At one of the plays on a warm June evening, Jarrod noticed a woman sitting a few seats from him. He couldn’t take his eyes from her. He had the distinct feeling that he knew her from somewhere but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. She must have noticed him looking at her because she turned her head and smiled. He knew right then who she was. And she also recognized him. At the intermission, Jarrod rose from his seat, walked to the lobby for some air and to smoke a cigar. She followed him.

"Jarrod?" she asked as she walked up to stand beside him.

"Yes," he answered. "Rachel?"

"Yes," she said smiling. "I thought that was you."

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "I thought you went to Virginia to live after the death of your father."

"We did," she answered. "But mother died a year ago and I had to come back here to make arrangements to sell the house. When I walked inside, I remembered all the good times I had with my father and I just didn’t have the heart to sell it. So I stayed. What about you? I know you’re one of the finest lawyers in the state of California. What have you been doing all these years?"

"Thanks for the compliment," he said. "I’ve been staying busy with my practice here and in Stockton. After my father was killed, I had a hard time dealing with it and had it not been for my brother, Nick, I would have completely lost my mind. He helped me deal with my grief and I was able to carry on."

"I can’t believe I found you after all these years," she replied. "You haven’t changed a bit. Still as handsome as ever."

"Thank you madam," he told her. "You haven’t changed either. Still as beautiful as ever."

"Thank you kind sir," she said smiling. "Jarrod, are you seeing anyone?"

"No," he replied. "Not since my wife was killed a little over a year ago."

"Killed?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "I met Beth Randall on the train while I was traveling to Stockton from Washington, D.C. Beth was on her way to teach school in Denver. I think I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. She wasn’t beautiful but she was special in her own way. Anyway, when she left the train, I followed and we were married. Three days later we arrived in Stockton. A man whom I had prosecuted seven years earlier had been paroled. Evidentially, he held a grudge against me because the next day when I took Beth to my favorite spot on the ranch, he shot and killed her trying to kill me. I went crazy. I took off and went looking for him but not before knocking Nick out. I was going to kill him for killing Beth. When I finally found him, if it hadn’t been for Nick and Heath, I know I would have killed him with my bare hands. Luckily, I didn’t. He was given life in prison. I never believed it possible that I could have that much hate inside of me. But I did. I prayed to God that it never appeared again."

"Jarrod," she said, "I’m so sorry. I was married too. He was a young man I met while living in Virginia. His name was Carl Whitcom. He was a mining engineer for the Blue Ridge Mining Company. He died of injuries he sustained in a mine collapse two years ago."

"I’m the one who is sorry," he replied. "I’m so glad you came back."

"I am too," she told him. "Jarrod, can I see you?"

"Of course," he said smiling. "I would love to see you again. I’ve never stopped loving you."

"Me either," she replied also smiling. "Tomorrow evening at seven for dinner."

"That will be fine," he told her. "At your home."

"Fine," she said. "Until tomorrow."

Jarrod watched Rachel walk away. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the day he had been told by his parents that she was gone. It had broken his heart. But then he met Beth and he had fell in love only to have it ripped from his grasp by Cass Hiatt. Now, hopefully he had found love again.

As Rachel walked away, she knew that her feelings for Jarrod had never left. Even though she had married Carl, she was still in love with Jarrod. And now she had found him again. This time she promised herself that she wouldn’t let him get away.

"Yes," the middle-aged white gentleman with a moustache said. "Can I help you?"

"I’m Jarrod Barkley," he replied. "I am here to see Rachel."

"Yes Mr. Barkley," the gentleman told him. "Won’t you come in? Ms. Rachel will join you shortly."

"Thank you," Jarrod said walking inside the house and handing his hat to the man.

The inside of the house was just as he remembered. The parlor was furnished in colonial furniture with paintings of several well-known artists hanging on the walls. He remembered Col. Hodges sitting here talking to him on many occasions after their return from the war. How he missed the colonel. Rachel entered the room cutting off Jarrod’s thoughts.

"I’m so glad you could come Jarrod," she said. "I started to look for you after I returned but I was hesitant not knowing for sure how you still felt about me."

"I wish you had," he replied. "Had I known you were back, I would certainly have looked you up."

"Well," she told him, "we’re together now."

"Yes, we are," he said smiling. "And nothing will come between us this time."

"Yes," she replied. "Jarrod, you mentioned last night that your father had been killed. What happened? I don’t remember reading about it."

"It happened ten years ago," he answered. "My father was helping local farmers stand up against the Coastal and Western Railroad run by Hanibal Jordan."

"I remember that name from the time we were kidnapped," she said.

"Yes," he replied. "Anyway, Jordan had two hundred hired assassins and in a skirmish, my father along with nine other men died."

"I’m so sorry," she told him. "I remember that day when our fathers came to the ice house to rescue us. You had been shot in the leg and I was very worried that you would die."

"I remember it some," he said. "But father saved my life on several occasions because of Jordan wanting me dead especially before I became a lawyer."

"Well," she replied taking his hand leading him to the couch to sit down beside her, "that is behind us and I believe that our life is going to be wonderful."

"I have the same feeling," he told her taking her hand, looking into her eyes and becoming serious. "Rachel, I know we only met again yesterday but I feel that I can ask you this."

Jarrod got down on one knee in front of her and took her hand in his.

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she said. "Oh yes."

The two of them kissed. Their love had transcended the years and now they were going to be together forever.

Rachel was having the same thoughts. She knew she loved Jarrod with all her heart and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. She walked up into the attic to an old trunk, which contained the wedding dress her mother had worn on her wedding day. She pulled it away from the tissue paper, holding it up to her, thinking how well it had held up after years in that musty trunk. Then she thought about altering the dress to give it some present day style.

"I could add some lace to the neckline and puffed sleeves, yes that would work," she said to herself smiling.

She didn’t wear it the day she had married Carl. In her heart, she had hoped that someday she would find her first true love and wear it when she married him. Now, that day was coming true. But she had no idea who would give her away. With her father gone, she was torn as to who she could ask. Then a name came to her. She left the house and went to the office of a man who had been very close to her father.

Adam Howard had lived in San Francisco for the past twenty years. His first wife had died and he had married a young woman named Marcy. But one thing had eluded him during his two marriages, children. When he discovered Marcy was pregnant, Adam was ecstatic. Then when she gave birth to a boy, he was delighted. They had named him David. But unknown to Adam, Davy was not really his son. Marcy had met a man and become involved with him. When he found out years later about Davy, he had tried to blackmail her. She had contacted Jarrod for help. Jarrod had worked for Adam after he had graduated from law school. He had suggested to Marcy that she tell Adam the truth but she had refused claiming that Adam wouldn’t understand. Then Adam had hired a private detective to follow Marcy to prove that she was indeed seeing another man. When Adam found out that Marcy had secretly met Jarrod on several occasions he was convinced that Jarrod and Marcy were lovers. The Howard family had come to Stockton where Adam had gone on a campaign to ruin the Barkleys telling Victoria to ask Jarrod about his wife and the seventh commandment. She had cornered Jarrod in the study one evening and asked him. He denied it stating that he couldn’t tell her the reason he had met with Marcy. Then, Adam had dammed up a creek that gave water to the Barkleys south pasture. Nick had gotten angry and tried to convince Adam to tear the dam down. He had been knocked out after a fight with some of Adam’s men in the Howard study. Jarrod, upon learning what had happened, tried to stop Nick from taking the cattle onto Adam’s property. Nick had punched him in the face knocking him out cold. Finally, after not believing Marcy when she told him the truth and blaming Jarrod as being the Davy’s father, Adam had gotten his men together to stop the Barkleys from getting their cattle to water. Davy, not understanding why his father was angry with Uncle Jarrod as he called him, had ridden out to the fence and asked his father why. Upon listening to Davy, Adam reconsidered and allowed the Barkley cattle to water. The Howards had left Stockton and were happy for the first time in years.

Now, Rachel was going to ask Adam to give her away. She knocked on his office door.

"Come in," Adam said.

Rachel walked inside.

"Rachel," he said, "what a pleasant surprise. Its about time you came to see me."

"I’m sorry Adam," she replied. "I’ve been so busy with the house and getting settled back here."

"What can I do for you?" he asked.

"I would like you to give me away in marriage," she answered.

"To whom?" he asked.

"Jarrod Barkley," she answered.

"Jarrod," he said. "So you two finally got together again after all these years."

"Yes," she replied. "We met two days ago and knew right then that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together."

"I would be honored," he told her. "When is the wedding?"

"We haven’t set the date for sure," she said. "Jarrod is waiting for word from his brother, Nick, as to whether he will be his best man. But I would say within the next month."

"That will be fine," he replied. "I’m so happy for you Rachel and I know your parents would be just as happy."

"Thank you Adam," she told him. "I’ll let you know the date for sure."

"Fine," he said and she left his office.

Adam was truly happy for Jarrod and Rachel. He knew that Bob Hodges would be proud of his daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.

"I’ll get it Silas," she said.

She opened the door and was greeted by Barney Newton, the telegraph operator.

"Barney," she said, "what a pleasant surprise."
"I have a telegram for you Mrs. Barkley," he replied handing her the paper.

"Thanks Barney," she told him closing the door.

Victoria walked back into the living room where Audra had stopped reading. She sat down and opened it. She began to read it.

"Oh my," she said.

"Mother," Audra asked, "what’s wrong?"

"Nothing," she answered. "It’s from Jarrod. He’s getting married in a week."

"Married?" Audra asked. "To whom?"

"Rachel Hodges," she answered.

"He found her again," Audra said.

"Evidentially," she replied. "He wants Nick to be his best man."

"I’m sure Nick will do it," Audra told her.

"I am too," she said smiling.

Nick and Heath arrived home later that afternoon. Victoria met Nick at the door.

"Nick," she said, "read this."

She handed him the telegram. He opened and read it. He smiled broadly.

"So Jarrod finally found Rachel," he said. "Heath, we’re going to a wedding."

"Jarrod?" Heath asked.

"Yeah," Nick answered. "He’s marrying his college sweetheart and I’m going to be best man."

"Boy howdy big brother," Heath said. "You’re going to look different standing up in front of all the guests wearing fancy clothes."

"Thanks a lot Heath," Nick replied.

"Boys," Victoria told them, "that’s enough. We need to send Jarrod a reply and then get packed to go to San Francisco."

"Right," Nick said.

Heath rode into Stockton and sent a reply to Jarrod. Then the family packed and made arrangements to leave at the end of the week.

Jarrod received a telegram the following day stating that Nick would love to be his best man. Jarrod was sitting in his office working on some briefs when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," he said.

A young man walked inside handed him a telegraph then left. Jarrod opened the paper and read it. He smiled to himself.

"So Nick has agreed to be my best man," he said to himself. "I need to go over and talk to Rachel."

Jarrod left his office and went over to Rachel’s where they set the date.

"Jarrod," she said, "we can get married on June 21 if that is all right with you."

"It’s fine," he replied. "I can’t wait."

"It’s only a week away," she told him. "Surely, you can wait that long."

"I’ll try," he said smiling. "Did you find someone to give you away?"

"Yes," she replied. "Adam Howard agreed."

"Great," he told her. "I haven’t seen Adam for several months. The family and I went to an anniversary party at their home six months ago. But I haven’t seen him since."

"He was a very good friend of my father’s," she said.

"I know," Jarrod replied. "He helped me set up my office here in San Francisco after I worked for him."

"When is your family arriving?" she asked.

"The end of the week," he answered. "They will stay with me in my apartment."

"We’re going to live in the house Mr. Barkley," she said. "I don’t think your apartment will be big enough when we have children."

"I have a favor to ask you," he replied.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I have a name already picked out for my first son," he answered.

"You do?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "When I was a boy, Nick and I went to my grandfather’s farm outside of Denver. My father and I had had some trouble between us and he felt that if I spent some time away things would be better. While we were there, he was killed in a riding accident. I was devastated. So devastated that I tried to kill myself. Anyway, I made a promise that my first son would be named Charles after my grandfather and Matthew after my best friend who killed himself a year after I graduated from law school."

"Oh Jarrod," she said. "Of course, you can name our first son Charles Matthew. I love that name."

"Thanks," he replied. "It means a lot."

"Jarrod," she asked, "what kind of trouble did you and your father have? He always seemed like a wonderful man."

"It’s a long story," he answered.

"We have plenty of time," she said.

"All right," he replied. "When I was eight, my father went to a small mining town called Strawberry on business. He was gone for six long months. My mother was very concerned because father always let her know how long he would be. But on this occasion he didn’t. Anyway, after he returned home six months later he was different."

"What do you mean different?" she asked.

"He was withdrawn, unhappy, short-tempered," he answered. "He began to ride me very hard. If I didn’t do something the way he wanted it, I would be punished. Not too long after he came home, I came home from school one day and dropped my books on the table. Something I had done on many occasions. He flew into a rage. He told me to get out to the barn and do my chores. I walked out to the barn and kicked a sack of grain busting it open. Father came out demanding to know what I had done. In punishment, he made me stack every sack of grain in the loft. I was exhausted when I went into the house. I had missed supper so my food was cold. He refused to let mother warm it for me. I told her I wasn’t hungry and he told him that I was sassing her. He punished me by making me polish every one of the saddles in the barn."

"Oh Jarrod," she said. "I know that was hard for you."

"Yes it was," he replied. "Mother came out to see why I hadn’t come to bed and was outraged at father for punishing me. He finally allowed me to go inside and get ready for bed. I was exhausted. She got me to eat a little and then I went to sleep. The next morning, she tried to keep me home but I went on to school. During this time my grades began to slip. That afternoon when father came home from Stockton, I had not stacked the saddle blankets so he became angry. He slapped me twice across the face. I ran away but not before telling Nick where I was going."

Rachel just sat and stared at Jarrod. She couldn’t believe that his father could have done these things.

"Then I was beaten up at school," he continued. "Father seemed to relax some. He decided that he wanted to take Nick and me to his parent’s farm outside of Denver. The day we arrived, he asked grandfather if he could talk to him but grandfather put him off to do something important. Nick and I went exploring. I ran into him, knocking him down."

Jarrod began to shake as he remembered what his father had done. Rachel put her hand on his arm urging him to continue.

"If this is too hard," she said.

"No," he replied. "I want you to know. Father was so angry. He told me I did it on purpose. He made me remove my shirt and turn around."

Jarrod stopped again. Tears were forming in his vibrant blue eyes threatening to fall down his face.

"He whipped me with his belt," he got out before the tears flowed.

"Oh Jarrod," she told him. "I’m so sorry."

"My uncle pulled him off," he said. "He knocked my father down with a punch to the face. He just walked off after Uncle Jim threatened him about touching me again. My grandmother fixed me up and then my father came back after talking to grandfather and Uncle Jim. It was as if he was a different person. He got down on his knees beside of the couch where I was laying. He told me how sorry he was and that he knew I could never forgive him. But the strange part was I did. We hugged for the first time in over a year. I never knew what had caused him to be so hard on me until 1875."

"What happened then?" she asked.

"A young man appeared at the ranch," he answered. "We found out that night that he was my father’s son."

"You mean that your father was with a woman..." she began.

"While he was in Strawberry," Jarrod finished. "From what mother was able to learn, father had been badly beaten and a young woman had taken him home. She cared for him and they fell in love. But she never told him about the baby."

"He never knew," she said.

"No," he replied. "Now, we have a wonderful brother who is the spitting image of my father and uncle."

"How did your grandfather die?" she asked.

"He was riding his horse and for some reason was thrown down a ravine," he answered. "He died right there. The next day I went to the spot and tried to kill myself. I almost succeeded had it not been for grandfather in a dream I think. I’m not sure. Anyway, he told me that I had a destiny to fulfill. I fought back and I got better."

"I’m glad that you shared this with me," she said. "I feel that I know you better."

"Thank you," he replied. "You’re the first person I have told it to. I feel better talking about it."

"I want you to feel like you can be open with me," she told him. "You never have to hold anything back."

"Thanks," he said smiling.

On Friday, the Barkley family arrived in San Francisco for the wedding. Jarrod met them at the train station. Victoria was the first one to exit the private car.

"Jarrod," she said as she hugged him, "I am so happy for you."

"Thank you mother," he replied. "I knew the minute I saw her that I still loved her."

"Well," Nick told him, "it looks like I’ll have to keep you in line until the day you get married."

"Thanks a lot," Jarrod said smiling and giving his brother a friendly slap on the back. "I just wanted you to be best man. I don’t want to insult Heath or Gene but next to father Nick was my first choice."

"No insult taken," Heath replied. "I know you and Nick have been close all your lives."

"Thanks Heath for understanding," he told Heath. "I received a telegram from Gene. He’s not going to be able to make it. He’s in the middle of working for a local veterinarian. I told him that it was all right. He did wish me luck."

"Well Jarrod," Audra said, "it looks like I’ll have another girl in the family."

"Yes you will little sister," he replied hugging her. "A wonderful girl whom I have waited to marry forever. I never dreamed I would run into her again and get a second chance with her but I have."

"You’re going to be very happy son," Victoria told him. "Just as happy as your father and I were."

"Mother," Jarrod said, "when Rachel left, I was devastated when you and father told me. I knew then that she was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Then the colonel died my heart was broken again. Finally, she left with her mother without even a goodbye. I was totally devastated."

"Don’t think about that now Jarrod," Audra replied. "She’s here now, you two are going to get married and be very happy together."

The Barkley family went to Jarrod’s apartment where the final preparations were made.

"Jarrod," she asked, "are you having second thoughts about marrying Rachel?"

"Mother," he answered, "I didn’t realize you were in the room. No not really."

"Then what is it?" she asked.

"I was just thinking that maybe I’m in too big of a hurry to marry her and that she might be having second thoughts."

"Do you love her?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life with her?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"Then there’s nothing for you to worry about," she said. "Jarrod, I remember when you sat down at the table your first break home from college. Every time you mentioned her name your face lit up. When you were in the doctor’s office after the two of you had been kidnapped and you were shot, she had that same look when your name was mentioned. I know that you and Rachel were meant for each other."

"But I was in love with Beth too," he replied. "Am I jumping in too quickly?"

"No," she told him. "Beth’s dead and buried. She wouldn’t want you to give up your happiness for her. She would be happy knowing that you were."

"I suppose you’re right," he said.

"Jarrod," she asked, "what about the promise you made to your grandfather?"

"You mean about naming my first son after him?" he wanted to know.

"Yes," she answered.

"I’ve already discussed that with Rachel," he said. "She is all for it."

"That’s good to know," she replied.

"Mother," he told her turning serious, "I wish father was here. I wanted him to be my best man when I married. I miss him so much."

"That is normal," she said. "I miss him too. He would be very proud of you. And would want you to be happy."

"Thanks," he replied.

"You’re welcome," she told him smiling, kissing him on the forehead.

That evening after the family went out for supper to celebrate, Jarrod was working at his desk in his study. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," he said looking up.

Nick walked in and sat down on the corner of his desk.

"You all ready for the big day pappy?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "I believe I am."

"I know you wanted father to be your best man but I’m glad you chose me," he said. "I’m happy for you pappy."

"Thanks Nick," Jarrod replied. "That means a lot. I have a very good reason for picking you."

"What was it?" he asked.

"I know we’ve both been close since we were small boys," Jarrod answered. "But you’re the only person I would ever ask. You are very special to me and that’s why I wanted you to be best man."

"Jarrod," Nick said, "I don’t know what to say. You are a special brother to me and I’ll always be there if you need me."

"Thanks," Jarrod replied.

"So are you and Rachel going to live here?" he asked.

"No," Jarrod answered. "We’re going to live in her house. There’s plenty of room for the children we plan on having."

"You remember your promise?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "It’s already been taken care of."

"Good," he said. "Wouldn’t want to disappoint grandfather and father. You might consider naming a son after father if you have any I mean."

"No," Jarrod replied. "I had thought about that myself. I hope that I can. Even though father and grandfather are no longer here, I want my children to know where they came from and who their grandparents were."

"I’ll let you get back to work," he told him and left the room.

Jarrod smiled to himself and went back to work.

Rachel was finishing dressing when there was a knock at the door. Frederick answered the door. Rachel looked radiant in her mother’s white silk wedding dress with a light, wispy overlay of lace as delicate as a spider’s web covering the bodice and skirt. French lace cascading down a v-neck river. Puffed sleeves edged in lace, wrapped around Rachel’s dainty porcelain arms. A strand of seed pearls encircled her white throat and her soft, shiny red hair was swept back into a mass of curls and twists with three white silk roses and seed pearl sprigs. In her hands, she was clutching a bouquet of white and red roses.

"Ms. Rachel," he said, "Mr. Howard has arrived."

"Thank you Frederick," she replied walking down the stairs to meet him. "Adam, thank you so much for this."

"You’re welcome Rachel," he told her. "Your father would be very proud."

"I wish mother was here to help me get everything done," she said. "I’ve got a million things to attend to."

"No problem," he replied. "I brought Marcy with me just in case you needed any help."

"Adam," she told him kissing his face, "you are wonderful."

"No problem," he said smiling.

Across town in Jarrod’s apartment, he was putting on his gray morning coat. Jarrod was having butterflies as he tried to tie his gray cravat.

"This is ridiculous," he said. "I shouldn’t be this blame nervous."

"What’s the matter? Nick asked.

"I can’t tie my cravat," he answered.

"Here let me help you," Nick said.

"Thanks," he replied smiling.

He quickly tied the cravat. Nick was also wearing a gray morning coat. Their mother smiled at her two oldest sons.

"You both look very handsome," she said. "I’m very proud of both of you."

"Thanks mother," Jarrod replied. "I guess it’s about time to leave. I wish I could stop being nervous."

"You’ll do fine," she said.

"Yeah," Nick told him. "We wouldn’t want you to be late to your own wedding."

"Very funny Nick," Jarrod said.

"It was only a joke," Nick replied smiling.

"I know," Jarrod told him also smiling.

The Barkley family left Jarrod’s apartment and climbed into a buggy that had been provided for their use. They rode over to the Hodges’ house.

"Jarrod," Audra said, "now remember you can’t see Rachel until the ceremony."

"I know," he replied. "I just wish it was over."

"It will be fine honey," Victoria told him. "You’re going to do fine."

"I hope so," he said.

They arrived at the house. Frederick escorted Nick and Jarrod to the room where they would wait until the music began to play. Jarrod began to pace the small room.

"Pappy," Nick said, "will you calm down. Everything is going to go fine."

"I hope so," he replied. "I hope so."

Then Jarrod and Nick would walk out to stand in front of the minister. Victoria, Heath and Audra went to the back and took their seats.

"We are gathered here in the sight of God and those assembled to join Rachel Elena Hodges and Jarrod Thomas Barkley in holy matrimony," the minister said. "Rachel, do you take Jarrod to be your lawful wedded husband, to love, cherish and obey in sickness and in health?"

"I do," Rachel replied.

"Jarrod," the minister asked, "do you take Rachel to be your lawful wedded wife, to love, cherish and obey in sickness and in heath?"

"I do," Jarrod answered.

"May I have the ring?" he asked.

Nick laid the ring on the minister’s bible.

"Jarrod and Rachel have their own vows to make to each other," he said.

Rachel turned to look at Jarrod.

"Jarrod," she said her voice cracking slightly, "I promise to care for you, love you and stay with you all the days of my life. I love you with all my heart. And I want to make you as happy as I feel right now."

"Rachel," he replied, "I promise to care for you, love you and stay with you all the days of my life. I love you with all of my heart. You can’t believe how happy I am right now that you have consented to be my wife."

Jarrod placed the ring on her finger.

"As Jarrod and Rachel have said their vows in the sight of God and their friends, neighbors and loved ones," the minister said, "let no man put asunder. If there is anyone who believes this marriage should not take place, speak now or forever hold your peace. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jarrod and Rachel kissed and the assembled guests clapped.

"I give you Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod Barkley," the minister said.

Jarrod and Rachel walked down the aisle and into the house. Jarrod was relieved to finally be through with the ceremony. He looked at his beautiful bride and smiled. He was indeed the happiest man in California at this moment. Unfortunately, the honeymoon would have to be postponed because of a business meeting Jarrod had with the president of the San Francisco Bank the following morning at nine.

So the couple decided to spend their time together in their new home. There was a reception held for the couple in the dining room of the Hodges’ home. The wedding cake was three layers high with tiers separating the layers. It had white icing with red and white roses on top. The table was decorated with a heavy linen, lace, stark white tablecloth that had been in Rachel’s family for many years. The room was festive for the occasion. Cake and champagne were served and the couple cut the first slice of cake together. As the music played, Jarrod and Rachel danced together as husband and wife. The guests congratulated Jarrod and Rachel and then the newlyweds were left alone except for the Howards and the Barkleys.

"Jarrod," Adam said, "I’m so happy for you and Rachel. I always hoped that she would find you again."

"You knew?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," he answered. "Bob told me about the abrupt way he took Rachel away. He always felt bad about doing it. He knew in his heart it was the right thing to do to protect her. But he also knew how devastated you both would be."

"I didn’t realize he cared that much about us," Jarrod said. "I always thought he was angry with me for putting his daughter in danger."

"No," Adam replied. "Bob knew that you had had several run-ins with the railroad and he was so afraid they would come after him and his family if Rachel continued to see you. He tried to get up the nerve to talk to you about his feelings except he died before he could."

"I remember that day," Jarrod told him. "You told me and I went completely numb."

"It was hard on all of us," Rachel said. "Mother didn’t want to stay here with all the memories so we went east."

"Jarrod," Victoria replied, "I’m sure that Colonel and Mrs. Hodges were hoping that someday you two would be reunited. I’m sorry it took so long."

"Well," Rachel told her, "I had a chance to meet someone and fall in love. Unfortunately, he died before we had a chance to have a real family."

"The same with me," Jarrod said. "I think we were meant to be together."

"I agree," Rachel replied smiling.

"Jarrod," Rachel said as they sat in the living room of their home, "I am so happy. You just can’t know how happy I am being your wife."

"Oh yes I can," he replied. "I am just as happy. You can’t know how much I have wanted this day to come."

"Yes I can," she told him.

"I hope you’re not too disappointed that we can’t go on a honeymoon right now," he said. "This meeting with William Fuller is very important."

"I understand," she replied. "We’ll have plenty of time to take a trip if we want to."

"Somehow I knew you would understand," he told her taking her hand, kissing it warmly.

Rachel smiled.

Across town in Jarrod’s apartment, Victoria, Heath, Nick and Audra were going to spend a few days in San Francisco.

"I so glad my big brother is finally happy," Audra said. "After Beth was killed, from what you told me, I wasn’t sure he would ever be able to love again."

"I know," Victoria replied. "He has loved Rachel since college."

"What happened?" Audra asked.

"Hanibal Jordan," Victoria answered. "He had Rachel and Jarrod kidnapped. They were locked up and Jarrod was shot in the leg. The Hodges along with your father and me were forced to pay ransom before we were told where they were. Your brother’s leg was badly infected and the doctor didn’t know for sure if he could save it. When Col. Hodges realized that Jarrod had been kidnapped before and almost killed, he thought it best that Rachel not see Jarrod any more. He was terrified that something awful would happen to Rachel if she continued to see him. We didn’t tell him right away. But he wanted to know where she was so finally he was told. Jarrod was devastated. Rachel didn’t even say goodbye."

"I never knew," Audra said.

"Nobody did except for your father and me," Victoria replied. "It took a long time for Jarrod to get over her."

"I don’t think he ever completely forgot about Rachel," Audra told her. "He tried to put her out of his mind."

"That’s right," Victoria said. "He told me the night they saw each other again, the feelings were still there. He knew then that he wanted to marry her."

"And now he has," Audra replied.

"Yes he has," Victoria told her.

"Is this a private conversation or can anyone join?" Nick asked as he walked into the room.

"No it’s not private," Audra answered. "Mother and I were just talking about Jarrod."

"I’ll tell you," Nick said. "I never thought he would ever see her again after the way her father left out of that doctor’s office."

"Yes," Victoria replied. "But he was scared for his daughter. He felt that Jarrod was in constant danger and could have died. He didn’t want anything to happen to Rachel."

"Yeah," Nick told her, "I guess you’re right. Boy, he was nervous. You’d thought he’d never been married before."

"What Jarrod was nervous about wasn’t getting married," Victoria said. "He was nervous because he was afraid that Rachel might still turn him down."

"She didn’t," Audra replied.

"No she didn’t," Victoria told them. "They are going to be very happy together."

"When are we going back to the ranch?" Audra asked.

"Not for a few days," Victoria answered. "Jarrod will need help moving and getting settled. I thought we could help."

"OK," Nick said.

"Yes," Audra agreed.

"Are you ready for your meeting Jarrod?" she asked.

"Yes," he answered. "Although I have no idea what this is about."

"You’ll find out soon enough," she said.

"I guess I will," he replied. "What are your plans?"

"I’m going over to your apartment and start moving your things over here," she told him.

"You don’t have to do that," he said. "I’ll get them moved later."

"Now listen Jarrod," she replied, "I want to do this. Besides your family is still here and I want to get to know them better."

"I see," he told her. "You had an ulterior motive."

"Yes," she said, "you could say that."

"I’ll help as soon as I get through with my meeting," he replied.

"All right," she told him. "Is there anything that you want to put in a specific place?"

"Well," he said, "I would like to have a study where I can do my work."

"You’ll have it," she replied grinning broadly. "I’m sure your two brothers will help with the move."

"Yes," he told her, "they will."

Jarrod left the house and went to the San Francisco Bank.

"Excuse me," Jarrod said stopping in front of the bank guard. "Can you direct me to Mr. William Fuller’s office?"

"Certainly," the guard replied. "It’s upstairs, first door on your left."

"Thank you," Jarrod told him walking to the stairs.

Jarrod walked up the stairs to the second floor. He found Fuller’s office and walked inside. A young blond looked up as he entered.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"My name is Jarrod Barkley and I have an appointment with Mr. Fuller," Jarrod answered.

"Yes sir," she said. "Go right in Mr. Barkley."

"Thank you," he replied walking to the door.

Jarrod opened the door and walked inside. William Fuller was seated at his desk. He was a tall man with brown hair. He was dressed in a beige business suit. His office was very elegant and he stood as Jarrod walked in.

"Mr. Barkley," he said. "I’m so glad you could make it considering."

"Considering?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," Fuller said. "Considering you were just married yesterday."

"Oh," Jarrod replied. "I knew it was important sir."

"I have a problem that I need your help with," Fuller told him. "For the past year I have noticed that someone has been changing ledger entries to cover up the fact that money has been embezzled from my bank over the past year. I wanted to help me flush the person out. Having worked together before I knew you would be discreet while you tried to ascertain who is behind this. I have my own suspect but I would rather not say right now who it is. You will be free to look at all the ledgers and the vault itself if you think it necessary. But I want to have concrete proof. I know I could bring in professional help but I feel that whoever is behind this will stop and I'll be left holding the bag. I know I can trust you."

"I’ll do the best that I can," Jarrod said. "I’ll need a list of all your employees."

"Here," he replied handing Jarrod some papers. "This is a current list of all the bank’s employees. I want you to be discreet. No one is to know what you are doing or why."

"That will make it more difficult," Jarrod told him.

"None the less you will be discreet," he said.

"I’ll get on it right away," Jarrod replied.

"Good," he told him. "You will meet with me here in one week."

"All right I’ll see you then," Jarrod said and left.

He walked back to his office where he sat down and went over the list of employees.

Over the next week, Jarrod continued to ask questions and double check everything. Finally, he was ready to confront William Fuller with his results. Logan had become suspicious of Jarrod’s appearance in the bank every day for the past week. He began to question some of his more loyal employees and learned that Jarrod suspected him of embezzlement. He was told that Jarrod had seen Weeks’ name and put two and two together. He knew something had to be done.

Jarrod arrived at Fuller’s office at seven-thirty that evening.

"Well?" Fuller asked when Jarrod walked in. "Did you find anything?"

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "I know who the embezzler is."

"Who?" Fuller asked.

"Your vice president, Robert Logan," Jarrod answered. "He started working on the ledgers the same time the money started disappearing. There is fifty thousand dollars in the account of Roosevelt Weeks. I have checked on this man and found out that he doesn’t exist in the state of California. So in my opinion I would say that Mr. Weeks and Mr. Logan are the same man. This has to be a dummy account. Logan was very smart in his scheme to embezzle money from the bank. Nothing shows him being involved but I know he is guilty and if this account is checked by an auditor I’m sure he can find evidence that I missed."

"You’re crazy Barkley," Fuller said. "Bob is my number two man. He wouldn’t do this."

"He has sir," Jarrod replied.

"Listen Barkley," Fuller told him, "I say you are wrong. Now get out."

"But sir," Jarrod said. "I have talked to employees who told me that Logan was seen in the vault way past banking hours."

"Of course," Fuller replied. "Bob has to go inside and check to make sure all the funds are there."

"Listen," Jarrod told him.

"No you listen," Fuller said. "Get out. You’re no longer on this case."

"But sir," Jarrod replied. "I have documented proof."

"Guard," Fuller called. "Guard."

The guard walked into the office.

"You called Mr. Fuller?" he asked.

"Yes," Fuller answered. "I want this man escorted from my office."

"Yes sir," he said. "Come on. Let’s go."

"Mr. Fuller," Jarrod replied. "You’re making a mistake."

The guard pulled Jarrod physically from the room and threw him out of the bank. He was angry but he decided the best thing to do was to go on home. Fuller didn’t believe him. So, he headed for home.

Jarrod left the office and went back to his office to work. His secretary had already left for the day being it was almost seven-thirty.

Fuller, who was working at his desk, looked up to see who had entered his office.

"You," he said. "What are you doing here this late?"

The murderer pulled a revolver from under his coat and shot Fuller in the chest. After he was sure Fuller was dead, the murderer laid the gun down on the desk. He was wearing gloves. Then he pulled some papers from a small valise that he was carrying. He put the papers in Fuller’s hand. Then he left the office walking out the back entrance of the bank, which had been left unlocked.

"Was anyone here after banking hours yesterday?" the inspector asked.

"Yes," the male employee answered.

"Who?" he asked.

"Jarrod Barkley," the man answered.

"What was he doing here?" he asked.

"Meeting with Mr. Fuller," the man answered. "Ask the guard."

"What about it?" he asked.

"Yeah," the guard answered. "Barkley was here. He got into an argument with Mr. Fuller and I had to escort him from the building."

"Oh really," he said. "I believe we had better pick up Barkley for questioning."

Another officer handed him the papers that were clutched in the dead man’s hand.

"Oh my," he said. "Make that pick Barkley up on charge of murder. These papers show that Barkley was having funds embezzled from the bank over the past year. It lists an account with the name Roosevelt Weeks. That must have been Barkley’s idea for keeping his embezzlement quiet. Mr. Jarrod Barkley is under arrest."

"Yes sir," another officer replied leaving the building.

Jarrod and Rachel were home sitting in the living room before Jarrod left for the office when there was a knock at the door. Frederick answered the door.

"We need to see Jarrod Barkley," an uniformed policeman said.

Another officer accompanied him. He was carrying restraints.

"If you will wait here," Frederick said, "I will inform Mr. Jarrod."

Frederick left the foyer and walked into the living room.

"Mr. Jarrod," he said as he walked into the room, "there are two men to see you in the foyer."

"Thank you Frederick," Jarrod replied, getting up.

"What do they want?" Rachel asked.

"I have no idea," Jarrod answered.

The two officers were talking quietly.

"We have to stop Barkley from asking a lot of questions," one of the policemen said.

"Yeah," the other one replied. "Believe me he won’t be asking too many more. He has been set up for murder and he will be convicted or else."

"Right," the first officer told him.

Jarrod walked into the foyer.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Yeah," one of the policemen answered.

He grabbed Jarrod by the collar of his shirt, shoving him hard, face first into the wall. The other officer put restraints on Jarrod’s wrists.

"What’s going on?" Jarrod asked.

"You’re under arrest for the murder of William Fuller," the officer answered.

"I didn’t kill anyone," Jarrod said.

"Let’s go," the officer replied.

"Rachel," Jarrod told her, "get Nick and mother. I need help."

"We’ll meet you at the police station," she said as she walked into the foyer.

The two officers took Jarrod away.

Rachel left the house and went over to Jarrod’s apartment.

"Rachel," Victoria said, "what a pleasant surprise."

"I wish it was a happy occasion," she replied.

"What’s wrong?" Victoria asked.

"Jarrod’s been arrested," Rachel answered.

"For what?" Nick asked walking into the room.

"Something to do with the death of the president of the San Francisco Bank," Rachel answered. "I don’t know all the details. But I do know that Jarrod had a meeting scheduled with Fuller for sometime late yesterday. Something must have happened after he left."

"Let’s go to the police station and see what’s going on," Victoria said.

The family left the apartment and headed for the police station.

The two policemen, who weren’t policemen at all but men who worked for Robert Logan, didn’t take Jarrod straight to the police station. They stopped at a small one-room building that was owned by Robert Logan on the other side of town on a seldom-used street and took Jarrod inside.

"Barkley," one of them said removing the restraints, "you’re going to plead guilty or else."

"What are you talking about?" he asked very confused.

For an answer the taller of the two officers grabbed his right arm. He was a good two to three inches taller than Jarrod. Raising Jarrod’s arm above his head the short one hit him with the billy club on his right side. He cringed with pain.

"Now," the officer said, "do you understand?"

"No," Jarrod replied.

He received several more hard blows to his right side. His side was on fire. He was in agony by the time they were through beating him. He could barely stand. If it weren’t for the fact that the policeman was holding him up, Jarrod would have fallen to the floor.

"Are you going to plead guilty?" one asked.

"No," he answered. "I didn’t do anything wrong."

They hit him again and again. Jarrod was trying to double over in pain and bleeding from the mouth. Finally, he agreed.

"All right," he gasped. "I’ll do it. Please don’t hit me any more. I’ll do whatever you ask."

"Good," one of them said. "One more thing. If you tell anyone about this, your wife is a dead woman."

Jarrod nodded.

The two officers took him to the police station. Throwing him into a cell, Jarrod slammed into the wall. Then they disappeared. Jarrod was still bleeding from the mouth. He was down on his hands and knees, trying to catch his breath, holding his right side.

"Help," he croaked. "Help me."

One of the guards heard him and walked over to the cell. When he saw the blood and Jarrod down on his knees he unlocked the cell door.

"Help me," he murmured.

The guard helped Jarrod up and to the cot. When Jarrod saw the uniform, he tried to back away but he was too weak.

"I’m here to help," the officer said.

"Beaten by policemen," Jarrod whispered.

"You were beaten by two men in uniforms?" he asked.

"Yes," Jarrod muttered. "In a building."

"Let me get you some help," the officer told him leaving the cell and heading for the front desk.

He knew it was bad by the look on Jarrod’s face and the blood coming from his mouth. Jarrod was in a lot of pain and he was definitely having trouble breathing.

"Lieutenant," the guard said as he walked out of the cells, "the man in the third cell is bleeding from the mouth. It looks like he’s been badly beaten by someone. He said it was two policemen. I’m not sure if what he is saying is the truth. He looks to be in shock and pain."

"Who is he Simmons?" the lieutenant asked.

"Barkley," Simmons answered. "Jarrod Barkley."

At that moment the Barkleys walked in. They heard Jarrod’s name mentioned.

"What about Jarrod Barkley?" Rachel asked.

"Who are you?" the lieutenant wanted to know.

"I’m his wife," she answered. "Has something happened to him?"

"He evidentially has been badly beaten," Simmons said. "I was on my way to check on his condition when you walked in."

"I want to see him," she replied. "This is his family."

"Follow me," Simmons told them.

The Barkleys and the lieutenant followed Simmons to the cellblock. Jarrod was laying on the cot trying to cradle his right side, gasping for air and a trickle of blood was coming out of his mouth. Rachel ran to him.

"Jarrod," she said, "what happened?"

"Beaten up," he said softly. "By men."

"The two men who came to the house?" she asked.

"Yes," he gasped. "Help me."

"He needs a doctor," she said.

"Simmons go get a doctor from the hospital," the lieutenant replied. "Tell them it’s bad."

"Yes sir," Simmons told him and left.

"Sir," Rachel said, "two men came to our home. They were wearing uniforms. They put Jarrod in restraints and left with him."

"We were told to pick up your husband," the lieutenant replied. "But we sent no one to your home this morning."

"That is most disturbing," she told him.

Rachel could tell Jarrod was in agony. He was fighting to breathe. He closed his eyes to the pain.

"Where were you hit?" she asked.

Jarrod pointed to his right side.

"Billy club," he said.

"You were hit with a club?" she asked as she pulled up his shirt to look.

She cringed at the sight of his right side. It was badly bruised and beginning to swell. She could only imagine what it was like on the inside. She didn’t tell Jarrod how bad it looked. She had a feeling that he already knew.

"Yes," he muttered.

"If he’s been hit with a club, it’s bad," she said.

"Jarrod," Victoria replied, "it’s mother. Nick, Heath and Audra are here too. Try to rest son."

"Mother," he said. "I didn’t do it. I didn’t kill Fuller."

"I know you didn’t," she told him. "Just take it easy and rest."

"All right," he muttered.

The doctor along with a nurse arrived over an hour later from the hospital, which was on the other side of town. The doctor began to examine Jarrod. He cried out in pain every time the doctor touched his right side. After thirty minutes, the doctor looked up at the family.

"He has severe injuries to his right side," he said. "I know some of the ribs on that side are broken. He’s also bleeding internally. I don’t have a choice. I’m going to operate to save his life."

"All right doctor," Rachel replied. "Please don’t let him die."

"I won’t if I can help it," he told her. "Let’s put him on that table because he wouldn’t survive the trip to the hospital in his condition.

Nick, Heath and Simmons, the guard, moved Jarrod over to a table outside the cell. The doctor and the nurse began to operate on Jarrod. The family waited inside his cell.

"I’m going to find out what is going on," Nick said. "There had to be a reason Jarrod was beaten up."

"Jarrod is not a murderer," Victoria replied.

"No he is not," Rachel told them. "But I’m afraid that he may die. He was hurt bad."

"It’s all right Rachel," Victoria said. "Jarrod is strong. He’ll come out of this."

"I hope so," Rachel replied. "The two men that came to the house didn’t look like normal policemen. They were extremely rough with Jarrod."

"Maybe whoever is behind Fuller being killed is behind Jarrod being badly beaten," Heath suggested.

"That’s possible," Rachel said. "He said that Fuller didn’t believe his evidence against the vice president of the bank."

"Rachel," Nick replied, "maybe you better tell us what you know."

"I will when I know how Jarrod is," she told him.

"I’m finished," he said.

"How is he?" Rachel asked.

"He had a lot of damage," the doctor answered. "He had broken and cracked ribs on his right side. He has a bruised right kidney and his liver is also bruised from the blows that he received."

"Where was the blood coming from?" Victoria asked.

"His right lung was punctured," he answered. "He also has some damaged muscle tissue on his right side which means he may have some problems with mobility. I won’t know until he wakes up."

"Will he live?" Rachel asked.

"It’s too soon to tell," he answered. "One thing is for certain. He will be in some pain if he wakes up. Whoever beat him wanted him to suffer."

"What do you mean if?" Rachel asked.

"He was badly damaged," he answered. "I don’t know whether or not he can come out of this."

"You don’t know my husband," Rachel said. "He’s a fighter."

"He’s going to need to be," the doctor replied. "I’ve never seen anyone beaten the way he was. His right arm had to have been held up over his head to injure him that badly all the way down his side. Whoever did it meant to hurt him."

"Can he be moved?" she asked.

"Only back to his bed," the doctor answered. "He needs to be kept as quiet as possible."

"That’s it," Nick said. "I want the two men that did this. It also sounds like they didn’t want to kill him right away but wanted him to remember why he was beaten."

"We don’t know who it was sir," Simmons replied. "The only reason I knew something was wrong was because I heard him calling for help. It was only a low moan but I did hear it."

"It had to be someone working for Logan," Rachel told them. "I don’t believe they were real policemen. They used excessive force in the house."

"All right," Nick said. "Now suppose you tell me what Jarrod was working on."

"Let’s get him settled and then I’ll tell you the whole story," Rachel replied.

When the doctor was finished he spoke to the nurse.

"I want two orderlies to bring a stretcher to take this patient to the hospital because of the possibility of infection setting in," the doctor said.

"Doctor," Simmons replied, "I don’t know about that. The inspector will have to be notified."

"Very well," the doctor told him. "I need to move him soon."

"I’ll return with him shortly," Simmons said and left the room.

While they waited for the orderlies, Nick walked over to his brother and spoke softly to him.

"Don’t worry pappy," he said. "I’ll get the man responsible."

"Jarrod was asked by the president of the San Francisco Bank to find an embezzler," Rachel replied. "He began to talk to the employees and discovered that Vice President Robert Logan had access to the ledgers and the vault. He compiled enough evidence to convict Logan. When Jarrod took his findings to Fuller, he was thrown out of his office. The next morning Fuller was dead and Jarrod was arrested."

"All right," Nick told them. "I’ll find him and get a confession out of him. Heath, you want to come along?"

"Yeah," Heath said.

The two brothers left the police station. Rachel looked down at Jarrod with tears in her eyes. Victoria put her arm around her trying to comfort her.

"Thank you ma’am," Rachel said. "I love him so much. I can’t lose him now."

"You won’t," Victoria replied. "He was born a fighter. But I fear this is the toughest fight he’s had."

"Yes," Rachel told her. "I believe you may be right."

The inspector walked inside followed by Simmons.

"I understand you want to take this prisoner to the hospital," the inspector said.

"Yes," the doctor replied. "I want him where he can be constantly monitored."

"Very well," the inspector told him. "But Simmons goes with him. And he will be restrained while in the hospital."

"He’s not going anywhere," the doctor said.

"I mean it," the inspector replied.

"All right," the doctor told him.

The two orderlies arrived and Jarrod was loaded onto the stretcher for the trip to the hospital. Simmons accompanied him. As soon as Jarrod was placed in a room, Simmons put a restraint on Jarrod’s left wrist and the other end attached to the bed support. Then Simmons took his post at the door to the room.

Nick and Heath went to Jarrod’s house. They went into the study and Nick sat down at his brother’s desk. He picked up the papers Jarrod had accumulated and began to read them. His eyes grew dark as he and Heath realized that Jarrod had the man dead to rights.

"According to what Jarrod has dug up," Nick said, "Logan has to be the embezzler. He had access to the ledgers and the vault. There are many entries to an account in the name of Roosevelt Weeks. That had to be an account for Logan that no one would recognize. He made trips to the vault late at night and several of the ledger entries have been changed. But he’s made a few notes that some of the bank’s employees were in his mind covering up for Logan. He went to Fuller with his findings and he didn’t believe a word of it."

"So all we have to do is prove that Logan murdered Fuller," Heath replied. "And then hired two men to beat Jarrod up. But why?"

"Yeah," Nick told him. "To make him confess. The problem is we need someone to go to work at the bank and get some of those loyal employees to admit that Logan is the embezzler. Some of them have to know what is going on. Maybe we can get one or more of them to come forward and testify. Then we need to get into his office to find any incriminating evidence that he is also the murderer. I’m sure the incriminating papers on Jarrod being involved are in his office somewhere. He may even have records of his embezzlement. But we have to be careful. He’s already proved that he’s willing to kill."

"Who are we going to get to go into the bank?" Heath asked.

"You," Nick answered.

"Nick," Heath said, "you’re crazy. What do I know about working in a bank?"

"I’m too well known as Jarrod’s brother to go in myself," Nick replied. "You’re the only one. All you have to do is get proof. Do you want Jarrod to hang or spend the rest of his life in jail?"

"No," Heath told him. "All right. I’ll do it."

"Good," Nick said. "Let’s go over to Jarrod’s apartment and get you dressed up."

"Boy howdy," Heath replied. "I wish I didn’t have to do this. I hate to dress up."

"I know," Nick told him. "But it’s the only way."

"You’re right," Heath said.

The two brothers went to the apartment where Heath changed into his blue suit and then they left for the San Francisco Bank.

"Mrs. Barkley," Rachel asked, "why did Nick call Jarrod pappy?"

"It’s a name Nick has called him ever since my husband was killed and Jarrod tried to take over as head of the Barkley family," Victoria answered.

"Oh," Rachel said. "So Jarrod was the head of the family?"

"No," Victoria replied. "He tried to assume that responsibility. He helped the family through the rough time when the Coastal and Western railroad and Hanibal Jordan killed his father but he didn’t grieve himself. I could tell by looking at him that he wasn’t sleeping and the grief was tearing Jarrod apart. I knew that if he didn’t release his grief, it could destroy him. You see he felt that he was the one to take over for Tom but I knew that he didn’t want that for his son. But I couldn’t convince Jarrod."

"How did you?" Rachel asked.

"Nick cornered Jarrod one night in the study," Victoria answered. "He made Jarrod look at him. He told him that it wasn’t his fault that Tom had died. I think he blamed himself for his father’s death and in his mind he had to be strong for the rest of the family. The day that Tom died, Jarrod and Nick didn’t accompany him to town. While this mess with the railroad and the farmers in the valley was escalating, Jarrod and Nick would accompany Tom. That’s why Jarrod felt so guilty. Finally, Jarrod cried and he was fine. From that moment on, Nick has called him pappy."

"I see," Rachel said. "Jarrod and Nick are very close aren’t they?"

"Yes," Victoria replied. "They have known when the other one is hurt or sick or in trouble. I remember when Nick was sixteen. He was trapped in a mine cave-in. Jarrod was in San Francisco at law school. He rode all night when he had awoken with a start that something had happened to Nick. He even helped rescue him."

"You’re very lucky to have such a wonderful family Mrs. Barkley," Rachel told her."

"Yes I am," Victoria said. "And I’m happy to welcome a new member, you. You are my son’s wife and are a vital part of the Barkley family."

"Thank you," Rachel replied. "I want to make Jarrod happy."

"You already have done that," Victoria told her. "He was so happy after he had met you that night at the play. He was so devastated when you left that day in the doctor’s office. He thought he would never see you again."

"I know," Rachel said. "I was so angry with my father. I loved Jarrod and I knew I wanted to marry him. Then my father told me that I couldn’t see him any more. I went to my room and cried."

"That’s behind you," Victoria replied. "You and Jarrod are together now."

"Yes we are," Rachel told her and smiled.

Nick and Heath walked to the door of the San Francisco Bank.

"Heath," Nick said, "you know what to do."

"Yeah," Heath replied. "Where will you be?"

"In Jarrod’s office," Nick told him. "I’m going to be going over all of Jarrod’s notes on this case. Maybe I find something that will be enough for the police to arrest Logan but if I can’t you have to."

"Right," Heath said. "Well, here goes."

Heath walked into the bank and Nick headed for Jarrod’s office. Heath walked over to one of the tellers.

"Can I help you sir?" he asked.

"Do you have any positions open here at the bank?" Heath wanted to know.

"Just a minute," he said. "I’ll get Mr. Logan."

The teller walked upstairs and returned a few minutes later with Robert Logan. He was a tall man with brown hair and blue eyes. He walked over to Heath.

"Arthur tells me you’re interested in a job?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Heath answered.

"You ever work in a bank before?" he asked.

"No," Heath answered.

"It just happens I need another guard," he said.

"I’ll take it," Heath replied.

"If you will follow me," he told him. "We’ll get the paperwork taken care of."

The two men went to Logan’s office.

"You will work the night shift," Logan said. "You will start tomorrow evening at six when the bank closes and stay until it is opened in the morning. By the way what is your name?"

"Yes sir," Heath replied. "Heath Thomson."

"I will see you tomorrow Mr. Thomson."

"How did it go?" Nick asked when Heath walked in.

"I got the job," Heath answered. "I start tomorrow."

"Great," Nick said. "Now we can find the evidence we need to free Jarrod."

"Speaking of Jarrod," Heath replied. "Don’t you suppose we better go and see how he is?"

"Yeah," Nick told him. "I’ve been sitting here thinking about him laying in that bed. It’s not fair Heath. Jarrod didn’t do anything but what he was asked to do. And what did he get out of it. Beaten savagely and arrested.

"I know," Heath said. "Let’s go."

"Yeah," Nick replied.

The two men left Jarrod’s office and headed to the police station. When they arrived the desk officer stopped them.

"Your brother is at the hospital," he said. "They took him several hours ago."

"Thanks," Nick replied.

The two brothers headed for the hospital. Victoria, Rachel and Audra were sitting beside Jarrod’s prone body when they walked in.

"Any change?" Nick asked. "Why is he restrained? He’s too ill to leave."

"No," Rachel answered. "That was the inspector’s stipulation. He still hasn’t come to. I’m getting worried. What if he never wakes up? I lost him one time when he needed me. I don’t want to lose him again. Please, Jarrod wake up."

"Take it easy Rachel," Victoria said putting her hand on Rachel’s shoulder. "He’s a fighter."

"Mother’s right," Nick replied. "Jarrod has been hurt worse than this and come out of it. He’ll do it again."

But Nick was also beginning to worry that his brother wasn’t going to ever wake up but he didn’t say anything because he didn’t want Rachel to know how he really felt. She was already at her wits end. She needed them to think positively.

"Nick’s right Rachel," Audra told her. "Jarrod will come out of this."

"Thanks everyone," Rachel said trying to smile. "I know what you’re trying to do. You just don’t want to hurt me. I watched a vindictive man walk into an icehouse many years ago and shoot Jarrod in the leg. Then I saw that same man walk over to Jarrod and grind his foot into the wound. I know exactly how strong my husband is."

"We know you do," Victoria replied. "Jarrod will be fine."

About that time there was a moan from the cot. Everybody’s attention turned to Jarrod. He continued to moan as he fought to wake up trying to deal with the enormous pain coming from his right side.

"Where am I?" he whispered shutting his eyes to the pain.

"You’re in the San Francisco hospital," Victoria answered. "You were arrested for conspiracy in the murder of William Fuller."

"I remember now," he muttered. "My side hurts. Please, do something."

"I’m Dr. Minton," the doctor said. "I operated on you earlier. The reason your right side is hurting so badly is because you were savagely beaten and have sustained a multitude of injuries especially on your right side. Do you remember the beating you took? You are going to have to stay quiet and rest. I’m going to give you something for the pain."

"I remember being hit over and over," Jarrod replied. "I wanted to stop the pain so I agreed to their terms. Nick, did you get Logan?"

"Not yet pappy," he replied. "Heath has a job as a night guard. He starts tomorrow. He’s going to let me in and we’re going to find the evidence to clear you and put Logan away for the rest of his life."

"Good," Jarrod told him. "Be careful. Logan is smart. He tried to shut me up permanently. He’ll do it again if he feels like someone is on to him."

"I know," Nick said. "We’ll be careful."

"You’re going to need help," Rachel replied. "Why not talk to Adam Howard. I’m sure he can help."

"Adam?" Jarrod asked still in pain. "Why would he want to help me?"

"He is a friend of ours," she answered. "Just because he went after you a year ago and tried to ruin your family’s business efforts doesn’t mean he is still holding a grudge. Didn’t you tell me you went to an anniversary party at their home several months ago?"

"Yes," Jarrod said. "I’m sorry. I’m not thinking too clearly. Between the medicine and the pain, I’m pretty miserable. I’m also a little sick."

"It’s all right son," the doctor replied. "The medicine is very strong and the pain is very severe. You rest and you’ll be feeling better in a few days."

"Doc," Jarrod asked, "am I going to be all right?"

"I don’t know," he answered. "Until you are up and moving around I won’t know how much of this is permanent. You could make a complete recovery. You could have some problems. Right now you need to rest. Here is the medicine and I’m going to inject it into your body."

"All right doc," Jarrod said still in pain and his eyes trying to close. "I’ll do..."

He drifted off. The doctor looked at the family.

"He’s still in serious condition," he said. "But he is alive. That is a very good sign."

"Thank you doctor," Rachel replied. "Nick, are you going to ask Adam to help?"

"We can talk to him and see what he wants to do," he told her. "It won’t hurt to ask."

"As well-known as Adam is," she said, "he will be an asset in Jarrod’s corner."

"I suppose you’re right," he replied.

The two brothers left the police station and went to Adam Howard’s office.

"Come in," Adam said through the door.

The two brothers walked inside. When Adam saw who it was he was stunned.

"I thought you two would have gone back to Stockton by now," he said.

"We decided to stay a few days," Nick replied. "We need your help."

"My help?" he asked.

"Yes," Nick answered. "Jarrod’s been arrested."

"Yes," Adam said. "I heard. I don’t believe a word of it."

"That’s not the worst of it," Nick replied. "He was savagely beaten and had to undergo surgery to repair his right side. The doctor doesn’t know if he will live and what kind of permanent damage was done."

"That doesn’t make sense," Adam told them. "Why beat him up if you have him in jail?"

"Whoever they were," Nick said, "they were not real policemen. They were probably working for Robert Logan."

"The new president of the bank," Adam replied. "Why would he go after Jarrod?"

"Because Jarrod found out he was embezzling funds from the bank," Nick told him. "Fuller had asked Jarrod to find out who the embezzler was. When Jarrod confronted Fuller the night he was killed with the evidence he had accumulated, he didn’t believe Jarrod. He threw him out of his office. Then Fuller was found dead the next morning."

"A frame," Adam said. "Taking down one of the most respected lawyers this state has had. What can I do to help?"

"Heath has a job as a night guard at the bank and starts tomorrow," Nick replied. "I’m going to meet him there at midnight and we’re going to search Logan’s office for evidence."
"I see," Adam told him. "I think I’ll join you. I’ve had a feeling over the past six months that Logan wasn’t what he appeared to be."
"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"I mean that Logan appeared to be an upstanding person in the city but I believe that he was actually a embezzler and now it would seem a murderer," Adam answered. "It would make sense. I believe if Jarrod tried to tell Fuller what was going on, that Logan got wind of it. He then had two problems. One was Fuller and the other one was Jarrod. He just eliminated both problems at the same time."

"Yeah," Nick said. "Have Fuller murdered and then have Jarrod arrested for his death."

"Why beat him up?" Heath asked.

"To make a point," Adam answered. "If Jarrod were just locked up, he would be out on bail and free to investigate himself. But by beating him up, Logan has taken that away. Now in Logan’s eyes, Jarrod can’t harm him."

"Jarrod can’t," Nick said. "But we can."

"I’m sure Logan didn’t think about that," Adam replied. "His main concern was getting Jarrod out of the way."

"Then you’ll help us?" Nick asked.

"Certainly," Adam answered.

"Great," Nick said. "Before we plan out what we are going to do, I want to go check on Jarrod."

"I’ll come with you," Adam replied. "I want to look at the evidence that Jarrod has on Logan."

"All right," Nick told him.

The three men left Adam’s office and went to the police station. They went straight to Jarrod’s hospital room. As they walked in, Nick could see that Jarrod was trying to wake up again.

"Easy honey," Rachel said. "Don’t try to move."

"My side really hurts," he replied. "It feels like it was run over."

"It was in a way," she told him. "You were badly beaten."

"I remember," he said cringing with the severe pain he was having to deal with. "They wanted me to plead guilty and I refused until the pain became too much."

"It’s all right," Adam said as he walked up to Jarrod. "You’re not guilty. And we’re going to prove it."

"Adam," Jarrod remarked. "Thank you for helping my brothers. They’re cowboys not crime solvers. I’m afraid they’d only land in here with me."

"They won’t," Adam replied. "I’ll see to it myself."

"Thanks," Jarrod muttered again closing his eyes to the pain. "If I weren’t in so much pain, we could celebrate."

"We’ll celebrate when you’re better and out of here," Adam told him.

"That sounds great," Jarrod said.

"Now if everyone will excuse me," the doctor replied, "I need to talk to my patient and then examine him again before I give him anything for pain."

"Jarrod," Adam told him, "you just get better."

"Thanks," Jarrod said. "I’ll try."

The doctor began to examine Jarrod. When he opened the bandage that was wrapped around Jarrod’s body, his mother, Rachel and Audra got a good look at his right side. It was black and blue along with being swelled from the beating he had taken. Rachel cringed at the sight. When the doctor touched it, Jarrod cried out in pain.

"You’re still in a lot of pain," he said.

"Yes," Jarrod replied. "My side is on fire."

"I’ll give you something for the pain as soon as I’m finished," he told him. "Jarrod, this is very important. I don’t want you to try moving at all for a while. You’d only injure yourself worse."

"All right," Jarrod said. "Will I get better?"

"I hope so," he replied. "You’re alive and talking. Those are two very good signs."

"Jarrod," Rachel told him, "I have some news that will make you want to get better."

"What?" Jarrod asked.

"You are going to be a father in about nine months," she answered smiling.

"You," Jarrod said, "I am..."

"Yes," she replied.

"Oh I can’t believe it," Jarrod told her. "I hope it’s a boy."

"I know it will be," she said. "And his name will be Charles Matthew Barkley."

Jarrod smiled.

"Now you see you have to get better," she told him. "He’ll need his father to help him learn and grow."

"Yes he will," Victoria said. "My first grandchild is not going to be without his father."

"I know," Jarrod replied. "I’ll do the best I can to get better."

"And we’ll get you out of here," Nick told him.

"Not for a while," the doctor said. "He’s not to be moved for several days."

"We understand," Victoria replied. "The boys just want to clear their brother of this crime."

"You need to rest," the doctor told Jarrod. "Your side is very tender to the touch. I’ll give you some pain medicine and then you need to sleep. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod said.

The doctor injected him with the medicine and within a few minutes Jarrod was asleep. Nick, Heath and Adam left to plan their strategy for nailing Logan.

"Yes," he said, "it would appear that Mr. Logan is a guilty man. The only problem is catching him."

"Heath will set that in motion tomorrow night," Nick replied. "And hopefully by the next morning, Jarrod will be free."

"Yes," Adam told him. "All we can do is wait."

The three of them made themselves comfortable. Adam wanted to go over the evidence again.

Back in Jarrod’s room Rachel held on to his right hand. She was putting up a brave front but inside she was heartbroken.

"Rachel," Victoria said, "everything is going to be all right. Jarrod is strong and he’ll pull through."

"I hope so," Rachel replied. "I don’t know what I would do without him to help me raise this baby."

"I’m sure he will get better," Audra told her. "He’s a tough man."

"He’s going to need to be strong," the doctor said. "He’s still in serious condition."

"Doctor," Rachel said, "his side is so black and blue. Will he get better?"

"He has a good chance now," the doctor replied. "He’s alive and talking. Those are two very good signs. But his recovery will be slow. He’s going to have to take it easy for several weeks after he’s released. Nothing strenuous."

"I understand," she told him. "He’s a wonderful man. Full of vitality. I want him to enjoy this child and be the kind of father I know he can be."

"You’ll have your chance," Victoria said. "He will make a wonderful father. And Tom would be so proud of his son."

"I’m sure he would," Rachel replied.

Robert Logan was sitting in his office. He knew that his men had taken Barkley right out of the picture. But he hadn’t considered the man’s brothers. He knew he had to stop them and he knew how he would achieve it.

"Mayes," he said, "Smith, we need to take care of Barkley and his brothers."

"How do you want to do it sir?" Mayes asked.

"I know how to take care of Barkley," he answered. "We’re going to kidnap him from the hospital, then take him to that building where he was beaten and drug him. No one will ever find him. The drug I’m going to use paralyzes the central nervous system eventually killing the victim. But it is very painful. He will suffer before he dies. I found it when I visited the orient a year ago."

"All right," Smith said. "But what about his brothers."

"We take care of them tomorrow night," he replied. "After the bank closes, we’ll wait in the alley and when his brother comes to the bank, we’ll have them both."

The two men nodded. The trap was set.

At six o’clock the next evening, Heath showed up at the bank for his shift. Everyone left and Jordan with his two men waited in an alley across from the bank.

"When do you think his brother will arrive?" Mayes asked.

"About midnight," Logan answered. "He would want to make sure that everyone is gone."

"All right," Smith said. "Now we wait."

"Yes," Logan replied. "Now we wait."

Heath was inside the bank also waiting. He was just a tiny bit jumpy. He wasn’t sure why but he was.

"Calm down," he said to himself. "You’re getting jumpy over nothing."

Nick and Adam were in Jarrod’s office waiting until time to leave. Nick couldn’t help it and started to pace the office. Adam watched him knowing how worried Nick was for his brother. Jarrod was a good man and didn’t deserve what had happened to him.

"I’ll be glad when this is over," Nick said. "I’m a bit jumpy."

"You’re not the only one," Adam replied. "We’ll nail Logan."

"I hope so," Nick told him. "He almost killed Jarrod and I’ll be dad gum if I’m going to put up with that."

"I know what you mean," Adam said. "He’ll pay for murdering Fuller and for almost killing Jarrod."

At the police station, the Barkley women were just as anxious waiting on word from Nick and Heath.

"This waiting is terrible," Audra said.

"It will be all over with soon," Victoria replied.

Jarrod began to moan. His eyes were trying to open. Rachel turned her attention to him.

"Jarrod," she asked, "can you hear me?"

Jarrod paused before answering.

"How long?" he asked.

"It’s been almost two days," she answered. "How do you feel?"

"Rough," he muttered. "I’m still in a lot of pain. Have you heard from Nick and Heath?"

"No," she said. "It’s not quite midnight yet. They weren’t going to look until midnight."

"Oh," he replied, cringing with pain.

"Do you need some pain medicine?" Rachel asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"All right," the doctor said. "I’ll take care of it."

The doctor injected Jarrod with the medicine and within a short time, he was asleep.

"Doctor," Rachel asked, "is he going to recover?"

"Yes," the doctor answered. "I believe so. He’s come a long way in just two days."

"That’s wonderful," she said smiling.

Everyone waited.

"Where do we start?" Heath asked.

"Logan’s office," Nick answered.

"Let’s go," Adam said.

The three men headed upstairs. Logan’s office was unlocked which was a bit odd. They walked inside, lit the lamp and began to search. Outside in the alley, Logan and his two men made their move. They quietly entered the bank and went upstairs. They entered the office quickly catching the three men by surprise.

"That’s as far as you look," he said. "Did you think I didn’t know who you were? I’ve kept up with Barkley and his family. I knew you were his brother. But I am surprised to see you here Howard. I thought you were smarter than that."

"I am," Adam replied. "I want you put away for the death a good man and almost killing Jarrod Barkley."

"You won’t be putting anyone away," he told them. "Put your hands behind your backs."

Nick, Heath and Adam did as they were told. Smith and Mayes tied them up.

"One thing before we go," he said. "Your brother will die tonight."

"What do you mean?" Nick asked.

"We’re going to drug him with a rare oriental poison that paralyzes the central nervous system," he answered. "He’ll die very horribly."

"No," Nick said. "Please. He’s suffered so much already."

"He’ll die and my problems will be gone," he replied.

"I’ll hunt you down if you succeed," Nick told him. "That’s a promise."

"Words from a man in your predicament mean nothing," he said. "Take care."

The three men left the office locking the door as they left.

"We have to get out of here," Heath said. "You heard him. They’re going to kill Jarrod."

"I know," Nick replied.

The three men worked very hard at freeing themselves. Finally after what seemed like hours they were free. Then Adam got an idea and tried a key he had in his pocket. They were free and heading for the police station.

Logan and his two men walked into Jarrod’s room holding their guns on the three women and the doctor.

"What do you want?" Rachel asked.

"Barkley," Logan answered. "We have something waiting for him. Get him and let’s go."

"No," Rachel said. "He’s still too injured to be moved."

"Lady," he replied, "he’s going to die. And there’s nothing you can do about it."

Mayes picked up Jarrod, who cried out in pain and threw him over his shoulder. The three men left the room and took him to the building where he was beaten up. Logan slapped him on the face to make Jarrod wake up. He finally opened his eyes and looked up.

"Barkley," he said, "you are a dead man. After I inject this drug into your system, your organs will shut down and then you will die."

"No," Jarrod replied.

"Hold him," he told his men.

The two men held Jarrod up by his arms. Logan walked over and stuck the needle into his arm. They let him fall to the floor where he was in agony as every nerve ending in his body was on fire. Then he began to have more difficulty breathing and he realized that his organs were indeed shutting down.

"It’ll be over soon," Logan said and the three men left.

Jarrod somehow got up on his hands and knees even though the pain was intense. He picked up the discarded syringe putting it in his pants pocket and tried to crawl to the door. He made it somehow. He crawled outside on the street, which was deserted and finally collapsed but not before saying one word.

"Nick," he said.

"When was he taken?" Nick asked.

"About fifteen minutes ago," Rachel answered.

"They’re going to inject him with a drug that will kill him," Nick said.

"I can have something ready if I knew what kind of drug was used," the doctor replied.

"We’ll find out," Nick told him and they left.

"I hope they get to him in time," Rachel said.

The three men stopped on the street outside the police station.

"We need to separate," Nick said. "Heath, you go west. Adam, you go east. And I’ll check north and then south. If anyone finds him, get him to the hospital fast."

"Right," Heath replied.

"OK," Adam told them.

The three men began their search. Nick walked down every street looking for any sign of his brother. He knew that time was short. Jarrod would be dead soon. He kept looking. Then as he turned down an alley, he didn’t know why but something drew him that led to the back of the saloon, he spotted something lying on the ground. Rushing toward it, he knew he had found his brother. Kneeling down next to Jarrod’s body, Nick felt for a pulse. He found a faint one. Reaching down he eased his arms under Jarrod’s body. He picked him up and carried him gently toward the hospital. Jarrod’s eyes opened and he looked up at his brother.

"I knew you would come," he whispered unable to catch his breath.

"Logan is not going to win," Nick said continuing to carry his brother to help.

Nick arrived at the hospital with Jarrod. Rachel hurried to them as Nick eased his brother down on the cot.

"He’s having trouble breathing," Nick said.

"All right," the doctor replied. "It would be easier if I knew what the drug was."

"Pocket," he hinted. "Pocket."

"His pants pocket," Rachel replied. "Look in his pants pocket."

Nick looked in Jarrod’s pants pocket and found a syringe.

"Is this what you were injected with?" Nick asked.

"Yes," Jarrod answered. "It was on the floor."

"What a lucky break," the doctor said. "Keep him as quiet as possible. I hope I have enough time."

The doctor left the room and the family stayed by Jarrod hoping he would recover. His breathing was getting worse and he was now unconscious. They knew he was dying. Rachel held onto his hand.

"Jarrod," she said, "you’re going to be fine. We’re going to raise our son together. You just rest."

Tears had started to fall down her face as she watched her husband fight to take a breath. Nick put his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him.

"He’ll make it Rachel," Nick said. "I know he will. Now that you are part of his life, he has everything to live for."

"I hope so Nick," she replied. "I want him to see his son."

"He will be a wonderful father," Audra told her. "He showed that when he helped Gene and me deal with the death of father."

"He helped all of us deal with the loss of Tom," Victoria said. "He almost let his own grief destroy him trying to be strong for all of us."

"Now it’s our turn to be strong for him," Audra replied.

They waited. An hour passed and the doctor still hadn’t returned. Rachel kept watching Jarrod very closely. She could tell that he was still fighting to breathe. She knew in her heart that he wouldn’t give up. Then the doctor walked into room.

"I was able to isolate the drug and have prepared an injection of a another drug that I hope will stop and reverse the effects of the drug Logan injected him with," the doctor said.

He walked over to the bed reaching down rolled up Jarrod’s shirtsleeve and injected the medicine into his system.

"Now we wait," he said.

"He’s getting stronger," he said. "He’s going to make it."

The family felt relief wash over them as they watched Jarrod resting more comfortably. He was still unconscious.

"Why doesn’t he wake up?" Rachel asked.

"He’s been through a lot over the last week," the doctor answered. "It’s going to take time for him to heal. He’s completely exhausted and he needs the rest."

"I guess you’re right," she said.

At that moment, Jarrod’s eyelids began to flutter and Rachel realized that he was trying to wake up. She leaned over close to him.

"Come on Jarrod," she coaxed. "You’re going to be fine."

Jarrod’s muddled brain was having difficulty figuring out where he was.

"What’s going on?" he asked. "Where am I?"

"You don’t remember?" Nick wanted to know.

"No," he answered.

"You were framed for murder," Nick said. "You’re about to be cleared when Logan is arrested."

"Logan?" he asked. "Would that be Robert Logan?"

"Yes," Rachel answered. "You found evidence that he was guilty of embezzlement and then he murdered or set up the murder of Fuller."

"William Fuller?" he asked.

"Yes," Victoria answered. "You were savagely beaten by two of Logan’s men."

"I remember now," he said.

"How do you feel?" Rachel asked.

"Pretty rough," he answered. "I’m tired and sore with some pain."

At that moment, the inspector walked into the room.

"Mrs. Barkley," he said, "your husband has been cleared of all the charges. We just picked up Logan and his two men."

"Thank you Simmons," Rachel replied.

"I want to examine him again," he said.

"You can see him after I examine him," he said

The family sat down in his room and waited.

"Jarrod is resting comfortably," he said. "He will be all right but he needs to be kept quiet and rest for at least a week before he can go home."

"Doctor," Rachel replied, "thank you for all you’ve done for my husband. He didn’t ask for this."

"No he didn’t," the doctor told her. "But he has been a model patient."

"Can we see him?" Victoria asked.

"Yes," he answered. "I’ll show you to his room. Remember that he needs a lot of rest. He also needs to start eating and drinking so he can build up his strength."

"I’ll get him to start taking nourishment," Rachel said. "He’ll be back to his old self in no time."

"Yes he will," Victoria replied. "Let’s go see Jarrod."

The family followed the doctor to a room at the end of the hall. Lying in the bed was Jarrod. His chest was bandaged and he was propped up to help his breathing. He was asleep. His face was still pale but Rachel could see that his cheeks were beginning to show some color in them. She walked over to his bed and sat down on the side of it. She reached over and kissed him on the forehead.

"Jarrod," she said very quietly, "can you hear me?"

Jarrod roused from sleep and opened his eyes. He looked up, smiling at his wife.

"Hi," he said. "I’m so glad it’s over."

"Yes it’s all over," she replied. "Logan and his two men are locked up and you are on your way to getting well."

"I know," he told her.

He looked around the room at his family and smiled.

"Honey," Victoria said, "you need to rest and get stronger. After you take a nap, I’ll get you some soup. The doctor wants you to start eating."

"All right," he replied. "I’ll take a nap but I hope soon to be out of here and back at work."

"You’ll go back to work when I say you can," Rachel told him. "You might be a Barkley and you might be a lawyer but I’m in charge of your health."

"Yes ma’am," he said smiling. "You certainly are."

Rachel broke out laughing and the whole family laughed.

"Jarrod," Rachel said, "you are so sweet. I’m so glad I married you."

She reached over and kissed him again.

"When I get back on my feet," he replied, "you are going to take it easy. You’re carrying our son and I don’t want anything to happen."

"Nothing is going to happen," she told him. "But I promise to take it easy."

"Good," he said. "I want this boy to grow up healthy and happy. With a name like Charles Matthew, he’s going to be a great man when he grows up."

"I think that he’ll be a rancher or farmer like his grandfather, father and two uncles," Rachel replied. "With the name of Charles, I can see it in my mind. Maybe our second son will be a lawyer like his father."

"I’m not going to tell any of my children what they can and cannot be," he told her. "My parents let me choose what I wanted to do. Although, I feel that my father was disappointed that I didn’t follow in his footsteps."

"He was disappointed Jarrod," Victoria said. "But he knew that you were going to be a great man someday. He always said that. He was very proud of you. After he realized that you weren’t going to run the ranch, he knew that Nick would. Nick was a natural with his loud, booming voice. He would make sure the men followed orders. But I believe that if he had known about Heath, he would have been just as proud. He knew he had a lawyer for a son and possibly a doctor in Gene. He definitely knew that Nick would inherit the ranch and that Audra would woo every boy in the valley with her beauty. But I believe he would have had a place in his heart for the son he never knew. The fact that Heath was born to another woman is beside the point. He is a Barkley and I’m very proud of him."

"Everyone is proud of Heath mother," Jarrod replied. "It explains something from my past too."

"What’s that?" Heath asked.

"When I was eight," Jarrod answered, "father went to Strawberry on business. He was gone for six months. We didn’t know that he had beaten badly and left for dead in an alley. Your mother found him and nursed him back to health. He fell in love with her and you came out of that bond. Anyway, when he did return home he was bitter and angry. I believe he was angry with himself. He began to ride me very hard. Every time I didn’t do what he wanted when he wanted, he got angry and punished me. One afternoon, he slapped me twice across the face. I ran away but not before telling Nick where I went."

"I went to get him," Victoria said. "Tom begged me to let him come along. He wanted to tell Jarrod how sorry he was. He did. But he still rode Jarrod. He wouldn’t hug him or tell him he loved him. One day at school, Jarrod was beaten up by three older boys."

"I begged the teacher not to tell my father about the fight," Jarrod replied. "I knew he would be mad. She sent my friend, Frank Semple, to the ranch to get mother and father. Matt Parker helped me to the doctor’s."

"We rushed into town," Victoria told them. "When we walked into the office, Tom asked the doctor how Jarrod was. I noticed that Jarrod stiffened when he heard his father’s voice. Tom didn’t tell Jarrod everything would be all right. In fact, he didn’t seem interested that his son was injured. After Jarrod was home, he changed. He became the loving father."

"Then came the day we arrived at my grandparents’ farm," Jarrod said cringing at the thought. "Father asked grandfather if he could speak to him. Grandfather said he was busy right then and asked if father could wait until later. He did. Nick and I went exploring."

Jarrod stopped as he remembered the whipping he took. Rachel held his hand tightly.

"I accidentally bumped into Nick knocking him down," Jarrod said. "Father became angry. In fact, he was so angry it scared me. He ordered me to stand in front of him saying that I did it on purpose. He said that all I did was grate on his nerves. Then he told me to remove my shirt and turn around. I did and he whipped me with his belt."

Jarrod started crying as he remembered the terror. Victoria picked up the story.

"Jarrod’s uncle pulled Tom away and hit him with a punch," she said. "He told Tom to look at his son’s back. Tom tried to apologize but Jarrod said that he didn’t believe him. So Tom backhanded him and knocked him to the ground. Jim came to Jarrod’s defense again threatening to forbid Tom from seeing him. Tom then walked off. Jarrod’s grandmother took him inside and tended to his back. Tom had a long talk with his father and brother. At the time we didn’t know what it was about. But now we do. He told them about your mother Heath. We decided that Tom would look at Jarrod, see me and then get angry with himself for having the relationship with your mother. He finally recovered and the relationship between Tom and Jarrod was repaired. Tom didn’t want to hurt your mother, me or anyone."

"I see," Heath replied. "He really loved my mother."

"Yes," Victoria told him. "He really did. That’s why he was so angry with himself. He didn’t want to hurt Leah or me."

"I’m sorry Jarrod," Heath said. "I know he didn’t know about me from the letter he wrote mama. She didn’t want to burden him with a baby."

"Had she told him," Victoria replied, "he would have brought you and your mother to the ranch. You would have had a place in the family."

"I appreciate that," Heath told her. "My mama was independent. She didn’t want to burden anyone."

"Anyway Heath," Jarrod said, "I love you and respect you as a part of this family."

"Thanks Jarrod," Heath replied. "You better rest before your wife gets angry."

"Yeah," he told them looking at Rachel.

"That’s right Mr. Barkley," she said. "You are still injured and you’ve had too much excitement for one day."

"All right," he replied letting his eyes close.

The family relaxed in his room while he slept.

"You slept for over four hours," Rachel said. "How do you feel?"

"I feel better," he replied. "I just wish I could go home."

"You will honey," Victoria told him. "The doctor said he just wanted to make sure you were able to handle everything."

"I know," he said. "This is not the way I envisioned my marriage to start off with."

"Jarrod," Rachel replied, "it doesn’t matter to me if we go on a honeymoon or not. All I want is for you to get well and be happy."

"I am," he told her. "You have made me very happy. I never dreamed I would run into you again. It was a miracle."

"No it wasn’t," she said smiling.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I knew you were living here," she answered. "I did a little checking when I came back and found out that you went to plays as often as your work would let you. I went to that play knowing that you would be there. I wanted to see you. I needed to see you to see if the feelings I had for you were still there. And they were. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that night but I was afraid that if you knew I wanted to see you, you would hate me."

"Rachel," he said, "you don’t owe me an explanation. I wanted to find you but the only thing I knew was that you had gone to Virginia with your mother. I was devastated and so alone when I found out you were gone. I’m glad you found me."

"That’s wonderful," she replied. "Now, how about something to eat?"

"Sounds great," he told her.

"I’ll go get you a nice bowl of soup," Victoria said. "You need to take it easy eating until we see if there is any permanent damage to your right side muscles."

"I hadn’t forgotten about that," he replied. "The pain is still there but it isn’t as bad. I dread when the doctor makes me get up and try walking. I’m afraid that something is going to be wrong."

"Honey," Victoria told him, "you are going to be fine. We’ll take one step at a time. If there are any problems, we’ll deal with them."

"All right," he said. "I’ll try."

"Good," Victoria replied.

Victoria left the room to get some soup for Jarrod. When she returned a few minutes later, it took both Nick and Heath to help Jarrod sit up in bed. He groaned in pain. When they finally had him comfortable, he laid his head back on the pillows to relax.

"Jarrod," Rachel asked, "are you in pain?"

"Yes," he answered. "I can’t get it to stop."

Jarrod was cringing in pain. Victoria motioned for Nick to find the doctor.

"Take it easy honey," Rachel said. "The doctor will be here soon."

"I don’t know if I can wait," he croaked trying to hold his right side.

The doctor walked in a few minutes later. He could tell by Jarrod’s face that he was in intense pain. The nurse that accompanied him handed him a syringe. The doctor injected Jarrod with medicine. He began to relax.

"Did you move him?" the doctor asked.

"Yes," Victoria answered. "So he could eat his soup."

"He doesn’t need to move around at all," the doctor said angrily. "He has a lot of damage to his right side. It’s going to take time for it to heal. If he needs to be moved, let me know."

"We’re sorry doctor," Rachel replied. "We were only trying to help."

"I know," the doctor told her, "but Jarrod is still injured."

"I’m all right now," Jarrod said still cringing.

"No you’re not," the doctor replied. "You can not and I repeat can not move around yet. Those tissues have to heal."

"It’ll be all right," Jarrod told them.

"Yes," the doctor said. "But it will take time."

The doctor and the nurse left the room. On his way out the door, he looked back and said, "No moving period."

Jarrod nodded as the pain began to lessen.

"I’m sorry mother," he said. "I didn’t realize that I couldn’t move without waves and waves of pain hitting me."

"We’re the ones who’s sorry," she replied. "You just rest."

"Do you mind if I skip the soup right now?" he asked. "I’m a little sick and getting tired."

"Certainly," Victoria answered. "You rest."

Jarrod’s eyes closed and he slept. Rachel and Victoria looked at each other.

"He’s not improved on his right side has he?" Rachel asked.

"It doesn’t look like it," Victoria answered. "We’ll know for sure when he tries to get up."

"I’m afraid that this might be permanent," Rachel said. "If he continues to have trouble on that side, he might never be able to maneuver."

"We won’t know until he tries to stand up," Victoria replied. "Right now he needs our love and support. He knows how much pain he’s in. He’s trying not to worry us but I can tell he’s hurting. I can see it in his eyes."

"Oh Mrs. Barkley," Rachel told her. "What if he never gets any better?"

"Rachel," she said, "get a hold of yourself. Jarrod is your husband and my son. He is no different than the day you married him. If he has permanent damage so be it. I will not stop loving him if he has trouble with his side."

"You’re absolutely right," Rachel replied. "No matter what his physical shape is, he’s my husband and I love him very much."

"Good," she told Rachel. "Now, we need to be happy around Jarrod. If he senses we are sad because of his condition, he will most likely give up trying. We don’t want that. We want to encourage him as he continues to heal."

"All right," Rachel said. "I’ll do my best."

"Good," she replied.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "it’s time for you to try to get up and walk."

Jarrod gritted his teeth and worked at sitting up on the bed. His side cried out as he used the muscles for the first time since the beating. Nick reached over to help but Jarrod shook his head.

"I’ve got to do this," he said.

Jarrod finally sat up but he was sweating and breathing hard. Then he put both his feet on the floor. He pushed up off the bed again gritting his teeth to the pain. Slowly, he lifted his left foot and put it down. Then he lifted his right foot and put it down. He managed to walk to the chair a few feet away. He was exhausted by the time he made it.

"Very good," the doctor said. "Any pain?"

"Yes," Jarrod replied. "But it eased after I got up. I guess the muscles are going to have to learn how to operate again."

"Yes," the doctor told him. "I don’t believe there will be any permanent damage."

"That’s wonderful doctor," Rachel said. "When can he go home?"

"Let’s give it a couple more days," the doctor replied. "He’s just now gotten up on his feet."

"You’re right," she told him.

"Hey," Jarrod said anger showing in his voice. "Don’t talk like I’m not even here. I’m the one who has to live with this pain. I’m the one who was beaten by a billy club. I am here."

"Sorry Jarrod," the doctor replied. "I didn’t mean to act like you weren’t here. I know you’re the one who has to do this. But you’re not alone. You have a family that cares about you."

"I know," he told him. "I just want to go home."

"It won’t be long," Rachel said. "I promise."

Jarrod nodded and laid his head back in the chair. Nick came over and put a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

"You did fine," he said.

"Fine," Jarrod scoffed. "I could barely walk to this chair and now I’m completely out of breath. I don’t know if I can do this."

"Sure you can," he replied. "You’re a Barkley aren’t you?"

"I am," Jarrod told him. "And don’t say that Barkleys never give up. Right now I want to give up. I lied to the doctor Nick. My side is killing me."

"Jarrod Thomas Barkley," Victoria said, "why did you tell him the pain eased."

"I didn’t want any more pain medicine," Jarrod replied. "I wanted to see if I could get along without it. It makes me sick."

"Boy," Nick told him, "you can be stubborn sometimes."

"Look," Jarrod said, "I’m trying to deal with this. I’m sorry I lied to the doctor. I’ll....

His voice trailed off as a wave of pain hit him. Rachel could see that he was in a lot of pain. She nodded at Nick who left the room. A few minutes later, the doctor came in with a scowl on his face.

"So you didn’t tell me the truth," he said. "Let me tell you something. You’re coming awfully close to causing permanent damage yourself. I need to know these things. If you don’t tell me how you feel, I can’t help you."

"I’m sorry doc," Jarrod replied. "I know it was wrong. But I didn’t want anyone making a big deal out of this."

"A big deal," the doctor told him. "The only thing I want is for you to get better."

"I want to get better too," he said.

"Then listen to me and be honest from now on," the doctor replied.

"Yes sir," he told him.

"Now," the doctor said, "I want to get you back into bed so I can give you some pain medicine. Next, I want you to stay very quiet until I say you can get up. And finally, I want you to start eating more. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir," he replied.

The doctor and Nick helped Jarrod walk back to bed. They finally got him situated and the doctor gave Jarrod a shot of medicine. He drifted off to sleep.

"Honey," she asked, "how do you feel?"

"I’m still in pain but I’ll be all right," he answered. "I’m sorry I lied to the doctor earlier. I just didn’t want to give in to the pain."

"I understand," she said. "But you need to be honest. The doctor can’t help you unless you tell him exactly how you feel."

"I know," he replied. "I promise from now on I will."

"Good," she told him. "Can I get you anything?"

"No," he said. "I’m not up to eating anything right now. I could use a little water."

Rachel picked up the glass. She eased Jarrod’s head up enough for him to take some water and then she laid it back on the pillows. She sat the glass down on the table.

"Rachel," he asked, "what if I don’t get any better? How can I go on?"

"You will handle whatever happens the way you have always handled anything that has happened to you," she answered. "You’ll go on and try. You won’t give up that’s for sure."

"No," he said, "I won’t. I’m not a quitter."

"Jarrod," Victoria replied, "I know you’re a fighter. You have been since the day you were born. I’m very proud of you."

"Thanks mother," he told her. "I wish father were still here. I could use some of his wisdom right now."

"He’s still here," she said. "He’s inside of you, Nick, Heath, Audra and Gene. If he were here right now, he’d say don’t give in son."

"I really appreciate what you’re trying to do," he replied.

The doctor walked in at that moment.

"I’m glad you’re awake Jarrod," he said. "I want to examine you again."

"Go ahead doc," Jarrod replied. "I’m not getting any better."

"What makes you say that?" he asked.

"I’m in so much pain," Jarrod answered. "Little things that I used to do with ease are now almost impossible. I don’t see how I’m going to raise my son when I can’t even hold him."

"Stop right there," the doctor said. "You are alive and you are improving. Granted, you still have problems but in time they should go away. But if you continue to wallow in self-pity, you never will get better. You will be an invalid for the rest of your life. Is that what you want?"

"No," Jarrod replied. "I just can’t go on hurting like this. I want it to end."

"Jarrod," Victoria told him, "I know where this is going. I know what you want to do. But you’re not going to. Do you hear me? I’m not going to let you. You are going to get better?"

"What are you talking about?" Rachel asked.

"Every time Jarrod has been badly injured, he has tried to take his own life," she answered. "I won’t let him do it."

"Are you telling me that he deliberately tried to kill himself?" Rachel asked.

"Yes," Victoria answered.

"Oh Jarrod," Rachel said. "You can’t. What about our child?"

"I don’t know," he replied.

"Young man," the doctor told him, "you are going to heal. You need to give it some time."

"I’ll try," he said. "I’ll try."

"Good," the doctor replied.

The doctor began his examination. Jarrod’s right side was still sensitive to touch but it was improving.

"You’re still very sensitive on your right side," the doctor said. "It will take time for those tissues to heal. You have to give yourself time to continue to heal. But if you give up, you’ll never succeed at anything again. Is that what you want?"

"No," Jarrod replied. "I want to get better. I want to go back to work. But mother is right. I have tried in the past to kill myself. I don’t know why."

"I do," Rachel told him. "You were in a lot of pain and very depressed. You didn’t have anyone to help you."

"You’re partly right," he said. "Mother, Nick, Heath, Audra and Gene were there."

"I mean someone who can help you," she replied.

"Rachel," Victoria asked, "what are you talking about?"

"A doctor that specializes in people, who can’t deal with pain," she answered. "I know a good one right here in this hospital."

"You do?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes," she answered. "I met him after my father died. He helped me deal with my grief so I could go on with my life. I think he can help you Jarrod. Would you like to try?"

Jarrod was quiet for several minutes.

"It’s up to you son," Victoria said. "If this doctor could help, why not give him a try."

Jarrod was still quiet as he pondered Rachel’s suggestion. Finally, he spoke.

"All right," he replied. "I’ll talk to him."

"Good," she told him. "Doctor, would you please locate Dr. Albert Strasser? I know he can help Jarrod."

"Yes I know Dr. Strasser," the doctor said. "I’ll have the nurse locate him. In the meantime, Jarrod just rest."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied closing his eyes.

"Rachel," he said, "it’s been too long. How have you been since the last time we spoke?"

"I’m fine doctor," she replied. "I’m married."

"That is wonderful," he told her.

"Yes," she said. "This is my husband, Jarrod Barkley, and his family. Jarrod was beaten badly and is having a hard time dealing with not improving as quickly as he wants to."

"I see," the doctor replied. "Jarrod, you are having trouble dealing with all this?"

"Yes sir," Jarrod told him. "I have tried to end my life every time I have been badly hurt. Mother will tell you."

"That’s right doctor," Victoria said. "The first time was when he was nine and had lost his grandfather in an accident. Then he was shot by his best friend’s father and he tried again."

"I see the pattern," the doctor replied. "Jarrod, are you up to talking?"

"Yes," Jarrod told him.

"Good," the doctor said. "How do you feel inside right now? I don’t mean your physical health, I mean your mental health."

"Not so good," Jarrod replied. "I am so tired of hurting and not being able to do anything."

"All right," the doctor told him. "You would rather die than deal with the pain?"

"Yes," he said.

"Tell me why," the doctor replied.

"My right side is in pain constantly," he began. "When I try to get up, it’s a struggle. I can’t walk without being completely out of breath."

"What would you like to do?" the doctor asked.

"I want to be normal again," he answered. "I want to be able to do the things I enjoy."

"But you do not want to wait," the doctor said.

"Yes," he replied. "I have been flat of my back for a couple of weeks and I want it to stop."

Tears welled up in Jarrod’s eyes as he tried to tell the doctor how he was feeling. Rachel reached over and took his left hand in hers.

"You are beginning to experience post-injury shock as we call it," the doctor said. "Your emotions are in such a hurry to heal that your body can’t keep up. Now, what we need to do is stop your mind and your inner self from jumping way ahead of your body. One way we can do that is to keep telling yourself that you are progressing as fast as your body can. Another is to completely shut off all thoughts of getting well too fast. And last is to let your mind concentrate on the damaged areas of your body so it can tell how much longer you need before you are ready to do things."

"I like the last one doc," Jarrod replied.

"I thought you might," the doctor told him. "What you can do is when your body is crying out in pain, let your mind hear it, concentrate on that pain and I believe that once you do that, your mind will let you heal at a slower pace."

"All right," Jarrod said. "I’ll try."

"Good," the doctor replied. "I’ll come back tomorrow to see how you are progressing. One thing to remember is you’re not alone in this. You have your family to help you deal with this. And that you can always talk about it. Talking relieves a lot of tension."

"Thanks doc," Jarrod told him as he left the room. "I think he may be able to really help me."

"I hope so," Rachel said. "You deserve to enjoy life not wallow in self-pity."

"Thank you Rachel," he replied. "You are a wonderful wife and I love you."

"I love you too," she told him.

"Jarrod," Victoria said, "maybe you better rest for a while."

"Yes mother," he replied and his eyes eased closed.

"I really hope this doctor can help him," Victoria told Rachel. "He needs someone who can understand the pain he’s enduring."

"Dr. Strasser is a man who can help Jarrod," Rachel said. "You wait and see."

"Mother," he said, "what day is it? I mean how long has it been?"

"Two weeks," she replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just wondering," he told her. "I feel so much better inside. I don’t know how to describe it."

"I think I know," Rachel said. "You feel relieved that you don’t have a time table set up to get well."

"How did you know?" he asked.

"That’s how I felt after I talked to Dr. Strasser," she answered. "He is a wonderful man who helped me through a very sad period in my life."

"I hope he comes by again," he said. "I want to talk to him some more."

"He will," she replied.

Jarrod laid there and thought about his life. He was the happiest he had been in years. He loved Rachel with all his heart. She was just what he needed. Victoria noticed Jarrod’s expression.

"Jarrod," she asked, "are you all right?"

"Yes," he answered. "I was just thinking how lucky I am."

"Yes you are," she said. "You could very easily have been killed."

"Not that mother," he replied. "To have a wonderful wife whom I love with all my heart. She’s what I’ve missed for all these years. I love her and I am so glad that we can spend our lives together."

"Yes you are a lucky boy," she told him. "To have found Rachel again after all these years. I know your father would be happy for you."

"Father," Jarrod said, his thoughts drifting away to a time when he was a young man.

"Jarrod," Victoria said. "Jarrod."

"Oh mother," he replied. "I’m sorry. My mind was lost in thought."

Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"I was thinking about when father told me that Rachel was gone," he answered. "He didn’t want me to see her again."

"I remember," she said.

"Mother," he replied, "I didn’t blame the colonel for what he did. But I wish he hadn’t done it. I was so lost without her."

"I know you were," she told him. "But that’s over and done with. You two are together."

I know," he said. "But I can’t help feeling that I never expressed to father that I wasn’t upset with him. I was so upset that I don’t think I ever told him thanks for trying."

"Oh honey," she replied. "He knew you weren’t upset with him. He loved you very much and wanted only the best for you."

"Thanks mother," he told her.

 

hapter 26      Dr. Strasser continued to work with Jarrod and his feelings over the next few days. It had now been three weeks since the brutal attack. Jarrod was continuing to heal.

"Jarrod," Strasser said, "when you are released from the hospital I believe you will be fine."

"I hope so sir," Jarrod replied. "I don’t want to ever go through that again."

"You won’t have to," he told Jarrod. "You have faced your demon and won."

"I couldn’t have done it without you and Rachel," Jarrod said.

"You are very lucky to have a wonderful lady like Rachel," Strasser replied. "I remember when her father died. She was bitter, angry and very upset. I let her talk and she told me about you."

"Me?" Jarrod asked somewhat confused.

"Yes," Strasser answered. "She told me that she had met a young man. He was tall, dark and handsome. But the one thing that she admired the most about you were your eyes."

"I know," Jarrod said. "Everyone is always commenting on my eyes."

"I take it you’re not too happy about it," the doctor replied.

"No sir," Jarrod told him. "You have to understand I have always found it awkward to deal with my physical characteristics. Not that I hate them. I would just be happy if no one commented on my appearance and did comment on me as a person."

"Yes," the doctor said. "I see what you mean."

"Thank you," Jarrod replied. "Doctor, can I ask you something?"

"Certainly," the doctor told him.

"I’m afraid to get up and try to walk," Jarrod said. "I don’t know if I can do it and how much it will hurt."

"I know son," the doctor replied. "But you have to face your fear sooner or later."

"I know," he told the doctor. "I just wish I wasn’t..."

"Scared," the doctor finished for him.

"Yes sir," Jarrod said.

"It’s all right to feel that way," the doctor replied. "Your body has been through a traumatic experience. When the time comes, you will do it and be rewarded when you walk unaided without pain."

Jarrod nodded understanding. That afternoon the doctor came by to see his patient.

"Jarrod," he said, "I believe it is time to try walking again."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I’ll try and this time if there is any pain, I’ll tell you."

"Thank you," he told Jarrod.

With Victoria, Nick, Heath, Audra and Rachel watching, Jarrod threw back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Then he pushed himself up onto his feet. He was slightly out of breath but he didn’t stop. He moved his left foot first and then his right. The family held their breath as they waited. As Jarrod walked unaided to the chair and sat down in it, he smiled broadly.

"How do you feel?" Rachel asked.

"I don’t hurt," he answered. "I’m sore but there is no pain."

"That’s wonderful honey," Victoria said.

"I believe you can go home tomorrow," the doctor replied.

"Thank you doc," Jarrod told him. "That’s wonderful news."

Jarrod sat up for the remainder of the afternoon. Victoria noticed that he was starting to drop his head and told Rachel.

"I believe Jarrod is ready to lie down," she said.

Rachel looked over at her husband nodding.

"I think you’re right," Rachel replied. "He’s still very weak and will need rest."

"He’s going to be fine," she told Rachel. "And by the time the baby arrives he’ll be ready."

"You know," Rachel said, "I can’t wait to have this child. I think Jarrod will be a wonderful father. He’s so understanding and caring."

"Yes," she replied. "This will make his life complete. Let’s get him back to bed."

Victoria walked over to the chair where Jarrod sat tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Jarrod," she said, "you need to go to bed honey. You’re falling asleep."

Jarrod opened his eyes looking up at his mother.

"I’m sorry mother," he said. "I didn’t mean to fall asleep."

"You’re still healing dear," Rachel replied. "Let’s go."

"Yes ma’am," he told her smiling.

Jarrod stood up and walked to the bed. He climbed in and the minute his head hit the pillow, he was asleep. Rachel watched him sleep. She smiled.

 

hapter 27      Finally Jarrod was released from the hospital. He was thrilled.

"Jarrod," the doctor said, "you continue to take it easy for a while until you completely heal. I want to see you in two weeks."

"Yes sir," Jarrod replied. "I will."

The Barkleys left the hospital. Once Jarrod was at home, Victoria, Nick, Heath and Audra headed back to Stockton. They would return as soon as the baby was born. Jarrod and Rachel were thrilled at the prospect of being parents.

"Rachel," Jarrod said one evening while they were sitting in the living room, "I can’t wait till my son gets here."

"Yes," she replied. "I can’t either. When does the trial for Logan start?"

"Sometime next week," Jarrod told her.

"Do you have to testify?" she asked.

"Not so far," he answered. "With all the evidence that was compiled by Fuller and myself Logan will spend a long time behind bars."

"I’m glad," she said. "He almost took my husband away."

"I know," he replied reaching over, kissing her.

Rachel returned the kiss.

With only two months left before the baby was due, Rachel noticed a change in her husband. He was very moody, upset and didn’t speak much. She was bound and determined to find out what was wrong with her husband.

Stay Tuned For The Sequel "Jarrod and Rachel."