke up.

"Really?" Eugene asked, while still staring out the window.

"Eugene, if I were you, I would get away from that window, because if Nick ever caught you eavesdropping or peeping, he'd probably throw something at you." Audra told her baby brother.

"Ah, I'm used to that, Audra. However, my curiosity is piqued and well, can I help it if I eavesdrop or peep?" Eugene put both of his hands on the window frame.

"No, but being nosy is a bit rude, Eugene. After all, nobody likes a buttinsky." Victoria spoke up.

"I'm sorry, mother." Eugene finally moved away from the window and sat down in a chair nearby.

"It's alright, Eugene. We all think that Nick and Stefania just might have feelings for each other. I mean judging by the way he interacts with her and the way she looks at him well, one never knows." Victoria smiled, "She is a charming young lady."

"She sure is. You know, I still feel bad about the way uncle Leonard treated her." Audra moved a piece of hair out of her face.

"I believe we all do, Audra. It wasn't right the way he treated her and the way he has been treating Heath these past many years." Victoria added.

"I'm getting used to it, mother." Heath replied.

"But you shouldn't have to be used to it, Heath. You're a Barkley just like the rest of us are." Victoria sighed, as he looked up at a picture of Tom and Leonard standing together, not looking real happy to be near each other, "Oh, how different their personalities were and are."

"Father and Leonard were polar opposites?" Heath asked.

"Oh yes. When it came to personalities and just everything, your father and uncle Leonard were like night and day. While your father can be hard nosed and have a temper like Nick's, he was also very kind, caring, and compassionate. Your uncle Leonard, on the other hand, is a very cynical, cunning, nasty, and hateful. He can be nice, but only when he chooses to be nice. He and your father had a lifelong rivalry." Victoria never took her eyes off the picture.

"Mother, did you ever know what the rivalry was about?" Jarrod asked.

"Jarrod, it was over a number of things during childhood. One of the things was that Leonard was the favorite child while your father endured lots of corporal punishment and hardships from his parents. Of course, your father was the older of the two, so naturally, the eldest child had to have loads of pressure put on them. That was one of, if not the main reason behind their rivalry. Even though, your father tried hard to never let it bother him, Leonard would just add insult to injury. Now, the other reasons, my guess is it was all childhood stuff, but their childhood rivalry carried into their adulthood and what made it worse was...well, your father married me." Victoria still had her eyes locked on the picture.

"Mother, you don't have to blame yourself." Audra put a hand on her mother's shoulder.

"Oh no, I don't blame myself, Audra. You see, Leonard was divorced about four times when I first met and befriended him. I guess he took a fancy to me, but I didn't return his affections. The reason I didn't return his affections was that he just didn't appeal to me. Personality wise. Whereas when I met your father, it was love at first sight. I still to this day don't know what it was, but there was something about your father that I just couldn't put my finger on. There was just something about him that made me fall in love with him. Leonard couldn't and still can't handle it, even after these many years your father has been gone." Victoria turned her attention to a picture of Tom and her when they were newlyweds and picked it up, "I still love that man to this day. The love I have for him reminds me of the love Jarrod had for his late wife Beth, you had for Chotaro, how much Heath cared about Sally, how much Eugene liked Daphne that time, and how much Nick cares about Stefania, even though he won't admit it."

"Late wife? Jarrod, you were married? The only time I remember anyone being that much in love was when Chotaro proposed to Audra and Nick brought Hester on that camping trip with us." Eugene had a curious look on his face.

"Oh yes. It's still a painful memory, Eugene, but I'll be happy to fill you in with a long story short. You see while I was in Washington, Beth and I met each other. We boarded the train and had dinner with each other. After dinner, we got to talking and found out we had a lot in common." Jarrod pulled out a picture of his late wife from his pocket and looked at it, remembering that train ride and that time alone as if it were yesterday.

---

*Flashback to that train ride with Beth*

"Do you know what this train is?" Beth asked, while looking at Jarrod in a loving way.

"No. Tell me." Jarrod replied.

"Something out of time and place. It's like traveling in another dimension..." Beth looked down and shook her head, before looking back up at Jarrod, "These last four days didn't happen. None of this is real."

"You're wrong, Beth. It's real. Very real." Jarrod gently took her hand into both of his and looked into her eyes, "You know, it kinda frightens me when I think that I planned to stay in Washington another day and miss this train."

"What made you change your mind?" Beth asked.

"I don't know. All I know is that you're here and so am I. I think my whole has been changed around. I think I knew this was gonna happen the first moment I laid eyes on you." Jarrod couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful woman that was in front of him.

"You sure it's not the champagne?" Beth smirked.

"No, it's not the champagne." Jarrod smiled and shook his head.

"I would like to make a toast." Beth picked up her wine glass.

Jarrod didn't say anything and just followed suit.

"To the coastal western railroad." Beth held up her glass.

"Here's to that." Jarrod held up his glass.

Together he and Beth clinked their glasses and took sips. However, the moment was interrupted when Charles walked back into their cart.

"Denver coming up, Miss Randall." Charles announced.

Beth and Jarrod sported forlorn looks and set their glasses down, before standing up and looking right into each other's eyes, deeper than before.

"Beth, I'm going to see you again." Jarrod put his hands on Beth's shoulders.

"I hope so. Will you write to me?" Beth asked.

"Every day." Jarrod said, before pulling Beth into a kiss.

The two embraced for a little while before pulling away.

"Jarrod, you stay here. Please." Beth said, before walking off and departing the cart.

"Bye, Miss Randall." Charles said, before closing the door, going over to the table Jarrod and Beth sat at, and picking up the wine glasses.

"Oh. Here, Charles." Jarrod took out some money and handed it to Charles.

"I'll get your change." Charles took the money and put it in his pocket.

"That's okay. Keep it." Jarrod told him.

"Well, thank you, sir." Charles nodded, before starting to walk off.

"Charles." Jarrod paced around for a bit, before walking over to Charles.

"Yes, sir?" Charles turned around.

"I want you to take my baggage out of the next car and put it off the train." Jarrod walked over to the same door Beth walked departed from.

"But I thought you were going on to Stockton, Mr. Barkley." Charles seemed a bit thrown off by this.

"I've changed my mind!" Jarrod said with a smile, before departing the cart.

Charles didn't say anything and just smiled.

---

*Back to the present day*

"I got off the train, met up with Beth, and not too long after, we were married." Jarrod kept looking at the picture of Beth he was holding in his hand.

"Wow. I must say that's rather fast, Jarrod. I mean likewise with Nick and Hester & Chotaro and Audra, you and that Beth lady seem to have known each other for a short time when you married." Eugene was in between surprised and not so surprised at the same time.

"Indeed it was, Eugene. However, Beth and I were kind of like mother and father, love at first sight. After Beth and I got married in Denver, I came back here and introduced her to the family. While all of that was a happy occasion, I also knew that Cass Hyatt had been pardoned by the governor and was a free man. Of course, I didn't tell mother, Heath, Audra, or Nick. In fact, I had forgotten all about it until while I was showing Beth my law office we bumped into Hyatt. Hyatt frightened her and..." Jarrod stopped, unable to say anymore due to knowing what had happened upon bumping into Cass Hyatt and the pain it still caused him to this day.

"It's alright, Jarrod. You don't have to say anymore." Victoria said in a comforting tone, sensing and understanding the pain Jarrod still felt from Beth's murder despite it being a few years or so since.

"Yeah, big brother. We all know what happened and the aftermath. You don't have to go into further detail. You can if and when you're good and ready to do so." Heath put a comforting hand on Jarrod's arm.

"I take it she was murdered and if that's the case..." Eugene took his hat off and put it over his heart, "I'm so sorry, Jarrod."

"Thank you, Eugene." Jarrod nodded and put the picture of Beth back into his pocket, before sighing, "You know something? Losing Beth was just like losing father all over again."

Victoria, Audra, and Eugene all nodded in agreement.

"I can still remember the night you and Nick brought him home to have his body prepared." Jarrod picked up a portrait of Tom and looked at it, "This was the last photo ever taken of father before he was murdered."

"Who knew? Who knew that'd be the last picture we would ever have of father." Audra sighed.

"I can still see the blood, the bullet wound, and Nick desperately trying to believe father wasn't gone." Eugene started to slip back to that moment in his mind, "I was only 17 at the time."

"No child should've ever seen their parent like that." Heath's voice had a somber tone to it. Even though he had never known or met his father, he could still understand the pain Tom's murder brought to his mother and siblings.

"Amen to that." Eugene nodded and ran a hand through his hair, "Still, I can't get those images out of my head. I don't think I ever will."

---

*Flashback to that moment*

It had been a few minutes after Thomas Wardell Barkley died in the arms of his middle son, Nick and in the presence of Dr. Thomas Merar and his youngest son, Eugene. They laid him down in the carriage and put a sheet over him, before making their way back to Barkley Ranch in order to deliver the horrible news to Jarrod, Audra, and Victoria. Eugene was in a state of shock and disbelief while Nick was crying his eyes and heart out off and on. After what seemed to be a long ride, they arrived home and got out of the carriage. Eugene was about to head in, but stopped in his tracks when he saw Nick get back in the carriage and sit next to Tom's body.

"Nick, we have to tell mother, Audra, and Jarrod." Eugene had tears forming in his eyes.

Nick didn't say a word and just shook his head 'no'.

"Nick, we have to. I mean...he's gone and...they deserve to know." Eugene put his hand on the wheel of the carriage.

"I know, but...they also deserve to know that...it was...my...fault." Nick had fresh tears falling down his cheeks.

"Nick, it's not your fault. You know that, I know that, and father knows that." Eugene's voice cracked a little.

"Don't! Don't...feed me...that! Ever again!" Nick gritted his teeth.

"Nick, I'm going to go in. I suggest you come with me so that way we can both deliver the tragic news to the rest of them." Eugene said, before heading inside.

Nick sighed deeply and hesitated, before eventually finding enough courage to get out of the carriage and join his younger brother.

---

*Inside*

Eugene and Nick walked inside and were to not see the remaining Barkleys in the main foyer where they usually were at times. However, this was only short lived when Audra came down the stairs, saw them, and walked over to them.

"Nick, Eugene, where have-Nick! You have blood all over you!" Audra gasped when she saw Nick's blood covered shirt.

"Audra-" Eugene was cut off.

"What happened? Where's father? And why the melancholic mood?" Audra clearly had so many questions that unbeknownst to her, were about to be answered in one fiddle swoop.

"Audra, go get Jarrod and mother. Bring them here...please." Nick tried his best to hold himself together, even though he was on the brink to start crying, again.

Audra, sensing something completely off, went off to go get Jarrod and Victoria.

"Nick, if you're unable to, I can take over." Eugene tried to reassure his brother, as best as he could.

"No. I have to tell them the start of it all. You didn't find father. I did, so I owe it to them to tell them the start of it all." Nick shook his head.

Audra returned with Jarrod and Victoria.

"Nick, Eugene, what happened? Where's your fa-Nick, are you injured? Your shirt is covered in blood!" Victoria's eyes got big when she saw Nick's blood covered shirt.

Nick look troubled and didn't answer his mother.

"Nick, where's father and why is there blood on your shirt?" Jarrod asked, concern building in his voice.

Eugene looked over at Nick and Nick's lip started to quiver, despite his efforts to prevent it.

"What's wrong?" Victoria was starting to sense something was not good.

"Let's go get him, Eugene." Nick said, before going outside.

Eugene nodded and followed suit. This caused Victoria, Jarrod, and Audra to exchange confused glances before turning their attention back to the front door. The next thing that happened would come as a shock and be very life changing; Nick and Eugene brought in a sheet covered backboard. This alarmed Victoria and the other two Barkley siblings, especially since Tom didn't walk inside with them.

"Who's on the backboard? Is it one of our ranch hands?" Jarrod asked as he approached the backboard, Victoria and Audra joining him.

"No." Nick barely managed to get out in a hoarse whisper, before putting his hand to his face and starting to softly cry.

"Nick, Eugene, who is it? It's not-" Victoria stopped herself as her worst fears were starting to set in.

Nick and Eugene didn't say anything and slowly uncovered the body on the backboard, revealing the now deceased Tom Barkley. A pin could be heard dropping in the room, as there was nothing but total silence due to the shock and horror this all brought. The Barkley siblings had just lost their father and Victoria lost not only the father of her children, but the love of her life. As they all started to process everything, there was not a dry eye in the room. It would be another few minutes, before Victoria and Audra joined Jarrod, Nick, and Eugene at the backboard Tom was laying on.

"Father! My God! My God!" Jarrod had tears streaming down his face, as he looked over his father, before looking back up at Nick, "How?"

"He was shot, Jarrod. I tried to get the shooter, but..." Nick put his head on Tom's chest and sobbed into it, "I missed! It's...all...my..fault!"

"Nick, don't say that." Jarrod put his hand on Nick's arm, only for Nick to bat it away.

"Oh, Tom." Victoria stood on the left of her husband's body and cried into his arm.

"Who could've done this?" Audra had her hand on her mother's back.

"I don't know. Do you think someone may have done it by accident?" Eugene looked at Nick and Jarrod, hoping they would somehow believe Tom being shot could've been an accident, not wanting to believe somebody murdered him.

"Eugene, it was not an accident! Father was killed and...I didn't...I didn't get the shooter...this time!" Nick sniffed and pounded his fist, "I didn't get the shooter! I had him in range and I shot at him, but he kept going!"

"Nick-" Jarrod was cut off.

"I didn't get the shooter! It's all my fault! It's...all...my...fault!" Nick ran upstairs to his bedroom and slammed the door.

This upset Victoria even further as this was the last thing she needed at a time like this one. She didn't need one of her children putting themself through a guilt trip when right now, the family needed to gather together in order to prepare Tom's body for burial and make funeral arrangements. Right now, the family needed to be united now more than ever. However, one could understand Nick's position given the fact that he and Tom were close to each other and had not been on speaking terms prior to his death plus the guilt Nick was feeling due to believing he didn't get Tom to Dr. Merar right away. This was going to be a big challenge for the remaining Barkleys besides adjusting to life without Tom. As Victoria continued to sob into her deceased husband's arm, Silas came walking in.

"Mr. Jarrod, what's going on?" Silas asked, taken aback by what was happening before his eyes.

"Silas, we've experienced a great loss. A very very great loss. Our father-" Jarrod stopped himself due to feeling himself about to lose his composure and cleared his throat before continuing, "Our father is...dead."

"What?" Silas felt his stomach drop and his heart jump into his throat due to being in disbelief of what Jarrod just said.

Jarrod nodded and guided Silas to where Tom was laying in order to confirm it all.

"Mr. Jarrod, Mrs. Barkley, Mr. Eugene, and Miss Audra, I'm so...terribly...sorry for the loss of Mr. Barkley. Truly, I am." Silas had tears form in his eyes and put his hand over his heart.

"Th-Thank you, Silas." Victoria said in between sobs, before wiping her eyes.

"Where's Mr. Nick?" Silas wiped his eyes.

"Upstairs in his room. It's best to leave him be. There's nothing any of us can say to him." Jarrod told him.

Silas bit his lip and nodded, before clasping his hands together.

As everybody else held a moment of silence and shed tears, Nick could be heard crying very loudly from his bedroom. His cries sounded more like wailing than the usual crying.

Jarrod shut his eyes very tightly, the sound of Nick's wailing hurting his ears and breaking his heart. He knew he would have to go into 'Pappy' mode soon.

---

*Back to the present day*

"I can still hear Nick's wailing to this day." Jarrod looked at the ground.

"We all can, Jarrod. Plus, he still blames himself for what happened." Audra sighed.

"I wish there was a way to convince him." Heath shook his head.

"Ah, you know Nick like we all do. There's no way to convince him of anything. He's just hard headed like that." Eugene scratched his head, "Just like nobody can ever get Nick to admit he has feelings for anybody."

"You got that right!" Jarrod chuckled, before looking around, "By the way, where is he?"

"Probably off with Stefania." Heath winked.

Eugene, Victoria, and Audra joined in on Jarrod's chuckling, the mood clearly brightened from being dower just a few seconds ago.

---

*With Nick and Stefania*

Nick and Stefania had arrived back to Stefania's house. They were about to get out of the carriage, but decided to stay in a little while longer and even shared another kiss.

"I must walk you to your...door." Nick said in between the kissing.

"I know, but (kiss) I don't want to say goodbye or goodnight (kiss) just yet." Stefania replied in between the kisses.

"I'll see you again tomorrow." Nick started to gently pull out of the kissing part of the embrace.

"I know, but...tomorrow isn't coming fast enough." Stefania held onto him.

"That's true, but when the sun rises over that horizon tomorrow, I'll be here. I promise." Nick looked into her eyes.

"Do you really promise?" Stefania smirked.

"Cross my heart." Nick made a cross over his heart.

"I guess we should go to my front door now." Stefania sported a forlorn look.

"I guess so." Nick nodded in disappointment, before getting out of the carriage and helping Stefania out of it.

Stefania pulled him into a hug and put her head on his chest. Nick held her close and this embrace lasted for a few minutes, before they pulled out of it and walked up to her porch.

"I guess this is goodnight which is the worst thing I have to say." Nick took a good look at her under the moonlight and got mesmerized by her beauty, yet again.

"It is the worst thing for either of us to say." Stefania put the tip of her nose onto Nick's.

"I'll be back tomorrow at sun up." Nick put his hand on her cheek, caressing it very gently.

"I'll count the hours." Stefania told him.

"Goodnight, Stefania." Nick replied.

"Goodnight...Nick or should I say Ciao Bello?" Stefania smirked.

"Either one is fine by me." Nick smiled.

"Ciao Bello." Stefania pecked him on the lips.

"Goodnight." Nick said, again.

Neither one of them moved a muscle.

"Goodnight." Stefania opened her door.

"Goodnight." Nick put his hat back on and blew a kiss to her, before walking over to the carriage, getting in it, and riding off.

Stefania watched as he disappeared into the distance, before shutting the door and starting to cry softly to herself.

"Stefania, qual è il problema ? (Stefania, what's the matter?)" a woman walked into the room.

"Stefania, dove sei stato?! I tuoi fratelli e io stavamo per uscire a cercarti ! Cosa ti ha fatto l'uomo bianco?! Cosa non ti ha fatto bene Barkley?! (Stefania, where have you been?! Your brothers and I were about to go out looking for you! What did the white man do to you?! What did that no good Barkley do to you?!)" Stefania's father came into the room and slightly raised his voice.

"Carmine, non gridare. Tutti gli altri stanno cercando di dormire. (Carmine, don't shout. Everybody else is trying to sleep. )" the woman shushed him.

"Non mi interessa, Andrea ! Nostra figlia è stata fuori tramonto dopo aver fatto le regole più rigorose per tutti che tornavano qui prima che il sole tramonta e la luna si alza. Conosce i pericoli della notte proprio come chiunque sia qui e ci deve una spiegazione ! (I don't care, Andrea! Our daughter was out past sundown after I have made the strictest rules for everyone to be back here before that sun goes down and the moon comes up. She knows the dangers of the night just like anyone else here and she owes us an explanation!)" Carmine slapped the nearby table.

"Carmine, nostra figlia è una donna adulta. Può rimanere fuori per tutto il tempo che piace. Non puoi impedirle di sperimentare ciò che questo paese non per non parlare di questo stato ha da offrire e da quando hai sollevato il nome di Barkley, sembra che, poiché potrebbe aver incontrato uno dei Barkley di Stockton di cui tutti hanno parlato. (Carmine, our daughter is a grown woman. She can stay out for as long as she pleases. You can't prevent her from experiencing what this country let alone this state has to offer and since you brought up the name of Barkley, it seems as though as she may have met one of the Stockton Barkleys everyone has been talking about.)" Andrea tried to reason with her husband before turning to her daughter, "Stefania, hai incontrato i Barkley di Stockton ? (Stefania, have you met the Barkleys of Stockton?)"

"Oh sì, mamma. Ho incontrato tutti i Barkleys tranne il defunto Tom Barkley. Dio riposa la sua anima. Sono persone così simpatiche soprattutto Nick. (Oh yes, mom. I met all of the Barkleys except the late Tom Barkley. God rest his soul. They're such nice people especially Nick.)" Stefania nodded and smiled after saying Nick's name.

"Sono felice di sapere che non sono come i tipici ricchi di cui senti parlare. Immagino che ti sia piaciuto questo Nick. (I'm glad to hear they're not like the typical rich people you hear about. I take it you have taken a liking to this Nick guy.)" Andrea noticed Stefania smiled after she said Nick's name.

"È un uomo bianco! Un uomo bianco! Andrea, non possiamo permettere che nostra figlia vada con gente come quel Barkley! (He's a white man! A white man! Andrea, we cannot allow our daughter to go with the likes of that Barkley fellow!)" Carmine protested.

"Carmine, Stefania è una ragazza adulta. Non possiamo proteggerla dal mondo. Se le è piaciuto questo Nick Barkley, beh, dovremo semplicemente accettarlo. (Carmine, Stefania is a grown girl. We cannot shield her from the world. If she has taken a liking to this Nick Barkley fellow, well, we will just have to accept it.)" Andrea tried to plead with her husband a little more.

"Sì, papà. Non puoi tenermi bambino per sempre. Mi piace davvero tanto Nick e lo incontrerò domani! (Yeah, dad. You can't keep me a child forever. I really really like Nick and I am going to meet up with him tomorrow!)" Stefania stood her ground.

"Non farai nulla del genere, Stefania! (You will do no such thing, Stefania!)" Carmine shook his head 'no'.

Stefania didn't say anything and just ran up to her room.

"Qual è il suo problema?! Conosce le regole! (What's her problem?! She knows the rules!)" Carmine threw his hands up in frustration.

"Basta, Carmine! Abbastanza! (Enough, Carmine! Enough!)" Andrea threw her hand up, shook her head, and walked off, "A volte non ti riconosco nemmeno! (I don't even recognize you at times!)"

---

*Many moments later back at Barkley Ranch*

Nick arrived back at Barkley Ranch and started putting the carriage and horses up for the night. While he was giving the horses a good brushing on their manes after washing them down, a hand grabbed his shoulder, startling him.

"Who goes there?!" Nick, startled and ready to beat up whoever snuck up on him, turned around and saw that it was Jarrod.

"Hi, Nick. I didn't mean to scare you." Jarrod chuckled and pat him on the shoulder.

"Jarrod, I have told you and told you and told you to never ever sneak up on me. I coulda shot, stabbed, or punched you." Nick was annoyed at his older brother sneaking up on him.

"I know, but you know me, brother." Jarrod playfully punched his shoulder.

"I should. I grew up with you. Anyways, I have a strange inkling that you want something." Nick kept on brushing the first horse's mane.

"You were gone for a long time." Jarrod started.

"And?" Nick asked.

"And...where did you go?" Jarrod shrugged.

"Why do you care about that? Since when do I check in with you?" Nick gave Jarrod his usual annoyed look.

"I care, because you were gone for an awful long time with Stefania." Jarrod walked over to a nearby table, leaned against it, and folded his arms.

"Gone for an awful long-Jarrod, I was taking her home. What? Is that against the law or something?" Nick continued to brush the horse's mane.

"No, but it was a pretty long time to be taking somebody home. Plus, Eugene was watching you guys from the living room window." Jarrod looked down at his wrist, only to look back up at Nick.

"That little sneak hasn't changed, has he?" Nick chuckled and shook his head, "I figured. However, regarding me taking Stefania home and taking an eternity doing so, I simply lost track of time by talking for a long time with her and of course, thinking of father while on the ride back here."

"You're not alone in that. We were all talking about father while I filled Eugene in on my marriage to Beth to a degree, mind you." Jarrod sighed, "We even talked about the night father was killed and you & Eugene brought him back to the house."

"Jarrod, I prefer not to relive that moment. I still struggle with that." Nick stopped brushing the horse's mane.

"I know, Nick. We all do. However, after everyone else retired for the night, I got to thinking about father and Beth." Jarrod walked over and stood next to Nick.

"You did?" Nick turned to face his brother.

"Yeah. I got to thinking of why Cass Hyatt targeted me." Jarrod told him.

"Jarrod, we all know why Cass Hyatt targeted you. You helped put him behind bars for a long time and he vowed to get you by any means necessary." Nick tilted his head to the side.

"Well, there's that reason, but as I look back on it, I've got a hunch for another reason he wanted to get me." Jarrod looked around before looking back at Nick, "Remember Handy Random?"

"Remember? How can I forget? He's the one who shot the man who murdered father and the man who murdered father was Patrick 'Pat' Hyatt." Nick nodded, before going back to brush the horse's mane some more only to stop in his tracks, "Wait a minute! Wait...a...minute! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I think so. I'm thinking that Handy Random shot and killed Pat Hyatt who happened to be not only father's friend turned murderer, but the father of Cass Hyatt and due to wanting to avenge his father, Hyatt wanted to get back at me for the murder of his father besides my involvement of sending him to Quentin for a long time. He sure got back at me alright, only he didn't get me. He got Beth." Jarrod walked back and forth in the barn.

"You can read minds apparently. How did you know I thought that?" Nick was a little surprised.

"I got to thinking about it today more so than I have in a longtime. When did you put two and two together?" Jarrod asked.

"The night father died and the day Beth died. I had that feeling coursing through my veins for a long time. Besides two of the tragic days of our lives, I also had that feeling when Handy Random paid us a visit and we gave him that warm welcome before we found out what a traitor he was and how he tries to please both crowds, especially how he kissed up to Craddock and his family." Nick finished brushing the first horse's mane and went over to the second horse.

"I remember that dispute with the Craddocks like it was yesterday. Oh, father couldn't stand Mr. Craddock. Well, they couldn't stand each other." Jarrod shook his head while smirking.

"Come to think of it, I don't think father could stand anybody." Nick chuckled.

Jarrod didn't say anything and just followed suit. However, the chuckling was short lived when a saddle fell off of the hook it was hanging from. This startled the two Barkley brothers.

"Uh oh! I think father was just here and didn't approve of that." Jarrod put his hand on his chest.

"We're kidding, father. We're kidding." Nick ran a hand across his forehead.

"He knows, Nick. Anyways, in regards to Stefania-" Jarrod was cut off.

"She's a great friend, isn't she, Jarrod?" Nick smiled just hearing her name.

"She's a lovely young lady. In fact, she's better than that Hester woman you brought home that one time or your second fiancee Tasha." Jarrod made his way toward the barn doors.

"Jarrod, we're just friends and that's that." Nick shot him a glare.

"Nick, you've taken a liking to her, haven't you?" Jarrod still had that smirk on his face.

"Jarrod, as I just said, we are just friends. That is that." Nick finished brushing the second horse's mane, put the brush down, and walked out of the barn.

"He likes her a lot. He definitely likes her. In fact, he loves her. We all can feel it and see it. Especially, the glint in his eye." Jarrod thought.

---

*Two hours later*

After getting himself washed up and everything, Nick had since turned in for the night and was sound asleep. Judging by the smile he had on his face while sleeping, he was either having a good dream or he had Stefania on his mind or both.

Nick turned onto his left side and mumbled in his sleep.

---

*In Nick's dream*

It was a beautiful sunny day. After the sun rose and having breakfast, Nick and Stefania met up and were at the spot where they first met, sitting under the same tree. They were enjoying each other's company and just the beauty of nature around them.

"Nick, this place gets more enjoyable each time we come here." Stefania put her head on Nick's shoulder.

"And beautiful, too. Then again, nothing is as beautiful as you are, Stefania." Nick looked up at the sky.

"Oh, Nick. You've probably told other girls that. You probably even said it to Hester, Layle, and Michelle to name a few." Stefania shrugged.

"Stefania, I may have paid them some sort of compliment, but they weren't nearly as attractive or kind as you are and have been to my family and me. Had they been kind, well, you and I wouldn't be where we are right now and how we're keeping our growing relationship very very quiet." Nick turned to Stefania and looked into her eyes.

"That's true, Nick. If Pasquale had been faithful to me, I would've never met you." Stefania turned away and looked at the ground, "Nick...say if-say if Layle Johnson, Michelle De Lacaise, or Hester Converse were to come back into your life now, how would you react?"

To Be Continued...

---

Happy Belated 4th of July, everybody!

Jarrod: Well, Nick, how would you react?

Heath: Yeah, if you had to choose between Michelle, Stefania, or Layle, who could you choose?

Eugene: We're waiting, Nick.

Nick: Well, wait till the next chapter, please. R&R, people!

---

Author's note #3

Episodes referenced in this chapter:

"By Fires Unseen"

"The Death Merchant"

"Bounty on a Barkley"

"Night of the Wolf"

"Night in a small Town"

"Ladykiller"

"Days of Wrath"

"Miranda"

"Explosion!" Part 1