Mary watched as Jarrod laid Abby down on the bed and covered her up. The little girl had worn herself out today playing. At first Abby was disappointed about the picnic but when she realized Mary brought some cold fried chicken along with some books she was fine. Abby pretty much stayed close to Jarrod at all times so the adults really did not have time to talk too much. On the way back to the hotel Jarrod asked Mary if she could stay a few minutes so they could talk.
Mary wasn't sure what to think about Abby or Jarrod since Abby still hadn't uttered a word to her and only whispered in Jarrod's ear.
Jarrod had left the door open because he didn't want Mary to think he would try anything inappropriate but he also needed to make sure there was no one outside in the hallway. He had to stay on his toes at all times.
Mary watched him look out the door and noticed the worried look on his face. He leaned against the door so he could keep an eye out.
Mary pointed towards the door and said, "Jarrod you can close the door, I trust you."
"What about your reputation? I wouldn't want to scandalize you."
Mary smiled at Jarrod and was touched he was concerned about her reputation. "Jarrod your daughter is right here," she pointed at Abby. "So I seriously doubt you would do anything for fear of her waking up at the wrong moment."
Jarrod sighed as he looked down the hallway once more and knew if he closed the door it would be easier to talk to her. "Are you sure?"
"Yes I am." Mary sat down on the couch while Jarrod closed the door and locked it. Mary did get a little concerned that he locked the door but shrugged it off.
Jarrod sat down on the bed across from Abby and wasn't sure where to start. He sighed as he ran his hands through his hair and rubbed the beard that he had grown. He really hated the beard and would be glad when he could shave it off.
"Jarrod, please know whatever you say to me will stay here."
Jarrod smiled at Mary and said, "I hope you feel that way after I tell you what's going on."
Mary frowned slightly but said, "Try me." She put her hands in her lap and waited.
Jarrod got up and starting pacing. "I need you to do something for me and Abby that is extremely important." Jarrod sighed and said, "I need you to buy us some train tickets to Oregon." Mary was going to interrupt but Jarrod stopped her. "Please let me finish before you ask any questions because I'm certain you'll have plenty of them. I'm taking Abby to meet her mother's family so they can raise her." Jarrod sat back down.
"You see her mother was killed a few weeks ago by her husband and I promised her mother I would keep Abby safe and away from her father." Jarrod saw the look on Mary's face and knew what it was. "No I am not Abby's father and I am sorry for misleading you about that. Abby's father is a cruel and sick man who abused both Abby and her mother. I'm not sure what type of abuse Abby saw or was a victim of but she has been abused. I was her mother's lawyer and was able to get a divorce granted but Danny killed Martha before it was finalized thus giving him full custody of Abby. Before Martha died I promised her I would keep Abby away from Danny so she gave me her family's information. They are meeting me in five days in Oregon. I'm fairly certain there is a wanted poster on me for taking Abby and her father will stop at nothing to find both of us. We've been travelling by horseback for the past seven days so that's why Abby wasn't too thrilled about the picnic today. But because of all the rain there is no way I can make it to Oregon on time. That's why I need you to buy the train tickets for us."
Mary sat there shocked. She didn't know what Jarrod wanted to talk to her about but she sure didn't expect this. Her mind was reeling and she needed a drink. She looked around the room but didn't see anything to drink. She blew out a slow breath.
Jarrod was watching her as he talked and her face went from shock to surprise but he didn't see anger which he thought was a good sign, he hoped.
Mary stuttered, "I am not even sure where to start with my questions."
Jarrod sighed as now he thought he may have made a mistake by telling Mary. Before he could respond Mary started talking again.
"So you're an attorney?" Jarrod nodded his head yes. "And you're not Abby's father?" Jarrod nodded his head no. "But you're taking Abby to her mother's family to keep her father away from her?" Jarrod once again shook his head yes.
Mary stood up and it was now her turn to pace. Now it was making sense why the little girl had been so shy; she had been abused and probably had to watch her mother being abused. It infuriated her that any person could hurt a child. She turned to Jarrod and smiled at him, "When do you want me to buy the tickets?"
Jarrod sat there frozen not sure he had heard her correctly, "Huh?"
Mary chuckled at Jarrod and said, "I'll buy the tickets for you Jarrod and I won't tell anyone what you just told me."
Jarrod blew out a sigh of relief but he still had to make sure, "Are you sure Mary? I could be a wanted man."
"Maybe as far as the law is concerned but what you are doing is wonderful. To risk your life and career because of a promise, well that is something."
Jarrod disagreed. "No not because of a promise." He motioned to Abby sleeping, "because of her. No child should have to endure what she has already endured in her short life." Jarrod shook his head in anger.
"I was at the sheriff's office today delivering some lunch and I don't recall seeing your face or Abby's on the board. Do you really think her father is looking for her?"
"Without a doubt."
"You said you have been travelling for a week, where did you come from?"
Jarrod raised his eyebrow at her surprised she did not recognize him but he was glad the beard seemed to be doing the trick of changing his appearance. "San Francisco."
Mary continued pacing, "And you're an attorney in San Francisco?"
"Yes I have an office there and in Stockton too."
Mary stopped pacing and said, "Wait a minute, you're an attorney and you have offices both in Stockton and San Francisco?" Mary looked at Jarrod and realized who he was now. "Your last name is Barkley as in Jarrod Barkley?"
Jarrod smiled wryly, "Yes."
Mary sat back down before she fell down. This was overwhelming to her. Nothing ever happened in Lincoln and now she was in Jarrod Barkley's hotel room whom happened to be on the run with a little girl. Mary rubbed her temple and said, "Oh my goodness."
Jarrod frowned not sure what to make of her comment, "Mary if..."
Mary held up her hand to stop Jarrod, "Jarrod, I'll do whatever you need me to do to help you and Abby."
"Are you sure Mary?"
Mary smiled and said, "Yes. I'll get the train schedules for you tomorrow and we can talk more at that time."
Jarrod got up and said, "Mary..."
Mary interrupted him, "Jarrod please. I am honored you have trusted me enough to tell me this and now we have to get that little girl away from her father." Mary rose and walked to Jarrod. "I'll help you any way I can Jarrod." She leaned towards him and kissed him on the cheek before she left.