Chapter Nine

Jarrod went to Amy's room to ask her to eat supper with him. The desk clerk said she left at 5 pm in a carriage sent for her. "Why didn't she tell me?" It put him in a surly mood with everything else going on. He found her note after the fact.

Victoria asked "Where is Amy?" when he came to eat with the family.

"According to the desk clerk, she left at 5 pm in a private carriage. I haven't seen her all day except in passing between the suites."

Victoria scowled remembering breakfast. "How's Nick when you visited?"

"Antsy to get out of course. He's just worried about Katarina and the children. I am glad she went with me. She charmed the sergeant for an extra hour. They both are worried for Liz and the children. We told her that she accepted the agreement; he said he understood completely. He and Katarina want to move them to Stockton. He said he would give them some land to build. He's talking permanently."

"Katarina, Jarrod, I want to make sure we take Liz home to the ranch at least until she has the baby. I would like longer. She can stay forever as far as I care. She's family and the way I see it we are all she's got. She doesn't need to be alone in San Diego with all the children and a new baby."

"Of course Nicholas—-I think Mother is thinking the very same thing.

Katarina knew Nick had never recovered from what he witnessed with the children and the incident in San Diego. Another thing she loved about her Nick— a heart bigger than any man she knew.

"We took his black suit for the inquest tomorrow. Nate and Tom talked him through all the questions. They couldn't get the inquest sequestered so that is going to be awkward for all of us."

"Jarrod, what do you think about the offer?"

"It's not my decision. I promised her I would negotiate the best deal I could after the inquest. I want cash and property for them-anything Beaufort brought to the marriage for her, and my new sister-in-law Adrienne. I signed a preliminary agreement today that we will settle on terms for the transfer. So Amanda will show up. John was buried today."

"Amanda is testifying and Liz is already resting tonight to build up her energy for court. We are going to tell the children Friday night after we know all the details from the inquest and the inheritance. I would like anyone or all of you there if you feel comfortable."

They all nodded back at him.

"Jarrod, have you heard anything from Sacramento?"

"Yes, they are not happy. I am supposed to get Amy back there as soon as the inquest is over. I can't do that until I get Liz and the children settled legally."

"Won't or can't?"

"Both I guess. Liz has been my client for years and a member of this family."

They all went back to their rooms, deep in their own thoughts.

Heath and Isabella were settling into bed. She leaned into Heath and he groaned when he kissed her. As soon as she found she was pregnant again, he had abstained. The two miscarriages early had frightened both of them.

"Heath, I have been waiting to tell you something until we were finally alone." she smiled.

He looked at her with those blue eyes deeply in love with his wife.

"I have felt the baby move three times since we have been at the hotel. I went to a doctor this morning."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?" his look turned serious.

"I didn't want to worry you. I may be a little farther along than we thought and the doctor thinks I have passed the danger time. The first three months are. Be wise of course—-but there is not a reason to—- not be close again until the last month."

Heath grinned. He had missed her warm touch so much but he would do whatever it took to keep her and their baby safe. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, that's why I got my courage up and asked the doctor. He said it's perfectly fine as long as I feel well."

Heath pulled her gently to him and loved her well several times that night. They had missed this so much.

Jarrod spent the rest of the night with a bottle of scotch trying to sleep and organize the thoughts in his head.

He had known and admitted to himself that he was in love with Liz for years; it was always unattainable and forbidden. He would not pursue another man's wife. He kept her in his heart hidden there.

He felt like he did love Amy and he knew he had enjoyed her companionship more than anyone he had known in years. He knew she wasn't as she said "head over heels in love with him either". But the spark was there for a long and happy marriage. He knew they would have a good marriage and hopefully raise a child or two. She still wasn't keen on the children part, or at least bringing them into the world. He felt like she had done well these past two weeks helping with this large brood at the hotel.

They were physically desirable to each other and the one night they shared proved that. Yes, we became engaged because of the indiscretion but the attraction was there. He would never break the engagement; he wasn't a man that would go back on his word.

Oh but the what if's ran through his mind. He knew himself well enough not to entertain them. BUT…. "I would marry Liz on the spot hell or high water "

Amy spent a very pleasurable night with Peter. The boys were well-mannered and polite. She enjoyed their conversation and laughed at their childish jokes. They attended a private school in San Francisco and delighted their father in many ways. They were past the pre-primer years of needing so much attention and care. Babies and toddlers still unnerved her.

She felt like she didn't have a reckless bone in her body. Impulsivity was not in her nature. Even the one night with Jarrod was always in the back of her mind before it happened and alcohol brought it to the forefront. She admitted to herself she wasn't seduced. She could have stopped it at any moment-Jarrod was a gentleman.

She loved politics and business because it took strategy and forethought. She was a planner so when the idea of eating dinner with another man came to mind, it surprised her. Did this mean Jarrod was not the one?

She decided that she needed to know herself—-could she love another man just as easily as Jarrod fell into her life?

The boys went up to their rooms to finish their homework. His mansion was lovely. His first wife had exquisite taste. There were only a few things she would have even changed if this were hers. She loved the quality, beauty, and design of the home..

"Peter, I have known you since I was 16 right?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Would you kiss me if I asked? You did twelve years ago. "

This was more than he ever dreamed but he tried not to appear too anxious.

"I haven't EVER- kissed another man's wife or fiancée."

"Can I be the first?"

"Amy, I have never known you to play games. Your honesty has always been such a strength."

She smiled, "Well my request is based on honesty. I still do not play games. I promise you that—- I need to know if Jarrod is the only man for me or not. I have been having doubts."

He pulled her firmly to him and kissed her passionately until her lips were swollen and her cheeks flush. She found herself completely lost in his kiss. And no alcohol was involved, above the wine at dinner. She found herself full of desire and want for him.

She had her answer and she would talk to Jarrod after the inquest. I need to thank Liz one day for her laudanum confession. Or should she be thankful I was there to hear it? She had no doubt Jarrod would end up with Liz if she weren't in the picture and that thought did not bother her as much as it did before Peter's kiss.

Peter broke up her reverie, "Well did I take your fiancé's doubts away or confirm them?"

Amy laughed, "A lady never compares her beaux." and she leaned in and kissed him again.

They shared one more kiss in the carriage back to the hotel. "I will talk to you again soon" leaving Peter's arms.

Amy went to her room to be met by a waiting Victoria Barkley. "May we please talk?"

Amy shrunk inches with the tone of her voice. She couldn't keep the guilt off of her face. Jarrod's mother was a force of nature.

"Yes Mrs. Barkley come on in"

"Nevermind... I can say what I need to in the hall. Were you just with another man? In fact, I don't have to ask, by reading the guilt on your face. Do you even deny it?"

Amy just slightly nodded her head in terror at those steely gray eyes.

"Good Night!" and that diminutive woman turned and walked down the hall like a Viking warrior of old.