Chapter 8

He had honestly meant to wait until she was feeling stronger to say anything, but the words slipped out. His curiosity had gotten the better of him. Adeline closed her eyes briefly, aware that she must have said something in her delirium. She had been wanting to tell Jarrod, and it seemed her fever had taken care of it for her.

"Adeline, I'm sorry. You're not up to this conversation. I should have waited."

Adeline opened her eyes and stared into the crystal blue eyes of her husband. They were filled with concern for her and she knew now was the time to tell him everything. She only hoped he didn't hate her in the end.

"No, Jarrod. I've been trying to get up the courage to tell you." She paused and Jarrod continued to watch her, waiting for her to go on. He reached over and took her hand in his, hoping to give her some of his strength. Surprisingly, Adeline took her hand back. Jarrod raised his eyebrow in question and Adeline blinked back tears. She didn't want comfort as she finally told Jarrod the truth. She was too ashamed.

"When Cedric found out about you, he was very angry. I think I mentioned that before. I admit I was scared. We hadn't known one another long at all, but he had been nothing but kind, even gentle in his treatment of me. He knew that I hadn't wanted the marriage. In truth, he hadn't either, but was eager to fulfill the marriage contract and turn the lands over to my father. The day I told him about the baby, he changed. The kindness I had seen in his eyes disappeared and I never saw it again. He hated me."

"Adeline did he hurt you?" Jarrod had to interrupt her with this question. He had to know.

"He did strike me. Once. That was all. And yes, he did hurt me over and over but not the way you're thinking."

At Jarrod's questioning look, she sighed.

"Once Cedric knew you were the father of my baby, he made a point of following your career. I don't know the specifics of how he did it. Whether it was through a private investigator or a close associate of yours that he paid off. But he knew everything about you. He followed every case, every trial and knew if you had won or lost. He's the one who told me about your father. He seemed so smug and pleased that you were suffering through that loss. It made me angry, but I knew better than to show it. I was almost due with Meredith and didn't want to risk his wrath."

Adeline drew a deep breath, feeling exhausted, but she refused to give in to the urge to sleep. She needed to tell Jarrod everything.

"Cedric was a very influential man. He had lots of money and used it to get whatever he wanted. As I said, he followed every case but one seemed to stick out to him. A man that you prosecuted was put in jail. Later, Cedric found out that the man was put on a list of possible candidates to be pardoned by the Governor. Cedric used his money to make sure the man would get the pardon."

"Cass Hyatt," was all that Jarrod said.

"I never knew his name."

Jarrod nodded and asked her to continue.

"He contacted this man, Hyatt, and told him that he wanted you killed. That he would work it out so he wouldn't be hanged, but that he would get a life sentence in prison. Of course, he had to make it worth it to Hyatt. He fixed it so that Hyatt would live in the lap of luxury for the rest of his life. He might be in prison but would have every creature comfort."

Jarrod felt his hand going into a fist and tightening. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Part of him wanted to ask Adeline to stop, to not tell him anymore and the other part was wanting to scream for her to continue.

"When Cedric found out that Hyatt had murdered your wife instead, he was upset at first. He rarely came to me but would send his assistant in to tell me the things he had done to you or was going to do to you. But he came and told me he was going to have you killed. I begged him not to kill you. I pleaded for your life, but he just laughed and said what was done was done. When he told me about Beth...Oh Jarrod, I felt so guilty. I didn't want her to die, but I was so relieved that you hadn't been killed. And then I thought about the pain you had to be going through."

"I almost killed Cass Hyatt," Jarrod said softly. Adeline didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to reach out and touch him but was afraid he would reject her.

"Cedric figured you would never visit Hyatt in prison, so he paid off officials to keep Hyatt's secret. I'm sure if you were to go and check, you'd find him living quite comfortably."

Jarrod closed his eyes. He was tired and worn down from caring for Adeline around the clock. The news she had just told him was a shock and already his mind was trying to form a plan concerning Hyatt. If what Adeline told him was true, and he believed that it was, Hyatt's days of luxury were over.

Adeline watched Jarrod and after a few minutes realized he had fallen asleep. She was too weary to do anything but watch him, letting the tears soak her pillow.


Jarrod woke several hours later and found that he was alone in their bed. He sat up with a start looking around the room. He checked the upstairs of the townhouse and not seeing Adeline, he proceeded down the stairs. He went to the kitchen, still not finding her. The study was also empty. He was beginning to feel panicked, when he noticed she was curled up on the settee in the parlor. He sighed with relief. He realized he hadn't said anything to her before he fell asleep. He quietly walked over to her and noticed her tear-stained cheeks. Jarrod gently gathered her in his arms. Adeline woke but didn't fight him. She began crying again and he whispered soothing words to her.

"Oh Jarrod! Please don't hate me. I couldn't stand it if you did," she cried.

Jarrod pulled back from her and stared into her eyes.

"I don't hate you, Adeline. I don't blame you for what Cedric did. You weren't at fault," he said softly. She began crying again and Jarrod held her close. After a few minutes, Jarrod carried her upstairs and placed her in their bed. She was exhausted and he was worried she would relapse. Adeline smiled up at him and asked him to stay with her until she fell asleep. He climbed into bed and the two slept for the next several hours.


It took almost another month, but a breakthrough finally came in finding Meredith. Jarrod and Adeline had already gone back to the Ranch when John Hampton contacted them. He had found the doctor who delivered Meredith and had a current address. He asked if Jarrod wanted him to contact the man, but Jarrod sent a telegram, asking him to wait. He and Adeline caught the next train out to Syracuse, New York. It would take them not quite a week to get there and with each mile the train ate up, the more nervous they became.

Adeline particularly was having a rough time. She couldn't keep anything down and spent most of her time in bed. Jarrod was concerned for her, but she insisted it was just the motion of the train, combined with the fact that they could possibly be close to finding Meredith. Jarrod wasn't so sure that was it but didn't want to press Adeline further.

A few times Adeline felt well enough to go to the dining car. She and Jarrod sat in a corner, talking in soft tones. Neither one noticed that every move they made was being watched.

They arrived in Syracuse, NY late in the evening. They checked into a hotel and then met with John. He gave them the address to the Doctor's as well as directions and bid them goodnight. Adeline and Jarrod made their way back to their room and settled in for the night. Sleep was long in coming for them both. It was a possibility that they could have the answers they sought about Meredith tomorrow.


Jarrod noticed that Adeline was able to keep her food down now that they weren't on the train. He was relieved that it was probably just motion sickness as she had insisted.

They rode in a rented buggy to the small neighborhood to the south of the city. The row of houses that lined the street were all well-kept and though not extravagant, they were large. Jarrod and Adeline stopped in front of a two-story brick home. They sat in the buggy, both afraid to move. Finally, Jarrod stepped down and helped his wife from the buggy. They slowly made their way up to the house and Jarrod knocked on the door. Adeline was holding Jarrod's hand so tightly her knuckles were turning white. After was seemed like a long time, though it was only seconds, the door opened.

"Mrs. Morrison? My name is Jarrod Barkley and this is my wife Adeline."

The woman stared at them for a long moment and then seemed to regain her senses. She invited them in and led them to a spacious parlor off to the left of the entryway. Once they were seated on the comfortable sofa, Mrs. Morrison smiled at the couple.

"Now, Mr. Barkley?" she asked. At Jarrod's nod, she continued. "What can I do for you?"

"We'd like to speak with your husband if he is available?"

Mrs. Morrison bowed her head. "I'm sorry. Charlie passed away last year."

It was all Adeline could do not to cry out. They were so close! Jarrod sensed her agitation and squeezed her hand.

"Your husband delivered our daughter almost ten years ago. Circumstances forced my wife to give her up for adoption. We are looking for her and were wondering if you would allow us to search through his records to perhaps find a clue as to where she is now?"

The woman looked from Adeline's pale face to that of the man sitting before her. They seemed genuine in their request, but she still had a few questions to ask.

"May I ask why you are coming now?"

Jarrod felt it was reasonable for her to ask and briefly explained their situation. The woman listened with rapt attention and after a few seconds, nodded.

"Tell me, Mrs. Barkley. Did you name your baby?"

"Yes. I named her Meredith. Meredith Victoria, after our mothers."

The woman smiled and again bowed her head. She then began speaking softly.

"You came. Charlie said you would one day, but I thought it would have been sooner. I'm so sorry for what you've had to go through, Mrs. Barkley. Charlie said it near killed him to take that precious baby from you. He had nightmares a few times about it. He was so happy when he got to go back and see you again. Said he told you to come and find him, didn't he?"

Adeline nodded.

"Please, Mrs. Morrison. Did your husband leave records indicating who adopted Meredith? We are desperate to find her," Adeline pleaded softly. She was beginning to feel ill again, but knew it was from being nervous.

"Oh I don't need records to tell you," the woman said. She smiled slightly and looked at Jarrod. "She looks so much like you."

Jarrod looked at Adeline and then back at Mrs. Morrison.

"Then you've seen her recently?" Jarrod asked, trying not to get his hopes up.

"Why yes, just this morning. You see, my husband and I adopted Meredith."