It's a difficult past Lucy Layton and the Barkleys - especially Nick and Jarrod - have to conquer to move forward.

This is just a fluff piece with a little bit of drama, a little bit of romance, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of puppy love. And family drama, of course. Always family drama. Includes all the Barkleys except for Eugene. Rated T because adult topics are discussed.

Alternative storyline that attempts to right the wrongs that take place during "The Guilt of Matt Bentell" episode. This story begins right after the Barkleys order Heath to accompany Matt Bentell to the lumber camp. Note: This one-chapter story references situations from "His Right Arm" but can still stand alone.

Jarrod and Nick become involved with Barbary Red again but this time, it's all very, very different.

Nick reignites a romance with an old girlfriend—and an old grudge with Jarrod. All the Barkleys except Eugene appear in this story that takes place soon after the final episode.

Heath's perception of what's happening around him while in a comatose state. Takes place after the events of "The Iron Box"," but you don't have to have seen the episode to understand what's happening.

The title explains itself.

What might have happened when Barbary Red went to trial? What is justice?

Still in his first year with the Barkleys, Heath learns a new ritual that affects his future more than he expected.

Years ago I posted a story called Let's Kill All the Lawyers. This is a substantial rewrite, with a more optimistic title.

During those tumultuous first weeks at the ranch (after "Palms of Glory" and before "Forty Rifles"), Heath has difficulty fitting in. After he breaks Nick's right arm, Heath must take care of his brother—and learn what it means to be a brother. In exchange, Heath teaches the family how to "gentle" a horse—and each other.

Synopsis: A few years back, I took up a challenge from The Writing Desk: Based on the strength of the bond between Nick and Heath; during a heated argument Nick uses the phrase "your kind". Realizing his mistake, can he fix it? Timeframe note, this story references events in Forty Rifles and Boots with My Father's Name, and is set shortly thereafter.

For Silas, who knew what he was doing.

Three years later, the family gathers for the wedding of Hannah Barkley and James David Autonberry.

Synopsis: Written to explain Jarrod's actions in the episode Night of the Wolf.

The family comes together two years later for birthdays and graduations. The year that changed the Barkley family forever and what has happened since.

Nick Barkley, a widower of ten years is raising his 15-year-old son, Chip. Jarrod has a son of the same age and the boys are inseparable. The brothers have their hands full of antics. Nick finds new love but advice to his son and circumstances cause grief for Nick. Jarrod doggedly fights for Nick in the courts and the home. It is a year that changes the Barkley family forever.

Summary: A rewrite for Forty Rifles. This story originally started out with the intent to address a few missing scenes. But then my muse detoured, insisting that this is what should have happened.

A follow up to the episode Boots with My Father's Name.

Someone is delivering presents in the middle of the night.

Heath-centric one-shot that wouldn't leave me alone.

Jarrod has the flu in San Francisco and can't come home to Stockton for Christmas, so Christmas comes to him. Kind of a prequel to "Twelve Days, Twelve Gifts."

This is Heath and Sharon's story, about how they rekindled their love for each other. The story opens in Spring of 1883 and is a follow-up to "The Glitter & The Gold", "Mile High Mayhem" and "Sonoran Autumn".

Laura Hayden returns to Stockton after visiting Europe, with a fiancé from a wealthy New York family and his sister just a year older than Laura. A sister Jarrod finds attractive – uncomfortably, because she is half his age.

Sometimes you don't get the dream you want.