Chapter 1

The morning sun rose, giving a dazzling display of colors. Jarrod Barkley watched, a small smile on his face.

He normally did not rise with the sun but found that he could not sleep any longer this morning. His thoughts drifted back to the conversation he and his wife had the night before.

"Jarrod? Jarrod are you asleep yet?"

Jarrod mumbled something incoherent. Sarah bit her lip, trying to stifle her laughter. Jarrod opened one eye to look at her.

"What's so funny?" he asked. The moon was full and casting enough light into the open window for him to see his lovely wife's face.

"You are. I didn't realize a person could fall asleep so quickly!"

"Is that why you woke me? Because I fell asleep too fast?"

Sarah did laugh this time. She snuggled up close to her husband and ran a hand across his broad chest.

"No, I wanted to ask you something."

Jarrod kissed the top of her head. He knew she had been wanting to say something to him all evening but decided to let her do it in her own time.

"What is it?" he asked, yawning.

"Your nickname, 'Pappy'. Do you think the others would mind if we changed it?"

Jarrod was beginning to wonder if his wife had had too much sherry before dinner. But wait, she hadn't had any, as he remembered now. What was she talking about?

"Changed it to what?"

"Papa."

Jarrod waited only a second to sit up and turn up the light. He could see her wide smile and shining eyes.

"Are you sure?" he asked grabbing her arms.

"I am a nurse after all."

Jarrod pulled Sarah to him.

"When did you find out?"

"Last week."

Jarrod pushed Sarah back to look at her face.

"Why are just telling me now?"

Sarah's happy expression turned sad. Her eyes filled with tears and she needed a moment before she could speak.

"After what happened last time, I wanted to wait before I said anything. I saw Howard and he said he didn't see any reason why I couldn't carry this one full term."

"When?"

"Thanksgiving, it looks like."

Jarrod lay back down and held his wife close. He hugged her tightly to himself, willing her the strength she needed. They had thought they would be parents before now, but it wasn't meant to be.

They had been in San Francisco the year before to celebrate their first anniversary when Sarah suspected she might be expecting. She hadn't been feeling well and went to see a former colleague. He confirmed her suspicions and Sarah shared the news with Jarrod. He was ecstatic. But not long after, Sarah miscarried. It was devastating to them both. Sarah asked Jarrod not to say anything to the family. They had been through quite a bit the month before when Jarrod had been temporarily blinded in an explosion due to the heinous acts of Joshua Cunningham. Plus, she wanted to do her grieving for their unborn child in private and he agreed. They spoke about their baby from time to time, but in the privacy of their room. The family still did not know about the miscarriage and Sarah believed that was for the best. Them knowing would change nothing.

Jarrod looked down at his wife and noticed her even breathing. She had fallen asleep. He found himself praying they would be able to see this baby, hold him or her in their arms. He reached to turn down the light and closed his eyes, letting sleep claim him.

Jarrod felt Sarah's arms come around his shoulders. She rested her head on his as he sat in the chair.

"You're up early."

"Couldn't sleep. I was too excited."

Sarah walked around and sat on Jarrod's lap. He welcomed her, wrapping his arms around her slim waist.

"We probably won't be able to do this in a few months. I'll be too big."

Jarrod smiled. "I'll still enjoy holding you."

"Will you still find me attractive?"

Jarrod almost made some teasing remark when he noticed his wife's face. She was worried about it, he could tell.

"My dear, I cannot wait to see your body grow with the child we created with our love."

Sarah's eyes filled with unshed tears. She blinked them away and leaned over to kiss her husband.

She smiled sweetly as she whispered, "It's still early. Why don't you come back to bed."

"I'm not sleepy," he said.

"Neither am I."

Jarrod returned the smile. He picked up his beautiful wife and carried her back to their bed. It was a wonderful start to the day.

Jarrod finished straightening his tie and turned back to watch Sarah as she fixed her hair. She had pulled up the sides with some hair pins letting the rest fall loosely down her back. He loved it when she wore her hair this way. When she turned around, she noticed him looking at her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Just thinking about you."

Sarah walked over to him and placed her arms around his neck. He kissed her gently.

"When should we tell the family?" he asked.

Sarah tilted her head, thinking.

"Your mother's birthday is next week. Why don't we make it part of her present?"

Jarrod liked the idea and hugged his wife closer. "That's a great idea. How will we do it?"

Sarah pulled herself from Jarrod's embrace and went to her dresser. She opened a drawer, pulled out a small box and handed it to her husband. He opened the box and looked into his wife's eyes.

"You saved these?" he asked.

Sarah shrugged. "They're special."

Inside the box was a pair of baby booties. When Jarrod had found out Sarah was expecting the year before, he had seen these in one of the stores in San Francisco and given them to her. He thought she had gotten rid of them after the miscarriage.

"I think this is the perfect gift for her. Thank you, Sarah. I love you."

Sarah drew closer to Jarrod and hugged him tightly. She didn't trust herself to speak just yet. After a moment, they joined their family downstairs for breakfast.

It was a beautiful Spring day, but Nick didn't seem to notice. He was too lost in thought thinking about his brothers and sister.

Heath had shared with him that morning that he was going to ask Cassie to marry him. Cassie was Stockton's schoolteacher. Her family had moved into the Valley the summer before and Heath had taken to her right away. Nick slapped his brother on the back while telling him congratulations. He was a little surprised that Heath would tell him before hand and saw it for the privilege it was.

Jarrod and Sarah had been married just over eighteen months and seemed as happy as they day they wed. He wondered when they would begin their family. He looked forward to seeing little Jarrods and Sarahs running around.

Even Audra was getting serious about a young man. Nick was accustomed to seeing Audra with a string of fellows tagging along behind her. But Malcolm seemed to have made quite an impression on Audra. She fairly glowed when his name was mentioned.

Nick was happy for his siblings, but also felt some jealousy. He had turned many female heads and knew that all he had to do was give a little attention this way or that, and he could probably be married soon too. But to be honest, he hadn't found any young woman to be that "special one". Looking at Jarrod and Heath and how happy they were, made him want what they had. The love of one woman. Could there be someone for him? He hoped so.

"She has to be out there somewhere," he whispered to himself. "She has to be."

Victoria's birthday party was scheduled to begin in an hour. Several close friends had been invited to help celebrate. The family was gathering before to give their beloved mother her gifts in private.

"Oh, Heath, it's beautiful!" Victoria exclaimed over the small cedar chest Heath had carved for her. Heath always did exceptional work and this time was no exception. Cassie had added a pair of riding gloves, and Victoria loved the feel and smell of the leather. She placed a kiss on her son's cheek and gave her future daughter in law a warm hug.

Nick brought his gift next. Victoria smiled and eagerly tore at the wrapped present. It was a beautiful valise.

"Oh, Nick. I love it!"

"I noticed the last time you left for Denver that your old one was looking worn."

Victoria reached up to place a kiss on his cheek and gave him a hug.

Victoria smiled at her family. Each one had given her such special gifts, things that she would cherish and be able to use. Audra's gift of tickets to the theater and Jarrod's and Sarah's gift of a new dress were perfect as were Heath's, Cassie's and Nick's gifts. Victoria was about to make a speech when she noticed Jarrod standing.

"You'll pardon me, Mother for not giving you a chance to speak, but we have one more gift to give. Actually, it is for the entire family."

Everyone seemed puzzled as Jarrod brought forth a small box and presented it to his mother. Victoria opened it and her breath caught.

"Jarrod, does this mean...?"

Nick, Heath and Audra gathered around and saw a pair of baby booties. They all looked up at the same time and saw that Jarrod and Sarah were all smiles.

"Yes, mother. You are going to be a grandmother around Thanksgiving."

"Oh Jarrod! Sarah!" Victoria said as she went to hug them both. Victoria could not hold back her tears. Audra came forward to hug her brother and sister-in-law, crying as Victoria had done. Jarrod accepted hugs from his brothers. The family almost lost track of the time. Guests were going to be arriving soon and they needed to clean up wrapping paper and gifts. Tonight, was definitely a cause for celebrating.