Bartender meets a Barkley
Part Two:
"Two's Company, Three's a Crowd"
Despite listing off the obvious reasons why he couldn't do it, Sam ultimately decided to take his well-deserved vacation in order to recover from boredom and burn out, with the help of Miss Kitty of course. After saying goodbye, Sam told Doc and Festus to behave themselves while he's gone to which they insisted they would, only to have one of their usual banter moments before one was left confused and the other walked off. Fast forward one day and many hours later, Sam arrived in Stockton, stopped by the saloon, got himself a beer, and met one Nick Barkley. The two seemed like they hit it off almost instantly. Now, the two men were playing gin and from the looks of it, having a great time, despite only knowing each other for a short amount of time. The questions that remain are as follows: Who's going to win at the game of gin? Will Nick and Sam develop a friendship? Will Sam meet Victoria, yet? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: This is a crossover prequel to my own fic "Forbidden love for a Barkley". The Big Valley and Gunsmoke plus their characters belong to their rightful owners. I only own this fic and my other fic "Forbidden love for a Barkley".
Warning: Corporal punishment will be briefly talked about in this chapter. Considering the era, it was just the thing to do when it came to children and disciplining them. If it offends you, skip the chapter.
(Flashback to part 1)
The second Sam walked in, a lot of people started to stare at him. Obviously, he was an outsider to them and sometimes, not all outsiders were to be trusted. Of course, knowing it was exactly the same way at the Long Branch, the staring didn't phase Sam in the least bit. All things considered, he was expecting. However, he was also hoping that nobody would start any sort of trouble with him. It was his first day in Stockton and on vacation, so there was no need for somebody to start trouble. Hopefully, not yet or ever.
Sam sat at the bar and ordered himself a beer. While Harry was getting him a mug, Sam had to admit to himself that it felt weird being the customer, because usually he was the one doing Harry's job, serving the drinks and either striking small talk with the patrons or being a good listener to those closest to him. It felt a little weird that now he was on the other end of things.
Over at another table, there were four men playing poker. Gin to be exact. It seemed as though, the man sitting in the third chair was winning.
"Ha! I win, again! Pay up." the man laughed.
"Nick, how do you do that?!" one man groaned before slamming his cards down.
"It's just my lucky day, I guess." Nick gathered his winnings, the cards, and poker chips together, put his winnings in his pocket, put the cards in a neat stack, and got the poker chips stacked neatly, "Who's up for another one?"
"Not me! I'm sunk!" the same man who slammed his cards down stood up and left.
"Well, you all wait here. I'll get us some more drinks. On me." Nick stood up and walke dover to the bar, "Harry, some more drinks, please."
"You got it, Nick." Harry said before getting the drinks.
"Pardon me, mister, I don't think I've seen you before. Who are you?" Nick sat next to Sam and tried to make some small talk with him.
"Hello, young man. The name's Sam Noonan. I'm here on a vacation." Sam looked up at Nick.
"Nice to meet you, Sam. My name's Nicholas Jonathan Barkley. Everybody calls me Nick." Nick extended his hand for a handshake.
"Likewise, Nick. Well, just to let you know, I don't want any trouble. I'm just here on a vacation." Sam told him.
"I understand perfectly, Sam. I don't want any trouble either, but when there is, I'm not afraid to brawl. However, let's hope that doesn't happen. I wouldn't want your visit to Stockton to get ruined by idiots. That being said, welcome to Stockton. I hope you enjoy your stay." Nick smiled.
"That's my hope, too." Sam nodded, before taking a sip of his beer.
"Well, we're short a hand at our game of gin. We can use a fourth one. Wanna join?" Nick grabbed the drinks and stood up.
"No need to ask." Sam grabbed his beverage and stood up, towering over Nick, "Gin is my favorite game. However, I must warn you that I'm very good at winning."
"Well, Mr. Noonan, we'll just see." Nick said in a lighthearted way.
"You're on, Mr. Barkley." Sam chuckled.
With that, the two men walked over to the table and engaged in a fun game of gin. In fact, it was a game that neither one would forget.
(Now)
The game of gin between Barkley, Noonan, and the two other players had been going on for a while now and it was looking like that the older man was winning much to the chagrin of the younger men, especially the other two players. However, seeing that it was Sam's first time being in Stockton and knowing that since they were hired ranch hands at Barkley Ranch & if they misbehaved, Nick would fire them on the spot as he, like his late father Tom, did not tolerate bad behavior, the other two players decided to be good sports/on their best behavior rather than be sore losers/act up.
Many moments later, as the game commenced, the other two players bailed, clearly not wanting to lose any more money than they already had lost. It was now down to Nick against Sam in the game and winner take all. It was the final round for the day as the sun was beginning to set. Nick and Sam were staring each other right in the eyes. One of them had the winning hand, but which one? Which one would have the winning hand?
"Gin!" Sam placed his cards down.
"Ah gee." Nick groaned as he placed his cards down and facepalmed.
"I warned you, Nick." Sam chuckled as he gathered his winnings.
"You sure did." Nick nodded and extended his hand, "Well played, Sam."
"Well played, Nick." Sam shook his hand before looking up at the clock, "Whoa. Is it that time already?"
"What time is it?" Nick asked.
"6:00 on the dot." Sam told him before standing up.
"It's already six o'clock at night? Wow! Time went by fast." Nick also stood up and started to put his hat on only to get wide eyed.
"Anything wrong, Nick?" Sam asked.
"Mother was expecting a present from a relative either in Philadelphia or New York. It probably arrived today! I need to get to the post office unless it is closed already!" Nick went to leave only to stop in his tracks, "Same time tomorrow, Sam?"
"For what?" Sam grabbed his things and made his way to the doors.
"Gin." Nick smiled.
"Oh, a rematch, huh?" Sam teased.
"All's fair, Sam." Nick nodded.
"Good point. Okay, Nick, you get your rematch and a chance to win back some of the money you lost tonight. Same time tomorrow. As of now, I'm going to get myself some shut eye. It was a long trip from Dodge City to here." Sam told him.
"Have you checked into a hotel already?" Nick asked.
"Not yet. I'm going to check into the one across the way." Sam pointed at the hotel across from the saloon.
"You're going to that one?" Nick asked.
"Yes and if I remember correctly, I believe you have a gift to pick up for your mother." Sam smirked.
"Oh my goodness, you're right! Well, I hate to leave and cut our conversation short, but I need to get to the post office. See you tomorrow, Sam." Nick ran out of the saloon and headed straight for the post office.
'I like that kid. I barely know him, but there's something about him I do like. I think we're headed for a great friendship. Alright, alright, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. He's a good acquaintance as of now.' Sam thought, as he was leaving the saloon, only to stop in his tracks, look back into the saloon, see Harry cleaning up, and get the urge to help him.
*Sam's POV*
'Usually, I'm the one doing the sweeping, stacking of chairs, and such. Maybe I should go in there and help him.'
I then remember that this is Stockton, not Dodge City, that this saloon is not the Long Branch, and I am not the bartender here.
'Oh come on, Sam. This is not Dodge or the Long Branch. You're a guest here. Not the bartender. Plus, if you were to offer to help him, you may be intruding and nobody likes a buttinsky.'
I remember the bible verse Luke 6:30.
'Sam, remember that verse that says: "Give to everyone who asks you and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back"? Well, how's about you act on it and lend a helping hand? Wouldn't hurt.'
*Outside of Sam's mind*
As weird as it may have been, but wanting to lend a helping hand since it was the polite thing to do, Sam put his things down and walked over to Harry. What would it hurt to offer to help? The worst Harry could say was: "No, thanks", right? Anyways, Harry was in the middle of drying a beer mug when he saw Sam standing at the bar. He stopped in his tracks, eyes bugging out when he noticed Sam's towering height.
"Mister, would you like any help putting stuff away or anything? I'm happy to lend a helping hand." Sam offered.
Harry didn't say anything, clearly in shock and/or awe of Sam's height.
"Honest. I'm willing to help out." Sam added.
Still no response from Harry.
"Are you alright, mister?" Sam started to get a little concerned.
"Oh..." Harry snapped out of his thoughts and being in awe of Sam's height, "Forgive me, but I have never seen a man of your height."
"It's alright. I do get that a lot when people first meet me. Nobody expects me to be this tall. Usually, I'm behind the counter just like this one serving drinks at the Long Branch saloon." Sam told him.
"Long Branch? Where is that?" Harry asked.
"Dodge City, Kansas." Sam replied.
"Kansas?" Harry raised his eyebrows, "If you don't mind a stupid question, mister-"
"Noonan. Sam Noonan." Sam extended his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you." Harry shook his hand, "My name's Harry Sprague. Anyways, Mr. Noonan, if you don't mind a stupid question, what's a man from the mid west doing in Stockton, California?"
"Not a stupid question at all. In fact, I expect the question to pop up more and more. Before I answer, you can call me, Sam. Mr. Noonan was my father. Now, to answer your question, well, I just grew bored in Dodge City and was suffering a burn out. Probably, because I rarely take any sort of day off or vacation. So, I consulted with my good friend Miss Kitty who runs the Long Branch saloon and she set up the whole thing. I took the train and here I am." Sam explained.
"So, you never traveled or took a vacation before?" Harry started drying the last beer mug.
"Nope. I never really gave it thought or had a reason to go on a vacation. Maybe it is, because I am a hard worker and put business before quality time for myself. Have been that way ever since I was a boy." Sam smiled as he started to fondly remember his boyhood, even if it was for a brief moment.
"It's good to know that there are some hard workers like you, me, and some others left in this world. The way things are now, some if not most people have that sense of entitlement and feel as though that they don't have to work for a living." Harry shook his head.
"Tell me about it. It starts out when they're kids. Kids these days act all snotty and bratty plus throw a tantrum when you ask them to do a simple task. Back when I was a boy growing up, that was unheard of. You didn't dare throw a tantrum or act snotty unless you wanted a good dose of: A) a switch you had to go out and pick plus clean off the leaves and everything, B) the strap you had to go get or C) a paddle you had to make from a piece of wood lying around." Sam added.
"Oh, I remember those days. If I even asked a question that sounded like I was protesting, my father would say and I quote: "Harry, I know you had other plans in mind, but these chores ain't going to do themselves and besides, it is your turn, my boy. Now, you better not be protesting or think about throwing a little fit. If you are, you can wait for me in the woodshed, but first, go and pick the freshest switch you can find." unquote. Now, what do you think I did, Sam?" Harry stifled his laughter as best as he could.
"I'd say...well, if it were me, I would've hightailed it out the room and got to my chores before you could count to three." Sam answered.
"That's exactly what I did, because there was no way I was going to give pop another reason to blister my behind. He was already doing it to my siblings and when I would unintentionally do something wrong such as put myself in danger or for no reason other than to keep me in line" Harry lightly chuckled.
"Harry, you sound just like me. Heck, I was even the and I quote: "better brother and good son" unquote and my father STILL blistered my behind. I never knew nor understood why until he later explained to me that he only did it to make sure I continued on the straight and narrow path." Sam laughed, "It's no wonder I shudder when I see a strap."
"That makes two of us, Sam." Harry finished putting the beer mugs away and grabbed a broom, "Come to think of it, we could've been neighbors or been raised in the same household."
"I couldn't agree more, especially since our fathers were strict. Had our best interests...in my case...some of the time, but were very strict. Anyways, I could do that for you." Sam nodded in agreement before making the offer.
"Do what?" Harry asked.
"Sweep for you." Sam pointed at the broom.
"Oh no, I got this. However, if you could stack those chairs and stools for me, I'd greatly appreciate it and even pay you." Harry said with a smile.
"Oh no no. I don't want any money." Sam shook his head before walking over to the bar stools.
"Oh no, Sam. It's no trouble. Really." Harry insisted.
"No, no, I never take money, charity, or anything of the kind." Sam started putting the bar stools away.
"You sure, Sam? I really don't mind paying you for your time." Harry replied.
"I'm positive. Just helping out is enough for me." Sam affirmed.
"Glad to hear it." Harry started sweeping.
"Harry, I'm sorry to barge in like this and I know you're closed, but have you seen Nick? I was expecting a late birthday gift from a cousin in Philadelphia. Nick said he would pick it up while he was in town. However, seeing as he hasn't returned home as of yet, my guess is he went off with a lady friend." Victoria walked into the saloon and looked around.
"Hello, Mrs. Barkley. No, you're not barging in at all. In fact, Nick was just here and darted out very fast when he saw that it was six o'clock. I don't recall him going with a lady friend, but he was playing a game of gin with a few guys plus Sam here." Harry stopped sweeping for a moment.
"Sa-" Victoria stopped in her tracks when she saw Sam, eyes getting big upon getting a good look at his towering height.
"I know, Mrs. Barkley. I didn't expect him to be that tall either, but he is a swell guy. I feel like we lived next door and grew up together during boyhood." Harry whispered to her.
"Howdy, ma'am." Sam nodded at Victoria before picking up more stools to stack.
"Hello, Sam. I don't think I've ever seen you in Stockton before. Where are you from?" Victoria asked.
"Dodge City, Kansas, ma'am. I'm the bartender for the Long Branch saloon. I'm over there what Harry is over here. I'm just here on a vacation as I was suffering from boredom and burn out from tending bar." Sam explained while stacking the stools.
"Well, welcome to Stockton, Sam. I hope your vacation is a good one and that all goes well. Plus, that you will have fond memories of here." Victoria smiled and extended her hand for a handshake.
"Thank you very much, ma'am. I intend on having a good time here. It isn't every time or day that I plan a vacation for myself. That's due to my hardworking nature. I believe in hard work, ethics, and getting the job done. Nothing left unfinished. Like with Harry tonight, I couldn't just leave him to clean the bar up by himself. It wouldn't be fair if I did." Sam shook her hand before picking up some chairs and stacking them, having finished with the bar stools.
"I'm glad to hear it, Sam. With hard work comes accomplishment." Victoria nodded.
"I couldn't have said it better myself, ma'am." Sam told her.
"Oh now, Sam. Must we go on with formalities?" Victoria asked.
"Well, I was always taught to say: "Yes or no, ma'am." and "Yes or no, sir." when addressing somebody. It's the polite thing to do." Sam shrugged a little.
"I appreciate it, but you don't need to say ma'am all the time to me. Plus, where are my manners? My name is Victoria Barkley. You're Sam...what's your last name?" Victoria extended her hand, again.
"Nice to officially meet you, ma-I mean Victoria Barkley. My name's Sam Noonan." Sam shook her hand, again.
"That's better." Victoria smiled.
Sam smiled back at her before getting back to stacking the chairs.
"I take it that you played gin with my son Nick." Victoria sat on a nearby chair that hadn't been stacked yet.
"I sure did, ma-Victoria. He's a worthy opponent, but I beat him tonight. Tomorrow, we plan a rematch. He probably thinks he's going to get his winnings back." Sam laughed a little and shook his head, "Fat chance, because I am very good at winning. I don't honestly know how that is, but it is what it is I suppose."
"Don't let him hear you say that. He is very competitive. Just like his father was." Victoria got a sad look on her face and sighed as she briefly thought of Tom and how competitive he was plus that Nick inherited that trait from him.
"You alright, Victoria? I didn't mean to say anything offensive and if I did, I apologize." Sam started to feel a little bad after seeing the sad look on Victoria's face.
"Oh no, you didn't say anything offensive, Sam. I just got to thinking about...a certain somebody. However, I must get to the post office before it starts to get way too late." Victoria quickly snapped out of her thoughts and started to make her way to the saloon doors.
"If you wouldn't mind too much, ma'am-I mean Victoria, I could walk you to the post office." Sam offered.
"Thank you, Sam. That's sweet of you, but I wouldn't want to be a bother. So, thank you, but no, thank you." Victoria politely declined.
"It's no trouble, ma'a-Victoria. Besides, the hotel I'm going to stay at isn't really far from the post office and my legs could use a little walking to get that blood pumping. Plus, a lady shouldn't be roaming about by herself during the night hours." Sam insisted.
"I appreciate it, Sam but-" Victoria was cut off.
"Victoria, I am a guest in Stockton and it wouldn't be polite if I didn't at least do some sort of act of kindness. Plus, a gentleman sees a lady off and makes sure that she gets to wherever she needs to go safely." Sam added.
'He sounds just like Tom. In fact, he said exactly what Tom said on our first official date. Word for word minus the part about being a guest.' Victoria thought while getting goose pimples on her arms, as Sam's words sent a slight chill up her spine which was rare for her. She was never one to get goose pimples or have a chill crawl up her spine, especially not after hearing somebody say something, but it was different this time. Somebody she barely met uttered the same exact thing Tom once said and seeing as the day that would be their wedding anniversary was approaching along with memories of their life together and his murder, one could understand.
"Victoria? Victoria? Victoria?" Sam called her name three times.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, Sam. I must've drifted off into my thoughts, again." Victoria snapped out of her thoughts, again.
"I really don't mind seeing you off at the post office and making sure you get there safely." Sam insisted some more.
"Well...okay, Sam." Victoria conceded before leaning against the wall, "I do appreciate it very much and it would be impolite to say no. I just don't want to put you out or make a nuisance of myself. Especially, since you are a guest."
"Like I said, it's no trouble at all and a real gentleman makes sure that a lady is safe no matter where they are." Sam stacked a few more chairs.
*A few minutes later*
Sam got through with helping Harry clean up the saloon and after saying: "Goodnight.", he made good on his promise by walking Victoria to the post office. While on their way, they decided to chew the fat a little more after just a few minutes of silence between the two.
"Tell me about yourself, Sam Noonan. If you don't mind, of course." Victoria spoke up.
"What else would you like to know...Victoria Barkley?" Sam asked.
"Well...how long you plan on staying in Stockton and anything else you feel comfortable sharing. Whenever I come across a guest, I do try to get to know them." Victoria said, as they passed by a few places.
"As for your first question, I plan on staying in Stockton for maybe a few weeks. Like I said, I am on a vacation and I do plan on enjoying every minute of it. In regards to anything else...well, Dodge City isn't where I grew up. I was born in Weed, New Mexico, but raised in San Antonio and later Galveston, Texas. I came from a very poor family. Dirt poor to be exact. That is until my father decided to become a rancher seeing that being a farmer wasn't cutting it. He started off as a ranch hand and slowly worked his way into becoming a rancher himself. That took a long long time, but he managed to finally make it to that position with hard work and dedication. Being the eldest of seven children, once I got to be the age of 14, my father told me that I didn't need anymore education and had me drop out of school while I was in the eighth grade." Sam had a smile on his face as he started to tell a little bit about his childhood.
"You're a school drop out, too?" Victoria asked, sounding a bit surprised.
"I sure am. You don't have a preconceived notion, do you?" Sam sounded a little worried.
"No. Not at all. In fact, I thought I was the only one who dropped out of school. You dropped out way earlier than I did. I dropped out of college after a few days. Why did you drop out?" Victoria clarified as best as she could.
"Like I said my father felt I didn't need anymore education plus he wanted to teach me everything I needed to do and know, so that way I could become a ranch hand myself and eventually, a rancher like he was. Being the eldest, I had to be the first one groomed and trained. My brothers Adam, Francis, James, and Jacob & sisters Gloria and Naomi were trained by my father and me, one by one. Unlike me, they each hated working on the Noonan ranch and desperately wanted to and I quote: "Be free" unquote." Sam shook his head while remembering the many conversations he had, had with each sibling when they'd complain about ranch duties and how they never had any freedom to do as they please. Of course, he could understand that the life of being a ranch hand could get to be mundane after a while, but Sam felt his siblings were acting like entitled brats and weren't overly grateful nor were they appreciating that their father made it from being a poor farmer to being a better off rancher.
"That's a shame your siblings felt that way. You would think they would've been glad that your father accomplished a lot and that one day, you were all going to inherit the ranch." Victoria sighed, "My husband Tom was a rancher and made sure our children helped out & had roles or well duties to keep them busy. He was a very hard worker and neither took nonsense nor tolerated laziness."
"Tom sounds like a wonderful man. Heck, he had the same philosophy my father had; hard work and dedication. The philosophy I do my darndest to keep strong and hopefully pass it down to somebody. Anyways, I'd love to shoot the breeze with Tom sometime." Sam said with a smile, clearly admiring Tom's "hard work and dedication" philosophy and very eager to meet him. Little did he know that he wouldn't be able to do that.
Victoria sported the same sad look on her face that she did earlier, but before she could say a word, she saw that they had arrived to the post office, because Nick was coming out with a package that looked to be carefully wrapped and topped off with a big red bow.
"Hiya, mother. I see that you have met Sam. He's a very swell guy or he was until he beat me at gin." Nick chuckled, "Not that, that I'm a sore loser, but I'll regain my winnings. I...hope. No, no, I will. Scratch that in regards to the previous thing I said."
"I wish I could scratch it, Nick but there's nothing for me to scratch. I can scratch my back, my head, my arm, or stuff off a list, but not the previously thing you said about hoping you could win the rematch. I'm afraid we both heard you say it." Sam joked.
"Ohhhh!" Nick groaned, "Must you make jokes?"
Sam went to say something, but instead, shook his head and started laughing, Nick joining him not too long after. Victoria couldn't help, but stand there and absorb the whole moment. Even though she and Nick just barely met Sam, they both had to admit that they felt as if they had known him all their lives. As weird as it may seem, sometimes when one barely met another, the latter could have that effect on the former.
"Well..." Nick managed to calm himself after that bout of laughter and wiped away the tears with the back of his hand, "We'll just see who comes out victorious in the rematch tomorrow. I still say I will, but may the best man win. Anyways, I'm sorry I've been running late, mother but that new postmaster had everything so disorganized it was painful. However, as you can see, we finally found that present."
"Thank heavens that the present was found and that, that was the reason you were late. You know around this time every year, I get worried and plus, the last times you ran late like this, we found out you were engaged to Natasha Halick and previously, Hester Converse." Victoria replied.
"I know, mother. I know. I've learned my lesson from both experiences." Nick nodded.
"Well, there was that Layle Johnson you took a fancy to besides Melanie Deland, Miranda that anarchist, Jean Price, that Sabrina Lynn who set you up for disaster, Julia Jenkins who you met when you thought you had rabies and you even had a weddi-" Victoria was cut off.
"Mother." Nick was starting to get a little embarrassed.
"Pilon the gypsy girl and Michelle De Lacaise, the french aristocrat. I could go on, Nicholas." Victoria laughed a little.
"I get your point, mother. So, I've been late due to lady loves, but from each experience, I have learned my valuable lesson." Nick's embarrassment was really showing, "However, a quick correction on Pilon. We didn't have a relationship, because she was promised to another man."
"I know, Nick but you can't deny you felt a little something for her." Victoria told him.
"Okay, yes, I did feel a little something for her, but that's all. Anyways, why are you reminding me of those women? Half of them, I just want to forget." Nick gave her a look.
"Well, I figured you picked up with another gal this time while on the rebound from Tasha hence why you were very late." Victoria explained.
"I understand, but if I may ask, how come when Jarrod or Heath or Audra or Eugene are late, you don't assume that they have picked up with someone?" Nick asked.
"Audra has been careful not to rush into things since her forced break up with Chotaro Kubota and experiences with Lloyd Garner the leader of those marauders that were responsible for terrorizing the valley and the murder of Harry Coleman, that Civil War hero turned crazed murderer Major Jonathan Eliot who suddenly proposed to her, & that James Beldon who was a deranged killer masquerading as this lovely doctor. Heath fell for Sally that one time plus had his fair share of other lady loves, but since he and Sally parted ways, he's been careful. Not too sure about Eugene since he left home, but when he was at home, there was only one love for him and it was Daphne Gubenheimer. Jarrod had Beth, but sadly, their journey together came to an abrupt end as a tragedy unfolded." Victoria sighed as she remembered all the loves her children had while pointing out that unlike Nick, her other children had since chosen to either wait or never look at others again.
Sam got a sad solemn look on his face after hearing the "Jarrod had Beth, but sadly, their journey together came to an abrupt end as a tragedy unfolded" part. It was clearly reminding him of a tragedy he had endured years ago. He, like the Barkley children, had fallen in love, but it all came to an unprecedented end. It was something he rarely, if ever talked about due to getting uncomfortable or beginning to feel tears spring to his eyes. As the Barkley mother and son duo kept having their banter, Sam couldn't help, but watch.
*Sam's POV*
'Look at Victoria and Nick have their banter. It is so hilarious and what's really funny is...I barely met them yet I feel right at home and as if I have known them my entire life.'
I feel a smile form on my face only to feel a hint of sadness at the same time due to a what-if thought playing out in my mind.
'I could be having this myself. This could be my...'
I stop myself and shake my head.
'No, Sam. Don't open up any wounds. Not...Not yet or better not at all. This is a vacation and vacations are no place for painful wounds to be opened up.'
I sigh and close my eyes.
'I can't help, but think about it whenever something or somebody gives me a reminder. I just can't help myself! No matter the years or decades. I just can't!'
I start taking some breaths.
'Easy, Sam. Steady. Control yourself and your emotions.'
*Outside of Sam's mind*
While Sam was busy gathering himself internally and trying not to think about it, Victoria and Nick's banter had since ceased at least for now. Looking over at Sam, Victoria got a puzzled yet concerned look on her face when she noticed that melancholy had filled Sam's eyes despite his efforts of trying not to show it.
"Sam?" Victoria tapped him on his arm.
"Hmmmm?" Sam quickly snapped out of his thoughts.
"Are you alright? You looked a little sad." Victoria's voice had taken on a gentle comforting tone.
"Oh yes. I'm alright. I just-I'm alright, Victoria. Thank you for asking." Sam smiled, clearly showing that he snapped back to his usual self.
"Are you sure?" Victoria asked.
"I'm positive, Victoria." Sam put his hat back on, "Well, it seems I did my job in making sure you got here safely and since Nick is here, I should be letting you two get on your way. I wouldn't feel right taking up anymore time than I already have."
"Oh, you haven't taken up any time at all. In fact, we were having an interesting conversation." Victoria told him.
"We sure were having a nice talk, but I did manage to see you off to the post office and made sure you got here safely. Now, that you and Nick are together, well two's company. Three's a crowd. Plus, it is getting late and I am awfully tired from that train ride." Sam insisted.
"Well, rest is important. Alrighty, Sam. You get yourself some rest and tomorrow, you best be bright eyed and bushy tailed for our gin rematch. See you when you get back home, mother." Nick winked before getting mounted and riding off, "Giddyup, Coco. Hyah."
"After you and my son finish your gin rematch, I would like to take you out horseback riding in the countryside and all over Stockton in order to show you the beauty of the nature and well, everything." Victoria said as she and Sam started walking back to the outside of the saloon where her buggy was parked.
"That's all nice, Victoria, but-" Sam was cut off.
"But what?" Victoria asked.
"Well, please do not take this disrespectfully, but you hardly even know me. We have only talked for a short amount of time. How do you know it is safe for the two of us to go riding together let alone be alone together despite barely knowing each other? You don't know whether or not it is safe." Sam pointed out.
"I know we barely met, Sam but, I know you wouldn't have any intent on harming me or anybody. Plus, you've been a gentleman during this short amount of time that we have known one another and since you walked me to the post office and made sure I was safe, I figured I should repay you somehow. You see, we Barkleys don't take without giving something in return." Victoria explained with a smile, "Also too, you remind me so much of Tom."
"That's just it, Victoria. You're a married woman. You shouldn't be out with a stranger when you have a husband, your Tom, at home waiting for you to get back just like how a man shouldn't be out gallivanting around with the women folk if he is married." Sam replied.
Victoria got that same sad look on her face she had earlier when Sam mentioned Tom. Seeing this once again, Sam had an inkling that there was more behind that sad look than what he previously thought. He knew he didn't offend her or anything of the kind. There was indeed more to it and little did he know what it was.
"Victoria, you have that same look on your face. That same sad look. You had it in the saloon when I mentioned Tom and you have it right now. If I may ask, what's happened between you and Tom? Feel free to tell me to mind my own, because I will. However, my curiosity is a little piqued and if there's anything I can do as a stranger, I'd be more than happy." Sam stopped walking, Victoria following suit.
Victoria, still sporting that sad expression, didn't say anything and just looked up into Sam's eyes.
To Be Continued...
Author's note 2.0: I know there was another incarnation of the Sam Noonan character in the early seasons of "Gunsmoke", but to me, there is and always will be ONE incarnation of the Sam Noonan character and that one was portrayed by the late great Glenn Strange. In my eyes, Glenn Strange will always be Sam Noonan. In fact, I've taken some real life events from Glenn's life and incorporated them to a degree into his Sam character plus some stuff I made up. Just thought to let y'all know :D
Happy early Halloween! :D
Sam: Victoria, what is it? What's happened between you and Tom?
Jarrod: Who are you? What's going on?
Heath: Jarrod, wait for the next chapter.
Doc: I wonder how Sam is enjoying California.
Festus: You old scudder! Wait for the next...whatchamacallit.
Nick: R&R, people. R&R.