Jarrod wasn't sure who has happier to be in Warm Springs, him or Abby. He was looking forward to getting some sleep and Abby was excited to finally get some hot food; preferably her favorite fried chicken. They waited till almost dusk before they rode into town and Jarrod was glad to see the livery stable was not that far from the hotel. Jarrod and Abby took Jingo to the livery stable before heading to the hotel so he could scan the town to see if anything stood out to him.
Abby held tightly to Jarrod's hand as they walked to the hotel. Jarrod's eyes were steadily searching for anyone watching them and he didn't see anything that alarmed him. He felt pretty sure Wells would search San Francisco first before going to Stockton. No one would be able to give Wells any information as Jarrod had not talked to anyone except Sister Catherine and he knew she would not betray him.
Jarrod and Abby entered the Hotel Lobby and he smiled politely at the desk clerk as they approached. "I need a room with a private bath and two beds please."
The desk clerk sized up the attorney and little girl and wasn't sure if the dirty cowboy could afford what he was asking for. "That will be two dollars."
Jarrod sighed as he was sure he looked bad but he reached into his jacket pocket and handed the man some money. He repeated, "I need a room with a private bath and two beds please."
The desk clerk took the money and handed Jarrod a key. "Room three." He pointed up the stairs as he gave him the directions. "Third door on the right."
Jarrod tipped his hat and asked, "Do you have room service by chance?"
"Yes sir we do. Would you like to place an order from the restaurant?"
Jarrod smiled as he looked at Abby and said, "Yes we would. I want a steak cooked medium with salad and potatoes and a plate of fried chicken with potatoes and rolls. Also a glass of milk and a bottle of scotch if you have it."
"No scotch but they do have Red Wine."
"That's fine. Do I pay you now or wait for the food to be delivered?"
"Pay when it is delivered." The desk clerk looked past Jarrod into the restaurant and said, "It's slow right now so it should be ready in about an hour."
"Sounds good to us." Jarrod and Abby went up the stairs as the clerk went to give the food order to the cook and waitress in the restaurant.
Once Jarrod opened the door he threw the saddlebags on one of the beds as Abby ran and looked out the window. Jarrod went into the water closet and started to get the water ready for Abby to take a bath. He would take one once she went to sleep.
Abby came running into the water closet and said, "You taking a bath Jay?"
Jarrod laughed and said, "No, you are little lady."
Abby pouted as she did not care for baths. "Ah, Mistah Jay, do I weally have to take a bath?"
"Yes you do."
Abby kicked her feet in the air and sighed, "You ditty too Jay."
Jarrod smiled as he agreed, "Yes I am and I will take a bath later. First we need to get you cleaned up so you look like a little lady again."
Abby looked at Jarrod and said, "I don't like baths."
"I know that but if you want to go shopping later you have to get a bath."
Abby perked up, "Shopping?"
Jarrod smiled, "Yes, shopping. I saw a general store and I bet they have some books you may like and we both need some more clothes."
Abby sighed and said, "Okay." She started to remove her clothing with Jarrod's help.
He had to turn his head a few times so she would not see the anger in his eyes at the bruises on her small body. He was glad to see she was finally starting to heal physically but he knew she would carry the scars mentally for a very long time. He knew all of the welts on her body were from whippings and she was still so painfully small. Martha had told Jarrod on more than a few occasions Danny would withhold food from Abby as a punishment for something she had done.
Jarrod was furious when he found out about that and it took everything he had not to find Danny Wells and kill him. Whenever Jarrod had went to see Martha and Abby at the church he would take both of them snacks and food although the Sisters were making sure both of them were eating but Jarrod wanted to make sure they had plenty.
Abby loved fried chicken and Jarrod had already made up his mind that when they were in a town if she wanted fried chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner she would get just that. He knew he was spoiling her but he didn't care; she deserved it.
"Mistah Jay?"
Jarrod shook his head and looked at Abby in the tub. She had soap everywhere except on her body. He chuckled as he said, "I believe you are washing everything except you."
Jarrod rolled up his shirt sleeves and reached for the washcloth as he grabbed the soap. By the time he was done Abby was clean but Jarrod's shirt was soaking wet. Sister Catherine had told him to make a game of bath time otherwise Abby could be difficult. The Sister was sure it had to do with her father but the little girl would not divulge any information.
Abby pointed at Jarrod, "You wet," she giggled.
Jarrod looked at his shirt and said, "Yes I am but at least you're clean and look like a little girl again." Jarrod stood up and offered Abby a towel while he turned his head and got her out. "Are you covered up now?"
Abby laughing gave him the answer he wanted as they walked back into the room. He sat on the bed and looked through the saddlebags until he found the brush while Abby dressed. This is what he wasn't looking forward to; brushing her hair. It was short, curly and thick and Abby hated for her hair to be brushed.
Abby looked at Jarrod and frowned. She got her dolly and sat down beside Jarrod as he did his best to comb out her hair. Abby for her part did not complain as much since she knew Jarrod was trying to be gentle with her.
Someone knocking on the door startled Jarrod.
"Go to the bathroom and don't come out till I tell you too."
Abby looked at Jarrod scared but did as he told her too. He took the gun out of his gun belt as he walked to the door and called, "Who is it?"
A timid answer on the other side, "Room service sir."
Jarrod heard Abby moving around and raised his hand to halt her as he cocked his gun and slowly answered the door. He breathed a sigh of relief to see the desk clerk with the food he had ordered for him and Abby.
The desk clerk set up the food on the table while Abby sat down and waited. Jarrod paid for the food and thanked the desk clerk as he joined Abby at the table.
He hadn't realized how hungry he was till he smelled the food. "Are you ready to eat little lady?" Abby smiled widely as she shook her head.
After they finished eating Jarrod knew Abby was tired so he read her a book hoping she would take a nap so he could get a hot bath. Within five minutes she was sound asleep. Jarrod gently got off the bed as he locked the door and placed a chair in front of it just in case. He knew he was probably being too cautious but he would rather error on the side of caution.
As he soaked in the hot tub he sipped on the wine. He wished they would have had scotch but it was pretty good wine.
His thoughts went to his family and he knew by now they would have been informed of his actions. But he also knew they would go to San Francisco to find out exactly what was going on and Sister Catherine would contact them. He hated doing this but he had to make sure his family was safe. Danny Wells was a sick and twisted man and knew he would do whatever it took to find Jarrod and Abby and the less people who knew what Jarrod was up to the better.
He got out of the tub and dressed quickly as he looked in the mirror. He needed and wanted to shave but thought better of it. They would be looking for a clean shaven man and this would be one more way of trying to throw off any one figuring out who he was. He had thought about trying to pass Abby off as a little boy but she had already been through so much Jarrod decided against it. Besides he knew she was scared of strangers so the chance of her talking to anyone and accidentally saying something to give him up were slim to none.
He looked at Abby sound asleep and covered her up with the blanket as he decided to lie down and get a nap before she woke up.