Ella stretched and yawned as she woke to the sounds of the other boarders rising and getting ready for their day. Jarrod reassured her last night she'd get possession of her townhouse today along with the rest of her late husband's bequest.
Ella heard the clock downstairs chime eight, plenty of time to gather her things together before she was to meet Jarrod. She smiled at the thought of the attorney. Once the money was transferred into her name, she'd be able to pay him back for his generosity. But Ella felt a pang of regret that she wouldn't be seeing Jarrod Barkley on a daily basis anymore. She enjoyed his company very much, too much, in fact. It certainly wasn't proper for a newly-widowed woman to be having such intense feelings for a man, at least not until an appropriate mourning period had passed. And a week and a half was not at all an appropriate mourning period.
It didn't take long for Ella to be ready and soon she was saying her goodbyes to Mrs. McLean and heading out the door. A block later, Ella had to laugh. There was no need today for her to trudge up and down the streets of San Francisco. She could readily afford the dime to hire a cab and did just that the next time she saw one. Settling back in the seat, Ella was content to watch the city pass by and tried not to think of what, or whom, the future might hold. There would be enough time for that later.
They soon pulled up in front of the townhouse and Ella thanked the driver as she paid him his fare. She made her way up the stairs and unlocked the door. Jarrod was going to meet her there at nine-thirty and Ella guessed she had a little time to make sure the place was presentable. Placing her carpetbag in the hall, she went into the parlour, freezing when she heard the soft 'click'.
"Hello, Ella," came the deep voice. Ella whirled to see Warren Collins sitting in one of the armchairs, holding a pistol in his hand. "Let's get down to business, shall we?"
.
Jarrod knocked on Ella's door. He and Ella were to go over the final distribution of Jock's estate and then their business would be concluded. He consoled himself with the thought that Ella might need some future legal advice and, being the widow of a family friend, they might end up traveling in the same social circles and see each other again. Jarrod was about to knock a second time when the door opened to reveal a familiar face.
"So glad you could join us, counselor," Warren Collins invited. He was holding Ella tightly around the waist, his gun at her neck. "We've been expecting you." He backed away from the door. "Now come in and close the door."
Jarrod walked slowly into the hall, shutting the door behind him. "Ella, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
Ella nodded. "I'm all right, Jarrod," she said in a shaky voice.
"Oh, isn't this touching?" the gunman sneered sarcastically. "How's she been paying your fees, lawyer? Flat on her back, like she paid my uncle?"
Jarrod took an angry step forward, but stopped short when Ella winced as the gun was jammed harder under her jaw.
"I wouldn't."
Jarrod drew a deep breath to regain his composure. "What do you want, Collins?"
"Only what she took away from me. My uncle's estate should've been mine, not given to any little tart that caught his eye."
"Your uncle left most of his estate to charity," Jarrod said in his best courtroom voice. "What was left was divided between you and Ella." His eyes caught Ella's. There was an element of fear there, but also a glint of the I'm-not-going-to-give-up determination he'd seen before.
"It should never have been divided," came the angry response. "And I'll bet the two of you concocted that charity angle just to cheat me out of what was rightfully mine!" Collins' face was getting a crazed expression.
Jarrod noticed Ella's hand creeping toward the letter opener on the hall table. Ella, be careful, he thought silently.
"Why don't we go back to my office?" Jarrod suggested, trying to keep Collins' attention on him. "I'm sure we can get everything sorted out there."
Ella's hand curled around the handle of the letter opener. Jarrod wanted to shout at her, to tell her not to risk it, that it was too dangerous with that gun against her throat, but he held still, not wanting to betray Ella's intentions.
All of a sudden, Ella's hand flew back. She twisted as Collins yelped in pain with the letter opener stuck in his side. Jarrod leaped forward as the gun went off harmlessly toward the ceiling and caught Collins in the jaw with a powerful blow. The tall man crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Jarrod grabbed the pistol before turning to Ella slumped against the wall.
"Ella, are you hurt?"
Ella shook her head, flinching. "Not really. But I think I hit my head."
Jarrod offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. Arm around her waist, he escorted Ella to the sofa in the parlour.
A loud rap was heard on the front door. Jarrod placed a reassuring hand on Ella's and went to answer. A uniformed police officer was standing on the step.
"Was walking by and thought I heard a shot come from inside, sir. Figured I'd better check it out."
"You figured rightly, officer." Jarrod stepped aside and let the constable in. "You've saved me the trouble of coming to find you."
The police officer surveyed the scene, taking in the slightly stirring form of Warren Collins on the floor and the signs of struggle. He removed his hat as Ella came out from the parlour.
"Ma'am."
"Officer, this man broke into my house and threatened me," Ella told him. "I'm very fortunate Mr. Barkley came by when he did." She threw Jarrod a grateful smile.
Jarrod and Ella filled the officer in on the recent events. The officer reminded them they would have to come down to the station to make formal statements before he left with the semi-conscious Collins. Jarrod closed the door behind them with a relieved sigh.
"Well, I don't think he'll get a chance to bother you again," Jarrod said, taking Ella's hand in his. "Are you sure you're all right?"
Ella gave him a tired smile. "I'll be fine, Jarrod," she assured him as she gazed into his brilliant blue eyes. Jarrod suddenly didn't care that he was about to do something inappropriate. Placing a finger under her chin, Jarrod tilted Ella's face to his and kissed her softly on the lips. Ella moved closer and Jarrod gathered her into his arms, the kiss growing more intense.
"Jarrod," she said, almost in a whisper, "we shouldn't be doing this."
"I know." Jarrod's voice was heavy with regret. "Forgive me, Ella."
Ella reached up and touched his cheek. "There's no need to ask forgiveness. It's just too soon." She lowered her gaze, but then looked into his eyes again. "I think it might be better if we didn't see each other for a while."
"That would probably be wise." Jarrod retrieved his hat from where it had fallen on the floor. "I'll leave the paperwork for your husband's estate with the bank manager. He'll make sure everything is transferred into your name." He placed his hand on the doorknob. "Goodbye, Ella," he said, looking back at her.
"Goodbye, Jarrod." Ella watched as he shut the door behind him.
