The Divergence

Chapter 1

The gray sky was threatening to pour rain and Jarrod Barkley was wanting to finish up the few tasks he had remaining at his office before heading home. He hoped to beat the rain but the knock at the door made him realize that would probably not be the case. He sighed, glancing at the clock, knowing he was there longer than he'd said he would be.

He rose and walked toward the door, hoping whoever was on the other side would not need his attention for very long. After opening the door, he knew that would not be the case. Before him stood a blond haired, blue eyed beauty that had taken his breath away the first day he saw her, helplessly wailing as a tiny infant in his mother's arms.

"Audra," Jarrod said by way of greeting. He stepped aside to allow her to enter his office.

Audra entered and looked around. It had been a long time since she'd been in her big brother's office in San Francisco. She smiled at the fact nothing much had changed since her last visit. She turned around to face the dark-haired man who was as much a father to her as Tom Barkley had been.

She'd wanted to embrace him, give him an affectionate kiss on the cheek but refrained knowing he wouldn't welcome it. Jarrod motioned for her to sit at a chair across from his desk then he took a seat of his own. Audra swallowed back disappointment that he hadn't seated them at the sofa. That he planned to keep this as professional as possible was clear.

"How have you been?" Audra asked. Jarrod noticed the hopefulness in her blue eyes as she tried to start the conversation. Internally, he sighed. He'd missed his baby sister. He missed all his family, but past events were keeping them apart and neither side was inclined to give in.

"Well. And you?" he replied. He was trying not to sound impatient as he was eager to return home.

"I've been well. I've missed you," Audra replied, lowering her gaze. This was going to be harder than she thought.

The silence stretched between them and Audra was hoping Jarrod would have replied in some way to her declaration but when she looked back up at him, he remained stoic.

"How is Juliann?" Audra decided to take a different tactic. She saw a flash in Jarrod's eyes at the mention of his wife's name and Audra hoped he wasn't going to be angry.

Jarrod regarded the young woman before him. He knew deep down he wasn't angry with her, at least not as much as he was with the others. However, she represented the ones with whom he was angry. His many years of being a lawyer not to mention playing poker had trained him to school his features.

"She's well. In fact, I need to be getting home," he replied and stood. Audra stood with him and decided it was now or never. She had to tell him the reason for her visit.

"I'm getting married, Jarrod."

This stopped Jarrod in his tracks. He took a deep breath and motioned again for Audra to take her seat. He propped himself up against his desk and waited for her to continue.

"I was hoping you'd give me away."

Jarrod sighed. He would love nothing more. He just wasn't certain just how that would work given what had happened in the last few years. The family was estranged. Jarrod and Juliann lived in San Francisco full time Jarrod having shuddered his office in Stockton. His mother, sister, and brothers had made their displeasure of Jarrod's choices well known and words were said that left deep wounds. He decided to walk away from doing any legal business for the Ranch which rubbed salt in those open, festering wounds of all involved. He wasn't sure if he could face them and have to go through it all again.

Audra was watching her brother and noticed with relief how his features softened when she told him about her impending wedding and her desire to have him there. She knew the rest of the family would be furious, but she was tired of the rift between them. It was time to bring everyone together and to begin to heal. She wasn't naïve enough to believe it would happen quickly, after everything that happened between them it would take time.

"When is the wedding?" Jarrod asked, noticing how Audra smiled in relief. His heart constricted a bit when he realized she was worried he'd refuse her outright.

"June 15," she replied. Eight weeks. He was thankful she had given him plenty of notice. He would have to discuss it with Juliann. The timing would be tricky, but he thought maybe it could work. He wasn't looking forward to interacting with the rest of his family, but he knew he couldn't miss this momentous day in his sister's life.

"I'll need to speak to Juliann. I promise I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

Audra had hoped to leave with an answer today but the fact that he didn't outright refuse her was promising. She glanced at the clock and knew she needed to leave for the station. She stood and walked toward the door. Jarrod followed and the both paused when they reached it.

Audra took the opportunity to reach up and place a kiss on her brother's cheek. They embraced and Jarrod admitted to himself he held on a bit longer than what was necessary. He'd missed his sweet younger sister.

"Who is the lucky fellow?" he asked when they broke apart.

"His name is Jonathan. He and his family moved to the Valley last year. They bought the old Kyles place and have transformed it."

Jarrod smiled. "I'm very happy for you, Audra."

"I need to get to the station. My train leaves in an hour."

Jarrod thought for just a moment before reaching out to get his hat and coat.

"I have a carriage out front. Let me take you. We can spend a few more minutes together and you can tell me all about Jonathan."

Audra smiled, excited to spend time with Jarrod. This was more than she'd hoped she'd receive.

He grabbed his briefcase and after shoving in a few papers, closed it, and headed toward the door with his sister. The ride to the station was filled with Audra's tale of how she and Jonathan first met to the moment he asked for her hand in marriage. Jarrod pushed away the disappointment that he was not on hand for Jonathan to ask permission. Audra didn't go into detail in regard to that part of the story, but Jarrod was certain it was Nick or Heath that had been asked. Perhaps both.

The light rain was just beginning to fall as they reached the station. Jarrod helped Audra down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. They embraced and then Audra walked away. Jarrod watched as she stepped up to the train and turned around to wave at him. He waved back then made his way home.

As the carriage turned down the street where his townhouse was, Jarrod's heart began to race as it always did when he knew he'd be seeing his wife. He couldn't wait to see her, to hold her in his arms and to drink in the smell of her. She fit perfectly in his life and recently, the week before, she had given him the most precious gift in the form of Adeline, their daughter.

He eagerly exited the carriage and Saul was waiting to take the horses and carriage to the barn located behind the townhouse. Jarrod entered the townhouse, depositing his hat, coat, and briefcase on the table inside the door. He glanced at the parlor just in case his ladies were there. Seeing it empty he made his way up the stairs to the nursery hearing the loud cries of the newborn.

Juliann was cooing and speaking in soft tones to the wailing infant. Jarrod stood at the door watching how patient his wife was with the baby who was clearly not happy.

"Shhhh, I know baby. I'm here…Mama is here," Juliann crooned. Adeline's cries began to quiet down, and the newborn turned her eyes toward her mother. It was then that Juliann looked up and saw her husband.

"Welcome home," Juliann said, smiling at Jarrod. He quickly walked over and knelt beside his wife, giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead. He looked at his daughter and his heart skipped a beat. His daughter.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked as he lifted Adeline from her mother's arms and stood.

"She's hungry. We were just about to remedy that, but she seems to be content in her papa's arms."

Indeed, Adeline was attempting to focus on her father, her hunger momentarily forgotten.

"There now my sweet Addy. Papa is here now. All is well," Jarrod said softly. Juliann loved watching moments like this. In the week since Adeline's birth, Jarrod had been the most doting father. Addy was their miracle, given what had happened in the last 5 years. No one thought Juliann would be able to have children, but Addy had proven them wrong.

"Mrs. Taylor said she'd have dinner ready around 7. Does that work for you?" Juliann asked.

"Perfectly. I'm sorry I was late. Things took longer at the office than I thought."

Juliann smiled. "I understand. You haven't been there much lately, so I know you probably have a lot to catch up on."

Adeline decided she'd waited for her dinner long enough and her lip began to pucker. Jarrod smiled and knew what was to come next. A loud cry rang forth causing Juliann and Jarrod to both laugh. Juliann unbuttoned her blouse to reveal a waiting breast for her daughter. Jarrod handed Addy to her mother and watched again in awe as the baby latched and began to suckle. Jarrod kissed both his wife and daughter on the tops of their heads and then went to change his clothes.

Later that evening once dinner was over and Addy had been placed in the small bassinet next to her parent's bed, Jarrod decided he needed to let Juliann know of his visitor from earlier.

"I would have been home sooner, but I had a visitor at the office."

Juliann had been reading a book and looked up to focus on her husband. She waited patiently for him to continue.

"Audra stopped by."

Juliann's eyes widened. It had been years since they'd seen or heard from Jarrod's family. Juliann couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt knowing she was the cause, though if she ever mentioned that, Jarrod would be quick to inform her that she was incorrect.

"She's getting married and asked me to give her away," Jarrod said thoughtfully, keeping an eye on his wife's reaction. Juliann smiled, knowing how much this meant to Jarrod.

"That's wonderful, Jarrod. When is the wedding?"

Jarrod knew in his heart that Juliann was indeed happy with the news. She was keenly aware of the rift between him and his family though he never blamed her for it. In fact, just the thought of her believing she had any blame caused him to have feelings of anger and resentment, but he pushed those aside.

"June 15."

Jarrod watched as his wife did the sums in her head.

"Eight weeks. That should work out fine?"

Jarrod nodded. There were some logistics to work out, but he thought they could travel to Stockton a week before the wedding and get settled in. He had no intentions of staying at the large home with his family but would work on finding a place to rent for the short time they'd be there. Jarrod leaned in to kiss his wife and Juliann reached up to place a hand on his cheek. When they parted Adeline decided she was again ready for food. Jarrod got up from the bed to gather his babe in his arms and bring her to her mother.