Chapter 2

Jarrod spent several days poring over documents. He'd occasionally seek out Jaq to ask questions, but he was getting a good grasp of the situation. Jaq was correct in that her father kept meticulous records. He had every sales receipt, contract, and bill of sale dating back twenty years. The only thing missing was the deed to the ranch. It did gall him a bit that the sheriff did not take the break in from last year more seriously. The more Jarrod investigated the situation, the more he believed the break in wasn't just a drifter passing through but deliberate.

Jaq interrupted his thoughts by bringing him some coffee. She set the tray down on the edge of the desk and poured him a cup. Jarrod gladly accepted the hot liquid and took a sip. He thanked her and she smiled. Jarrod realized he hadn't seen her smile much since his arrival as she was clearly worried about not just losing the land, but her father's reputation being tarnished. He hoped to find good news for her, so he'd see her smile more.

There was a knock at the door and Jaq excused herself to answer it. She felt a moment of trepidation when she opened the door and she saw who was standing there. Jaq reluctantly greeted Joe Talbott. He was a man in his 40's with graying hair and his midsection was starting to spread. His eyes were brown and reminded Jaq of a rodent. In fact, his entire face could be described in that way.

Joe Talbott was the president of the local bank and he thought himself a very important person. He'd taken over for his father around ten years ago, who Jaq remembered wasn't much better. Jaq's father was not a fan of either man, and Jaq hadn't experienced anything to help her think any differently.

"Mr. Talbott," Jaq greeted, though there wasn't any warmth at all.

"Jaqueline," Talbott replied. He was using his most charming voice. Or at least he thought so.

Jaq grimaced at the use of her entire name. She had been standing in the doorway, not wanting the man to enter her home but he pushed his way through, closing the door behind him. Jaq hated it when he did that. She wasn't frightened of him but was extremely annoyed.

"You haven't been to town much lately. I wanted to see if you were doing well?" Talbott asked.

Jaq did her best to school her features and not show her annoyance she felt at the intrusion.

"I've been busy. And now really isn't a good time," Jaq replied, putting her hand on the doorknob. Talbott put his hand on Jaq's and she pulled back. He grabbed hold of her wrist, holding on to it tightly.

"Let go of me," Jaq said firmly.

"Let's go into the parlor to talk, Jaq," Talbott said and he began to pull Jaq along with him.

"I said no, Talbott!" Jaq raised her voice.

Jarrod had heard the voices but couldn't make out what was being said. He didn't believe it concerned him, so he continued working from the study. It was when he heard Jaq's raised voice that he walked out to see what was going on. He immediately was angered by the way Jaq was being manhandled and put his hand on his gun.

"I believe the lady said no," Jarrod said, his voice firm and sounding very much in command.

Talbott looked surprised to see Jarrod but still didn't release Jaq's wrist.

"You would do well to let go of Mrs. Childers," Jarrod said, his voice now sounding menacing.

Jaq was never at any point frightened as much as she was irritated. She was grateful for Jarrod's assistance however, especially since Talbott was being more forceful than he had ever been in the past.

Talbott dropped his hand and gave Jaq a withering look.

"You need to come into town and see me soon," he said. He looked at Jarrod with contempt and continued, "You can leave your watchdog at home."

Talbott then left. Jaq went into the parlor, sat on the settee and put her hand on her forehead.

"Jaq," Jarrod said as he came over to sit next to her. "Are you alright?"

Jarrod took her hand in his to assess the damage. He saw the bruising that was beginning on her wrist and worked hard at controlling his temper.

"I'm fine," she said although Jarrod thought it sounded weak.

Jarrod went over to the small table with glasses and poured Jaq a sherry. He handed it to her, and she drank it gratefully.

"Who was that and has he ever done anything like this before?"

Jaq nodded. "His name is Joe Talbott and he's the bank president. He's the one who sent the letter regarding my needing to vacate the property. He tried courting me not long after my parents died, but I was not in any way interested. He's taken some liberties here and there, but I've managed to not get caught in his crosshairs too often. He's been wanting this land for years, but my father would never sell. I suppose he thought if he could romance me, he'd get the property that way, but I've made it clear I'm not interested. Well, I thought I had anyway..."

Jarrod wanted to ask what other liberties Talbot had taken but since Jaq didn't seem upset as much as annoyed he decided to let it go for now. He couldn't help but feel protective of her, however. Jarrod worked to control his emotions. Things were beginning to make more sense and he thought perhaps now he understood what was happening. Talbott wanted the land and was determined to get it by any means. What didn't make sense was why. Yes, it was a very nice piece of property, but there were other properties in the area that would be comparable.

"Has he offered to buy the land?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes, but well below my asking price. And he's ran off two potential buyers over the last 6 months."

Jarrod shook his head.

"We'll go into town in a few days and meet with Mr. Talbott," Jarrod said. "Unless you don't want your 'watchdog' with you?"

Jaq smiled. "My watchdog is more than welcome to come along. Might even let you off your leash," Jaq said teasingly.

Jarrod laughed out loud, his blue eyes twinkling. Jaq couldn't help but notice it was a pleasant sound and how easy it could be to get lost in his blue eyes. She hadn't heard Jarrod laugh a lot and was grateful he seemed to be doing well despite recent events.

Jarrod and Jaq sat in the parlor, the room awash with the glow from the lit fireplace. The sun had set, providing them with a dazzling display earlier. They'd settled into an easy routine of Jarrod spending the day in the study, looking for any information that could help the case while Jaq worked around the house or in one of the outbuildings. There wasn't any stock left on the ranch, most having been sold, except for a few horses. Jaq had been systematically selling the stock over the last year in anticipation of selling the ranch.

They'd played a game or two of chess but mostly the two enjoyed quiet conversation. Jarrod regaled Jaq with stories from growing up on the Barkley Ranch and she laughed at the antics from both himself and Nick. She thought it curious that he never spoke about Heath as a child and when she questioned him, Jarrod shared with her how Heath had come to live with their family. Jaq felt badly for asking and Jarrod assured her that he hadn't minded at all. He loved his brother and Heath fit in so well with their family it was as though he'd always been there.

Jaq told a few stories of her own including how she and Paul had met. Jarrod could tell Jaq was still very much in love with her husband and his heart ached for her because of her loss.

"Jaq, if I may ask. Why are you selling this ranch?"

Jaq sighed and was trying to find the words to explain.

"I can come up with a lot of reasons, but I guess the only one that really matters is there are too many memories here. I know a lot of people would want to stay where the memories are the strongest, but I can't. Losing Paul the way I did and then my parents...it was just too much."

"I know your parents died from influenza. Did Paul?"

Jaq was normally an extremely private person, but she didn't mind the questions from Jarrod. She could tell he was genuinely interested in finding out about her and didn't want to use the information for his own purposes.

"My father and Paul had gone to a nearby town and on their way back, a rattlesnake spooked Paul's horse. Paul was thrown. Papa brought him back here, but Paul died not long after we got him settled."

The entire time she spoke, Jaq kept her eyes on the fire burning in the fireplace. Jarrod felt sad for Jaq and couldn't resist reaching over to squeeze her hand. Jaq squeezed his back. Before letting go she admitted to herself it was nice to have the physical contact.

"Thank you, Jarrod," she said softly, her eyes meeting his.

"For what?"

"For being willing to come out here. I know you've not had an easy time of it and I'm sure you'd rather be home with your family."

"Honestly," Jarrod replied. "It's easier being here. I feel as though I'm accomplishing something. My family is wonderful, and they mean well, but they can be smothering. Particularly, Nick. He's a mother hen."

Jaq laughed. She didn't know Nick well, but she could see that about him.

The two fell into comfortable silence. Jaq decided now was the time to talk to Jarrod regarding her part in the trial.

"Jarrod, I feel the need to apologize," she said.

Jarrod looked over at Jaq, a questioning look on his face.

"Whatever for?" he asked.

Jaq took a deep breath. "It was my testimony that caused you to lose the case."

Jarrod's look was kind. He shook his head.

"No, Jaq. Even if we'd known they were going to ask about the kiss, it wouldn't have turned out any differently. I had no defense. Beth had such a bad day and I dosed her with laudanum, then proceeded to get drunk. They could have used any or all of those against me as well."

"Then if I hadn't been so vain about not wearing my spectacles, I wouldn't have had a headache and needed to stay over," Jaq stated, her voice quivering. Jaq had sworn she'd wear her spectacles from that moment forward when needed and not care about who was around to see it. It was because of her vanity that Jarrod had lost his case.

Jarrod again took Jaq's hand in his own.

"You have no responsibility about what happened in any of this. Please, know that I don't blame you for any of it. I never have. Whatever guilt you feel I ask that you let it go."

Jaq couldn't stop the tears. She shook her head and she felt Jarrod release her hand. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and gently dabbed the tears from her cheeks.

"Please, Jaq," he whispered, his eyes searching her face. She eyes were downcast, and he put his finger under her chin, so she'd look up at him. "Promise me you'll let go of this guilt."

Jaq drew a deep breath to control her emotions. "I'll try," she said softly.

"We should get some rest," Jarrod said, hoping he'd convinced Jaq to release herself from the guilt she felt. He also felt the need to walk away which puzzled him. He enjoyed his time with Jaq and knew that while they had an attorney/client relationship, there was also a friendship forming. Other than just a passing glance, he'd never really paid much attention to how her blue eyes looked like a deep ocean or how long her eye lashes were.

Jarrod cleared his throat and stood. Jaq stood with him.

"Sleep well tonight, Jaq. Know that you are very special to me and my family."

"Thank you, Jarrod."

Jarrod left the parlor and made his way to the small cottage.