Santa Barbara

It is 1979 in the beautiful coastal town of Santa Barbara, CA and a party is being held at the mansion of C.C. Capwell in honor of his eldest son, Channing, Jr. Lured by a mysterious note, Channing enters his father's study where he is shot and killed! Now, five years later, another party is in progress at the Capwells', this time to celebrate the engagement of C.C.'s daughter Kelly to Peter Flint. But everyone is suddenly thrown by the news that Joe Perkins, the man convicted of Channing's murder, is being released from San Quentin today and is coming home. Deeply affected is Kelly -- five years ago, she was involved with Joe! Upset by the news, C.C. lets Peter and Kelly use his private helicopter so they can retreat to a nearby island for a few days. C.C. then offers his future son-in-law a position at Capwell Enterprises...

Back at San Quentin, two thugs try and stop Joe from boarding the bus for Santa Barbara, but a hot-headed Perkins gets on anyway, unaware that someone clearly up to no good is following the bus in a car.

When Santana Andrade, whose parents are employed at the Capwell mansion, learns of Joe's homecoming, she steals a gun from C.C.'s collection, then heads for the bus depot. Also waiting for Joe is his sister, Jade, and mother, Marissa. But their joy is marred by Joe's father, John, who refuses to accompany his family to the station. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman, sitting in a steam bath, is furious to learn of Joe's release and orders the driver of the car following his bus to "do whatever it take" to keep Perkins from coming home. As Joe's bus pulls in, Kelly and Peter happily depart for their vacation.

Rosa Andrade, sensing that her daughter Santana is headed for trouble, follows her to the bus station, and is horrified to see Santana pull a gun! Luckily, Mason Capwell, Kelly's older brother, wrestles the weapon out of her hands. Santana breaks down -- she would never have used the gun, she assures him.

As Jade and Marissa happily take Joe home, the mysterious woman from the spa, upset to see that Perkins has arrived safely, watches the family from afar. Meanwhile, C.C. visits John Perkins and charmingly "suggests" that he should encourage her son to leave town. When Joe arrives home, he is heartbroken over his father's coldness, realizing that John believes he's a murderer.

A Confession

Alone with her mother, Santana confesses the reason for her hatred of Channing's killer -- she and Channing were lovers, and she had his son! Santana explains that when C.C. found out, he forced her to give up her child. Shocked, Rosa confronts C.C., who insists he did what he thought was best. Later, Santana also visits Capwell. "With or without your help," she informs him, "I'm going to find my son!" After she leaves, C.C. makes a mysterious phone call and asks about his grandson, Brandon.

Santana has other problems as well -- Mason has informed her that she may be in serious trouble since she didn't have a gun permit. Not sure if she can trust the wily young attorney, Santana warily agrees to invite him over for breakfast to discuss her "case." Mason does indeed have an ulterior motive for meeting with Santana -- he can't wait to get her into bed! Missing his chance to maneuver Santana into the bedroom, Mason then invites himself to dinner. But when Santana learns from an attorney friend that there has been no inquiry regarding the incident at the bus station, she gets even with Capwell -- by serving him hot chili for supper!

Santana's brother, Danny, is very attracted to Jade Perkins, as is Warren Lockridge. Jade, enjoying their rivalry, is impressed by Danny's hang-gliding stunt as is a casting director, who offers Andrade a part in his movie! Wanting a role in the film herself, Jade plays up to both Danny and the casting director. After his father, Ruben, reluctantly gives his approval, Danny heads for Hollywood...

Dannys' friend, Ted Capwell, likes shy young Laken Lockridge, Warren's sister. But Laken, knowing her family has a long-standing grudge against the Capwells, is afraid to bring him around the house. When Laken's mother, Augusta, learns that Ted is a Capwell, she grounds her daughter, much to the disapproval of her mother-in-law Minx.

Upon learning that Kelly is now engaged to another man, Joe knows he must see her and get at the truth. Marissa warns her son to stay away from Kelly -- after all, it was Kelly who betrayed him on the witness stand! Undeterred, Perkins visits C.C. and insists that he's innocent of Channing's murder. C.C.'s response is to throw him out. Meanwhile, Kelly, unable to keep her mind off Joe, asks Peter to take her home. As a lonely Joe idly waits on the breakwater for Kelly's return, the Capwell yacht comes into view.

Suddenly, C.C. and two goons appear and warn Perkins to leave town. But Joe intends to remain in Santa Barbara and clear his name. At Capwell's orders, the thugs throw Joe into the water. Back at the Perkins', a bomb suddenly explodes while Marisa is cleaning! Luckily, Marisa is unhurt, but Joe knows the bomb was meant as a warning for him. Perkins is even more confused when a stranger, face in shadows, offers to help Joe find Channing's real killer.

Later, Augusta Lockridge, a glamorous older woman, makes Joe's acquaintance and gets him to pour out his life story. A sympathetic Augusta advises the young man to leave town. Just then Perkins receives a note and rushes off to meet the stranger, Dominic, who warns him Augusta is not to be trusted!

Ensconced in his new offices at Capwell Enterprises, Peter receives a visit from Joe who accuses him of the bombing. Peter denies the charge and an argument ensues. "Hit me!" Flint taunts, knowing Perkins could lose his parole. But Joe abruptly leaves. Later, he follows Peter and Kelly to C.C.'s yacht, then, disguising his voice, calls Flint and gets him to leave the boat. Finally boarding the yacht. Joe enters Kelly's cabin, where he reaches out to touch his former love -- the first time in five years he's been face to face with her.