Chapter 5

The wedding day dawned clear and bright. The weather promised to be perfect, and Jaq awoke with a sense of happiness and contentment. She drew a bath and took her time, soaking in the rose scented water. She dressed slowly in a simple dress since her wedding dress had been taken to the Barkley ranch the day before where she would be getting ready. While Jarrod had wanted an actual wedding, neither wanted it to be a large one. A few neighbors and family friends were invited. The guest list didn't get above 50.

Jaq heard someone approaching and looked out the parlor window to see Nick. She gathered her things and met him on the porch.

Nick smiled and could see how excited Jaq was. He was thrilled that Jaq and Jarrod were finally making things official. She would be a welcomed addition to their family.

As they rode back to the ranch, Jaq couldn't help but ask a question that had been on her mind for a few months.

"Tell me, Nick," Jaq began as she looked out onto the landscape. "What's it going to take to have you follow in your brothers' footsteps?"

Nick looked over at Jaq, his eyebrow raised in question.

"What do you mean?" he asked, feigning innocence.

Jaq smiled as she turned to him. "You know exactly what I mean, Nicholas Barkley. Are you telling me in this vast Valley there are no ladies who've caught your eye?"

Nick laughed. "Many have tried," Nick replied. When he didn't elaborate further, Jaq decided to press. Nick was turning out to be one of her favorite people with his boisterous personality and rugged charm.

"Perhaps it's the fact none of them have captured your heart?" Jaq asked. Nick glanced at her sideways.

Nick watched Heath and Elsa fall in love. He then watched Jarrod with Beth and his tender care of her as well as his romance with Jaq. He wanted what each of them had. He was particularly fascinated by the relationship between the woman sitting next to him and his older brother. There was no hint of a romance between Jarrod and Jaq when Beth had been alive. Their association had been strictly professional. Then when Jarrod returned from Nevada, he saw a light in his eyes that had been missing for a while and Nick credited Jaq with that. Still, Jarrod and Jaq took their time and didn't rush anything. Their relationship was built on a foundation of friendship and when they decided they were ready, it became more.

Nick Barkley was impulsive and made up his mind quickly. His brothers were more methodical and took their time. Nick didn't want to be in love just for the sake of being in love. He wanted a love that would last a lifetime. He was seeing that methodical was the way to go.

"Maybe you're right," Nick replied. "Or maybe I'm just meant to be a lone wolf."

Nick laughed but Jaq didn't think he was serious. She placed a hand on his arm, and he looked over at her.

"You'll find someone, Nick. I know it," Jaq said. She squeezed his arm and then let go.

Nick thought if he could find someone half as wonderful as Jaq, he'd be a lucky man.


Once Jaq arrived at the ranch, things seemed to go by quickly. Audra flitted about, going back and forth from her room to the room where Jaq was getting ready. Jaq wasn't nervous at all and took everything in stride. Victoria and Audra helped Jaq into her dress, commenting over and over how perfect it was for her. Audra made mention of the many buttons, but Jaq didn't say anything. She caught Victoria's eye in the mirror and the two women shared a smile. Jaq blushed, thinking her soon to be mother in law was probably aware of the reason for the many buttons.

Finally, it was time for Jaq to walk down the aisle in the small meadow next to the Barkley Mansion. She had eyes only for Jarrod and loved how he looked at her. When she reached him, he mouthed the word, "Beautiful" and she smiled. He was dressed in a tuxedo that took Jaq's breath away. His blue eyes held hers and she had never felt more loved than at that moment.

Nick and Heath stood beside Jarrod while Audra and Elsa stood with Jaq. The reverend said the familiar words and then introduced the couple as "Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod Barkley" just as the sun was setting. Jaq thought her heart would burst.

Silas had outdone himself with the food. The spread was enjoyed by all and Jaq thought the cake was the most beautiful one she'd ever seen. The couple danced the night away and finally it was time for them to leave. The two left in a small carriage, driven by Nick. He dropped the couple off at their new home and took the carriage back to the ranch where the party was still in full swing. Nick had spied the niece of one of the neighbors who was visiting for the Summer and he hoped to dance with the young woman more.

The couple entered the house, Jarrod carrying Jaq over the threshold. He sat her down and barely let her feet touch the floor before wrapping his arms around her and bringing her back into his embrace. The bedroom wasn't far away but neither cared to wait much longer. Jarrod pushed Jaq up against the wall of the entryway and lifted the skirt of her dress. Both felt the need to be joined as one as soon as possible. Jarrod planned to take his time later with removing her dress but for now, he needed to take his wife and she begged him to do so.


The next morning, Jaq rose early as was her custom. Even though she hadn't gotten much sleep at all and should be exhausted, Jaq couldn't help but feel deliriously happy. When she'd met Jarrod two years before, it never occurred to her that he'd one day be her husband. Paul and Louisa's deaths, plus the deaths of her parents were still so fresh in her heart that she never wanted to even think of love. She was grateful they'd gotten to know one another as attorney/client, then as friends before finding love again with each other.

Jaq watched Jarrod sleep and allowed her eyes to travel down the length of him. She'd heard Nick teasing him at one point about "lily white hands", intimating that Jarrod wasn't physically fit since he didn't work out on the ranch, but Jarrod was in good shape. And his hands were anything but lily white. She couldn't help but smile at the memory of him unbuttoning each of the buttons on her dress the night before, and how his calloused hands touched her back, sending shivers down her spine.

They would need to be at the train station in a few hours and although Jaq wanted to wake Jarrod, she knew he needed his sleep. Their honeymoon would be anything but restful if she had her way.

She was debating on whether she should get up and make coffee or snuggle down next to her husband. She again looked at him and decided she wanted neither.

Jarrod felt Jaq move on top of him and he managed to keep himself calm when all he wanted to do was pounce on her. Jaq straddled him and he opened his eyes to find her smiling. His hands held on to her hips and she began to move, giving them both the pleasure they desired.

Once both were left breathless, they rose and readied for the day. They made it to town and traveled by rail to Sacramento where they would spend the week enjoying the city and one another.