Thank you all for the warm reception. And a HUGE THANK YOU to my friends.
Chapter 2
The trip to the lodge was uneventful and Jarrod made good time. He remembered Monroe's warning about Becca not being the same person he remembered from before. That concerned Jarrod. It made him wonder what had happened to her in the last six months. When he thought about it more, he admitted he was no longer the same person either. Not after meeting and marrying Beth, her murder, and what he'd attempted to do to Cass Hyatt in Rimfire. Not to mention the way the guilt had eaten away at him and how he'd sought to soothe that guilt away.
One thing Jarrod knew for sure was that he loved Becca and he loved Emma. He wanted more than anything to have them in his life forever.
He was hesitant as he pulled up to the front of the cabin and hoped he wasn't startling the occupants inside. He saw a curtain move and just as he reached the porch, the door began to open.
Becca stood in front of him and the fact that Monroe told him she wasn't the same was an understatement. She could barely meet his eyes as her hand rested on her swollen belly. It was clear she was with child and Jarrod's heart skipped a beat. To him, she'd never looked more lovely.
"Becca look at me," Jarrod said softly. He stood at the edge of the porch, wanting nothing more than to gather her in his arms but was uncertain if she would welcome his touch.
Becca raised her violet eyes to his piercing blue ones. Jarrod thought she looked like a wounded animal. She also looked exhausted, as though she could fall apart at any moment.
"I'm not sure what I should do."
Becca's eyes filled with tears.
"I think for right now I just want you to come inside."
Jarrod nodded. Becca turned and Jarrod followed her.
"Where's Emma?" he asked as he closed the front door and placed his hat on the hook next to the door.
"She's sleeping," Becca said wearily as she walked over to one of the chairs. She sighed as she lowered her body.
Jarrod took a seat on the settee, leaving room for Becca if she chose to join him.
"Becca, what can I do for you?" he asked, feeling helpless.
Becca took a deep breath and released it slowly. When she'd realized she was expecting, Becca was mortified. Hers and Emma's lives were already complicated enough and now with a new baby in the mix, she wasn't sure what to do. When she could no longer hide the fact a baby was on the way, her uncle decided they needed to find a place to settle down until after the baby was born. They had hoped they were being careful enough as they moved from town to town but that hadn't been the case. And Becca was slowing them down.
"We need to contact Barkley," Frank said. There was no admonition or censure in his voice.
Becca couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She was hesitant to bring Jarrod back into their danger filled world but knew he had a right to know about the baby.
"We also need to get as far away from any town as possible."
"The lodge," Becca replied tiredly. "Jarrod's family owns a lodge near Lodi."
"Let's get there and I'll contact him."
It was settled.
Becca's eyes filled with tears and she put her head in her hands. Jarrod was next to her in an instant, listening to her cries and bringing her into his arms. She didn't resist him.
"The baby is yours," she whispered.
"Becca, I don't doubt that," Jarrod replied, tightening his hold on her.
"I'm so sorry, Jarrod," she sniffed.
"Why are you sorry?" he asked.
"For leaving you. For the baby. For dragging you into this again."
Jarrod stood and brought Becca up with him. He led her over to the settee and they sat down. Jarrod put his arm around Becca, and she leaned into him.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. And I'm thrilled about the baby. We'll make this work, and I won't let anything happen to you, Emma, or our child. We're a family. I love you, Becca. I love you and I want us to be together forever."
Becca didn't answer and Jarrod looked down. She'd fallen asleep against him and he smiled. He knew he'd have some explaining to do, but he couldn't wait to get Becca and Emma back to the ranch and introduce them to his family.
While the reunion with Becca went well, the one with Emma did not. She met Jarrod with suspicious eyes and other than the polite responses she would give so she wouldn't be in trouble with her mother, she did not acknowledge his presence. Not even the gift of books could sway the child to spend any time with Jarrod.
The first day was almost painful with the awkwardness and Jarrod hated to admit it, but he was happy to have Emma go to bed for the night. His heart ached because he knew she was hurting. He would never tell her it was Becca who had made the decision for them to leave and that he wasn't able to tell her goodbye. Becca herself, tried to explain but all Emma could think of was the fact her Uncle Mister Jarrod broke his promise and left them again.
Becca came from Emma's room after tucking her in for the night. She hoped the small girl would wake up tomorrow in a better mood. She entered the parlor and saw Jarrod standing at the fireplace, his shirt sleeves rolled up and an empty glass in his hand. She tried to think back on when they were at the lodge before and didn't think there had been any alcohol. Maybe there had been, and she just didn't remember. Becca was feeling unsure about what she should do. She didn't want to bother him, but she also didn't want to go to her room and have him think she was upset with him. The baby chose that moment to give her a swift kick and she gasped. Jarrod looked up at the sound.
"Are you alright?" he asked in concern, coming to her, setting the glass down on the table.
"Yes, I'm sorry. This one loves to get my attention," she said patting her extended belly.
"May I?" he asked. Becca nodded and watched his face as he placed his hand on her stomach. Nothing happened at first and then he felt the baby move. The look of awe on Jarrod's face made Becca smile.
His eyes met hers and he couldn't resist leaning in for a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him. When they broke apart, Jarrod held her close, loving the feel of the baby between them.
"I want to take you into the bedroom and show you how much I've missed you," he whispered. Becca raised her face to his and kissed him deeply, tasting the remnants of the scotch he'd just finished.
"Are you sure?" he asked when they broke apart. "I don't want to hurt you."
Becca smiled and placed a hand on his face.
"You won't."
Jarrod picked Becca up and took her to the bedroom. He gently set her down and the two took their time undressing, enjoying being together once again. Jarrod went slowly, even though Becca assured him he wouldn't hurt her or the baby, this was all new to him and he wanted to make sure she enjoyed herself.
Much later, when the two lay curled up together, Jarrod kissed the top of Becca's head. He knew she wasn't asleep yet and thought now would be the best time to tell her his plan.
"I think we should go back to the ranch," he said softly.
Becca sighed. "Jarrod, I'm afraid. What if Elliot finds us? What if he hurts you or your family?"
Jarrod held on to Becca more tightly.
"Becca, we need to be near a doctor for when your time comes. I want you to meet my family and I want them to meet you and Emma. We'll figure things out. It'll be alright, I promise."
Becca was silent and Jarrod thought she'd fallen asleep. Several minutes later he felt her nod her head.
"I trust you, Jarrod," she said sleepily. The two fell asleep in one another's arms and didn't wake up until the sun rose the next morning.
Jarrod and Becca carried on their conversation as normal, Emma eating her breakfast quietly and listening. Jarrod decided he wasn't going to walk on eggshells around her but give her time to get used to his presence again.
He and Becca decided to take a walk after breakfast, Emma being instructed to get her shoes on. She did so but both adults could tell it was done reluctantly.
The three made their way toward the stream. Emma hopped and skipped, seemingly enjoying the freedom of roaming about that she'd been missing. At the stream, Becca took a seat on a fallen log and enjoyed the sunshine and sounds of nature. Emma walked near the stream, swollen from recent rains. Jarrod called out to her to back away in case she fell in. Emma ignored him and Becca was about to say something when Emma lost her balance.
Before Becca could get to her feet, Emma was under water and Jarrod was right there to grab her. He brought her back to shore and set her down. Everything happened quickly and Jarrod reacted without thinking. He grabbed Emma by the shoulders.
"I told you to back away, Emma. You have to do what I tell you immediately," he said firmly. He didn't raise his voice, but there was no doubt he was serious.
Tears filled Emma's eyes and she immediately began to cry. Jarrod felt terribly for how he'd spoken to her. Emma ran to Becca who hugged her daughter.
"Why don't we go back and get some dry clothes," Becca said soothingly. Emma nodded and the three walked back to the cabin.
While Becca helped Emma, Jarrod changed his clothes then went outside. He decided he needed to put a little space between himself and the child. He picked up an axe and began chopping wood although he knew the supply wasn't in need of being replenished. He worked out his frustrations and once he was finished stacking the wood, he'd chopped he went into the cabin. Emma played on the rug by fireplace but didn't acknowledge his presence. Becca was in the kitchen and poured Jarrod a cup of coffee which he took after giving her a quick kiss.
"I'm sorry for the way I spoke to Emma before. I'll apologize to her as well," he said softly.
Becca smiled at him. "You don't need to apologize. You were frightened. We all were. And she didn't listen. She and I talked about that. And in a moment, I'll have her come apologize to you."
Jarrod nodded as he took another sip of coffee. It wasn't really what he wanted but he knew it was too early to break out the scotch he'd brought with him.
"Emma," Becca called. Emma slowly walked into the kitchen and stood in the doorway. "Come here all the way, please."
Emma slowly walked toward her mother her eyes downcast.
"Emma, what do you say to Uncle Mister Jarrod?" Becca asked.
"I'm sorry," was said quietly.
"Emma," Becca said to her. "You will look him in the eye please."
Jarrod bent down so he was eye level with Emma. She looked him in the eye and raised her chin a bit. Her eyes narrowed and she took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you," the young girl choked out.
"Thank you, Emma," Jarrod replied. He wanted to reach out and give her a hug but held back.
"Emma," Becca again called her daughter's name.
Emma took another deep breath and Jarrod had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. That the little girl was finding this all exasperating was clear.
"Will you read me a story?" she asked. Jarrod knew this was not Emma's idea and wasn't sure if was wise to force the child to spend time with him. He took his cue from Becca, however.
"I would love to. Why don't you go pick one out and we'll go onto the front porch?"
Emma left the room without another word and Jarrod stood, gathering Becca in his arms.
"Are you certain we should push her into spending time with me? She clearly doesn't want to."
Becca sighed. "I'm not certain about anything. But if we go back to the ranch, if we make a life together, she's going to have to forgive you sooner rather than later. I tried again to explain you didn't willingly leave us, but she's stuck on this being your fault."
He gave Becca a kiss and held her close for a moment.
"I'll have lunch ready soon. How about if I bring it out onto the porch and we can have a picnic of sorts?"
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Jarrod replied and gave her another quick kiss. He then went to find Emma and hoped the two could reconcile soon.
The rest of the day went better than the day before, but Emma still was cool and aloof toward Jarrod. She did allow him to read to her before bed and even permitted him to carry her to her room after.
As Jarrod lay Emma down in her bed, he noticed her tears. Emma had asked for a glass of water and Becca had gone to get it. She stood in the doorway and listened to the conversation between Jarrod and Emma.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" he asked softly, brushing back her dark hair from her forehead.
Emma sniffed. "I miss dolly," she said quietly.
"Where is she and I'll go get her for you," Jarrod replied.
"She's gone," Emma said, and she put her head in her hands as she cried.
Jarrod gathered the small girl in his arms. He looked toward Becca.
"It happened right before we arrived here. We thought we had everything but realized later that dolly was missing," Becca explained.
Jarrod patted Emma on her back and held her tight.
"How about if we get you a new dolly?" he asked her. "We can go back to the ranch where I grew up and I can get you another dolly and maybe a few new dresses for both of you."
Emma sniffed. Jarrod felt her head nod. He lay the little girl down and put the covers up over her.
"Can mama get new dresses too?" Emma asked sleepily.
"Of course!" Jarrod said and Becca couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you, Uncle Mister Jarrod," Emma said as she yawned.
Jarrod smiled and kissed her on her forehead. Emma's eyes were closing so Becca didn't try to give her the glass of water. She walked over quietly and kissed her daughter good night. She left the glass of water on the table next to the bed just in case.
Jarrod and Becca quietly walked back into the parlor. He poured a glass of scotch and took a sip. He then set the glass down and took Becca into his arms, bringing her close to him.
"I think we should pack up and leave day after tomorrow. We can take our time getting back to the ranch."
Becca sighed.
"What is your family going to think, Jarrod?" she asked.
"They'll be surprised, but it'll be alright. You'll love them. And I know they'll love you."
Becca nodded against Jarrod's chest. She hoped he was right.