Jarrod sighed heavily as he slowly walked ahead of Jingo and guided him through the mud. It had been raining for several days and the trail was wet, muddy and slippery. Abby was getting grouchy because they hadn't been able to stay in a town for the last few days and truth was he was just as grouchy as she was. The rain delayed him by at least three or four days and he wasn't sure if he would be able to make up that much time. The only good thing was the rain finally had stopped.

"Mistah Jay," Abby called.

Jarrod looked over his shoulder at Abby and answered, "Yes little lady."

"We thewe yet?"

Jarrod sighed as Abby had asked that same question at least one hundred times a day. "No honey not yet."

He heard Abby moving around in the saddle and looked back at her to see what she was doing.

"What are you doing?" Jarrod questioned. He heard the moving stopped and decided he better stop too because he had an aching feeling she was up to something. As he stopped Jingo he turned around just in time to see Abby go flying out of the saddle. Jarrod stood frozen for a brief second before he reacted and caught her. However because of the mud he lost his balance and fell into the mud puddle much to his disgust.

Abby covered her mouth to hide the smile, "I sowwy Mistah Jay." But she could not contain the giggle.

Jarrod glared at her and almost started yelling at her but caught himself in time. He imagined he looked like a mess sitting in the mud and covered in it as well. He looked at Abby and realized she didn't have a single drop of mud on her so he dug his hand into the mud pit and flung some at Abby while he laughed.

The little girl sat there shocked not sure what to do but once Jarrod started laughing she decided she would also throw mud at him. Before Jarrod realized what had happened he and Abby both were covered in mud from head to toe. He leaned against the tree and shook his head as he watched Abby splash and throw mud around. Maybe this was exactly what both of them needed since they had been stuck on the trail for the last several days.

He had seen a small pond in the distance and decided they both now needed a bath before continuing. He carefully got up so he would not fall and grabbed Abby by the waist as he got the saddlebags with the soap and clean clothes. When Abby realized where Jarrod was going she started to try to get away from him but he had a tight grip on her.

"Be still little lady, we both need to get cleaned up and this lake is the only option we have right now."

"It's cold," Abby protested.

Jarrod agreed, "Probably but we don't have a choice honey." As he neared the lake he carefully made his way into it and was surprised that it wasn't as cold as he thought it would be. He playfully threw Abby into the water and was horrified when she started to scream for help. Jarrod immediately went to her and scooped her up taking to the shore. She was crying hysterically as he sat down on the bank. He held her tightly and rubbed her back trying to soothe her.

"Honey, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." It took several minutes of Jarrod consoling Abby before she calmed down. When she finally calmed down Jarrod turned her in his lap to look at him. "Honey I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Abby looked at him with tears still streaming down her face. "It's okay Mistah Jay."

"No it's not." Jarrod hugged her tightly once again as it broke his heart that he caused her any pain or suffering. Then he suddenly remembered what Sister Catherine had told him about Abby being scared at bath time and he fought the tears from falling down his face. What in the hell had Danny done to this little girl.

Abby sniffled and said, "Do I still have to get clean?"

Jarrod chuckled and said, "Yes honey we both do. But this time you walk out as far as you want to and I'll hold your hand the entire time, okay?"

Abby smiled and nodded her head. Jarrod once again got the soap as they headed back into the water to get cleaned up. Thirty minutes later they were as clean as they could be when Jarrod decided to stay the night here.

"What do you say we stay here tonight?"

Abby pouted as she looked at Jarrod, "Do we have to?"

Jarrod sighed as he answered, "It's almost dark and I am sure Jingo could use a rest after walking through all this mud." Jarrod hoped if he used Jingo as an excuse Abby would be more accepting of the situation.

Abby looked at Jingo and said, "Ok."

Jarrod smiled at Abby and said, "We should be in a town tomorrow and I promise you we will sleep in a bed tomorrow night."

"And eat chicken?"

Jarrod laughed, "Yes."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Danny Wells was livid. His daughter and Jarrod Barkley had disappeared four days ago and there was no lead as to where they had gone. On top of that now Barkley's brothers were following him everywhere and he couldn't do anything about it. His attorney had gone to the police station to see about stopping them but there was nothing they could do since technically they were not breaking the law.

"Danny, the police said they're not breaking the law."

Danny sighed in disgust, "I'm tired of them following us everywhere."

"Look at it this way since they are following us everywhere that means they don't know where their brother is either."

"Hmph, I guess so but I am really getting fed up with those two."

James hated to bring the next subject up but he had too since the police told him about Sister Catherine identifying Danny as her attacker. "Danny there is something else we need to talk about."

"What?"

James cleared his throat and began, "Apparently Sister Catherine was savagely beaten a few nights ago and she identified you as her attacker."

Danny simply looked at his attorney and said, "And?"

James looked at Danny in shock, "So you did it?"

Danny shrugged his shoulders, "I was simply asking her questions and may have gotten a little carried away."

James bellowed, "What in the devil is wrong with you Danny? She has identified you and is going to press charges and I can't make this go away like the other times."

Danny waved his hand, "Make a donation to the church."

James shouted this time, "Danny! This cannot be bought or swept under the rug."

Danny glared at said, "Don't yell at me James, remember who pays your bills and debts."

James blew out a disgusted breath, "I realize that Danny but I'm telling you this is not going away."

Danny shrugged his shoulders and said, "I'll handle it."

James spat, "NO! I think you have already done enough don't you?"

Danny glared at his attorney and said, "You do realize you can be replaced?"

"Danny your threats don't scare me any longer. You're going to do whatever you please to whomever you please." James had finally had enough and said, "I have worked for your family for years Danny but I can't do this any longer. I am sorry."

Danny looked at James and said, "You're quitting?"

James looked at Danny and said, "Yes."

Danny laughed as he answered, "You can't quit we have a contract remember?"

James sighed and said, "Unfortunately however there is a clause in there that will allow me to leave if I so chose and I'm leaving you Danny."

Danny laughed evilly, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

James now took a step towards Danny and issued his own statement, "Yes I am and if something happens to me all of your dirty little secrets will not be secrets any longer."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means if I disappear or I'm involved in any type accident, all of your dirty little secrets will not be secrets anymore."

Danny grabbed James by the collar and spat, "How dare you threaten me!"

James pushed Danny away from him and spoke low, "It's not a threat, it's a promise so I would suggest you make sure I live a long healthy life." James turned and walked out of the door leaving Danny standing there in shock.