Time Marches On

Previously:

Nick didn't like it. Melissa was the best thing to happen to Heath in a long time. He was greatly concerned about anyone looking, and possibly causing trouble, for Melissa or Rachelle. "When do you plan on talking to her?"

"Tonight, when Heath brings her and her sister to dinner." Jarrod told him as he handed him the letter, saying he could tell Nick wanted to read it for himself.

"Thanks, I think I will." Nick started to take the letter only to have Rachelle rush back into the room-with Nancy and Mrs. Miller right behind her. Moments later, Rachelle was going on a picnic with the Millers, and Nick was sitting on Jarrod's sofa reading the letter.

Upon arriving home, Jarrod had asked Ciego to take Rachelle to one of her friend's to play. He'd then gathered the family into the living room, saying he had a matter to discuss with them. "We have a problem" had been his exact words. The moment Jarrod started reading the woman's description, and Melissa's face had paled, all the Barkleys knew Jarrod and Nick were right.

"I don't like it. With that said and done, I'd like to know why she isn't in jail." Heath sat on the sofa inside the Barkly living room; his arm was wrapped around Melissa, who had moved closer to him as Jarrod read the letter that Jesse Talman had sent.

"I haven't had time to look into the matter only I dare say fair promises and bribery had a hand in keeping her free." The fact that he suspected Mr. Glover had retained his freedom the same way was beside the point, so he said nothing on that subject. Though, he did admit to checking Glover out-just to give Melissa peace of mind. "My contacts assure me he's started over in another state with absolutely no interest in reopening ties to his past."

While that did give Melissa a degree of peace, she was still very much worried about Mrs. Lindon…and just what the woman's intentions were. "Forgive me for being a bit forward only," she looked at Victoria. "Didn't you say last night that you were planning on going to visit a cousin back east, along with seeing your youngest son?"

Eugene had left for New York a mere five days ago. He'd told the family they were welcome to com and see him anytime. "I was going to." Victoria admitted, though she was confused as she couldn't see Melissa running from anything. Though, the moment she thought that, a tiny voice in her head whispered, 'Who said she was worried for herself?' "Rachelle can come with me." Victoria assured the young woman only to be stunned to when Melissa continued speaking.

Melissa would not have said other word only, due experiencing firsthand what unforeseen circumstances can do, she felt she had to. "First, let me acknowledge I know the chances of anything happening to either one of you while you're gone is small. It's just that…" She hesitated as she rubbed her palms together- an annoying habit she had when she was nervous. Finally, she blurted out, "Is there any chance you could adopt Rachelle before you leave?" She wasn't surprised by the shocked looks that leapt on everyone but Heath's faces. She hurried to explain. "Things happen in life, as you all know. Rachelle can't stay here right now-not with Miss Lindon combing California looking for us. She needs to go with you only if something should happen, heaven forbid, and she's not a Barkley-they'd send her back to an orphanage instead of here. In all honesty, I've been thinking to talk to you about the adoption subject anyway-this situation just sped the process up. I'll explain everything to her." Frustration appeared in her eyes, fearing she might be sending some very unintentional messages. She needn't have worried-as the Barkleys knew she was only looking out for her sister.

Since Victoria had been trying for some time to think of a way to approach Melissa on the very subject of adoption, there was no hesitation on her part. She started smiling ear to ear and confessed what she'd been thinking herself. "I was just trying to decided how to approach you on the matter-not sure you'd want to allow me to do such a thing."

Melissa smiled in understanding. "My concern has always been the welfare of my siblings, Victoria." Melissa, who was more than uptight, felt her nerves relax. "Up to now, the only viable option for her was that I continue raising her. Only…" she shrugged her shoulders. "It's not like you'd be adopting her so I could run off and disappear out of her life."

Victoria agreed, and then looked at Jarrod. "There's got to be a way flush this woman-Miss Lindon- out. I mean, set some sort of trap. None of us, including Melissa, need the threat of what she intends to do hanging over our heads."

Jarrod had thought about that, but hadn't thought of anything yet…and said so. "Though, while we are thinking about how to lure Mrs. Lindon into any sort of set up, I best get back to my office and draw up some adoption papers. I have a few contacts that might be able to push the paperwork through faster than normal." He excused himself and left.

Silence enveloped the room until the front door opened and Rachelle walked into the house, shocking everyone. She was supposed to be gone all morning. Before any of them could question her, Rachelle was providing the answer. "Jenny's sick; she can't play."

Seeing no reason to prolong anything, Melissa stood up. "I'm sure she'll be fine. You and I need to have a private talk and, no, before you ask, you've done nothing wrong."

Rachelle scrunched up her nose, making one of her funny faces, and asked, "Then how come ya need ta talk ta me in private?" The question earned a few chuckles out of the Barkleys.

"I just do." Melissa replied as she walked out of the room, followed by a very reluctant Rachelle. Once they were out of sight, Victoria, Heath and Nick began tossing around various ideas that might help push Miss Lindon into the arms of the law.