CHAPTER 1
SAN FRANCISCO
Jarrod is sitting in his office deciding if he wants to go home to the ranch for the holidays. He isn't sure he wants to celebrate them and be around a lot of people. It isn't like anyone would miss him. His father wouldn't miss him he has Nick and Heath. His mother has Audra and Gene. So, no one would miss him. Also, he has been asked to talk to a prisoner at San Quentin women prison who may have been convicted of a crime she didn't commit. Also, her lawyer may not have done his job defending her causing her to be convicted. If Judge Oakes is right and they can prove it than the prisoner could be granted a new trial. He is thinking about all of this when he is interrupted by a knock on the door by his assistant with a telegram from his mother wanting him to come home for the holidays. He sends a reply stating that it is undecided what he is going to do yet. He sends it as he boards a train to Sacramento.
He is making notes about the case and what information he needs to get. He is wondering what kind of shape his new client will be in, because prison life can be hard. He decides to try to take a cat nap before he gets there. As he closes his eyes, he remembers the wire from his mother. He is thinking that she will have to understand.
He is thinking about his cases, family, and his Beth before she died. How he was so happy until she was killed. He is thankful that his parents have each other, but he will never have that, and he must live with it. He will never love again. That is the way it is. All he has is his career and nothing anyone says or does is going to change that. He is thinking about all of this as the train pulls into Sacramento. It is late so he decides to get a hotel room and dinner. He will go to the prison tomorrow.
THE RANCH
Victoria is in tears. Nick, Tom & Heath come in they all notice. They ask her what is wrong? She tells them nothing as she gets up to finish dinner. They ask Audra what is wrong? She tells them that Jarrod isn't coming home for the holidays. They all yell what? He didn't say why? She tells them that she is going to San Francisco to spend the holidays with him. Tom says now young lady. She says don't now me. If you really loved Jarrod you would make sure he had a family and home to come to, but all you care about is Nick and Heath. Nick says Audra that isn't true. She turns to him and says yes, it is. She says when was the last time you spend time with Jarrod Nick. She says ever since you started working with father full time, and since Heath joined the family you haven't spent any time with Jarrod. Have any of you noticed that every time he comes home, he packs up more of his things and takes them back to San Francisco with him. No, you haven't noticed none of you. Also has it ever occurred to you three that is the reason he became so close to Beth so fast, because she gave him what he needed and that you three refuse to give him love. She tells them as she runs up the stairs. Heath says she does have a point Nick. He says we really messed up he says a Tom goes to the kitchen to talk to Victoria.
He tells her I am sorry Tori. Audra is pretty upset with Nick, Heath, and I. She says I know. He asks her do you agree with her. She says when Beth was alive Jarrod lived, but not it is like he is just going through the motions and not living. And what has his family done to take care of him and help him nothing. You, Nick, and Heath have been taking care of the ranch and not caring about Jarrod. I have been taking care of the house and the children that I haven't considered my oldest child. We all have forgotten that there is another member of this family. She tells him with tears coming down her face. He tells her that maybe Audra has the right idea about going to San Francisco. She says what? He says you had no idea that our daughter plans to go to see Jarrod he asks as there is a knock on the door.
Silas answers the door to Judge Harlan. He says hi to Tom and Victoria. They invite him in. He tells them that he has come to deliver gifts for everyone from Jarrod. I told him I would deliver them for since I was passing through. He says to tell the children not to open the gifts until Christmas. They ask him to stay for dinner. He agrees since his train is delayed. Audra bombards him with question about Jarrod. Tom tells her to stop asking so many questions. She says you may not care about Jarrod, but I do, and I want to know everything about him. He tells her that he is alright. That when he says him the last time, he was on his way to the women's prison to see a client. Victoria suggest that they move into the living room and tells Audra to stop asking questions. Audra excuses her self and leaves without permission from her parents. She goes up to her from. She says out loud you may not care that Jarrod isn't here, but I do.
After the Judge leaves. Tom says I think it is time I talk to our daughter. Victoria says no I will talk to her in the morning. He says alright, but what they don't know is that their daughter is upstairs counting her money to see how much she has saved up so she can buy a ticket to San Francisco.
The next morning Audra gets up before everyone and writes a note to her mother telling her that she has done to be with Jarrod. Then she leaves to catch the morning train.