Chapter 8

The next morning, Jarrod was sitting in the chair next to his bed, watching Jaq sleep. They'd arrived late into the evening and his mother had everything ready for them in Jarrod's old room. It was all Jarrod could do not to allow the memories of his vigil with Beth to overwhelm him. He kept having to tell himself that Jaq was fine.

Nick sat with Jarrod for several hours throughout the night, wanting to be close in case he was needed. Jarrod appreciated his brother's thoughtfulness but finally convinced Nick to get some rest.

"This is a working ranch," Jarrod said. Nick smiled a little, thankful that Jarrod could find something to tease him about showing Nick Jarrod was going to be alright.

The sun was just starting to show its early morning rays when Jaq's eyes began to flutter open.

"Sweetheart," Jaq heard Jarrod's voice say. "Wake up…come back to me."

Jaq moaned just a bit then opened her eyes. Jarrod was staring at her with concern and she hated seeing him in distress. The memories of what had happened the previous night flooded back, and Jaq started to cry.

Jarrod held her, hoping to get her to calm down, not wanting any harm to come to her or the baby.

"Shhh…." Jarrod said and he continued to whisper softly in Jaq's ears. She eventually calmed down and allowed herself to be held.

Jaq pushed back and then sat up. Jarrod put a pillow behind her to help her be more comfortable.

"I don't understand what's happening," Jaq finally said.

"Neither do I, sweetheart but we'll figure it out."

Jaq looked at Jarrod and could see the worry in his eyes.

"Do you believe me now? About Beth?" she asked, but her tone held no accusation.

Jarrod sighed. "I believe you saw something that made you think it's Beth. But honey, Beth is dead."

Jaq turned her face from him, her eyes filling with tears.

"I know what I saw," she whispered. "Who else would know where to get the flowers from? Who else, Jarrod?" she said a bit more loudly, turning to look at him.

Jarrod stood and paced around, feeling frustrated. He was angry although he didn't know at whom. He went back and sat next to Jaq, taking her hand in his.

"The flowers…I thought they were from you. They were left in our home, Jarrod. In the kitchen, in our bedroom. I feel like such a fool not to question it all," Jaq said, trying to keep from succumbing to the panic she felt.

"I've already planned a wire I'm going to have sent to Pinkerton's. They are going to confirm that Beth is dead. And we'll find out who has been leaving the flowers and we'll get this figured out."

Jaq took a deep, shuddering breath.

"I just want you to believe me," was all she said. She took her hand back and lay down, turning away from Jarrod.

Jarrod's shoulders slumped. He didn't know what to do next, but he felt as though Jaq might need some space. He wanted to tell her he knew about the baby but now didn't seem to be the right time.

"I'm going downstairs for a while. I'll be back up later to check on you," he said softly. Jaq didn't answer, but Jarrod knew she wasn't asleep.

Jarrod went into the kitchen to get some coffee. Victoria was there, working on a supply list since Silas would be leaving for town soon.

"How is Jaq?" Victoria asked as she poured Jarrod a cup of coffee.

"She's upset."

"What happened last night, Jarrod?" she asked.

Jarrod sat across from his mother and toyed with the cup. He took a sip of the hot, dark liquid and realized it wasn't what he really wanted but it was too early to drink a scotch.

Victoria waited patiently for him to answer.

"Remember in San Francisco before the wedding? When Jaq almost fainted?"

Victoria nodded.

"You told me she said, 'I saw her'."

"I remember."

"When we were in Sacramento on our honeymoon, there was a flower festival going on when we arrived. There were thousands of people there and we got separated. We weren't apart for very long but when I found Jaq, she was in near hysterics. I got her back to the hotel room and she started to say, 'I thought I saw' then changed it."

Jarrod took a deep breath.

"Several months ago, a storm rolled through. It was severe…Jaq had been upstairs in one of the bedrooms. I was in the study and I heard her running down the stairs. She ran out the front door into the rain and I went after her. After I got her back inside the house, she told me she'd seen…"

Jarrod almost couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Who, Jarrod?" Victoria asked.

"Jaq said she'd seen Beth. That she'd seen her in San Francisco and Sacramento as well."

Victoria put her hand on her mouth.

"I wasn't sure what to say. Beth is dead. I don't doubt that, but Jaq insists she's seen her."

"Oh Jarrod," Victoria said, placing her hand on his.

The two sat this way for a few minutes. Nick walked into the kitchen and felt a moment of panic.

"Jarrod is Jaq alright?" he asked.

"She's resting," was all Jarrod said.

Nick joined his mother and brother at the table and Victoria relayed to Nick everything Jarrod had just told her.

"Is there a way we can verify she's dead?" Nick asked. Jarrod looked at him, his blue eyes filled with pain.

"Yes, I'm going to have a wire sent to Pinkerton's."

Nick nodded.

"What made Jaq run out of your office last night?" Nick asked.

Jarrod took another sip of the now lukewarm coffee. He pushed the cup away from him, not wanting anymore.

"She brought me dinner and in the basket were some yellow flowers. She asked me how I'd managed to sneak them into the basket without her knowing. I assured her I hadn't and then she said something about receiving flowers from me for the last several months."

"You didn't give them to her?" Victoria asked.

Jarrod shook his head. "Whoever it was, they've been in our home. Jaq said the flowers were left in the kitchen and even in our bedroom."

Victoria gasped. This was becoming frightening. Nick clenched his fists.

"The flowers…I've only ever seen them in one area around here."

Victoria and Nick waited for Jarrod to continue.

"Where?" Nick finally asked, unable to wait any longer for an answer.

"They grow wild where Beth was shot."

Victoria shook her head and closed her eyes.

"Jarrod, this is terrifying," Victoria said.

"Jaq is upset because I don't believe her. It's not that I don't believe something is going on, I just don't believe Beth is alive."

The three sat around the table, unable to come to any conclusions on where to go from there. Jarrod finally looked up at the clock and realized he'd been away from Jaq for almost as hour. He was hoping she was sleeping, but he wanted to go check on her. He thought he might as well get some work done too.

"Nick, could you go to our house and get the file with the contracts for the upcoming cattle drive? I need something to occupy my mind."

Nick stood, glad to have something to do to help.

"Of course. Where would it be?"

"In the bottom desk drawer in the study."

Nick put his hand on Jarrod's shoulder and squeezed, then left the room.

Jarrod stood and took a deep breath.

"I'm going to check on Jaq. Then I'll go to the study to wait on Nick."

Jarrod bent to give his mother a kiss on her cheek. After he left the room, Victoria couldn't help but let the tears fall. Then she felt the anger growing. Someone was hurting her family and she hoped they found out soon who it was. That person would be very sorry.