Chapter Fifteen

Previously:

Jarrod shook his head. People like Sheriff Reed and, apparently, the late Franklin Arnold made him sick. "Let's get him to the coroner and then head home." He turned and headed for his horse while Heath and the others headed for their horses.

"Jarrod!" Tyson, a blonde-haired young man who had recently started working at the courthouse, called as he came out of the court building and saw Jarrod and Heath riding into town with Fred.

"Looks like I'm being summoned." Jarrod smiled and excused himself. Soon, he was looking down at Tyson only, when he started to dismount, Tyson stopped him. "I only wanted to give you this." The young man handed a piece of paper to Jarrod. "Judge Parker asked me to give you that the moment you came into town. He said to tell you he expedited 'the matter'. Don't ask me what 'the matter' is, Judge didn't tell me." Tyson then turned and walked away.

Jarrod unfolded the piece of paper he'd been handed. A smile a mile wide spread over his face as he read what was on the paper. He might have reread the words-just to make sure he wasn't seeing things only Heath rode up beside him and broke the silence.

"Good news?" Heath leaned forward in the saddle.

"Upon learning about the events in Lodi, Judge Parker pushed Bonnie's paperwork through." Jarrod handed Heath the piece of paper and let him read it for himself. "Bonnie is mine. Let's get home and celebrate!"

Heath's own grin appeared. He happily turned his horse around and headed home with Jarrod. It wasn't long before they were walking through the front door of the Barkleys' home.

"Jarrod, Heath. How did things go?" Victoria smiled as she took her eyes off Bonnie, who was lying on a blanket on the floor, holding a small rattle in her hands.

"As good as they could." Jarrod replied as he reached down and picked his new daughter up. He told his mother all that happened in Lodi while Heath joined Victoria on the couch. "Also, I have some good news." He looked at Bonnie and then to Victoria. "You have a granddaughter." He wasn't surprised when his mother let out cry of joy-though she did ask about the Arnolds. "Don't they have a legal right to take her in?"

"The Arnolds moved out of state once they were told about Franklin's death. In fact, people down in Lodi said Mr. Arnold and his daughter- in- law had mentioned the possibility of sailing to Australia to live with some cousins. Either way, no one knew for sure where they went. Fred learned that when he insisted we go see if any of Franklin's family would confess knowing a thing about any other illegal activities he might have been involved in – and found a few men looking at the now empty property instead." Jarrod held Bonnie a bit closer. "Fred and I both sent telegrams to various people, including Judge Parker. Anyway, Judge Parker pushed the adoption through." Jarrod told her, though he added silently, 'Doubt he'd want her anyway, not after what Mary said about him having some strange ideas.'

"Where's Nick?" Heath, who had remained quiet while Jarrod told the story looked around. It was past noon. He was sure Nick would have been in to grab a bite to eat.

"He and Mary went out for a ride." Victoria smiled. "He's rather smitten with her, finally got around to admitting that to me two days ago, and to her yesterday."

"She's a good woman. It would be great if things worked out for them." Jarrod was smiling at Bonnie the whole time he was talking.

"I think it will." Victoria stood up; a smile was on her own face. "They should be back soon. It's about..." She was interrupted when the door opened; Mary and Nick entered the house. It didn't take but a split second for them to ask what happened, and for Jarrod to once again repeat the story-along with sharing the good news he'd received in town. He wasn't surprised by the mixture of shock and joy in he saw on their faces… nor was he surprised when Mary excused herself and went upstairs. When Jarrod started to put Bonnie down, saying he'd go talk to Mary-Nick stopped him.

"I'll go." He hurried out of the room and up the stairs before anyone could stop him.

"Mary?" He poked his head into her room-easy to do since the door was wide open. She was standing in front of the window.

"I never had a lot of dealings with Franklin Arnold only Mrs. Arnold is the kindest woman you could meet. How could she marry such a monster?" Mary turned around, her face showing the stress she was feeling. "And, a part of me feels a somewhat horrible at being so happy Sheriff Reed is dead as well. I wanted him out of the law business for sure, wanted him to do time for what he did to me, but I really don't want to be the type of person to wish death on anyone."

Nick circled his arms around her and pulled her close. "When it comes to Mr. Arnold, I guess the man had two faces. When it comes to them being dead, I don't think you should feel guilty about your feelings. Work through them, yes, feel guilty- no." He pulled back slightly. "Now, what do you say we go celebrate Jarrod adopting Bonnie? Like I said, I always wanted to be an uncle and who knows maybe; someday, she'll have another aunt… maybe?"

"Maybe." Mary couldn't stop herself from smiling from ear to ear-the whole time thinking what a tale Bonnie would have to tell when she grew up and learned how she came to be a part of the Barkley family.

Epilogue

Nick muttered under his breath as he tried to get his tie tied. Jarrod, who had just entered the room chuckled and helped his brother with it. "The bride isn't going anywhere. You can relax."

"Never thought I could be so nervous. I.." Nick was interrupted when two-year-old Bonnie – who talked as if she was more like five- stuck her head in the door. In her rose color dress and her hair done up in braids, she looked like an angel. Though he and Jarrod were sent into fits of laughter as the young child put her hands on her hips and asked as politely as a two-year-old knew how to, "Please, are you ready? I've got things to do." However, she didn't have time to get an answer as Victoria shooed her away from the door and down the hall.

"Don't say a word." Jarrod, who had gotten control of his laughter, pointed a finger at Nick-who looked as if wanted to say something akin to 'like father like daughter'- continued chuckling as he threw his suit coat on.