Jarrod leaned back in his chair as he sipped the coffee Edith made this morning. He looked out his office window watching for Sam. He had talked her into coming into his Stockton office since they were both here but now he regretted it as he would have no excuse to see her next week.

Jarrod had seen her every day for the last four days and the thought of not seeing her while she was in Sacramento brought a frown to the attorney's face. He knew it wouldn't be a problem for him to be in Sacramento but what excuse could he use to see her? Edith knocked on his door as she opened it.

"Excuse me Mr. Barkley; Ms. Harris is here to see you.'

Jarrod smiled at his secretary as he got up to greet Sam. "Thank you Edith." Jarrod opened the door wider so Sam could come in. "Would you like a cup of coffee? Edith makes the best coffee I've ever had." Jarrod winked at his secretary.

Sam smiled at Jarrod and said, "Yes that would be nice, thank you." Jarrod led her to the overstuffed chairs in front of his desk as he waited on Edith to bring Sam's coffee.

"How are you doing today Ms. Harris?" Jarrod decided to keep it somewhat formal at least while Edith was in earshot.

Sam smiled at Jarrod knowing what he was doing, "Very well, thank you for asking Mr. Barkley." She smiled mischievously and asked, "How are you today?"

Edith came back into Jarrod's office and handed Sam her coffee. "Do you need any cream or sugar Ms. Harris?"

Sam smiled at Edith, "No thank you."

Jarrod spoke to Edith, "That will be all for now Edith. Please make sure I'm not interrupted."

Edith sighed knowing what that meant; he was expecting one of his family members to show up. And judging by his bruised chin she guessed Nick must have put it there.

"As you wish Mr. Barkley," Edith closed the door behind her.

Sam sipped her coffee while she watched Jarrod. She was glad to see the bruising on his chin had faded somewhat this morning.

"How's your chin feeling?"

Jarrod lightly touched his chin and said, "Better although I'm sure I will not win any beauty contests with it."

Sam chuckled and said, "Did you see your brother this morning?"

"Briefly when he finally arrived home from spending the night in jail."

"Oh my," Sam gasped.

Jarrod rolled his eyes, "Please, it wasn't his first time and it won't be his last one. Spending the night in jail won't hurt him any."

Sam shook her head and said, "Jarrod you should be ashamed of yourself talking about your brother that way."

Jarrod blew out a disgusted sigh, "I should be, but I'm not." Jarrod got up and sat down beside Sam. He wanted to reach out and brush away the stray hairs from her face but he knew it would be improper. He sighed as he cleared his mind of those thoughts and said, "So Ms. Harris what can I do for you?"

Sam frowned inwardly as Jarrod turned the conversation to business. She knew he was the attorney her family needed but could they manage a professional and personal relationship? She sure would like to try but Jarrod had not done anything to make her think he was feeling this way as well.

"As you know my family owns ten Pool Emporium's and would we like to expand but we are finding it difficult because my brothers already each have three Emporium's they run, and I have two. My parents are getting older and it's all they can do to run the two we have in Nevada. We want to look at possibly creating a franchise."

Jarrod raised his eyebrows at her. "You want to create a franchise for the Pool Emporiums?"

Sam nodded her head, "Yes, we know it's a fairly new business idea but from everything we have heard, read about and from our research it is something we think would go over great considering the business we are in."

Jarrod had heard of franchising and agreed that for Sam and her family it would be ideal since they wanted to continue to expand. "I think it would be a great idea for your family since you want to expand. From what I know about Franchising the buyer has to be approved by you and your family with contracts drawn up, they have to put up a substantial amount of money to guarantee their loan and basically your family has control over how it is run since it will be carrying your name. It's a good way to get your business the exposure you want with little or no work on your part. I believe your family would receive a portion of the profits for an agreed upon time between both parties."

"But it's a lot of paperwork and legwork isn't it?" Sam asked.

Jarrod sighed as he answered, "Yes it is but you need to make sure the person who is buying into the franchise is the right person for your families business. You can draw up the contract to stipulate that although they will be the owner your family will still have the right to tell them how you want the business run. Where do you want to expand too?"

"New York."

Sam had seen Jarrod's frown when she mentioned New York and wondered what caused him to frown. Was it the thought of her going to New York?

"Jarrod?"

"Hmmm?"

"Are you okay? You had a far away look in your eyes?" Sam asked.

Jarrod sighed as he got up and went back to his desk and sat down in the chair. The thought of Sam leaving for New York was more than the attorney could stomach right now. He smiled politely and said, "Just thinking how far away New York is."

"Have you been there?"

"Yes I have during the war but I'm sure a lot has changed since I was there last."

Sam cleared her throat and said, "Well I can give you a personal tour when you come with us."

Jarrod frowned at her and asked, "When I come with you?"

Sam nodded her head, "Yes. You see my parents have been doing a lot of research on franchising and trying to find the right attorney to handle it for us. I have been to at least ten different attorneys and none of them was the right fit for me...or should I say my family." Sam blushed when she realized her slip and hoped Jarrod did not hear it. "Anyway I'm the one in charge of this venture so who I hire as the attorney is up to me. I think you are the perfect man for the job that is if you want it."

Jarrod wasn't sure if he should be happy or upset at the offer. That she was offering him the job was touching but Jarrod wanted a personal relationship with her and that could prove to be difficult if they were working together.

Sam noticed Jarrod's hesitation and asked, "Do you not want the job?"

Jarrod blew out another long breath before he answered, "Yes and no."

Sam frowned at Jarrod's answer, "What's the problem?"

"Me." Jarrod got up and looked out his window as he continued, "As much as the offer means to me Sam I can not accept it right now."

Sam got up and asked, "Why on earth for?"

Jarrod turned around and looked at this beautiful Madonna in front of him, "Because I don't trust myself around you." Jarrod turned away ashamed of his admission.

Sam frowned again and asked, "What on earth are you talking about Jarrod?"

"I would rather court you than work for or with you Sam." Jarrod stated as he kept his back to her and looked out his office window.

Sam swallowed slowly excited that Jarrod felt the same thing she had and she knew she would do whatever was necessary to make this work. "Jarrod we can make this work both professionally and personally."

Jarrod whirled around not sure he had heard her correctly but when he saw the expression on her face he knew he had heard her correctly. He walked to Sam and asked quietly, "Sam..."

Sam interrupted him as she placed her fingers on his lips savoring the feeling she was getting by being this close to him. "Jarrod please don't over think this. I'm willing to give it a try if you are."

Jarrod brushed away the stray hairs from her face as he brushed his lips against hers and whispered, "In that case I accept both of your offers." He pulled her to him and hugged her tightly enjoying the closeness and smell of her.